I'm surprised no one has mentioned Richard Leo Johnson yet:
The most Broadly Influential Players In History
- Thread starter Gaylord Amsterdam
- Start date
Heavens to Betsy, two pages on influential guitarists and not a mention of The Edge? Arguably the most influential guitarist of the last 40 years? I can't think of anyone else who comes close.
Here's an article I quickly googled supporting my position
www.guitarworld.com
I guess because he is obviously not one of the great guitarists in terms of virtuosity, other guitarists tend to underestimate his influence.
Here's an article I quickly googled supporting my position
How the Edge changed the sound of guitar playing forever: 17 guitarists share their favorite U2 moments
The likes of Tom Morello, Joe Bonamassa and Satchel still can’t find what they're looking for, but they know why the Edge rules, and just how he's shaped the sound of modern guitar
www.guitarworld.com
I guess because he is obviously not one of the great guitarists in terms of virtuosity, other guitarists tend to underestimate his influence.
Fiesta Red
Doctor of Teleocity
Again, you obviously don’t live in Texas.
Stevie Vaughan influenced—and influences—more than musicians, to this day.
Go to any decent milliner in the state, and they’ll offer an “SRV-style Bolero” hat—and to be honest, it’s not usually musicians who wearing them as often as it is people who are trying to project a “Texas Vibe”.
Guitarists know they’ll be labeled a Vaughan-abee, so unless that’s their schtick, they often don’t wear them.
**Side note—I have a black hat reminiscent of a Bolero—bought before Stevie died—which I don’t wear when playing or hanging around musicians because I don’t want to be labeled as such; I had the brim reshaped (less flat) and replaced the hatband to make it less SRV-ish, but with the flat crown it still looks the part, so I don’t wear it often around musicians.
The “bolero, concho belt and a pancho” thing (a la the “In Step” album cover) has gained in popularity especially amongst women more and more in the last decade; most of them from Texas admit it’s a “SRV thing”, whether they were of age while he was alive or not.
It may be regional, but it’s a thang.
…and speaking of Texas musicians influencing culture, especially in fashion…George Strait.
From Stockman-crease hats to starched western shirts and Wranglers to the style of boots they wear, he has influenced the way cowboys (real, wannabe or otherwise) dress for fun, formal or everyday—especially men. You go anywhere in the state and his style influences men of all races; I would venture that most men (especially the further you get out of the city) will dress that way for a nice date or a semi-formal event—and add a western-cut sport coat as well. This is true in the Hispanic/Mexican culture of the state as well.
This may not be true where you live, but it’s true where I live.
Fiesta Red
Doctor of Teleocity
I’m beginning to think you’re just trying to dismiss everything that you don’t see with your own two eyes on a regular basis.
Like it or not, “stupid social media” (your words) platforms like TikTok are indicative of what certain segments of the population are wearing, playing, dancing to and singing. That’s culture, even if it doesn’t affect you.
As my earlier post said, Stevie and Jimmie Vaughan influenced a huge segment of the population in Texas—and not just musicians. Guys starting greasing up and duck-tailing their hair like Jimmie, and started mixing cowboy and gypsy influences in their clothes (like Stevie) throughout the 80’s and 90’s. It went beyond musicians then, and it goes beyond musicians now; the SRV look is still happening, *especially* amongst suburban moms trying to look Texan down here. That’s culture.
And flannel shirts *were* a thing…for lumberjacks. Around my neck of the woods, the only time you’d see a plaid flannel shirt was either an old man, a hunter or a construction worker when it was cold. As soon as Grunge hit, they were being sold in Macy’s and Dillards all year round. It became a costume de jeur for kids aged 13-25…and when my daughter (b.2001) went through her “grunge phase”, guess what magically appeared in her wardrobe? Plaid flannel shirts—which some of them were mine for when we went camping in the winter.
Fiesta Red
Doctor of Teleocity
And how about cultural changes in dress that probably doesn’t affect most of us on this site?
Hip-hop totally changed the way a lot of people of a generation behind me dressed (I was born in 1970).
Baggy pants/shorts, big t-shirts, flat-billed ball caps, the type of athletic shoes worn…that’s probably not TDPRI John, but it’s undoubtedly his son, grandson or great nephew.
Hip-hop totally changed the way a lot of people of a generation behind me dressed (I was born in 1970).
Baggy pants/shorts, big t-shirts, flat-billed ball caps, the type of athletic shoes worn…that’s probably not TDPRI John, but it’s undoubtedly his son, grandson or great nephew.
Lone_Poor_Boy
Tele-Afflicted
David St. Hubbins.
ETMusic777
Tele-Meister
... and Wes.
Attachments
ETMusic777
Tele-Meister
I'd add Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson to the list of influencers. The all brought modern virtuosity to FM radio, post Eddie and hair bands. Danny Gatton for modern country. I'd put Lenny Breau on the list, however he unfortunately is more famous and influential now than he was when he was alive. As great as he was, he was never hugely known in his lifetime.
Tricone
Friend of Leo's
Robert Jonson.A man, a myth, and a legend.
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loudboy
Tele-Afflicted
I'll put forth "The Band" as being tremendously influential, both musically and on style. They almost single-handedly brought back roots-based music. Creedence may have helped a little. Overnight, almost everyone went there.
Stylistically, before them you had the SF/London Psychedelic Regalia, Mods, some old school leather boys. After them - everyone sported beards, work boots, and flannels. That lasted until Bowie brought glitter to the masses.
Stylistically, before them you had the SF/London Psychedelic Regalia, Mods, some old school leather boys. After them - everyone sported beards, work boots, and flannels. That lasted until Bowie brought glitter to the masses.
Giulio Regondi, Sol Hoopii, Robert Johnson, Martin Carthy, Sabicas, ..... there are so many.
Who hasn't played a Neil Young song on acoustic guitar?...
Short on cash
Tele-Holic
Buckwheat
northernguitar
Poster Extraordinaire
I'll add Link Wray. That the RnR Hall of Fame hasn't inducted him is proof that they are running a popularity contest. I understand Wray isn't a household name. However, SO many guitarists that we cherish first heard Rumble and went out and picked up an axe. His tone is the DNA of a lot of what came after.
My favorite all-around guitarist
BTW regarding the rock n roll hall of lame, I was reading an article just earlier where they seem to be trying to change the name to simply the rock hall of fame, which I'd be perfectly ok with, since
"rock" doesn't really mean anything at all.
if those corporate shysters kept their hands off my beloved rock n' roll, that'd be awesome
"rock" doesn't really mean anything at all.
if those corporate shysters kept their hands off my beloved rock n' roll, that'd be awesome
mally
Tele-Afflicted
Woody Influenced Dylan and Dylan influenced everyone else !
he's been mentioned already, but every rock guitar player and every rock n roll guitar player (and many other guitar players too) owe a HUGE debt to this guy
having said that, Elvis/Scotty is the main reason for me picking it up
having said that, Elvis/Scotty is the main reason for me picking it up
