100 Greatest Blues Guitarists

Rick · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:21 pm **Posts:** 456

100 Greatest Blues Guitarists
Criteria: - This list is intended for those guitarists who exhibited a clear 'Blues' thread
throughout their careers. It reflects their impact, influence within their genre, and musical expression in addition to technical ability on the instrument. As with all lists, this is a subjective list and makes no claim of an official nature.

List compiled by and Editor: Rick Varner

1. T-Bone Walker
2. B.B. King
3. Stevie Ray Vaughan
4. Robert Johnson
5. Albert King
6. Eric Clapton
7. Buddy Guy
8. Mike Bloomfield
9. Peter Green
10. Johnny Winter
11. Otis Rush
12. Muddy Waters
13. Ronnie Earl
14. Freddie King
15. Earl Hooker
16. Elmore James
17. Albert Collins
18. Hubert Sumlin
19. Duane Allman
20. John Lee Hooker
21. Son House
22. Robert Cray
23. Jimmie Vaughan
24. Billy Gibbons
25. Lonnie Johnson
26. Roy Buchanan
27. Duke Robillard
28. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
29. Blind Lemon Jefferson
30. Charley Patton
31. Ry Cooder
32. Mississippi John Hurt
33. Robben Ford
34. Son Seals
35. Robert Nighthawk
36. Magic Sam
37. Luther Allison
38. Mississippi Fred McDowell
39. Jimmy Thackery
40. Derek Trucks
41. Warren Haynes
42. Lonnie Brooks
43. Jeff Healey
44. Mick Taylor
45. Lightnin' Hopkins
46. Joe Bonamassa
47. Earl King
48. Lonnie Mack
49. Blind Willie Johnson
50. Johnny Copeland
51. Alvin Lee
52. Gary Moore
53. Big Bill Broonzy
54. Kim Simmonds
55. Elvin Bishop
56. Walter Trout
57. Roy Rogers
58. Guitar Slim
59. Sonny Landreth
60. Robert Jr. Lockwood
61. Steve Cropper
62. Shuggie Otis
63. Fenton Robinson
64. Amos Garrett
65. Coco Montoya
66. Kenny Wayne Shepherd
67. Kelly Joe Phelps
68. John Hammond
69. Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart
70. Lowell Fulson
71. Keb Mo
72. Smokin' Joe Kubek
73. Rod Price
74. Rory Gallagher
75. Little Charley Baty
76. Wayne Bennett
77. Robin Trower
78. Blind Blake
79. Tinsley Ellis
80. Hollywood Fats
81. Taj Mahal
82. Guitar Shorty
83. Hound Dog Taylor
84. Kid Ramos
85. Dave Hole
86. Danny Kirwan
87. Matt 'Guitar' Murphey
88. Pee Wee Crayton
89. Harvey Mandel
90. Joe Louis Walker
91. Eddie Taylor
92. Snowy White
93. J.B. Lenoir
94. Skip James
95. Scrapper Blackwell
96. Chris Vachon
97. Little Milton
98. Blind Willie McTell
99. Luther Tucker
100. Stan Webb

More Blues Guitar Greats:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tab Benoit
Michael Burks
J.J. Cale
Sean Costello
J. Geils
Slim Harpo
David Hidaglo
Joe Guitar Hughes
Big Jack Johnson
Junior Kimbrough
Jonny Lang
John Mayall
Kenny Neal
Omar
Lightning Red
Jimmy Reed
Cesar Rosas
Magic Slim
Keith Wyatt
James "Blood" Ulmer
Henry Vestine
Johnny Guitar Watson
Bukka White
George Thorogood
Robert "Pete" Williams
Gary Clark Jr.

Doctor_Pik_Jr · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:19 pm **Posts:** 119

Any chance of Peter Green switching places with Johnny Winter? I think he had more influence and impact, I mean everyone wanted Green to play on their records, from traditional blues artists to more modern blues rockers to less blues-oriented acts. Seems to me like Green had a wider audience than Winter too.

Rick · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:21 pm **Posts:** 456

Doctor_Pik_Jr wrote:

Any chance of Peter Green switching places with Johnny Winter? I think he had more influence and impact, I mean everyone wanted Green to play on their records, from traditional blues artists to more modern blues rockers to less blues-oriented acts. Seems to me like Green had a wider audience than Winter too.

I also considered this when compiling the list. So it's kind of a yes and no answer.
Through my research and interview for this list within the musical community Green had the respect
and as you commented, everyone wanted to play with him. So a checkmark for influence.

