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Guitar Greats
by Univideit Gauitin
http://www.guitarsuniverse.com
No two guitar aficionados will be able to agree on the list
of guitar greats, but like so many lists, it can be fun to
try to make. What each considers greatness will vary too -
is it technical ability or some hard-to-define quality like
'soul'?
One man who is a hot favorite of every guitar player is the
blues guitarist named Robert Johnson. He was a great
exponent of playing guitar. It is believed that in a time
span of just one year, he began playing guitar, mastered
the art and became a legend. Quite unbelievable! There are
also rumors that Johnson had some sort of pact with the
devil. Nevertheless, his greatness has been confirmed by
many great guitar players.
Rumors abound about how he made the deal with the Devil in
the Deep South. Johnson did not do much to dispel this
notion. Instead his songs like Crossroad Blues and Me And
The Devil Blues further stoked suspicion. The legend
strengthened even further by his death in 1938 at the age
of 27. Nothing is known about the cause of death, whether
it was poisoning, stabbing or the Devil claiming his soul.
It is a coincidence that the other great guitarist after
Johnson also had an early death. This great was Jimi
Hendrix, considered by many as the greatest guitarist to
ever grace the Earth and the man who revolutionized the art
of playing guitar. However, he was popular for his other
activities also,which included playing solos behind his back
or with histeeth and famously setting his guitar on fire.
It is believed that he was oblivious of the fact that what a
great musician he was.
Hendrix was an all-round musician, equally adept at blues,
rock and jazz. Believe it or not, he only had a bassist and
drummer in his live concerts. He was a great exponent of
playing guitar and very innovative as well. Being left
handed, he re strung his guitar upside down.
All legends have lots of controversies associated with them
and Hendrix was no exception. He has been blamed for
covering other bands songs in concert and on record. Once
he did the Beatles 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club
It is believed that he could
play a song after listening to it for just once. He is
also credit to have pleased the stubborn Miles Davis with
his music.
The guitar player takes central stage in so many forms of
music that the guitar greats in most people's minds aren't
just rock or bluesmen. Jazz players like Django Rheinhardt,
classicists like John Williams, or flamenco guitarists like
Paco de Lucia feature on many lists. Is it any wonder no-one
can really agree?
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