Mind you, that list is not (quite) as stupid as their list of "250 Greatest Guitarists". Here, I make a clear distinction between musicians whose
music I love and musicians who can actiually
play well (occasionally, the two bins overlap). So, how does Joni Mitchell (amazing as her music and singing is) get to be at 9, with Duane Allman at 10 and Carlos Santana at 11? They got Jimi at number 1 correct - but that's probably the least disputable thing in the history of music. I assume dropping Eric from his obligatory position at 2 (he was really unuckjy to play the same instrument as Hendrix - in any other universe he must have been number 1) to 35 (seriously, people, what were you on when you did this - was it really because he made some silly comments about COVID during lockdown?) in favour of Chuck Berry was an editorial brain dysfunction. Yes, Chuck was a fabulous innovator and all that but, you know, 2nd all-time at
playing the guitar?
And it may not be worth making any comment at all about Robert Johnson at the lowly 16, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet jointly at 23 (seriously, the second guitarist and the lead player in the same band ranked as equals? - only a fan could do that!), Frusciante in the list at all (my daughter thinks the RHCPs are great - but even she knows the only thing to do when Frusciante plays
that solo in Californication is to laugh hysterically at its ineptitude - as a side note, I respectfully observe that Rolling Stone's mention of what they describe as 'the volcanic, Hendrixian solo on “Dani California"' might be described by anyone with even a passing knowledge of Jimi's playing as a "borrow" of the riff from Purple Haze - and this from someone who has "Stadium Arcadium" on permament repeat in his car CD stacker - mostly, it must be said, because Snow (Hey Oh) is a wonderful song), Neil Young at 30 (yes, I know he is an icon to many but if he actually had any basic control of any sound that came out of his guitar, it would be a fine thing - it's one thing to be able to play anything at all and specifically choose to allow your instrument to take over; it's another thing altogether to be unable to play anything and have your instrument take over by necessity - it worked on Ohio and Wloodstock - but that was more than 50 years ago), - out of deference to Donny's views I say nothing about the ranking of a member of Queen in the list - ....
No, actually, I've got to stop - I see Angus and Malcolm rated jointly at 38 (as to which, generally, see Hetfield and Hammett, above). As to them specifically being in the list at all, see Exodus' cover of Overdose to hear how it might have sounded if the lead guitarist was good. In fact, I can hear it, now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TJ7KHm7IfA
There, how many people has that offended? Probably all of you on a good day.
Meanwhile, I take a further peak at the list and see Johnny Ramone at 44 but Steve Cropper at 45, the Edge at 47 (seriously, is there any evidence he can even play a chord progression adequately without all the electonics?), Satriani at 94 (the guitarists' guitarist, of course - but why would you take any notice of what people who play the instrument brilliantly think?) - behind Lou Reed at 89 (this is not about taste - I idolize Lou but it never occurred to me that anyone would want to play like that), Bert at 81 (the guy was to the acoustic guitar what Hendrix was to the electric but, given he was English, I suppose his memorial foundation should be grateful Rolling Stone knew of his existence - truth be told, Jimmy Page probably told them about Bert at some time) but - despite the Roling Stone penchant for listing both guitarists in a band together - without any mention of John Renbourn in the list at all (most good judges think Bert was wonderful but Renbourn was technically the better player; certainly Bert thought so, as evidenced by Renbourn gettmg all the solos), McLaughlin at 72, Sumlin at 73, Blackmore at 75, Fripp at 59 - seriously, they must have put up a couple of thousand names and thrown numbered darts to choose (and then surreptitiously moved the number 1 dart to Jimi when they didn't hit his name with any of the 250 darts, so they wouldn't be caught red-handed).
