Steve Howe comes in 69th in Stones' 100 greatest list

[RIPPeterGriffin]

Here's the list.

1 Jimi Hendrix
2 Duane Allman
3 B.B. King
4 Eric Clapton
5 Robert Johnson
6 Chuck Berry
7 Stevie Ray Vaughan
8 Ry Cooder
9 Jimmy Page
10 Keith Richards
11 Kirk Hammett of Metallica
12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
13 Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead
14 Jeff Beck
15 Carlos Santana
16 Johnny Ramone
17 Jack White of the White Stripes
18 John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
19 Richard Thompson
20 James Burton
21 George Harrison
22 Mike Bloomfield
23 Warren Haynes
24 The Edge of U2
25 Freddy King
26 Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave
27 Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
28 Stephen Stills
29 Ron Asheton of the Stooges
30 Buddy Guy
31 Dick Dale
32 John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service
33 & 34 Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth
35 John Fahey
36 Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's
37 Bo Diddley
38 Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac
39 Brian May of Queen
40 John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival
41 Clarence White of the Byrds
42 Robert Fripp of King Crimson
43 Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic
44 Scotty Moore
45 Frank Zappa
46 Les Paul
47 T-Bone Walker
48 Joe Perry of Aerosmith
49 John McLaughlin
50 Pete Townshend
51 Paul Kossoff of Free
52 Lou Reed
53 Mickey Baker
54 Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane
55 Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple
56 Tom Verlaine of Television
57 Roy Buchanan
58 Dickey Betts
59 & 60 Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien of Radiohead
61 Ike Turner
62 Zoot Horn Rollo of the Magic Band
63 Danny Gatton
64 Mick Ronson
65 Hubert Sumlin
66 Vernon Reid of Living Colour
67 Link Wray
68 Jerry Miller of Moby Grape
69 Steve Howe of Yes
70 Eddie Van Halen
71 Lightnin' Hopkins
72 Joni Mitchell
73 Trey Anastasio of Phish
74 Johnny Winter
75 Adam Jones of Tool
76 Ali Farka Toure
77 Henry Vestine of Canned Heat
78 Robbie Robertson of the Band
79 Cliff Gallup of the Blue Caps (1997)
80 Robert Quine of the Voidoids
81 Derek Trucks
82 David Gilmour
83 Neil Young
84 Eddie Cochran
85 Randy Rhoads
86 Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath
87 Joan Jett
88 Dave Davies of the Kinks
89 D. Boon of the Minutemen
90 Glen Buxton of Alice Cooper
91 Robby Krieger of the Doors
92 & 93 Fred "Sonic" Smith, Wayne Kramer of the MC5
94 Bert Jansch
95 Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine
96 Angus Young of AC/DC
97 Robert Randolph
98 Leigh Stephens of Blue Cheer
99 Greg Ginn of Black Flag
100 Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

I for one am pissed about Steve's placement. He's hands down better than Kurt Cobain and he's ranked 12.

[R'tanys]

The fact that Steve was placed at all is pretty shocking. It's difficult to guage musical talent/skill because style plays a big part in what one might be looking for. Steve is obviously, IMO, much, much better than the vast majority of the names on that list, but I didn't write the article. (I knew I forgot to do something!) I think the fact that he was placed at all says that even though Yawn Wenner may hate Yes, you can't argue the fact that they are some of the most gifted musicians on the planet.

[RIPPeterGriffin]

I didn't look at it that way. I forgot how many people hated Yes.

On a humorous note... the Flag in Black Flag was for some reason replaced with the American Flag.

edit... damn these forums! let's see... the F|ag was replaced with a flag

2nd edit... what the... why wasn't replaced there? I'm so confused

[Q]

I'm just glad he made the list at all ... it is rolling stone, after all ...

David Gilmour's chart position is unbelievably lame, as well ...

[Koko]

Good to see Steve's name (even) on there considering howe 'anti-Yes' R.S is.....also I mean Joan Jett PULLLEEEEEEZZE!

when you consider virtuoso players like : Steve Vai or Michael Hedges, or Steve Hackett, Todd Rundgren etc etc...mind you it seems to be that 'some' of the names on the list are not there just for their Guitar prowess..

Still Stevie's in there!

:cheers:


Koko.

[Rabin105]

Originally posted by Koko
Good to see Steve's name (even) on there considering howe 'anti-Yes' R.S is.....also I mean Joan Jett PULLLEEEEEEZZE!

when you consider virtuoso players like : Steve Vai or Michael Hedges, or Steve Hackett, Todd Rundgren etc etc

still stebie' in there!

