.

.

just found this while surfing ....time magazine list of the best electric guitar players and...for once...prince is included....

.

and reading the comments left...its really amazing how much hate and derision there is for prince and his talent with the guitar.. ....amazing how many small minded people there are out there..

.

.

1. Jimi Hendrix

2. Slash

3. B.B. King

4. Keith Richards

5. Eric Clapton

6. Jimmy Page

7. Chuck Berry

8. Les Paul

9. Yngwie Malmsteen

10. Prince

11. Johnny Ramone

Read more: http://www.fretbase.com/blog/2009/08/time-magazine-picks-the-10-best-electric-guitar-players-including-yngwie/#ixzz1FoqYSuqW

.

.

.

My favorite, David Gilmour belongs there..... you know, the guitar in Pink Floyd,

but great to see Prince getting some recognition.

i believe alot of the hatred for prince is because of homophobia. I know some people will disagree but IMO there are some narrow minded people who are simply unwilling to give his music a chance because they think he is gay etc

I read the comments too and there were some truly laughable comments like "prince can't play", "there are thousands of better guitarist", "he is the least orignal artist" etc etc.

Anyway i am glad that atleast some critics give him his due praise

There's enough retardation on that comment section to make Youtube look like it has quality control

Although, I'm happy my boy got recognized, where's Jeff Beck on this 1? Complete the Yardbirds trio (Clapton, Page...)

How did Keith Richards #1) beat Prince and #2) score so high on the list?

I'm not being facetious here--I really want to know.

SagsWay2low said:

How did Keith Richards #1) beat Prince and #2) score so high on the list?

I'm not being facetious here--I really want to know.

.

yes i was wondering that myself.....everyone making comments is wondering how prince could be in the top 10 yet nothing is said about keith richards..?....yes keith is a good guitarist but hardly a great one and certainly not good enough to be in the top 10.....

.

i wouldnt put prince in the top 10 either but he deserves to be in the top 50 imo so its good to see him get some recognition....

.

i agree that a lot of the comments are because of homophobic views....and i would go further and say its because he is seen as a little gay black man as well...thats how i see it anyway...

.

i think prince is way too eclectic for most narrow minded rock listeners.....he is certainly one of the most versitile performers on this list...

[Edited 3/6/11 9:01am]

This list is based on popularity and NOT skill. Prince is better than a number of people on that list without a doubt.

blackbob said:

SagsWay2low said:

How did Keith Richards #1) beat Prince and #2) score so high on the list?

I'm not being facetious here--I really want to know.

.

yes i was wondering that myself.....everyone making comments is wondering how prince could be in the top 10 yet nothing is said about keith richards..?....yes keith is a good guitarist but hardly a great one and certainly not good enough to be in the top 10.....

.

i wouldnt put prince in the top 10 either but he deserves to be in the top 50 imo so its good to see him get some recognition....

.

i agree that a lot of the comments are because of homophobic views....and i would go further and say its because he is seen as a little gay black man as well...thats how i see it anyway...

.

i think prince is way too eclectic for most narrow minded rock listeners.....he is certainly one of the most versitile performers on this list...

[Edited 3/6/11 9:01am]

If you are talking about versatility overall then i would see he is the most versatile on the list. Seriously who else can convincingly do rnb, rock, pop, hard rock, dance, funk, disco and even elements of jazz and blues? I dont think anyone on that list could

He deserves a higher place, of course, but I don't know anything about the guitar skills of the other players, so I guess... But anyways, I'm grateful and happy he's acknowledged

Chuck Berry? Keith Richards? Please, Prince at number 10? Second 2 last? F this list man.

It bugs me to see Jimi at the top of this list.

I went through the list and simply pass it off as purely subjuective, one man's opinion.

That being said, my opinion is this:

1. Slash should not be No.2 behind Jimi Hendrix ( He's good, but not that good!)

2. They forgot Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Ernie Isley, Eddie Hazel (Lord, they really forgot him!),

Joe Satriani, Brian May, Mick Ronson, Kirk Hammet, etc.... and about a millon other World class

guitar players.

3. Lastly, I am glad they gave Prince props, but you should read the comments below mostly

everybody was wondering how in the hell did Prince make it to the top 10 or on the list

period for that matter. They kept saying Yngwie Malmsteen should have been in the No.1 spot.

Eveyone one is entilted to their opinion!

DarlingNikki1025 said:

1. Slash should not be No.2 behind Jimi Hendrix ( He's good, but not that good!)

Thank you.

why is he only at #10? he's the ONLY one there i wanna see with guitargasm face

Uhhhh.........Steve Vai? David Gilmour? Hello? They are both far better on the guitar than Prince (and that's saying something given that Prince is fucking awesome on the guitar).

