The most Broadly Influential Players In History

[regularslinky]

Chuck Berry is number one, but the next three most broadly influential guitarists are probably Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison (not necessarily in that order).

 

[effzee]

You think SRV influenced culture and fashion?

I didn't understand the fashion claim, either.

You mean.....?
Someone who broke through cultural barriers?
Described the experiences of youth, with wit and wisdom?
Adapted the simple-but-difficult patterns of Blues and Country, to help define a dynamic and far reaching new style of music?
Someone who's songs, riffs and grooves are in general use, across genres, sixty five years later?
View attachment 1079183

That was the first name to pop into my pointy head, and I couldn't come close to writing it up as well as you did

 

[teletimetx]

I'm going with "influence" versus really good players that I happen to like and you do, too and long lists are interesting, but ultimately subjective.

So, Chuck Berry, Chet Atkins, and Jimi Hendrix, and the rest are all sort of, yeah, maybe.

...and yeah, "in History?", yeah, no.

 

[Engine Swap]

 

[Clifton C]

Peter Buck of R.E.M.

 

[willietheweirdo]

 

[Jim W]

Influential for people wanting to or start playing guitar or influential for people who play guitar (technique, style)??
Elvis, Kingston Trio, Beatles, Taylor Swift, you-tube videos, folk boom, etc., making people want to play guitar. Once you are playing guitar the "influences" become more applicable. Depends on what music you like, what players you like or listen to, etc. I saw the James Gang (Joe Walsh) a lot in the late 60s in the Kent Bars. Learned much from watching him, but not necessarily influenced by him (although I like him and he is a great player). Also learned much by watching Phil Keaggy and Bob Webb (Measles, Lacewing, and later James Gang) in the Kent bars. George Harrison was probably guilty for both get people to play and an influence on their playing. John Stewart from the Kingston Trio influenced Lindsey Buckingham.

Me, I am influence by everyone that I hear, but mostly from the people that I play with or watch closely, as I can always learn something from just about anyone.

 

[Oxidao]

Guitarrist?
Musically, Culturally, Fashion-“lly” ?
That covers a wider spectrum than any single person I can think of has made.

Elvis should be on top in terms of being a Media “Influencer”, and despite he wasn’t a killer guitar player, he had two of the most influential ones in Rock and Roll (and derivatives) under his wing, James Burton and Scotty Moore.
Kurt Covain covered the hole thing, but it’s legacy is diminishing through time.

Then I go back to my first though, Johnny Ramone

 

[Gaylord Amsterdam]

Thanks! I strayed from your point (though not nearly as much as others!) which was musical and cultural influence, as The Edge didn't really spawn a lot of imitators in beanies

Talking about the Edge is always welcome in my threads! I've watched Rattle and Hum so many times.

 

[Jim622]

You haven’t ever been to Texas, have you?

Both he and his brother influenced fashion beyond music, at least in these parts.

Jimmie’s cowboy/greaser look in the 80’s became a uniform amongst Texas Blues musicians and enthusiasts alike, down to this day.

Stevie’s Gypsy look did likewise.

I always SRVs look was good on stage, not so much when off duty, but that was Stevie Ray. People dressing like him?…embarrassing. If a friend came dressed like that a wrath of verbal abuse would follow.

 

[hepular]

Couldn't agree more...

My very first significant influence was Tommy Tedesco, (many years before I ever learned about the Wrecking Crew) and the Wrecking Crew had far more impact than most people realize.

I still love Cornell Dupree and more broadly I have to add Pat Metheney...

And while we're at it, TBone Walker anyone?

I always SRVs look was good on stage, not so much when off duty, but that was Stevie Ray. People dressing like him?…embarrassing. If a friend came dressed like that a wrath of verbal abuse would follow.

it's redneck hendrix.

which reminds me:

 

[Maguchi]

Madonna had a huge cultural and large fashion impact, in her early years. All the young women I knew, in the '90s, acknowledged her significance- even those, who didn't care for her music.

Sure, definitely, both fashion and music. But a little off topic as the OP is "the most broadly influential players in history." And although she was huge, she was not a player.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I always SRVs look was good on stage, not so much when off duty, but that was Stevie Ray. People dressing like him?…embarrassing. If a friend came dressed like that a wrath of verbal abuse would follow.

Why would you treat a friend like that?

Only a couple of my friends are “fashion plates”—people known for being stylish or dressing particularly well…the rest of us are just ramshackle “trying to wear what’s appropriate for the occasion” guys and gals.

A few of us (my wife, my daughter and I included) have more of a specific “style” of dress both on- and off-stage…my wife (non-musician) is preppy; daughter is vintage/gypsy with cowgirl and vaquero influences; I’m kinda a cowboy-greaser…but unless a friend was wearing something truly inappropriate, immodest or disturbing, I would never foist a “wrath of verbal abuse” on them—in fact, I still wouldn’t abuse them, I’d just ask what are they thinking.

That makes no sense, in my view of “being a friend.”

 

[Manual Slim]

Where I come from, verbal abuse is how you know a friend cares.

 

[tele_savales]

Awesome thread.

 

[tele_savales]

Where I come from, verbal abuse is how you know a friend cares.

Yeah, remember when they used to call it earning a living, not "workplace bullying"?

 

[Flaneur]

Sure, definitely, both fashion and music. But a little off topic as the OP is "the most broadly influential players in history." And although she was huge, she was not a player.

Yeah I know.....but I was really just replying to Johnny's post......

 

[Manual Slim]

Yeah, remember when they used to call it earning a living, not "workplace bullying"?

Friends at work? Ahahahahahahahahahahahajahajajahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[fretknot]

Andres Segovia, Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins, Johnny Smith, Dick Dale, Roy Buchanan, Jimi Hendrix, Les Paul, Reverend Gary Davis.

 

[ficelles]

Bert Weedon.