On July 20, 2024, Jerry Miller died aged 81. He was musician (guitar) and singer, member of the bands Jerry Miller Band, The Frantics and The Rhythm Dukes, but was best known as founding member of Moby Grape. Magazine “Rolling Stone” included Jerry Miller at number 68 on their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. As leader, Miller released three albums.
Tag Archives: 100 greatest guitarists of all time
Jeff Beck
On January 10, 2023, Geoffrey Arnold Beck aka Jeff Beck died aged 78. He was musician (guitar), in all lists of the 100 Greatest guitarists of all time, he was ranked in the top five. Beck’s innovative guitar sound spanned various styles ranging from blues rock, jazz fusion and guitar rock and influenced generations of young guitarists. He received “Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performances” six times, and “Best pop Instrumental Performance” once. In 1992, as member of The Yardbirds he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, and as solo artists in 2009. In 2014 he received the “British Academy’s Ivor Novello Award” for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Beck was member of the Yardbirds, founder and leader of Jeff Beck Group, and member of Beck, Bogert and Appice. As leader he released fourteen albums.
Leslie West
On December 22, 2020, Leslie Weinstein aka Leslie West died aged 75. He was musician (guitar), vocalist, and songwriter, member of the bands The Vagrants, West, Bruce and Laing, but was best known as the founding member, guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the band Mountain. In its list of the “100 Greatest guitarists of all time”, Rolling Stone magazine placed West at number 66. As a leader he released 16 albums.
George Harrison
On November 29, 2001, George Harrison died aged 58. He was musician (guitar), singer, songwriter, and music and movie producer, lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of The Beatles. His interest in folk music and especially in Indian music had serious influence on the band’s Hindu-aligned spirituality in the later years. Some of his songs composed for the band include “Here Comes the Sun”, “Something”, “Taxman”, “Within You Without You”, and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. After The Beatles broke-up in 1970, Harrison released the album “All Things Must Pass” which included the track “My Sweet Lord”, his most successful single, and the first solo single by any member of The Beatles that sold over million copies. In 1971, together with Ravi Shankar he organized “Concert for Bangladesh”, the first big benefit concert in the music history. In 1974, Harrison founded the music label “Dark Horse Records”, and co-founded movie label “Hand Made Films” in 1978. In 1988, with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison, he co-founded the supergroup The Travelling Wilburys. As a guitarist he recorded for Badfinger, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan, Duane Eddy, Randy Newman, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, and Tom Petty. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked Harrison at number 11 in their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. In 1988, as a member of The Beatles he was inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, and in 2004, posthumously for his solo career. As leader, Harrison released twelve studio and two live albums.
Link Wray
On November 5, 2005, Fred Lincoln “Link” Wray Jr. died aged 76. He was songwriter singer, and musician (guitar, steel guitar, bass guitar), known for his rock and roll, and rockabilly musical style. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him at number 45 on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. Wray released 23 albums as a leader.
Scotty Moore
On June 28, 2016, Winfield Scott “Scotty” Moore III died aged 84. He was a musician (guitar) and recording engineer, performed with Starlight Wranglers, Ricky Nelson, and Roy Orbison, but was best known as a founding member of The Blue Moon Boys in 1954, Elvis Presley’s backing band, and as studio and touring guitarist for Presley between 1954 and 1968. In its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked Moore at number 29. In the year 2000, he was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, in 2007 in the “Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum”, and in 2015, in the “Memphis Music Hall of Fame”.
Ronald Asheton
On January 6, 2009, Ronald Franklin Asheton died aged 60. He was musician (guitar, bass), songwriter and actor, best known as founding member (together with Iggy Pop, his brother Scott Asheton and Dave Alexander) and guitarist of The Stooges. In 2014, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked him at number 60 on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.
Johnny Ramone
On September 15, 2004, John William Cummings aka Johnny Ramone, died aged 55. He was musician (guitar) and songwriter, best known as founding member and guitarist of the Ramones. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked him at number 16 on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. The same year, “Time” magazine ranked him on its list of the “10 Greatest Electric-Guitar Players”.
Robert Johnson
On August 16, 1938, Robert Leroy Johnson, died aged 27. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter. performed mostly in the streets, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, so his career and life were very poorly documented. Only after the reissue of his recordings on the 1961 album “King of the Delta blues singers”, wider audience got a chance to know his exceptional songwriting, singing and guitar playing talent. Today he is recognized as the “Master of the blues”, with huge number of followers and admirers of his work among the world famous musicians. Eric Clapton has called Johnson “The most important blues singer that ever lived”. Johnson was ranked fifth position in the “Rolling Stone” magazine list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.
Johnny Winter
On July 16, 2014, John Dawson Winter III aka Johnny Winter, died aged 60. He was musician (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), singer, and producer, best known for his unique guitar style and explosive live performances. Winter was producer of three Muddy Waters “Grammy Award” winning albums. In 1988, he was inducted into the “Blues Foundation Hall of Fame” and in 2003, he was ranked 63rd in “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.
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