Welcome to our first-ever Greatest Guitarist poll, where 128 guitarists go head to head, round by round, in a bracketed format, all to crown your choice for the Greatest Guitarist of All Time.
We filled 124 of 128 slots with the names of a host of incredible guitarists (dead and living) — players chosen for their technical ability as well as their importance and creativity, not to mention how influential they've been. We asked you to vote in the final four names, which you did. Now the 128 slots are filled, and we're deep into Round 1.
You might come across one or two interesting style matchups in this poll, which may lead some of you to wonder, "How do you compare a shred guitarist to a blues guitarist?" Aside from how good a player is at his or her given style, here are some things to take into consideration:
• Influence: Who inspired more kids to beg their parents for a guitar for Christmas? Who inspired a wave of copycats?
• Chops/Versatility: Is the guitarist in question a one-trick pony or a master of many styles?
• Body of Work: Who had the more consistent career? Who has played on more classic albums?
• Creativity: Who pioneered new techniques? Who sounds the most radically different from what came before them?
You can check out full results via our regularly updated bracket here.
Today, The Beatles' George Harrison, who evolved into one of rock's best non-blues-based slide players, takes on the experimental, folk-tinged playing of Neil Young, who made his name with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Who will move on to Round 2? Vote now!
Readers Poll: The Greatest Guitarist of All Time — Harrison Vs. N YoungWednesday's matchup saw Tony Iommi (82.98%) defeat Leslie West (17.02%). View the full bracket.
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Neil Young: Learn 'The Story Behind Every Song, 1966-1992' (3/25/2013) Iconoclast, innovator and influence on generations of musicians, Neil Young has recorded more than 40 albums in a 35-plus-year career. In Neil Young: The Story Behind Every Song, 1966-1992, Nigel Williamson explores Young's repertoire, from the... |
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Video: Neil Young and Crazy Horse Play "Hey Hey, My My" in Perth, Australia (3/4/2013) Neil Young and Crazy Horse kicked off their 2013 world tour in Perth, Australia, this past Saturday, March 2. Several videos from opening night have turned up on YouTube, but we're particularly fond of this powerful — and loud — rendition of "H... |
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Poll: What Was George Harrison's Coolest Beatles-Era Guitar? (2/25/2013) Forty-nine Februarys ago, after the Beatles made their debut appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, thousands of kids across the US suddenly "needed" electric guitars, basses and drums. Kids who were able to pick out their dream gear took their cue... |
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Dark Horse: The Top 10 George Harrison Albums (2/25/2013) Despite the breadth and diversity of George Harrison's many pursuits during his 58 years on earth — racing, gardening, Indian religion and culture, film making and anything remotely associated with ukeleles, Mel Brooks or Monty Python — he'll go... |
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Interview: Peter Frampton Talks Talk Boxes and Recording with George Harrison on 'All Things Must Pass' (2/12/2013) In the current March 2013 issue of Guitar World, guitar legend Peter Frampton gives GW readers the full "Dear Guitar Hero" treatment, answering 12 questions about everything from Pensa Suhr guitars to the status of his long-lost (and recently re... |
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Gibson Introduces George Harrison-Eric Clapton "Lucy" Les Paul (2/5/2013) Gibson has introduced the George Harrison-Eric Clapton "Lucy" Les Paul. The guitar is part of Guitar Center's Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection. The limited-edition collection features five Clapton tribute, replica and signature guitars,... |
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Learn Fingerpicking Arrangements of Neil Young's Best Songs (1/24/2013) Fingerpicking Neil Young's Greatest Hits is available now at the Guitar World Online Store for $12.99. This fantastic collection offers fingerpicking arrangements in notes and tab for 16 Neil Young classics! Includes: • After the |
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George Harrison's Leather Jacket Sells for $177,000 at Auction (12/13/2012) We are indeed living in a material world. George Harrison’s black leather jacket, which he wore on and off stage during The Beatles' pre-Brian Epstein days in the early '60s, sold for £110,450 (around $177,400) yesterday as part of Bonhams Ente... |
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Five Great John Lennon Covers by Ozzy Osbourne, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young and More (12/8/2012) Over the decades, John Lennon's songs have been covered by thousands of artists. Just think of all the people — from unknown Lithuanian bar bands to Lada Gaga — who have had a crack at "Imagine." Today, on the 32nd anniversary of his death on De... |
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Stream the Complete 2002 Concert for George Harrison, Featuring Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney (11/29/2012) Today, November 29, is the 11th anniversary of George Harrison's death at age 58. It also happens to be the 10th anniversary of the Concert for George, a star-studded event co-organized by Harrison’s widow, Olivia, and his close friend Eric Cla... |
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Video: Guns N' Roses Perform Acoustic Set at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit (10/22/2012) This past Saturday, Guns N' Roses, Eddie Vedder, Gary Clark Jr., the Flaming Lips, Jack White and more took the stage at Neil Young's 26th annual Bridge School benefit concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. Performing a... |
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Interview: Graham Nash on CSN, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix and smash hits (10/18/2012) In his nearly 50 years in rock 'n' roll, Graham Nash has performed for audiences of all shapes and sizes, from intimate coffeehouses to the panorama that was Woodstock. But of the current Crosby, Stills & Nash tour, which comes to a close th... |
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Neil Young and Crazy Horse Debut "Twisted Road" Music Video (10/18/2012) Neil Young and Crazy Horse have just debuted yet another clip from their upcoming new album, Psychedelic Pill. Watch the video for "Twisted Road" below. The song and video pay homage to some of Young's personal heroes, including Bob Dylan, the G... |
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Neil Young and Crazy Horse Debut Video for "Walk Like a Giant" (9/27/2012) Neil Young and Crazy Horse have just premiered a video for a slimmed-down version of their sixteen-plus-minute new track "Walk Like a Giant." Watch it below. "Walk Like a Giant" is one of three tracks to push past the sixteen-minute mark on the ... |
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Neil Young and Crazy Horse Announce Release Date for New Album, 'Psychedelic Pill' (9/11/2012) A surprisingly prolific Neil Young and Crazy Horse have announced the release details of their second album of 2012, the retro-titled Psychedelic Pill. Featuring three tracks eclipsing the 16-minute mark (one of which nears a half-hour in lengt... |
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George Harrison's Early Beatles-Era Leather Jacket Coming Up for Auction (9/4/2012) George Harrison’s black leather jacket, worn on stage during countless early 1960s Beatles shows, is among the highlights of Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia sale that will take place December 12 in Knightsbridge, London. The jacket will be of... |
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