Prince

Spin magazine continues to show its love for Prince. In Spin’s new list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all-time, Prince ranks No. 6. That’s impressive because the list is obsessively indie rock-centric or "new generation," as Spin puts it, trying to "veer toward the alternative canon." Hence, classic names like Hendrix, Clapton and Santana are missing.

At No. 1 is Sonic Youth’s pairing of Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo. Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine is No. 2 and acoustic finger-style master John Fahey is a surprise pick at No. 3. Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain ranks fourth, Dinosaur Jr.’s J. Mascis fifth.

Despite its alternative leanings, Spin has long loved Prince. He was on the cover in 2009 for a special 25th anniversary salute to "Purple Rain."

The list isn’t devoid of Rock Hall of Famers. Among the classic names who may have been alternative in spirit are U2’s the Edge at 13, Frank Zappa at 16, Velvet Underground’s Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison at 17 and Neil Young at 20.

Bob Mould, who got his start with Husker Du in St. Paul, is No. 48.

Prince / Photo by Getty Images

For the full Spin list, click here.

Not bad 4 out of 100 guitar players!!

[Edited 6/21/12 17:53pm]

Interesting, is Queens Brian May on that list? Another fab guitarist !!!

I see Spin got there readers freaked out with there latest list. As long as my boy is n the top six, is fine with me. I want 2 see him make # One and I will be happy and content. 4 now I will settle 4 SIX. U go Mr. Nelson keep that controversy going

what a totally utterly bullshit list!! WHAT A JOKE!! This is the worst guitarist list I have ever seen. Maybe they were doing the top 100 AFTER the real top 100 or something...only sense I can make of this crappy list

I think it's great-Love the first pic. Congrats to Princey

I was really confused with Prince appearing on that list. The whole point of the list was to discount playing ability and focus on gen-x alt-rockers who play guitar. So why is a 1980s funk/rock/pop/R&B virtuoso at #6?

Nice to see Prince honoured so highly, but that list is fuckin' whack. Kurt Cobain? How come I'm not on there???

According to the premise of the framework of the list, there is no excuse for Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine not to be on that list.

I don't see anything wrong with this list. I think it's cool he that he received props from Spin and was ranked alongside guitarists who were alternative and thought outside the box.

It might make a Dinasour Jr. fan or a Sonic Youth fan seek out and get "Purple Rain" and discover his rock guitar side. Plus I get tired of seeing the SAME usual expected guitarists win the top 100 list every year in Rolling Stone magazine.

..and I agree with you shayde about Tom Morello.

jpnyc said:

I was really confused with Prince appearing on that list. The whole point of the list was to discount playing ability and focus on gen-x alt-rockers who play guitar. So why is a 1980s funk/rock/pop/R&B virtuoso at #6?