1 edit
This is all dross. How good a guitarist you are depends on two things above and beyond your technical prowess (of which Hendrix was hardly at the top):
1) The style of music you play - There are plenty of Flamenco guitarists that put Hendrix to shame in a straight up comparisson.
2) The band you're in - The songs you write and the framework of instruments and other musicians within which you play makes or breaks a great guitarist.
So, whilst Hendrix was undeniably a legend, any talk of him being the greatest guitarist in the world is both speculative and redundant.
Originally posted by StarrmanTechnical prowess is one thing. Hendrix was probably not the best even at the time.
This is all dross. How good a guitarist you are depends on two things above and beyond your technical prowess (of which Hendrix was hardly at the top):
1) The style of music you play - There are plenty of Flamenco guitarists that put Hendrix to shame in a straight up comparisson.
2) The band you're in - The songs you write and the framework of instr ...[text shortened]... d, any talk of him being the greatest guitarist in the world is both speculative and redundant.
Someone like Steve Vai (or flamenco, classical or jazz guitarists) are technically amazing.
Yet the music they play is not so popular.
Plus, if you are a pioneer - you do things like use wah-wah, fuzz etc. before anyone else - then you are remembered as great.
Hendrix was a pioneer - but not the greatest guitar player by any means.
1 edit
Originally posted by StarrmanYou are forgetting that showmanship is a major part as well. Someone who can step outside the box of what others do is very important. Also during the time Hendrix was alive and at his top. He was in a competition with all the greatest at the time. George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and many others. He blew them all away in the competition. It wasn't even close. He flat embarrassed most of the greats at the time. While you are entitled to your opinion, you are just plain wrong. The guitarist competition spoke. And the fans spoke. Not to mention the record sales. The thing is taste and trends change. What was new then is old now.
This is all dross. How good a guitarist you are depends on two things above and beyond your technical prowess (of which Hendrix was hardly at the top):
1) The style of music you play - There are plenty of Flamenco guitarists that put Hendrix to shame in a straight up comparisson.
2) The band you're in - The songs you write and the framework of instr ...[text shortened]... d, any talk of him being the greatest guitarist in the world is both speculative and redundant.
Originally posted by cashthetrashYou completely underestimate 'the competition' as you put it. I'm not forgetting showmanship at all, but adding how good a performer he was into the mix is not dependent on his guitar skills. My point was that there are a whole range of skills that contribute to Hendrix's legendary status and how legendary he is completely down to taste.
You are forgetting that showmanship is a major part as well. Someone who can step outside the box of what others do is very important. Also during the time Hendrix was alive and at his top. He was in a competition with all the greatest at the time. George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and many others. He blew them all ...[text shortened]... o mention the record sales. The thing is taste and trends change. What was new then is old now.
We can all agree he was amazing, but to say he was the best is pointless.
Originally posted by cashthetrashNo, you are wrong.
He was in a competition with all the greatest at the time. George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and many others. He blew them all away in the competition. It wasn't even close. He flat embarrassed most of the greats at the time. While you are entitled to your opinion, you are just plain wrong.
He didn't embarrass any of them.
George Harrison?? You're joking, right??
Stevie Ray Vaughan's debut album was released 12 years after Hendrix's death.
Clapton and Page could certainly hold their own against Hendrix.
1 edit
Originally posted by VargNo, I am not joking. Look they were all great, but I believe you could ask any of them at the time. He was hot during that competition. Clapton was over heard during the competition saying we are all in trouble. While technical ability is one thing creativity is something as important if not more so. I doubt there would be much he couldn't have played as well if not better than any of them. But I am sure he would have used his own style. After all he was self taught. Technical ability is for copy cats. Just my opinion and millions of others I believe. However it has been awhile so I am probably wrong about Stevie Ray being there. I was thinking he was. Even though he was alive, he probably hadn't gained the fame yet. I think George Harrison placed last in the composition. Which I thought was wrong at the time.
No, you are wrong.
He didn't embarrass any of them.
George Harrison?? You're joking, right??
Stevie Ray Vaughan's debut album was released 12 years after Hendrix's death.
Clapton and Page could certainly hold their own against Hendrix.
Originally posted by cashthetrashOkay, firstly, that comment by Clapton could be purely urban myth. Secondly even if it is true, it doesn't mean jack; Clapton's turn of phrase could have been light humoured or serious, or any grade between. Thirdly, Nobody's saying creativity isn't as important as technical ability, whilst you seem to be basing your fairly undefined opinion on it. Fourthly, there's a huge amount of stuff Hendrix wouldn't have been able to play, his niche was his alone and he did it well, but he sure as hell wasn't Paco de Lucia or even John McLoughlin. Fifthly, technical ability is not for copy cats, what a ridiculous thing to say; if it was, then the best guitarist in the world would be the one with the most creativity, regardless of how technically poor he was.
No, I am not joking. Look they were all great, but I believe you could ask any of them at the time. He was hot during that competition. Clapton was over heard during the competition saying we are all in trouble. While technical ability is one thing creativity is something as important if not more so. I doubt there would be much he couldn't have played ...[text shortened]... n style. Technical ability is for copy cats. Just my oppinion and millions of others I believe.
You're entitled to think of Hendrix as amazing, but to try and suggest he far exceeded every living guitarist is cr@p.
1 edit
Originally posted by StarrmanI am only suggesting what the results of the competition indicated in the moment in time. Just for the sake of argument. How do you know he couldn't have played anything anyone else could. Just like Stevie Vai if he could hear it he could play it. They said at the time all he had to do was hear a song once and he could make it his. But you are right about a matter of taste. And tastes change. Paco de Lucia, John McLoughlin. Who? Give me a break.
Okay, firstly, that comment by Clapton could be purely urban myth. Secondly even if it is true, it doesn't mean jack; Clapton's turn of phrase could have been light humoured or serious, or any grade between. Thirdly, Nobody's saying creativity isn't as important as technical ability, whilst you seem to be basing your fairly undefined opinion on it. Fourt ndrix as amazing, but to try and suggest he far exceeded every living guitarist is cr@p.
Originally posted by cashthetrashBecause I've heard just about everything he's done and he's never played anything that's close to the intricacies of Steve Vai's technical ability, nor the immense depth of Paco de Lucia's finger-style. If you really don't know who de Lucia and McLoughlin are, then how can you possibly consider your opinion an educated one?
I am only suggesting what the results of the competition indicated in the moment in time. Just for the sake of argument. How do you know he couldn't have played anything anyone else could. Just like Stevie Vai if he could hear it he could play it. They said at the time all he had to do was hear a song once and he could make it his. But you are right about a matter of taste. And tastes change. Paco de Lucia, John McLoughlin. Who? Give me a break.