TheGuitarLesson.com, created by Tom Fontana, is dedicated to bringing the highest quality guitar tutorials to beginner guitarists. Of course, no guitarist worth their salt will leave BB King off the list of their favourite guitarists. The beauty of it all is that Blues guitarists don’t seem to care which one of them goes above another on any kind of the list. Personally I’d add Blind Willie McTell and Blind Blake =), Mike Bloomfield was playing with Muddy as a teen. Got to have him on every blues guitar list….somewhere I’m sure its on You Tube or buy it on Amazon. Credited with “inventing” the guitar solo. Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976) was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. how about mick taylor,alvin lee,peter green, johnny winter? Oh, and did I mention sought out and played with one of the greatest of all time, B.B King, as a child !! I saw him 4x over 4 decades. Bloomfield started playing with Albert King, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and several other Chicago and midwest blues musicians. Another great artist taken so young. and BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON?!! Billy F Gibbons is my favorite for blending them all together!!! Every song they played was a slower tune, but he still couldn’t keep up with the band. On the ‘most influential’ side, the list has to include Mississippi Fred McDowell. But when JW was healthy, his playing was fluid and lightening fast. Check this guy out Billy strings on YouTube. I don’t know ask Rory Gallagher. SONNY LANDRETH. the most influential blues guitar players man His style of blues can vary from the most traditional, deepest blues to a creative, unpredictable gumbo of the blues, avant rock, soul and free jazz that changes at every gig. The slide work on Mountain Jam will bring tears to your eyes. Michael Bloomfield? You could feel the heart & soul in his music. where’s Otis Rush? Carulli was the author of the influential 'Methode complete pour la Guitarre', which includes music that is still used by student guitarists today. Tony Rice is an American guitarist and bluegrass musician. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at #3 on its list of the "100 greatest guitarists of all time." Totally agree on the Roy Buchanan and if anybody’s listen to the last 10 years of Trower he’s blues as can be, Kenny Wayne Shepherd may not qualify for your list, but for me, his blues inspired music is what opened the door to the blues to me. Jimmy Page has influenced several popular guitarists. McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983) was an American blues musician, generally considered "the Father of Chicago blues". Got to include Freddie King, Duane Allman, and Jeff Beck (Jeff Beck Group period). By far Bonomassa is incredible. The most recent I had heard him was in Michigan. He had to be lead out to the microphone, one bandmate on each arm as he shuffled in tiny steps. While not so much influencial, Jeff Healey was a truely legendary blues-rock guitarist and singer. Unfortunately, ten years later, I had to walk out of his show; it was too painful to watch. the reason i started writing this message is to make a suggestion. I can hardly listen to a pop song these days without wanting to hurl. Glad to see Rory Gallagher on the list. We owe such a debt to those guitarist and singers. Blues guitar is one of the most influential guitar genres, therefore the best blues guitarists had a significant impact and influence on our music today. Allman actually said Betts was better. This writer knows the meaning of blues except for SRV (but that’s my opinion lol), Roy Buchanan, the “world’s greatest unknown guitarist”, I’m almost certain that’s Roy Buchanan doing the (uncredited) solo on “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones. rfection aether he is playing a 12 string,slide or the Dobro,no one can match his versitility. Actually the last I heard he was living in Central Lake, Michigan and hasn’t gotten any better health wise. Hard to believe! Thank you for the list! He sang in a loud whisper, to a melodious finger-picked guitar accompaniment. Guy is known for his showmanship, playing his guitar with drumsticks, or strolling into the audience while playing solos. Stephen Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, and one of the most influential guitarists in the revival of blues in the 1980s. Eddie James "Son" House, Jr. (March 21, 1902 – October 19, 1988) was an American blues singer and guitarist. If he add Trucks he should add John Mayer as well, John Mayall was who influenced Clapton and others, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks. Otis Rush? He is perhaps the most influential living acoustic guitar player in bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, newgrass and flattop acoustic jazz. Elmore  Brooks (January 27, 1918 – May 24, 1963) was an American blues guitarist, singer, song writer and band leader. Here is a thorough, but by no means complete list of the best blues guitarists who helped shape and influence music. Nice list as it puts all the classics on there, nice to see nobody modern on there because with out any disrespect to them, there isn’t anything much more that can be done that hasn’t already been done. Subscribe for just 99¢. Joe Bonamassa is not on this list because he is a contemporary musician. James played a wide variety of blues often crossing into other styles of music, similar to that of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and some of B. He assumed a unique multi-voice style produced solely with his thumb and index finger, playing not only ragtime and blues tunes, but also traditional and original tunes in four-part harmony. I wish everybody could hear him. Though that was over a decade ago. As I said, this is my own little list of best blues guitarists, but please add your picks below! He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Thanks. 