Spinlight said:

Prince at #10 just shows me that whoever made this list hasn't seen him play that often. And really, KR doesn't even need to be on the top 10. JH is way overrated, yes on the list, but NOT #1. But anyways, cool to see Prince even on the list. Those stupid people writing those comments are probably the ones that say "Prince plays guitar?" They are so living in a box!

ParanoidAndroid said:

Spinlight said:

It bugs me to see Jimi at the top of this list.

Yes, Jimmy Page should be there.

I would've said Jimmy Page or Santana. Not sure why Slash is up there or why Keith Richards is up there. I would not consider them top 10..... This is a strange list.

DaphneLovesPR1NCE said:

Spinlight said:

It's a list of popular electric guitarists. As far as I can think back over the 25 years of my guitar playing Hendrix has always been voted at No1. He was the most influential rock guitarist to have lived. He did things with the Strat that Leo had no idea could/would ever be done. He drove the guitar beyond its limits. No one else had done that.

The rest seems like a bit of an odd ball selection. It's the age old argument of technique over substance. BB King puts more into a small handful of notes than Malmsteen does in several hundred. One of the most musical guitar players to have graced the earth. In fact I think it was BB who stated that it's not the notes you put in but the notes you choose to leave out that count. Now that's music.

Unfortunately these lists are often dominated by shredders who,, lets face it, are a different breed than those who like the harmonies, melodies, phrasing and space that music can give. You won't argue their supporters down so save your breath.

Personally I rate Prince as a great guitarist, if a little sloppy and unimaginative at times. But my criticism is purely down to his theory of music. He's learnt the way so many of us have: through play, not practice. It leaves you at a loose end so many times due to not understanding where your fingers would be best placed at the next chord.

Of this list I think it's such a shame to see some names there and others missed but it's only a list to grab attention, not a definitive, set in stone, tablet for future generations to adhere by. But seriously where is Brian May? The man that made me want to play in the beginning. Every time I hear him hit those strings it sounds like the first time. And no Danny Gatton either. But hey that opinions for you.

Good god, another terrible list. I guess it's not surprising coming from Time magazine. Not exactly the authoratative source for music facts.

Keith Richards is a stylish player, but damn sure not better than Eric Clapton, not to mention those following him. Yngwie is really good, but not better than Steve Vai, who is less influential than Eddie Van Halen

I like the inclusion of BB King.

But Chuck Berry, for all his influence, is not the "best" guitar player. Same category as Ramone & Richards. They belong on another list, along with Kurt Cobain & George Harrison, called "stylemakers"

Prince has no place on an all-time list such as this. He is very good, but there are dozens of players better such as Gilmour, Vai, Van Halen, Brian Setzer, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Santana, Charlie Christian, Pat Metheny, Frank Zappa, Robben Ford...

NDRU said:

Good god, another terrible list. I guess it's not surprising coming from Time magazine. Not exactly the authoratative source for music facts.

Keith Richards is a stylish player, but damn sure not better than Eric Clapton, not to mention those following him. Yngwie is really good, but not better than Steve Vai, who is less influential than Eddie Van Halen

I like the inclusion of BB King.

But Chuck Berry, for all his influence, is not the "best" guitar player. Same category as Ramone & Richards. They belong on another list, along with Kurt Cobain & George Harrison, called "stylemakers"

Prince has no place on an all-time list such as this. He is very good, but there are dozens of players better such as Gilmour, Vai, Van Halen, Brian Setzer, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Santana, Charlie Christian, Pat Metheny, Frank Zappa, Robben Ford...

Prince deserves to be in the top of any guitar god list just for the mere fact that he can play rock, rhythm, lead, r&b, funk, you name it. That's what makes him a special player. Alot of those other guitar "heroes" can't play all genres and styles.

joyinrepetition said:

NDRU said:

Good god, another terrible list. I guess it's not surprising coming from Time magazine. Not exactly the authoratative source for music facts.

Keith Richards is a stylish player, but damn sure not better than Eric Clapton, not to mention those following him. Yngwie is really good, but not better than Steve Vai, who is less influential than Eddie Van Halen

I like the inclusion of BB King.

But Chuck Berry, for all his influence, is not the "best" guitar player. Same category as Ramone & Richards. They belong on another list, along with Kurt Cobain & George Harrison, called "stylemakers"

Prince has no place on an all-time list such as this. He is very good, but there are dozens of players better such as Gilmour, Vai, Van Halen, Brian Setzer, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Santana, Charlie Christian, Pat Metheny, Frank Zappa, Robben Ford...

Prince deserves to be in the top of any guitar god list just for the mere fact that he can play rock, rhythm, lead, r&b, funk, you name it. That's what makes him a special player. Alot of those other guitar "heroes" can't play all genres and styles.

I believe that distinguishes him as a mucisian in general, but not as a guitar player. Steve Vai can play funky, clean, dirty, rhythm, lead, etc. So could Jimi. Hell, most amateur guitar players that I know can play in those styles. Prince actually makes complete songs in those styles, that is the difference.

