Zane Lowe's Top 50 Guitar Legends

Ardent

Caught this on MTV last night. I always knew Zane Lowe was a bit of a muppet but I couldn't believe how bad this list was, I moaned and ranted to herself pretty much all the way though the program. She thought it was hilarious that Lowe could have this effect on me!

The only thing I agreed with was Jimi at #1. The Edge at 19??!! Johnny Marr at #9?? WTF?

I submit the list for your persual and comments:

50 - KINGS OF LEON - MATTHEW FOLLOWILL
49 - BIFFY CLYRO - SIMON NEIL
48 - JEFF BUCKLEY - JEFF BUCKLEY
47 - THE KILLERS - DAVE KEUNING
46 - SLIPKNOT - MICK THOMSON
45 - SOUNDGARDEN - KIM THAYIL
44 - MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE - FRANK LERO
43 - GREEN DAY - BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG
42 - YEAH YEAH YEAHS - NICK ZINNER
41 - MANICS - JAMES DEAN BRADFIELD
40 - BLINK 182 - TOM DELONGE
39 - KISS - ACE FREHLEY
38 - ARCTIC MONKEYS - ALEX TURNER
37 - PINK FLOYD - DAVE GILMOUR
36 - PIXIES - JOEY SANTIAGO
35 - REM - PETER BUCK
34 - SYSTEM OF A DOWN - DARON MALAKIAN
33 - THIN LIZZY - GARY MOORE
32 - SUEDE - BERNARD BUTLER
31 - PEARL JAM - MIKE MCCREADY
30 - THE STROKES - NICK VALENSI
29 - SMASHING PUMPKINS - BILLY CORGAN
28 - NEIL YOUNG - NEIL YOUNG
27 - OASIS - NOEL GALLAGHER
26 - FOO FIGHTERS DAVE GROHL
25 - THE CLASH - MICK JONES
24 - AEROSMITH - JOE PERRY
23 - BLUR - GRAHAM COXON
22 - PRINCE - PRINCE
21 - RADIOHEAD - JOHNNY GREENWOOD
20 - BLACK SABBATH - TONY IOMMI
19 - U2 - THE EDGE
18 - JANE'S ADDICTION - DAVE NAVARRO
17 - THE ROLLING STONES - KEITH RICHARDS
16 - STONE ROSES - JOHN SQUIRE
15 - QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE - JOSH HOMME
14 - THE WHO - PETE TOWNSEND
13 - THE WHITE STRIPES - JACK WHITE
12 - QUEEN - BRIAN MAY
11 - NIRVANA - KURT COBAIN
10 - Tom Morello - Rage Against The Machine
9 - Johnny Marr - The Smiths
8 - Angus Young - AC/DC
7 - Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6 - John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
5 - Matt Bellamy - Muse
4 - Kirk Hammett - Metallica
3 - Jimmy Page - Led Zeppelin
2 - Slash - Guns N' Roses
1 - Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Hendrix

jonny oxford

Oh God thats brutal!

The Edge and Jonny Marr are on a list that doesnt even mention Dimebag! Technical ability didn't hold much/any influence in the mans mind when he was making that list then did it?

Glassheart

Ardent wrote: »

Caught this on MTV last night. I always knew Zane Lowe was a bit of a muppet but I couldn't believe how bad this list was, I moaned and ranted to herself pretty much all the way though the program. She thought it was hilarious that Lowe could have this effect on me!

The only thing I agreed with was Jimi at #1. The Edge at 19??!! Johnny Marr at #9?? WTF?

I submit the list for your persual and comments:

