Greatest Rhythm Guitarist of All Time?
Comments
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Keith Richards
First off riffs are not the same as lead guitar. The opening chords (Open G tuning) of Brown Sugar or Start Me Up, for example, is all about rhythm guitar groove.
Rolling Stones 1.0 from 1963- 68 never had a real lead guitar player. It was two rhythm guys - Jones and Keef- faking their way on lead when needed.
Mick Taylor was lead in Stones 2.0 (1969- 74) and Ronnie Wood in Stone 3.0 (1976 to present).
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Yes, I understand that, but those riffs still quantify as lead guitar, especially in bands with only one guitarist. Those two songs I see credit Keith with both lead and rhythm guitar, hence why I don’t put him on this list.
I remember when Malcolm died and people quickly anointed Hetfield as the greatest living. Keith was never mentioned. -
After much thought my answer:
Using my criteria: Malcom YoungUsing Yellow Snow’s criteria: Jimmy Page
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F.O. Row Peter Puffer, you left off
They're at White River a day or two prior. Probably less time to drive to Bend than wait in traffic trying to leave parking at that casino.
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Keith Richards
You haven’t listened to many Stones records I take it. Listen to Sticky or Exile front to back. Keith is not the lead guitarist.
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Keith Richards
Stradlin gets on the ballot for the rhythm arrangement to Sweet Child O Mine alone. While the opening riff deservedly is an all timer the backing chords take it to another level.
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Malcom Young
Malcolm is the quintessential rhythm guitarist. Stands in the background driving the riff while Angus is ripping solos and playing to the crowd. Izzy is a close second, but his body of work isn’t as deep as Malcolm
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F.O. Row Peter Puffer, you left off
This board is whiter than chalk.
Nile Rodgers. Freak out.
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Keith Richards
Forgive me. Greatest *rock rhythm guitarist.
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F.O. Row Peter Puffer, you left off
Like we say, whiter than chalk.
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Keith Richards
IRL though I have the an extremely large collection of jazz, soul, and funk LPs.
It's just that Bend makes CDA looks like Harlem in comparison, so no one wants to listen.
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Malcom Young
So, I am confused about what to do with guysms who were the only guitarists in their group. In that respect, I didn't even think about Keith Richards. Yes, the Stones are one of my favorite groups, yes they have a lot of [legendary] tunes that are based almost entirely upon rhythm guitar riffs (ILTS riffs; IWILTD). But they don't have another guitarist. Like, Eddie VH has some of the most beastly fucking rhythm riffs of all time. But he was the only guitarist; didn't count him.
So, for me, among those groups who had both a rhythm and lead, I have to say Malcolm. Like the Stones, ACDC's bread and butter was their use of rhythm guitar. And such an unassuming dude, willing to cede all the "look at me" to his brother and Bon.
Also, don't sleep on Paul Stanley. There are a lot of reasons to laugh about all things KISS, but his rhythm work isn't one of them. Another group whose best stuff features solid rhythm work. That's him.
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Keith Richards
I excluding guysm who were know for being technically proficient lead players. Yes, Jimmy Page and EVH can play rhythm parts great, but that's not what made them famous.
Yes, Keith has some solos on stones records, but they are entry level shit and not great. Listen to his solos on Sympathy for the Devil…he's was struggling there. It's his rhythm playing - especially once he got his Open G tuning reads down - that made him a legend.
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Malcom Young
Even though I don't know what Open G tuning is, I agree!!!!! re Keith Richards. Never heard a solo that made me think, "wow, that fucker can play."
So, for guyms who are base rhythm guysms, either by assignment or by talent, I stick with Malcolm. When people from my vintage start jumping around and playing air guitar when an AC/DC song comes on, they are actually imitating Malcolm, though they prance around thinking they're playing along with Angus. The average fan (so, someone who doesn't know what Open G tuning is), and girls, love AC/DC because of the rhythm guitar. Period.
Whomever upthread added the guy from the Scorpions … also a really good call. They have a good one.
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Keith Richards
Open G tuning is what gave Keith Richards and Stones a unique groove that no one else had going on…
Think those chunky rhythms on Honky Tonk Women, Can't You Hear Me Knocking, Happy, All Down the Line, Brown Sugar, Start Me Up, etc.
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Keith Richards
Hands down it’s gotta be Keith, he has redefined the power and definition of Rhythm Guitar… the other guy that i would vote for within the same construct would be David Crosby who like Keith does has aspects of his playing which suggest lead guitar, but like Keith, his compelling body of work is headlined by the magic of his complex melody defining cross rhythms
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Keith Richards
Keith is no virtuoso, but when paired with Brian, Mick T., Woody, Waddy, whoever, he serves the song. Riffs, rhythm, lead, all in the same song, I've never heard another like him…
Slash said, "Keith loves Malcolm, and Keith hates everything"…
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Malcom Young
Keith Richards would pick Angus Young in this poll.
