should be an R&R Hall of Famer

[Devotee]

even Rolling Stone mag couldn't keep Steve off the 100 hottest guitar solo's. He was listed I believe at 68 for Starship Trooper. Although my fav solo is on Sound Chaser................

[frodoadventure]

I am surprised Steve was recognized in the Rolling Stone. For a magazine that is about music, they sure overlook a lot of it. He is one of the most interesting guitar players to listen to for me. Very little strumming, lots of finger picking.

He is the only guitar player that I have seen that plays at least 3 (on avg.) totally different guitars per song. He has to put one on a stand for goodness sake! :cool: His specialty not to specialize. Truly, truly original.

[1yesfan]

But for a short time in the 80's Yes has never been mainstream, thus in my mind they will not make the Hall Of Fame for years to come!
Seems to me all the main stream bands get in!

[Aragorn]

That is right. The main stream bands get in, whether they are actually the most talented or not. Isn't it often the lesser known groups that inspire other musicians, who then create main stream music? Well, maybe that is not the case so much anymore, look at what is popular nowadays.

Even so, Yes has certainly had a good share of popularity, mid-seventies and early 80's. They have a following of thousands of fans world wide who have not forgotten them even though the media has. It should mean something to have this kind of staying power. They are doing something right, but these fools do not recognize that.

[Earl Grey]

I was impressed by Pat Smear, who joined Nirvana in 1993 (technically, because Kurt C. was too stoned to play all the guitar-parts himself!), who, when interviewed by Rolling Stone, stated that his favorite guitarist was Steve Howe!
As a guitarist, Steve is one of the 'extremely few' originals out there. I mean, listen to Starship Trooper: it starts out with 'perfect' phase-shifted- astral- mindbending- psychedelic-'Gee Whizz!'-(God: how'd he do it!)-Hendrix-inflected guitar.....

Then, Ragtime (!).

What the hell?!?!?!?

Finally ending up on 'WURM', memorable & so simple that I learned how to play it when I was 13 years old.....

Mr. Steve Howe IS, no question, IS!!!!!! The best that we have. Eddie Van-Whatsit has technique. Steve Howe has SUBSTANCE!
Ask any 'real' musician, they'll tell you. En-HOWE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't agree more! No one comes close to the sheer creativity and versatility that Steve has. Yes is so lucky to have him. Steve can do anything and better than anybody else. You know, everybody always talks about what a wizard Jimmy Page is, well, as far as I am concerned, there is just no contest. Steve leaves Jimmy in the dust. I don't know why this is not known by all. I was watching the 10 greatest guitar players ever on VH-1 and they did not even mention Steve. I could not believe it. Again, those who make these decisions, I can't help but wonder what they are smoking or if perhaps they are comatose. Perhaps the plug should be pulled and have them put out of their misery as they are clearly brain dead.

[Earl Grey]

After all, what does 'The House of Style' have to do with true musicianship? They simply can"t & don't know. History WILL tell. It won't help Steve to pay his 'house payment', but time IS the great equalizer. I have no doubt that Steve Howe will eventually be seen as one of the 'premier' guitarists of our time.

Mozart, after all, was buried in a common grave....

Two centuries later he is lauded with the laurels of a king.

So shall it be. Unfortunately. :yesbird:

[bjm0rwo]

Howe is definitely under rated as a guitar player.When I first heard his playing it reminded me of the jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.The beauty of the guitar as an instrument is the different styles and sound one can get out of them based on the artists'inspirations and the kind of guitar being used.Believe me,as much as I love Howe's playing,there are a lot of inventive guitarists out there who can leave you slack-jawed with amazment.

[capnkrk]

I think the solo that would demonstrate the quintessential Steve Howe is in the studio version of 'America' from the 'Yesterdays' compilation. I got the record when I was about 15 and just learning to play guitar and was just blown away by this solo. It is unbelievably well constructed with rock, jazz, ragtime and everything else thrown in. For anyone unfamiliar with the scope of Steve's playing and the different styles he incorporates, this solo just about says it all.

[bjm0rwo]

I agree with that! I recently bought the alblum just for that song.That solo shows his versatility to seamlessly switch from one genre to another.Perfect example!

[Earl Grey]

My fave moment from the 'Open Your Eyes' show: and he pulled it off seamlessly! Ah, Satori!