9: Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple) He was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Listen to John Lee Hooker songs on Amazon >>. quite a few of your top ten blues guitarists say that one of their favorite blues players was freddie “texas cannonball” king. And to moden blues men who are just as talented Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Gales, Derek Trucks, Jonny Lang, Melvin Taylor, Jason Barwick , Zac Harmon I could go on! He was a great player, but I’m not sure he can be named one of the best or most influential blues musicians. Stevie Ray Vaughn A "less is more" type blues player, he was known for his expressive "bending" of notes, a technique characteristic of blues guitarists. Clapton said Freddie was the first blues player he tried to copy. © 2021 TIME USA, LLC. Pee Wee Crayton is often overlooked. Sadly, his career was cut short when he was killed in a helicopter crash when he was only 35 years old. 39 Tommy Lee. 2: Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) sure he was accused of plagarism, maybe it was a tribute to all the blues guitarists he formed his style after. King, Freddy King, SRV, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy -just to name a few. All rock n roll guitar players from todays biggest bands: Jimmy Page (Zepplin) to Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) to Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), to Jack White (White Stipes) Dan Auerbach (Black Keys), or Joe Perry (Aeromsith)! I’ve heard about every blues guitarist that’s available for listening, and they don’t even measure up. Ever heard the story of this man joining Clapton&Cream on stage forcing clapton to throw his guitar down n admit he is nolonger God n considered giving up playing the guitar? But he and his songs are the reason ABB continued to live and thrive, and his bluesy/country guitar floats my boat. He was ranked thirtieth in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Slim Harpo? Curtiss Lowe was a real real good blues guitar player and I think Stevie Ray Vaughn should be in the top 5 at least with Bb King and Freddy King and Jimi Hendrix and I think in this order 1 Stevie Ray Vaughn 2 B.B. Gatemouth Brown? Listen to Howlin' Wolf songs on Amazon >>. I love Derek Trucks but I think these are like old school guitarists. He added rhythmic accompaniment by tapping or slapping the body of his guitar. In the article I had read about him it said that he was either Stevie Ray Vaughan reincarnated or God had just come down and decided to play through his body. The guitar is the Guild Thunderbird of the mid sixties, also prominent on the cover of his”electric mud” album,… it’s not related to the Gibson Thunderbird Bass,and was known as “the melted Hershey bar”for its odd shape… reproductions are currently on the market..it was vaguely influenced by the Bo Diddley customs by Gretsch,and the electronics are pretty much the same as the FenderJazzmaster…it didn’t sell well originally, which makes you wonder why they reintroduced it!?! John Hurt (July 3, 1893 — November 2, 1966) was an influential country blues singer and guitarist. Muddy was ranked #17 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. I came across your site by accident but have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. No sign of Ry anywhere. My list would include the sadly ignored Peter Green, Otis Rush, Freddie King and Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Can someone tell me what guitar Muddy waters is playing in the picture above? Ever heard SRV interview when asked who he thought was greatest & why? I think that Hendrix was the greatest rock guitarist of all time, I have great respect and admiration for Clapton, but when it comes to most influential, without all the old masters neither would have never reached the level of musicality that they achieved. John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1917 – June 21, 2001) was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist, born near Clarksdale, Mississippi. I’ve always wondered if he was the unclaimed son of Stevie. Peter Allen Greenbaum (October 29, 1946 - ) is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from London, UK. Give me a break! Chuck Berry, B.B. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. have a good one. true that. GuitarTricks review 22 Most Influential and Best Blues Guitarists, https://www.theguitarlesson.com/wp-content/uploads/the-guitar-lesson-logo.png. How is this so? Because anything since Elvis would not be here without a lot of the names on here. Vaughan's sound and playing style often incorporated simultaneous lead and rhythm parts. Other than that, I am sure we could all find our favorites to add, but this is a pretty good list. The genre itself is too pure and filled with powerful feel to focus on minor things like this. Where is Skydog! Never self marketed himself. Big Bill Broonzy was better than Leadbelly IMO. Being a SRV fan, I’m glad he made the cut! A seminal Delta blues figure, he remains influential today. He will never be forgotten. Jorma Kaukonen…granted he’s from Mars, but he’s gotta be up there with the best of ’em ! Riley B. I may have missed it but I didn’t see Duane Allman of the Allman Bros band listed. 