Who was the last guitar God? (2024)

AAT65 said:

Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew

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Those gents are both in a league of their own, and pretty much everything they played on those artsy-avantgarde '70's Bowie classics is something no-one has ever surpassed or done before. It's all supremely expressionist and groundbreaking stuff IMO, but were they ever guitar gods persay of any kind really?

Geoff738 said:

Anywho, I mentioned Jeff Beck. Somewhat in jest, but honestly, I don’t know who else fits the bill. There are other players that play faster or whatever, and guys like Duke Levine or Jim Campilongo that I love, but I will stand with Jeff Beck.

Cheers,
Geoff

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Jeff Beck first played professionally in 1963. Are you stating he's the "last guitar God"?

msalama said:

You know what they say about opinions, right? So your opinions are worthless too, as are mine. And nowt wrong with that

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I'm not the one that asserted Clapton and SRV were "wannabees"--that one belongs to you.

Blackmore Fan said:

that one belongs to you

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Me? Wasn't me who said that.

Blackmore Fan said:

Does anyone read the OP before posting in this topic?

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Nope, they don’t.

tele12 said:

The thing that keeps Mayer from being a Guitar God is Guitar players generally hate him.

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COOPSTER said:

One thing I’ve noticed about most or all guitar Gods is they never share the stage with another guitarist. You find them in three-piece bands, but rarely do you see one that allows another lesser rhythm guitarist into the band. So in that sense all Guitar Gods are wankers that just want a backing track (bass and drums) to wank out on.

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Not sure which is the more preposterous statement - probably @COOPSTER 's because I don't even know who you're referring to. Some YouTube shredders? Please elaborate

I am the last guitar god.

Worship me!

Last chance…

Danb541 said:

To me a guitar God is someone who you recognize immediately, like 3 notes and you know who it is. I keep waiting for the next guitar God to come around. I don't think we've really had one since SRV.

your thoughts?

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Matteo Mancuso is the one in the current spotlight, a very intriguing guitar style for sure. Only time will tell if he is a God or not. I didn’t read 15 pages of reply’s so if he has already been mentioned I apologize,if after 15 pages of reply’s if he hasn’t been mentioned then I guess that settles whether or not he’s a God huh?

Danb541 said:

To me a guitar God is someone who you recognize immediately, like 3 notes and you know who it is. I keep waiting for the next guitar God to come around. I don't think we've really had one since SRV.

your thoughts?

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Swirling Snow said:

It was me, and if you were serious about the Blues, you'd understand.

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Sadly, Ive read the past 15 pages, but I actually found a candidate that meets every criteria listed in the thread so far.

This guitarist was born over a decade later than SRV, and first found fame in the early 90s. He was the frontman of his band, and he outsold Stevie by 3-4x in album sales worldwide. He earned his signature guitar deal eight years after his first album released, and you can still buy his signature new today - if you’ve got $3000 laying around.

In terms of influence, his riffs have been copied by young men at college campuses and highschool parties for decades. His songwriting has earned him multiple Grammys including Best Rock Performance twice. His shows are known for their energy and their improvisation, and he still sells out arenas and several hundred thousand tickets a year.

Of the dozen or so billboard hot 100 hits he’s responsible for, half of them start with his signature guitar riffs. And his unique style is so recognizable that within a few seconds, a great many late Gen X / millennial people can immediately identify the song and who it is.

TDPRI, meet your deity.

The last guitar god.

Dave Matthews.

Unodostres said:

Maybe that Finnius guy who writes all the music for his sister billy eyelash? I think he has a signature guitar now with Fender.

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“billy eyelash”

msalama said:

Those gents are both in a league of their own, and pretty much everything they played on those artsy-avantgarde '70's Bowie classics is something no-one has ever surpassed or done before. It's all supremely expressionist and groundbreaking stuff IMO, but were they ever guitar gods persay of any kind really?

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Well, the last line of my post which you part-quoted was ‘I wouldn’t want to call anyone a “guitar god” myself.’ So no. But if there is such a thing then I expect they’re a lot nearer it than SRV would be…

AAT65 said:

than SRV would be

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There're no gods. SRV was a phenomenal, virtuoso guitarist and one of my all-time favourites, but unlike Messrs. Fripp and Belew, he certainly wasn't a forerunner of any kind.

But who cares really? He played incredibly fiery and well regardless. Doesn't it take all sorts to make a world, including derivatives and imitators?

Not a huge fan but maybe Steve Vai considering he’s still active and currently doing the King Crimson gig (channeling Robert Fripp) with Beat, and was playing with Zappa when he was 20. Not a huge fan of either King Crimson or Zappa but gotta give the man his due. Sorry if this one has been mentioned. COOP

Jullecaster said:

Not sure which is the more preposterous statement - probably @COOPSTER 's because I don't even know who you're referring to. Some YouTube shredders? Please elaborate

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Hit a nerve I see… carryon mate.

Danb541 said:

To me a guitar God is someone who you recognize immediately, like 3 notes and you know who it is. I keep waiting for the next guitar God to come around. I don't think we've really had one since SRV.

your thoughts?

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Hahaha! Really? Does EVH mean nothing to you? Tom Sholz should be included. John Petrucci. John Mayer. Jack White. I don’t listen to the last two but I know they’re gods. Phil X is a monster. On and on they go.

COOPSTER said:

Not a huge fan but maybe Steve Vai considering he’s still active and currently doing the King Crimson gig (channeling Robert Fripp) with Beat, and was playing with Zappa when he was 20. Not a huge fan of either King Crimson or Zappa but gotta give the man his due. Sorry if this one has been mentioned. COOP

Hit a nerve I see… carryon mate.

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You’re showing your age. If you ignore the greats from the past, you have no idea who influences the greats from the present.