50 - KINGS OF LEON - MATTHEW FOLLOWILL
49 - BIFFY CLYRO - SIMON NEIL
48 - JEFF BUCKLEY - JEFF BUCKLEY
47 - THE KILLERS - DAVE KEUNING
46 - SLIPKNOT - MICK THOMSON
45 - SOUNDGARDEN - KIM THAYIL
44 - MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE - FRANK LERO
43 - GREEN DAY - BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG
42 - YEAH YEAH YEAHS - NICK ZINNER
41 - MANICS - JAMES DEAN BRADFIELD
40 - BLINK 182 - TOM DELONGE
39 - KISS - ACE FREHLEY
38 - ARCTIC MONKEYS - ALEX TURNER
37 - PINK FLOYD - DAVE GILMOUR
36 - PIXIES - JOEY SANTIAGO
35 - REM - PETER BUCK
34 - SYSTEM OF A DOWN - DARON MALAKIAN
33 - THIN LIZZY - GARY MOORE
32 - SUEDE - BERNARD BUTLER
31 - PEARL JAM - MIKE MCCREADY
30 - THE STROKES - NICK VALENSI
29 - SMASHING PUMPKINS - BILLY CORGAN
28 - NEIL YOUNG - NEIL YOUNG
27 - OASIS - NOEL GALLAGHER
26 - FOO FIGHTERS DAVE GROHL
25 - THE CLASH - MICK JONES
24 - AEROSMITH - JOE PERRY
23 - BLUR - GRAHAM COXON
22 - PRINCE - PRINCE
21 - RADIOHEAD - JOHNNY GREENWOOD
20 - BLACK SABBATH - TONY IOMMI
19 - U2 - THE EDGE
18 - JANE'S ADDICTION - DAVE NAVARRO
17 - THE ROLLING STONES - KEITH RICHARDS
16 - STONE ROSES - JOHN SQUIRE
15 - QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE - JOSH HOMME
14 - THE WHO - PETE TOWNSEND
13 - THE WHITE STRIPES - JACK WHITE
12 - QUEEN - BRIAN MAY
11 - NIRVANA - KURT COBAIN
10 - Tom Morello - Rage Against The Machine
9 - Johnny Marr - The Smiths
8 - Angus Young - AC/DC
7 - Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6 - John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
5 - Matt Bellamy - Muse
4 - Kirk Hammett - Metallica
3 - Jimmy Page - Led Zeppelin
2 - Slash - Guns N' Roses
1 - Jimi Hendrix - Jimi Hendrix

They are two of the best guitarists of their generation imo.
Great to see Kim from Soundgarden wasn't overlooked.

Can't believe the singer from the Arctic Monkeys is in there!

Kold

Lol@ all the people ahead of Jonny Greenwood but especially the Edge.

anonymous_joe

Kold wrote: »

Lol@ all the people ahead of Jonny Greenwood but especially the Edge.

Yeah, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Slash, Morello, Van Halen. WHen have they ever been good guitarists?

Glassheart

Just noticed that Slash is number 2.
That is pathetic.:rolleyes:

Ardent

Kurt Cobain is a joke anyway. Great singer and good guitarist, but guitar legend? C'mon!

Ardent

Another thing - when it came to Jack White at 13, Zane was waxing lyrical about what a great "shredder" he is. I think I threw something at the TV at that stage.

jonny oxford

Ardent wrote: »

when it came to Jack White at 13, Zane was waxing lyrical about what a great "shredder" he is.

Jaysus he kept that one quiet then didn't he!

rovert

It is Zane's list and it is MTV2 dont take too much notice.

af_thefragile

How did Matt Bellamy make it to no.5?!...

xOxSinéadxOx

af_thefragile wrote: »

How did Matt Bellamy make it to no.5?!...

That's actually the first thing I though when I looked at it. Well it seems like he just thought of all the bands he liked, picked a guitarist from them and put them down in a random order

Karl Hungus

jonny oxford wrote: »

Technical ability didn't hold much/any influence in the mans mind when he was making that list then did it?

Nor should it tbh. Technical ability isn't what makes a great guitarist, and certainly wasn't what Dimebag was about.

That list is an insult to music though. I could never conceive of a more bland, populist, lowest common denominator list. Kirk Hammett is a better guitarist than David Gilmour!? I'm in awe of the stupidity of that, it's almost too much that anyone with ears could possibly consider that for a second. I had to read that again just to make absolute sure that Kirk Hammett was in fact at number 4 and David Gilmour was at 37.

Kirk Hammett > David Gilmour?

Nah... you're having a laugh.

stovelid

jonny oxford wrote: »

The Edge and Jonny Marr are on a list that doesnt even mention Dimebag!

Marr is a fantastic guitarist.

