If you were asked to name the three most influential guitarists of the past 40 years I wonder what names you would come up with?
Perhaps you would think of Frank Zappa, or Chuck Berry, or perhaps Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger, or maybe it would be Chet Atkins or Barney Kessel.
No question about it, they are all great guitarists, but there are three names which you have not mentioned that I would go for.
Who would be my choice? Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, although not necessarily in that order.
Sad to say that Jimi died in 1970, but happily Eric and Jeff are still performing today.
Let me now give you some background information on my three choices.
So we begin our thoughts with the great guitarist, Eric Clapton who in 1963 joined the Yardbirds, an R&B group at the time but one which in Eric's opinion turned into a pop group, and this is what made Eric leave them within 2 short years.
He then moved on to John Mayall's Bluesbreakers for a short while before setting the supergroup known worldwide as Cream.
In 1968 Cream broke up, much to the sorrow of so many people, and Eric formed Blind Faith along with his former partner in Cream, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood.
Following the demise of Blind Faith Eric went on to form his own band, Derek and the Dominos and it was while he was in this band that he wrote what is, in my opinion, his greatest song " Layla".
However it was not long before Eric started sliding into drink and drug abuse, and this got so bad that he felt that he had to pull out of the music business.
I am happy to say however that Eric eventually managed to control his addiction, and he is now back performing again.
Who would believe that such an immense performer as Jimi Hendrix, the next person I want to talk about, only lived for 28 years? He was born in 1942, and died in 1970, a short life, but what a name he made for himself.
But during that brief time he established himself as a unbelievably talented performer, considered by many to be Rock's greatest guitarist.
Its hard to believe that this great guitarist was for a time just a sideman to a number of famous names including Little Richard, the Isley Brothers and Ike and Tina Turner, but he did not stay a sideman for long, his talent would not allow it!
It was not long before Jimi had moved to the big lights of New York, and one night, whilst playing in Greenwich village, he was approached by a member of the British Rock group, the Animals.
And before long Jimi was packing his bags and moving over to play the scene in London.
He was a most amazing guitarist, and an incredible showman, and he became an almost instant success.
And you can see that skill on his first single Hey Joe, and also on his first album Are You Experienced.
His playing on stage was something which you had to see, to believe. He would play the guitar behind his back, and sometimes he would pluck the strings with his teeth. He oftentimes would smash his guitar against his amplifiers in order to get a certain effect, and sometimes even set light to them.
If you saw him on stage you would never forget the experience.
When he died in 1970 of a drug overdose the world lost a truly unique musician.
And so on to my final choice. A musician not as well known as Eric or Jimi, but a great guitarist nonetheless, and that person is Jeff Beck.
Jeff spent most of his early career playing with various bands including the Yardbirds, and screaming Lord Sutch. He was born in 1944.
After his time with the Yardbirds Jeff set up his own band the Jeff Beck Group.
He spent some time working with Rod Stewart until Rod left to join the Small Faces.
Amongst other great names that Jeff has played with is Mick Jagger.
Deservedly, in 1989 Jeff was the recipient of a grammy award for the best rock instrumental in his album Guitar Shop.
Not so long ago I heard Jeff playing live, and even after all these years he is able to thrill his audiences with his skill. If you get the chance, go and hear him for yourself.
This article is number one in a series on great performers. If you would like to receive each article as it comes out then go to my website where you will find my email address, and just email me asking to be kept updated.
Perhaps you would think of Frank Zappa, or Chuck Berry, or perhaps Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger, or maybe it would be Chet Atkins or Barney Kessel.
No question about it, they are all great guitarists, but there are three names which you have not mentioned that I would go for.
Who would be my choice? Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, although not necessarily in that order.
Sad to say that Jimi died in 1970, but happily Eric and Jeff are still performing today.
Let me now give you some background information on my three choices.
So we begin our thoughts with the great guitarist, Eric Clapton who in 1963 joined the Yardbirds, an R&B group at the time but one which in Eric's opinion turned into a pop group, and this is what made Eric leave them within 2 short years.
He then moved on to John Mayall's Bluesbreakers for a short while before setting the supergroup known worldwide as Cream.
In 1968 Cream broke up, much to the sorrow of so many people, and Eric formed Blind Faith along with his former partner in Cream, Ginger Baker, and Steve Winwood.
Following the demise of Blind Faith Eric went on to form his own band, Derek and the Dominos and it was while he was in this band that he wrote what is, in my opinion, his greatest song " Layla".
However it was not long before Eric started sliding into drink and drug abuse, and this got so bad that he felt that he had to pull out of the music business.
I am happy to say however that Eric eventually managed to control his addiction, and he is now back performing again.
Who would believe that such an immense performer as Jimi Hendrix, the next person I want to talk about, only lived for 28 years? He was born in 1942, and died in 1970, a short life, but what a name he made for himself.
But during that brief time he established himself as a unbelievably talented performer, considered by many to be Rock's greatest guitarist.
Its hard to believe that this great guitarist was for a time just a sideman to a number of famous names including Little Richard, the Isley Brothers and Ike and Tina Turner, but he did not stay a sideman for long, his talent would not allow it!
It was not long before Jimi had moved to the big lights of New York, and one night, whilst playing in Greenwich village, he was approached by a member of the British Rock group, the Animals.
And before long Jimi was packing his bags and moving over to play the scene in London.
He was a most amazing guitarist, and an incredible showman, and he became an almost instant success.
And you can see that skill on his first single Hey Joe, and also on his first album Are You Experienced.
His playing on stage was something which you had to see, to believe. He would play the guitar behind his back, and sometimes he would pluck the strings with his teeth. He oftentimes would smash his guitar against his amplifiers in order to get a certain effect, and sometimes even set light to them.
If you saw him on stage you would never forget the experience.
When he died in 1970 of a drug overdose the world lost a truly unique musician.
And so on to my final choice. A musician not as well known as Eric or Jimi, but a great guitarist nonetheless, and that person is Jeff Beck.
Jeff spent most of his early career playing with various bands including the Yardbirds, and screaming Lord Sutch. He was born in 1944.
After his time with the Yardbirds Jeff set up his own band the Jeff Beck Group.
He spent some time working with Rod Stewart until Rod left to join the Small Faces.
Amongst other great names that Jeff has played with is Mick Jagger.
Deservedly, in 1989 Jeff was the recipient of a grammy award for the best rock instrumental in his album Guitar Shop.
Not so long ago I heard Jeff playing live, and even after all these years he is able to thrill his audiences with his skill. If you get the chance, go and hear him for yourself.
This article is number one in a series on great performers. If you would like to receive each article as it comes out then go to my website where you will find my email address, and just email me asking to be kept updated.
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