Prince can't play slide, fingerpick, chickenpick, rockabilly, metal, classical [true] jazz, and his lead playing is not close to what the top players do, so he is not without stylistic limitations either.

Again I think he's a great guitar player, just not the best. He is the best among pop superstars, though! Better than Madonna!

Read the original piece and it's clear the writer's into Prince: he cites not only When My Guitar gently Weeps, but also Just My Imagination!!!! (I'm sure he's the only one who got on this list on the strength of a boot!!!!):

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1916544_1921866,00.html

NDRU said:

joyinrepetition said:

Prince deserves to be in the top of any guitar god list just for the mere fact that he can play rock, rhythm, lead, r&b, funk, you name it. That's what makes him a special player. Alot of those other guitar "heroes" can't play all genres and styles.

I believe that distinguishes him as a mucisian in general, but not as a guitar player. Steve Vai can play funky, clean, dirty, rhythm, lead, etc. So could Jimi. Hell, most amateur guitar players that I know can play in those styles. Prince actually makes complete songs in those styles, that is the difference.

Prince can't play slide, fingerpick, chickenpick, rockabilly, metal, classical [true] jazz, and his lead playing is not close to what the top players do, so he is not without stylistic limitations either.

Again I think he's a great guitar player, just not the best. He is the best among pop superstars, though! Better than Madonna!

Iloveannie touched on the substance versus style aspect and I think you're trying to pin Prince to a wall using his lack of playing certain styles. Doesn't matter he doesn't play all those styles if the styles he has down are pro. And they are. I hear people say Prince is sloppy, but I think that's a little off. Or rather, the sloppiness is explained by his overall musicianship and performance chops.

The Truth said one thing to people who have a guitarist's ear and that is that Prince is self taught and not that great at "technical" playing. He filled an acoustic guitar album up with a bunch of George Benson strumming. lol. (Kidding, kidding, but still kinda yeah a little.)

I think NEWS comes close to showing how technical Prince can get and I do think he can get technical, but I think he is moved to his music in a different way than these algebraic players like Malmsteen or SRV. I prefer Prince's bluesy, emotional style of play rather than someone whose focus is more on the rigid side of playing.

To me, this enhances his standing. Same as I'd keep BB King there on that list and add Santana and remove Slash and Keith Richards and add SRV and shift a few of those people on the list around to my personal taste.

Spinlight said:

NDRU said:

I believe that distinguishes him as a mucisian in general, but not as a guitar player. Steve Vai can play funky, clean, dirty, rhythm, lead, etc. So could Jimi. Hell, most amateur guitar players that I know can play in those styles. Prince actually makes complete songs in those styles, that is the difference.

Prince can't play slide, fingerpick, chickenpick, rockabilly, metal, classical [true] jazz, and his lead playing is not close to what the top players do, so he is not without stylistic limitations either.

Again I think he's a great guitar player, just not the best. He is the best among pop superstars, though! Better than Madonna!

Iloveannie touched on the substance versus style aspect and I think you're trying to pin Prince to a wall using his lack of playing certain styles. Doesn't matter he doesn't play all those styles if the styles he has down are pro. And they are. I hear people say Prince is sloppy, but I think that's a little off. Or rather, the sloppiness is explained by his overall musicianship and performance chops.

not really, I was only responding to the notion that he can play all styles by saying that no, he cannot.

And that a lot of players can play multiple styles. SRV & Jimi come to mind. And while SRV copied a lot of what Jimi did, he had an instantly recognizable sound that I am not sure Prince has. Prince has diversity, but I don't think he did anything new with guitar. Plus he does not have the chops of your average jazz player.

The Truth said one thing to people who have a guitarist's ear and that is that Prince is self taught and not that great at "technical" playing. He filled an acoustic guitar album up with a bunch of George Benson strumming. lol. (Kidding, kidding, but still kinda yeah a little.)

I think NEWS comes close to showing how technical Prince can get and I do think he can get technical, but I think he is moved to his music in a different way than these algebraic players like Malmsteen or SRV. I prefer Prince's bluesy, emotional style of play rather than someone whose focus is more on the rigid side of playing.

To me, this enhances his standing. Same as I'd keep BB King there on that list and add Santana and remove Slash and Keith Richards and add SRV and shift a few of those people on the list around to my personal taste.

I think prince is notable as a guitar player because of who he is.

If he was not such a great songwriter, singer, performer, personality, but rather played guitar for Poison, I don't think we would be talking about him as much. But to have a guy who is so talented in so many areas makes it that much more impressive that he can focus on a single instrument and impress us as well.

And he does impress me (and i play guitar, too). I am certainly not trying to take him down as a musician!

[Edited 3/7/11 14:06pm]

Spinlight said:

It bugs me to see Jimi at the top of this list.

Why does it bug you? Is it because he's Black? Many of the guys on that list stole from Hendrix.

Kurt Cobain's not number one?

Slash?