Surprised Dimebag wasn't in with a shot though.

nyarlothothep

what I find strange is why Zane Lowes opinion matters

Marshall1

Is this serious or just going by record sales or computer generated or something,its obviously not done by someone who knows much about music,what about the great pioneers like B.B.King, Eric Clapton and the main man who influenced Hendrix, Robert Johnson!! Maybe I read it wrong is it just good rock players cos theres too many names missing from a musicians perspective.

culchienator

right am i imagining things or does Rory Gallaghers name not appear on this list?

Ardent

Marshall1 wrote: »

Is this serious or just going by record sales or computer generated or something,its obviously not done by someone who knows much about music,what about the great pioneers like B.B.King, Eric Clapton and the main man who influenced Hendrix, Robert Johnson!! Maybe I read it wrong is it just good rock players cos theres too many names missing from a musicians perspective.

My thoughts exactly! Not to mention other greats such as Ry Cooder, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Satriani, Duane Allman etc. Hell, even Buckethead derserves a place in any top 50.

MagicMarker

lol at No.4

Kirk Hammett is easily one of the worst ''big'' guitarists ever.

Oh, and lol at no. 40.

Karl Hungus

Marshall1 wrote: »

Maybe I read it wrong is it just good rock players cos theres too many names missing from a musicians perspective.

I see surprisingly few of those on that list. Poor/mediocre rock players are a plenty though.

Rigsby

This is a list of guitar "legends" as apart from "greats". Everyone on that list is a legend (i.e. famous ).

As for "great"....... well.... that's a different kettle of fish.

delbertgrady

xOxSinéadxOx wrote: »

It seems like he just thought of all the bands he liked, picked a guitarist from them and put them down in a random order

My thoughts exactly.

My two cents:

Nuno Bettencourt
Robert Fripp
Steve Hackett
Steve Howe
Phil Manzanera
Richard Thompson
Frank Zappa

MagicMarker

Eric Clapton isn't even in there!! :eek:

Rigsby

MagicMarker wrote: »

Eric Clapton isn't even in there!! :eek:

...... neither is his mentor Buddy Guy, or the three Kings (Freddy, Albert and BB ), or Robert Johnson. :rolleyes:

Just goes to show how much of a farce it is.

Patricide

I just stopped looking at this when i saw kirk hammet in there....Not only are there millions of guys better than him technically i wouldnt hail him as an unbelieveable song writer either as james did all the best metallica stuff. Still though he is Iconic and an inspiration to guitarists everywhere il give him that!

Neo#

Well Zane isnt a guitar player so im sure he doesnt look at those players from a technical point. I think its just a list of guitarists from his favourite bands more than anything else. Yeah Rory should be on there. The biggest most unforgivable one though as previously mentioned is no Eric Clapton!

Patricide

I dunno why but i always thought he played guitar, isnt there usually a guitar on that borwn couch o his?

cautioner

nyarlothothep wrote: »

what I find strange is why Zane Lowes opinion matters

.

niallon

stovelid wrote: »

Marr is a fantastic guitarist.

Surprised Dimebag wasn't in with a shot though.

Pun intended?

The Edge is a far better guitarist than U2 albums would lead you to believe, unfortunately if he he doesn't play the usual delay heavy pop riffs U2 are known for he gets a slap on the wrist.

Why is Clapton not in that list? And what is it about power chords exactly that makes Billie Joe Armstrong a guitar legend?

Mushy

af_thefragile wrote: »

How did Matt Bellamy make it to no.5?!...

Cos he's an absolutely brilliant guitar player maybe?? Would agree with most of the sentiments alright, what a crap list. Many names left out(yes, that would be higher than Mr. Bellamy alright), but then again, its(and been said enoiugh here) Zane Lowe and MTV2, who gives a crap?

keane2097

List has me on life tilt tbh - gutted I looked at it...

keane2097

Mushy wrote: »

Cos he's an absolutely brilliant guitar player maybe?? Would agree with most of the sentiments alright, what a crap list. Many names left out(yes, that would be higher than Mr. Bellamy alright), but then again, its(and been said enoiugh here) Zane Lowe and MTV2, who gives a crap?

No, this is not the answer.

raindog.promo

Jeff Buckley needs to be much higher in that list. Just check out the Sin é e.p.

