Since starting this thread I've been out of town. I assumed many Catters would have contrary opinions and I'm not disappointed. Many truly great guitarists have been proposed and it's hard to argue with people's suggestions.

I get the impression that when people are moved by a particular band, they automatically assume the musicians must be world class. My own opinion is that the most popular bands can have some of the poorest quality musicians if you're talking about any music outside of their particular niche. Kurt Cobain comes to mind. I'm not a fan of grunge—although my daughters were—so I just took the trouble to listen to some Nirvana clips. The guitar playing sounded sophomoric to me, both the electric and the unplugged. Even though I can enjoy music in which the guitar plays only a few throbing chords, I don't think of the technique as being a skillful use of the instrument.

In addition to the names everyone has contributed (and many of my favorites have been listed), I think we should add

• Herb Ellis
  
• Paul Galbraith
  
• Steve Lynch
  

at a minimum. People on the Rolling Stone list who I think should be removed will just naturally fall off when we add all of our additions and improve the ordering.

The first guitarist to create and master an important style should have recognition but the myriad average players who couldn't possibly have invented it but can learn to immitate it don't get any special consideration from me. I may enjoy their music a great deal but they don't rank among the “greatest of all time.” They're just good competent journeymen making a living. Now if they add something important to the canon… that's different.

      - Mark