:cheers:


Koko.
clapton should be higher as should Howe and Gilmour. oh well "shine on you crazy diamond"

[brismike]

Yes . . I was also amazed that Steve Vai and Steve Rothery of Marillion was not on the list. These two guitar players are so underrated .. I have seen a few and they rate as the best in my books.

Some of the names on that list I have never heard of and probably never will.

I can also name an Australian guitar player that could probably play the pants of at least half the people on that list. Tommy Emannuel.

You just have to see and hear him to realise how good he is .. But i bet that Rolling Stone thinks that all guitar playing stops at the borders of the USA and Britain.

Mike

ps - only 2 weeks to Yes in Melbourne :)))))

[yarstruly]

I have already shared my thoughts on this list and on Rolling Stone in general ......makes me wanna PUKE!

[upbgirl]

that the idjits even put him on there!!

after all, we know their taste is all in thier mouths!!;)

howe can they make lists like that unless they have really made an effort to hear everybody?
they can't!

but i have some new guitar dudes to check out because you posted this peter! thanx!

i met warren haynes last summer..nice guy-shook hands-very pleasant man..
it was two weeks after i saw him [with govt mule] that i heard the bass player was found dead in his hotel room.. sad sad..
WHAT???? no roine stolt??
harumph!!
give those guys some headphones & lock em in a room for a few days..:cheers:

[OzzieYes]

Originally posted by Q
I'm just glad he made the list at all ... it is rolling stone, after all ...

David Gilmour's chart position is unbelievably lame, as well ...

Couldn't agree more. In fact i was listening to some early PF stuff (interstellar overdrive) and Syd Barrett was so much better than i remember him and hs isn't even mentioned.

but the biggest omission for me is Alvin Lee. Probably voted in the top 3 or 4 in most music polls from around 68 to 73 and cant make this list.......................unbelievable!!!!!

[tardistraveler]

Yes, I think it's great that Steve even made the list. I'm not concerned that he outranks most of those ahead of him!

[Rabin105]

Originally posted by OzzieYes
Couldn't agree more. In fact i was listening to some early PF stuff (interstellar overdrive) and Syd Barrett was so much better than i remember him and hs isn't even mentioned.

but the biggest omission for me is Alvin Lee. Probably voted in the top 3 or 4 in most music polls from around 68 to 73 and cant make this list.......................unbelievable!!!!!
Where's trevor rabin?
But this is Rolling Stone come on last month the Olsen twins were on the cover

[1yesfan]

Only ONE REASON the Olsen twins twins were on that cover, for the HOT YOUNG GIRL angle to sell more magz!

[Rabin105]

Originally posted by 1yesfan
Only ONE REASON the Olsen twins twins were on that cover, for the HOT YOUNG GIRL angle to sell more magz!
I'm 16 and they got my money

[yessongs72]

Like most everyone else I'm surprized he placed being Rolling Stone,which at one time was a great magazine for info.Now like everything else,it sold out also.Now here's the ones that ofcourse surprized me,they have astricks beside their names.

Here's the list.

1 Jimi Hendrix********
2 Duane Allman
3 B.B. King
4 Eric Clapton
5 Robert Johnson ******
6 Chuck Berry *******
7 Stevie Ray Vaughan ******
8 Ry Cooder *******
9 Jimmy Page******
10 Keith Richards *******
11 Kirk Hammett of Metallica *******
12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana *******
13 Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead *******
14 Jeff Beck ******
15 Carlos Santana
16 Johnny Ramone *******
17 Jack White of the White Stripes ******
18 John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers*******
19 Richard Thompson *******
20 James Burton *******
21 George Harrison ******
22 Mike Bloomfield ******
23 Warren Haynes ******
24 The Edge of U2 *******
25 Freddy King *******
26 Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave ****
27 Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
28 Stephen Stills *****
29 Ron Asheton of the Stooges *****
30 Buddy Guy *****
31 Dick Dale *****
32 John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service ******
33 & 34 Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth*****
35 John Fahey *****
36 Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's *****
37 Bo Diddley *****
38 Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac ****
39 Brian May of Queen ******
40 John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival
41 Clarence White of the Byrds *****
42 Robert Fripp of King Crimson ******
43 Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic *******
44 Scotty Moore ******
45 Frank Zappa *****
46 Les Paul
47 T-Bone Walker *****
48 Joe Perry of Aerosmith ******
49 John McLaughlin
50 Pete Townshend *****
51 Paul Kossoff of Free *****
52 Lou Reed ****
53 Mickey Baker *****
54 Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane *****
55 Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple *****
56 Tom Verlaine of Television *****
57 Roy Buchanan ****
58 Dickey Betts ****
59 & 60 Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien of Radiohead *****
61 Ike Turner ******
62 Zoot Horn Rollo of the Magic Band ****
63 Danny Gatton *****
64 Mick Ronson *****
65 Hubert Sumlin *****
66 Vernon Reid of Living Colour *****
67 Link Wray *****
68 Jerry Miller of Moby Grape ****
69 Steve Howe of Yes

So the way I see it Steve is # 5! I like my poll,of course most I would delte altogether.

