Originally Posted by: basicsAs a singer/songwriter he sucked too, haha. He just fit the image the media wanted to sell and he hated himself for it. :D

ONCE AGAIN, just a matter of preference really. There will never be a final survey on who deserves what in any order.

Now if it were more categorized as in; rythmn, progressive, rock, metal, hard rock, jazz, blues (which in itself can go on and on because just from what I have listed can produce many sub-categories as well or viewers who may think "new age" and "Jazz" shouldn't be seperate but together just shows you it's all about opinion and cannot be tied down :)) it would be easier to take people like Cobain and Jack White out of categories that are more meant to fit players like Malmsteen and Vai. But even then, it will just be a matter of opinion. The only way to chart away from opinion, is to chart through a measurement of something more solid outside of opinions like record sales! That's why who ever is most famous, gets top billing! It is easier for the industry to chart by sales (which is what it is there for anyways) than a poll. In fact, for what it's worth; the editor of that column/poll, was right! He who has control of the ink and edititorials has the voice. Think about it. It is also fair to say you and I will produce different poll results, but will both posses the "right" poll results. Food for thought.

The Irony of it is, there will always be someone to take guitar playing to the next level, whether they are known or not. Yes, someone being above everyone else who is obvisouly more technical than he may not deserve the spot in this case and does make one realize how record sales and money can suck-in and deaden music or real talent while dictating fresh ears. IT IS all about promotion and money! They shove it down your throat!

BUT, those who are out there who really can contribute to music or guitar technique (maybe even one of us ;)) will never be known without the money or industry behind them to promote and get them in front of the world. So the industry/money "giveths" and "takeths" away! As an example; in my opinion, one of the greatest players; Shawn Lane, was never exposed because he didn't want anything to do with the industry. He didn't want to "lose weight" and re-format his style to basic rock because to him it was B/S and he wanted to do more of what "he wanted to do." Good for him. But ask yourself, if he'd been exposed like Satch would he have contributed to modern guitar? I certainly think so. "I" certainly do. It hurts when I talk guitar to serious players and they're like, "no, never heard of him." He was great.

The tragedy lies here- No matter what, we should not dislike anyone because they cannot play 64ths at 220 BPM Or sweep 26 nps. I am a very technical player, but I also like to focus on playing with heart and what I feel, and most the time that comes across better in fewer notes or within different phrasing. I think every player should keep an open mind. If they don't, they are held in content. There are only two types of music; good and bad. There's stuff I love I never would've thought I would take a liking to. Being a serious guitar player myself, I feel that music always comes first. And making good Music has nothing to do with always having to include exceptional technical ability. A lot of good music is built around simplistic structure. No matter what, the guys you may hate may have influenced the guys you really love or vice versa.

Then again, it is my opnion.