20 truths about music

[Sir O]

Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
Jeff Beck
T-Bone Walker
Jimmy Page
Elmore James
B.B. King
Pat Metheny
Les Paul
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Robert Johnson
Buddy Guy
Carlos Santana

I can agree with all these, definitely.

Allan Holdsworth
Pat Metheny
Steve Cropper

Not too familiar with these guys...

Slash[/qoute]
Good, not really great. He wasn't exactly original or influental or technically excellent, he just did what was required of him within the context of the band. Nothing wrong with that, but definitely not on EVH's level.

Ywgenie Malmsteen

He's probably one of the greatest ever when talking about pure technical skill. The problem I have with him is that his playing is devoid of any emotion.

Kirk Hammett

I'm a huge fan of pre-Black Metallica, but Hell no. Too one dimensional and repetitive. Besides Cliff, nobody in Metallica was really a standout musician.

Keith Richards
Pete Townshend
Tony Iommi
David Gilmour
Duane Allman
Robby Kreiger

I'd say all these guys come from bands where the whole is greater than the sum of their parts. With the possible exception of Allman, I don't see anyone here who really stands out as a great guitarist - they're all very good, I just don't see them on a level equal to or greater than that of Eddie Van Halen. Maybe I just rate him higher than you...I don't know.

Off the top of my head, I'd add Satriani, Brian May, Alex Lifeson, John Petrucci, Peter Lindgren, and Lead Belly to the "better than Eddie" list...