I'd have to disagree with your wider audience comment because....... those same musicians stated that Johnny had a wide edge across the board as pertains to impact with the public (much in the way SRV had a huge impact showcasing the Blues to the mainstream) which had a direct result on doors being opened for all Blues musicians to record/book gigs etc etc. My own experience recalls the 'sit up & take notice' atmosphere back in the day when Johnny hit it big mixing Blues with Stones covers and straight Rock which of course evolved into his first record and then 'Progressive Blues Experiment' on & on. The tragedy is Greenie's personal problems and what might have been. But look at his legacy inspite of it. So, it's kind of a tie. Always has been.

I don't have a problem changing #11 to #10 to indicate a tie if everyone is in agreement.

Wanted Dead Or Alive · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:30 am **Posts:** 3303

I don't think SRV should be ahead of Clapton..

Doctor_Pik_Jr · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:19 pm **Posts:** 119

Wanted Dead Or Alive wrote:

I don't think SRV should be ahead of Clapton..

I think, from a purists point of view, SRV had a larger impact and influence on blues musicians while Clapton his influence and impact was more directed towards the rock genre. While there's no denying his style has its roots in the blues and he has often been associated with it, I think very little of his material, especially his own compositions, is blues.

Wanted Dead Or Alive · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:30 am **Posts:** 3303

His own compositions are not blues mostly, but I think all of his most respected material in terms of guitar playing comes from playing pure blues. Even when playing rock songs, his playing was always blues. Those long jams he did with Cream, his work with Bluesbreakers and D&D not only changed rock playing, but blues playing as well.

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 11797

Clapton vs. SRV is really tough. Yes Clapton has much more rock material, but it doesnt change the fact that blues is his entire foundation, basically, and the music he loves playing the most. "Purist" or not, he certainly has a shot.

And I would say both Bloomfield and Green should be ahead of Winter, since both of those guys actually KNOW the meaning of subtlety and control

Doctor_Pik_Jr · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:19 pm **Posts:** 119

I share your opinion that Bloomfield and Green should be ahead of Winter the difference between them isn't really that large. And Winter has gained a lot of respect from purists by playing on Muddy's last albums, reviving his career and making perhaps the most acclaimed albums of his career. Hard Again is one of the few studio albums the stores I go to always seem to carry.

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 11797

And I still cant understand why Alvin Lee is on here. One HELL of a rock guitarist, but not exactly the best phrasing for blues...

The Seeker · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:53 am **Posts:** 810

Love Coco Montoya, but thats a very high placing.

Consider that John Mayall (a pretty good judge) had him as 2nd guitar behind Walter Trout during their stint with the Bluesbreakers.

Correction made. Thanks. Editor

Doctor_Pik_Jr · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:19 pm **Posts:** 119

Victim Of Changes wrote:

And I still cant understand why Alvin Lee is on here. One HELL of a rock guitarist, but not exactly the best phrasing for blues...

What exactly have you heard of Alvin Lee? I think he deserves his place on this list.

Rick · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:21 pm **Posts:** 456

Alvin Lee.................. :tiphat:

http://www.youtube.com/v/kdltHgMMrqc?fs=1&hl=en_US

The Seeker · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:53 am **Posts:** 810

Rick wrote:

Alvin Lee.................. :tiphat:

http://www.youtube.com/v/kdltHgMMrqc?fs=1&hl=en_US

Very nice Rick, but Alvin should be discounted completely for what looks like early spandex trousers !!!

Negative Creep · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:21 pm **Posts:** 11797

Rick wrote:

Alvin Lee.................. :tiphat:

http://www.youtube.com/v/kdltHgMMrqc?fs=1&hl=en_US

I've heard it. I know he's CAPABLE of playing blues, but he just didn't do it often enough, not at all. And isn't part of the criteria here 'exhibiting a clear blues thread throughout the artist's career'?
Alvin can be bluesy, but he's a rocker all the way. First and foremost. He's even admitted it himself.

Rick · **Joined:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 7:21 pm **Posts:** 456

Have to disagree..........I first saw Ten Years After in a club a year after Woodstock and they were doing as many Blues as originals that night and the several shows I've seen since. The Blues thread has always been there, just check all the band and solo releases (I have most of them on vinyl and cd). I remember an interview with Alvin stating he was a rocker by heart but the Blues kept him working and paid the bills.

100 Greatest Blues Guitarists

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