8: Jimi Hendrix (The Jimmy Hendrix Experience) It cannot be explained. And when Hendrix was asked after Woodstock how it felt to be the greatest guitar player in the world, his response. Nothing against the others listed, I enjoy all their music but to exclude Duane Allman is unbelievable. I’m certainly no expert, but a great one and an influential stylist was Lonnie Johnson. And I think that they would agree. He credits much of his style as coming from Lonnie Mack. He hasn’t done anything for blues that his predecessors haven’t already. Not taking anything away from the talents. Of course Santana used Green’s influence in many of their songs including their biggest hit. This omission must be an oversight. One of the all time best blues players I’ve seen. Good marketing strategy but he really hasn’t added anything original to the Blues lexicon. We can have another ten or twenty best list Guitar Slim? Although he most commonly played the twelve-string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, concertina, and accordion. Listen to Rory Gallagher songs on Amazon >>. Johnson's songs, vocal phrasing, and guitar style have influenced a broad range of musicians; Eric Clapton has called Johnson "the most important blues singer that ever lived". King's work. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was similar to the early Delta blues, his music was metrically free. U know ZZ top made millions doing nothing but copying Magic Sam…. countless guitarists and cock-rockers might not have been (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lenny Kravitz, even Miles Davis owes him), but most of all, without Experienced, there'd be … You’re missed. Joe Bonomasa is THE BEST yet…seen & heard them all. well worth checking it out if you have the inclination. The Edge (U2) He was ranked #47 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. How can a list of the greatest blues guitarist not include Joe Bonamassa? But I can be convinced. 1 Albert King 5 Otis Rush. I would have included Mick Taylor someplace on the list. Of all time….no doubt! No one has ever said more with fewer notes!!!!!! Where in the f*** is Skydog? Johnny Winter can play the blues any way imaginable to pe Listen to Elmore James songs on Amazon >>. His fans respect and love him. Listen to Mississippi John Hurt songs on Amazon >>. However, I have not heard anything about him for quite a while. I mean, he’s good, but I went through his entire catalog a few years ago and I didn’t find a single song or even an original lick that I wanted to steal. I guess Richie Blackmore… One of the most influential. One of the all time greats. “Wouldn’t know blues if it bit him on the arse” . Skinny black guy with glasses, kinda nerdy looking, well dressed? Gives free lessons in the Detroit area. Numerous musicians and blues guitarists that are in the know mention Green as their influence. Guitar Slim? You can unsubscribe at any time. One thing that he has that other blues guitarists don’t have is an incredible voice. Many music critics, connoisseurs, and music lovers certify that Marcin Dylla is among the world’s elite of … Just listen to his recording of Hot Fingers. I have never heard anybody who encapsilates Stevie’s sound and intensity as being an open channel of music like him. Listen to Robert Johnson songs on Amazon >>. I always come across a new name and learn a little more about the blues. I do think Albert King would be a good addition…. It’s my opinion that Duane Allman and his blues slide playing is unmatched. All blues influenced but not blues in my opinion…. Jimi Hendrix and Robert Johnson both died in their early years. Then my car radio stays on BB Kings bluesville. He was ranked #7 in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Music affects our mood, mindset, and everything about us, therefore these influential blues guitarists shaped society as well. Jeff Beck A choice selection from one of the most influential catalogues in independent music… (Image credit: Gary Malerba/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) Art-rock noiseniks Sonic Youth emerged from New York’s No Wave scene in the mid-1980 but belonged to no such convenient pigeonhole. Don’t hold it against Green because in his years before the drug problems he made masterpieces. Thank you for reading TIME. Amen! My opinion is that he’s the most soulful and melodic blues guitarist ever. Carulli wrote more than 400 works for the instrument, including numerous solo and chamber works and several concertos. Ah, Earl Hooker… Two Bugs and Roach… one of my favorites. The last thing I read was that he had come down with a serious illness, I think he would be about 36 now. His distinctive fingerstyle playing often included playing bass, rhythm, lead, percussion, and vocals, all at the same time. Listen to Muddy Waters songs on Amazon >>. His own unique genre of the blues often incorporated the boogie-woogie piano style and a driving rhythm. Listen to Jimi Hendrix songs on Amazon >>. Roy G. SRV Clapton Hendrix???? Ry Cooder? Look at when he was achieving his raw sounds and creating riffs that were copied later by Chuck Berry. He also became proficient on the alto saxophone, bass, mandolin, banjo, and the coral sitar, utilizing a glass slide made from an American Coricidian bottle on his electric guitars, instead of the metal slide. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. I agree with his own peers: The Roma musician was one of the most influential jazz figures, and greatest guitarists, to emerge from Europe, and pioneered what would eventually be called “gypsy jazz”. James's 1931 work is considered idiosyncratic among pre-war blues recordings and formed the basis of his reputation as a musician. Eric Patrick Clapton (born 30 March 1945) is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. Ever since the end of the 19th century when the African-American communities of the Southern US started playing and singing the blues, it has affected and shaped other musical genres as well, including Jazz and Rock and Roll. ☹. 