Ardent

Reading some of the replies on here, I should really have named the thread "Let's all laugh at Zane Lowe's Top 50 Guitar Legends"

JerryHandbag

culchienator wrote: »

right am i imagining things or does Rory Gallaghers name not appear on this list?

+1

niallon wrote: »

And what is it about power chords exactly that makes Billie Joe Armstrong a guitar legend?

+1

Dave Gilmour being way down and Rory Gallagher not even ON it!!! Farce :rolleyes:

Mushy

keane2097 wrote: »

No, this is not the answer.

Eugh, this could drag on quite a long time. Am curious though, why don't ya think he's good? I find that some of the stuff he comes up with is brilliant, and the way he comes up with them is quite brilliant too. He'd be well on that list before the majority of people that are on it anyway.

xOxSinéadxOx

The most important question is why amn't I on it?

Rock Dog

What a load of bollocks? Will someone start a new thread called WHAT EXACTLY MAKES A GUITARIST BECOME A LEGEND?

JerryHandbag

xOxSinéadxOx wrote: »

The most important question is why amn't I on it?

Give us a lick there so....

Oh I'm sorry I meant a guitar lick

rovert

The lesson of this thread is DONT take the NME as gospel kids.

cheesykeith

So your telling us that Alex Turner and Noel Gallagher is a better guitarist than Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton? Are you telling me Knopfler and Clapton are not even in the top 50 in the world?It just goes to show how clueless these music channels are by employing these no nothing pretty boys who need to be Indie obsessed to keep up their "cool" reputation with 13-20 year olds. What a waste of a TV programme!

Karl Hungus

When I were a kid, MTV had proper presenters.

Nailz

Rock Dog wrote: »

What a load of bollocks? Will someone start a new thread called WHAT EXACTLY MAKES A GUITARIST BECOME A LEGEND?

Why don't you?

Insect Overlord

It is a joke of a list, but I thought people who actually care about music stopped watching MTV years ago?

dj_lezza

Why dont we all come up with what out ultimate 50 top guitar legends would be ... see if there is any that come up alot then compile them into a final top 50 list it gotta b better than zane's lol x:)

fortuneg

There's a reason why it's called "Zane Lowe's Top 50 Guitar Legends" & not "The Top 50 Guitar Legends".
It's his opinion, no need to cry about it.

Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one...

Insect Overlord

fortuneg wrote: »

Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one...

Yes, but not everyone is one

Colmfatcamp

To me, that seems like a reasonable list as far as MTV standards go. Of course the likes of Dimebag would be overlooked, his songs arent played over panoramic shots of LA in "The Hills".

Answer me this: would you be happy if Zane Lowe acknowledged Dimebag or Rory Gallagher as guitar's number 1 legend? What would that say about their legacy?

That's the problem with musical snobs I reckon: we spout on about our own favourite guitarists and artists as if we know what makes the worlds best. It's all about opinions, and I think Zane has more-or-less nailed exactly what it takes to be a guitar legend on that list but for a few glaring omissions that perhaps should have been acknowledged further down the list at least. A legend doesnt need to be technically sound, nor particularly original in my humble opinion.

Powderpuff

I am listening to Zane's selection now on MTV TWO. Guitar virtuosity does not seem to come into it. Many of the guitarists are just those that can make a good noise to fill. This is not a problem as many rock and pop songs need only that. I think that Zane has chosen his favourite bands rather than best guitarists.

I agree with many of the comments on great guitarists omitted. My main comments would be around Clapton's absence, Dave Gilmour's low position and nobody seems to have mentioned Mark Knopfler though. Even if you don't like Dire Straights there are surely few who can bend a note like him.

On on.
Powderpuff

Powderpuff

Colmfatcamp wrote: »

A legend doesnt need to be technically sound, nor particularly original in my humble opinion.

But if you are picking the best 50 then surely that implies that you put in some sort of prder where someone who is more 'technically sound' and more 'original' above someone who is less so. Otherwise how do you rank them?

On on
Powderpuff

freecool

I actually think that's a fairly good list. In my books technical ability doesn't count for much and why should it. Just sitting in a room learning how to play fast scales doesn't make the musical world any better of a place. I've been playing guitar for 13 years and Zane annoys the crap out of me but i respect this list. He's gone for the music above all else