Rolling Stone: Jimi Hendrix Named Greatest Guitarist of All Time
Jimi Hendrix was named the greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine Wednesday in a list formed by musicians and guitar aficionados.
Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Keith Richards and Duane Allman also made the list of the 100 greatest guitarists ever.
Hendrix claims the top spot despite passing away almost 40 years ago. The artist was a pioneer with the electrical guitar and incorporated facets of rock, blues, funk and country into his seminal style.
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Rage Against The Machine guitarist, and poll voter, Tom Morello lauded Hendrix in the issue that is set to be released on Friday.
“Jimi Hendrix exploded our idea of what rock music could be: He manipulated the guitar, the whammy bar, the studio and the stage,” he said.
Morello also praised Hendrix for his fluent playing style.
“His playing was effortless...There’s not one minute of his recorded career that feels like he’s working hard at it - it feels like it’s all flowing through him.”
Some of the big names that took part in the creation of the list were Lenny Kravitz, Brian May, Eddie Van Halen and Dan Auerbach.
Hendrix was born in Seattle in on Nov. 27, 1942. He bought his first guitar when he was around fifteen years old for $5 given to him by his father's friend. His first studio was recording was as a member of the band for the Isley Brothers.
Hendrix's top hits include "Purple Haze" and "All Along Along the Watch Tower." He is also remembered for his psychedelic rendition of the "The Star Spangled Banner" at Woodstock.
Hendrix was known for his frequent use of psychedelic drugs such as LSD and marijuana. He died in September 1970 of a drug overdose at the age of 27.
The list below mentions the Rolling Stone's top 10 guitarists:
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Eric Clapton
3. Jimmy Page
4. Keith Richards
5. Jeff Beck
6. B.B. King
7. Chuck Berry
8. Eddie Van Halen
9. Duane Allman
10. Pete Townshend
