I'll end up getting myself in trouble on this one, because the fellow I'm going to name number one is not necessarily regarded by those in-the-know as "rock."

I'll start by naming some of the obvious choices-all of whom are among the very best ever-period. I just went to a concert which featured Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Robert Cray, BB King, Buddy Guy, a surprisingly superb Steve Winwood (I still can't help but think of Winwood as a keyboardist), Jimmy Vaughan and about twenty others-any of whom an argument could be made for #1.

And let's never, EVER forget the late, great Jimi Hendrix or the late, great Frank Zappa (yes, he was THAT good on guitar). No listing of rock guitarists would be complete without a mention of Jimmy Page and, in my opinion, Pete Townshend. I almost changed paragraphs without mentioning Alvin Lee.

My number two of all time is a fellow named Steve Howe-most notably with "Yes" in the 70's and on and off in the 80's. He could do it all and went an (until then) unprecedented five years in a row as being voted "overall best guitarist in the world," by "Guitar Player" magazine, so he deserves a mention in any listing of greatest guitar players of all time.

But, alas, I won't vote for any of the above. To me, there is no doubt that the greatest guitar player in the world is-Richard Thompson (England's best-kept secret.) Now, for those who want to complain or say "he isn't rock," I'll understand, but the fact is, Richard Thompson plays the guitar like he has four hands.

He began his career forty plus years ago with a band called "Fairport Convention." They were the re-inventors of what is now called "British Folk-Rock." He and then female vocalist, Sandy Denny, were compared to Marty Balin and Grace Slick as songwriters.

He's since played as a duet with his then-wife, Linda, and for the last twenty-five years or so, had a remarkable solo career. He surrounds himself with amazing musicians, but any one of them would bow out to let him solo. This guy's fingers fly up and down the frets with lightning speed and laser precision-and most of the time on an acoustic guitar, which to me is harder than on electric. (Please, don't get me wrong-Thompson is a sight to behold on electric guitar, as well.)

I'll alway give my props to the Claptons, Hendrixes, Pages and Becks of the world. But, for my money, there is no one, alive or dead, who has it mastered like Richard Thompson.

Learn more about this author, Paul Schingle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Assessing who is the greatest rock guitar player of all-time?
We want to hear your view. Write now!