2 Albert Collins Have you ever heard anybody saying, "I've got the blues"? Reed was an electric blues guitarist, as opposed to the more acoustic-based sound of many of his contemporaries. Roy Buchanan’s ‘Wayfaring Pilgrim’…is the best blues tune ever. Blues can be split into several subgenres as well, best known perhaps are the Delta, Piedmont, Jump and Chicago blues styles. Neil Young is one of the most influential songwriters and guitarists of his generation, known for recording such favorites as "Old Man," "Harvest Moon" and "Heart of Gold." What about Roy Buchanan people!?? And afterward, go ahead and start learning blues guitar! How ’bout Gary Moore. Credit for the success of Howlin' Wolf should also be given to his guitarist and Blues Foundation Hall of Fame inductee, Hubert Sumlin. Or check out Alvin Lee ” The Bluest Blues” on You Tube. I can’t believe that u know ALL that, an dint mention Dwayne Allman ???????. Albert Collins? He plays just like Stevie, and has a little bit of Clapton in his style. Listen to Lightnin' Hopkins songs on Amazon >>. That’s right every guitar solo you have ever heard can be traced back to Johnson. He smokes all the genres, and if he is not now, he will be one of the most influential guitar players. If I gotta tell u then u dont know guitars! Derek Trucks is pretty special now, Modern Blues prodigy Joe Bonamassa…played with all the “Kings” as a child.., Perhaps Gary Moore (RIP God bless you) was just an oversite. One of the best guitar players ever, but definately the best voice ever. If he wouldn’t have had the psychiatric problems, he probably would have taken things much further. I don’t have time to push my case but if you research him you’ll probably wish you had put him on the list. This man is second on my list behind Hendrix. He was influenced by blues artists such as B.B. Joe bonamassa absolutely should be on the list. Nice list. And Charlie Patton – father of the Delta Blues. He was left-handed, but usually played right-handed guitars flipped over upside-down so the low E string was on the bottom. He's also among the most melodic of guitarists, using his solos to move a song along instead of stopping it cold. Amazingly gifted. Bill Broonzy would also definitely be in my Top-10. Idk but they mentioned a guy, I swear his last name was Christians or some form of it, but they were saying all electric guitar driven blues artists, including the 3 Kings, owe him a debt of gratitude. Mike Bloomfield and Freddie King need to be on the list as well as Duane Allman, etc. He's also in the 30th spot of Rolling Stones' "Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." He played both alternating and monotonic bass styles incorporating imaginative, often chromatic turnarounds and single note lead lines. He was definitely great, but I don’t feel he contributed enough to music to be on this list of the best and most influential blues guitarists. Reverend Gary Davis, also Blind Gary Davis, (April 30, 1896 – May 5, 1972) was a blues and gospel singer and guitarist who was also proficient on the banjo and harmonica. Any legitimate list of the greatest and most influential blues guitar players would include Freddie King. Good list on its own. Albert Collins? He is often considered to be the greatest electric guitarist in the history of rock music by other musicians and commentators in the industry, and one of the most important and influential musicians of his era across a range of genres. Listen to Mike Bloomfield’s “Altar Blues” where he sings/lists a large number of guitarists and folks who influenced him. Stevie Ray Vaughan is one of the most influential guitarists in blues music, leading the revival of blues rock in the 1980's. not quite what you’d call influential, but always brilliant listening to. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. you are on the velvet moon. This man put his heart and soul into every song he played. Do you know who I’m talking about? At 6 feet, 6 inches (198 cm) and close to 300 pounds (136 kg), he must have been an imposing presence with one of the loudest and most memorable voices of all the "classic" 1950s Chicago blues singers. Subscribe for just 99¢. “Albatross” was actually a huge hit in England and even topped the Beatles in their hey day. Teach yourself guitar Cactus was America’s LED Zeppelin. RIP Jimi, we will never let u die! Duane Allman obviously is the greatest influence of the greatest living blues guitarist. I know there are lots who’d say Betts only rates honorable mention. 7: Pete Townshend (The Who) Great inclusion of Rory Gallagher who is among the most underappreciated guitarists in history but leaving Duane Allman and the American answer to Clapton who was Mike Bloomfield is blasphemous in my honest opinion. Agreed. Sam "Lightnin’" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 — January 30, 1982) was a country blues guitarist, from Houston, Texas. Nice to see this list do so also. Then use the proceeds to teach and support the independent blues artists. Muddy headed to England in 1958 and shocked audiences with his loud, amplified electric guitar and thunderous beat. Which is the title of this list. Anybody ever heard of Guthrie Trapp? Check it!! Hi ..so many great guitarists.. all good choices and ;lets face it.. everyone has a unique ear for music.