[rob1960]

albeit to me Steve would make #1 I'm really surprised he was included at all.

Mind you these smart arses put in this list Kurt Cobain (possibly mainly cos he shot himself) and John Frusciante, to name just two who -had they become bank clerks instead- the world of guitar playing wouldn't have noticed at all.
Unless someone has the nerve to claim that Al Di Meola, to name just one excluded, ain't any better than so many names in such list, Eric Clapton included, I believe.
This list has nothing to do with guitar playing, indeed Rolling Stone has very little to do with music at all.

[BlueEagle]

I can think of a dozen guitar players not included in the list who are better than clawhammers in the top 20. But as you said, what can you expect from rollo stoned?

[gt76yesman]

I think this list includes some unusual entrees.
Wasn't Kurt just the lead vocalist of Nirvana?
Wasn't Warren Haynes a keyboardist?
Two folks from Sonic Youth, doesn't that cancel them out?
Booker T of the MG's wasn't he a keyboardist?
Brian May, wasn't he the bassist?

I am probably wrong on all of these as my aging brain is starting to solidify, but I am glad that Steve made the list because it is only Rolling Stone Mag.

Gleneesh

[stevepenn]

It's Rolling Stone. Who cares? That rag lost its badge of authority a helluva long time ago. It's been full of puke and pop pablum for decades now. Just remember that Howe topped the Guitar Player chart for six years in a row. That's more important because it's a list juried by musicians not wannabe dumbasses like the dorks at RS.

[Rabin105]

Brian may is a good guitar player. now as far as kurt i concerned I Hate Nirvanna

[yesrocks]

I am happy that Steve made the list, he does deserves more then 69<< but hey he did beat Eddie Van Halen(I don't really like Eddie's style) another guy who should have made the list is Martin Barre(jethro tull)

[Rabin105]

Originally posted by yesrocks
I am happy that Steve made the list, he does deserves more then 69<< but hey he did beat Eddie Van Halen(I don't really like Eddie's style) another guy who should have made the list is Martin Barre(jethro tull)
Martin barre should have definantly made it on

[TroopersOwnz]

I agree fully with everybody on this thread that has bashed Rolling Stone. We all know and have known that the mag is all about marketing and lets face it: 85 percent of the population of the western doesnt listen to Yes or dislikes them for various reasons. Is this right? No. Will this change with time? Yes!!The media's beef with Yes is simply because:
a) they are professional musicians that aren't owned body, mind, and soul and/or were created by a recording company.
b) they do not pander to the media the way a lot of other bands do and they do not ridiculously stupid publicity stunts(between the human hard-on Mick Jagger and the drug addict Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones have more than satisfied the medias lust for sensationalism :eeek:)
c) Yes' fans arent monuments to stupidity and therefore wont subscribe to RS ;)

anyway im finished being off-topic and i agree that its pretty kool that Steve was even mentioned. However, RS is bs and this is IMO is the real top 5

1. Steve Howe of Yes
2.Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
3.Jimi Hendrix
4. Eric Clapton

[TroopersOwnz]

I agree fully with everybody on this thread that has bashed Rolling Stone. We all know and have known that the mag is all about marketing and lets face it: 85 percent of the population of the western doesnt listen to Yes or dislikes them for various reasons. Is this right? No. Will this change with time? Yes!!The media's beef with Yes is simply because:
a) they are professional musicians that aren't owned body, mind, and soul and/or were created by a recording company.
b) they do not pander to the media the way a lot of other bands do and they do not ridiculously stupid publicity stunts(between the human hard-on Mick Jagger and the drug addict Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones have more than satisfied the medias lust for sensationalism :eeek:)
c) Yes' fans arent monuments to stupidity and therefore wont subscribe to RS ;)

anyway im finished being off-topic and i agree that its pretty kool that Steve was even mentioned. However, RS is bs and this is IMO is the real tops :guitar:

1. Steve Howe
2. Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
3. Jimi Hendrix
4. Eric Clapton
5. Jimmy Page
6. David Gilmour
7. Trevor Rabin :lol: (hes better than Kurt Cobain though)

its also kinda lol that hes topped the charts @ Guitar World for years. It justs shows that RS is all about popularity and not about talent

besides Yes is the Howard Roark of music, what can u expect (read Ayn Rand)

[Rabin105]

Originally posted by TroopersOwnz
I agree fully with everybody on this thread that has bashed Rolling Stone. We all know and have known that the mag is all about marketing and lets face it: 85 percent of the population of the western doesnt listen to Yes or dislikes them for various reasons. Is this right? No. Will this change with time? Yes!!The media's beef with Yes is simply because:
a) they are professional musicians that aren't owned body, mind, and soul and/or were created by a recording company.
b) they do not pander to the media the way a lot of other bands do and they do not ridiculously stupid publicity stunts(between the human hard-on Mick Jagger and the drug addict Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones have more than satisfied the medias lust for sensationalism :eeek:)
c) Yes' fans arent monuments to stupidity and therefore wont subscribe to RS ;)

anyway im finished being off-topic and i agree that its pretty kool that Steve was even mentioned. However, RS is bs and this is IMO is the real tops :guitar:

1. Steve Howe
2. Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
3. Jimi Hendrix
4. Eric Clapton
5. Jimmy Page
6. David Gilmour
7. Trevor Rabin :lol: (hes better than Kurt Cobain though)

its also kinda lol that hes topped the charts @ Guitar World for years. It justs shows that RS is all about popularity and not about talent

besides Yes is the Howard Roark of music, what can u expect (read Ayn Rand)
Trevor is better than kurt kcobain much better. NAd for sensationlism Britteny spears as van halen next lead singer. Just picture her singing jump. :lol:

[rob1960]

Wasn't Kurt just the lead vocalist of Nirvana?
Wasn't Warren Haynes a keyboardist?
............
Booker T of the MG's wasn't he a keyboardist?
Brian May, wasn't he the bassist?

Kurt Cobain was also Nirvana's guitarist,
Warren Haynes Allman Brothers' (and a much hired session man)
Booker T Jones, is indeed a keyboard player , in fact I'm surprised this list doesn't rank Keith Emerson as well ;-)
Brian May is Queen's guitar. John DEacon was Queen's bassist.
Queen's Innuendo is a wonderful example to understand how Brian May is "better" than Steve Howe... Steve was in Montreux (Switzerland) and by chance he mat this guy working with The Queen, then at the Mountain Studios to record Innuendo (the album). Steve was offered to pop in the studio to say hallo to the group. Brian May thus asked Steve to perform a classic spanish guitar bit in Innuendo (the single). Steve had no idea about the music of the album as whole nor the song itself. Brian stated that a Spanish sounding bit would have done nicely as he regarded Steve as a true maestro. Now Rolling Stones is telling us that Brian May is a better guitar player than Steve Howe. Oh yes, and I am UK's Prime Minister, not Tony Blair!

[tardistraveler]

Hi, Rob - Thanks for sharing the anecdote about Steve and Brian May - an interesting one!

[OzzieYes]

After seeing Steve for all 3 nights in Oz I would have to make a very undiplomatic statement "what a lot of ---- this poll was" I just saw one of the masters of this particular insturment perform. if he is not in the top ten of all time then I like to know the nine in front of him. His performance in Sydney and Perth was breathtaking, particularly his solo's. He has such command of the guitar acoustic or electric. IMO opinion there are few better. And some of the names in the original list are just laughable.

[Rabin105]

Originally posted by OzzieYes
After seeing Steve for all 3 nights in Oz I would have to make a very undiplomatic statement "what a lot of ---- this poll was" I just saw one of the masters of this particular insturment perform. if he is not in the top ten of all time then I like to know the nine in front of him. His performance in Sydney and Perth was breathtaking, particularly his solo's. He has such command of the guitar acoustic or electric. IMO opinion there are few better. And some of the names in the original list are just laughable.
true very true

[Dances w/PURPLE]

I think they would have had a issue burning in front of their building if they didn't put Jimi at #1. The rest, to me, show the limited listening habits of the editors who produced this list. It also appears to be influenced by generation. I completely agree about Cobain and I do like Nirvana music but on guitar prowess? I think not.

[HarlequinTheatre]

Originally posted by gt76yesman
Two folks from Sonic Youth, doesn't that cancel them out?
Booker T of the MG's wasn't he a keyboardist?


Gleneesh

Yes, Booker T. was a keyboardist, but they listed Steve Cropper. He's the guitarist. He also played with the Blues Brothers Band, and that's him playing on almost all the Stax/Volt records...you can really hear him on "Soul Man".