Best Rhythm Guitarists

munckee

I thought we had cleared this up with Frank Black - why hasn't this thread been closed?

Okay Nile Rogers is okay too if you like rubbish music, there I've said it : )

ESBlonde

Gordon Giltrap?

ICBM

Rocker said:

By trying to name the best rhythm guitarist, the OP is missing the point of the songs.  The phrase rhythm guitarist infers a band.  The sound you hear is that of the entire band.  Isolating any member of that band for praise is ignoring the combined efforts of all the band members.  As everyone who has played/is playing in a band knows, the drummer determines the rhythm, the bass and/or rhythm guitarist locks in to the drummer.  This is to provide the backing for the vocalist [who actually is the most important member of the band].

So the question posed by the OP has no actual answer.  

If you’ve ever heard Nile Rodgers mixed ‘wrong’ so his guitar is higher than it should normally be in the mix, you might be in for a surprise...

Pete Townshend is similar - the drums and bass are counterpoints to his guitar driving the music, not the rhythmic foundation.

SidNewton

Jimi Hendrix
Robben Ford

Bezzer

Rocker said:

By trying to name the best rhythm guitarist, the OP is missing the point of the songs.  The phrase rhythm guitarist infers a band.  The sound you hear is that of the entire band.  Isolating any member of that band for praise is ignoring the combined efforts of all the band members.  As everyone who has played/is playing in a band knows, the drummer determines the rhythm, the bass and/or rhythm guitarist locks in to the drummer.  This is to provide the backing for the vocalist [who actually is the most important member of the band].

So the question posed by the OP has no actual answer.  

Not sure if you're taking the **** or not ...

Funkfingers

Good rhythm guitarists should be kinda like good Football referees - invisible. 

Right this minute, the most "invisible" rhythm guitarist I can think of is Simon Nicol. I struggle to think of anything he has ever performed on record that gets in the way of the song.

DiscoStu

Hetfield for me. 

EricTheWeary

https://i.imgur.com/mzrEzVD.jpg

I dont know if Lady Bo was the best rythmn guitarist but she was always the coolest. 

Gassage

Can’t believe no mention of David Williams- just a genius

also Carlos Alomar 

exocet

Al McKay (EW&F)

AlexC

Rocker said:

By trying to name the best rhythm guitarist, the OP is missing the point of the songs.  The phrase rhythm guitarist infers a band.  The sound you hear is that of the entire band.  Isolating any member of that band for praise is ignoring the combined efforts of all the band members.  As everyone who has played/is playing in a band knows, the drummer determines the rhythm, the bass and/or rhythm guitarist locks in to the drummer.  This is to provide the backing for the vocalist [who actually is the most important member of the band].

So the question posed by the OP has no actual answer.  

Funnily enough, I came back on this thread to name Bob Dylan - who often plays without a band. As do many singer/songwriters who utilise the guitar as a melodic and rhythmic backing to their vocals. So the ‘rhythm’ guitar IS the music. 
You're ignoring a whole approach to music and presenting songs.

Iamnobody

AlexC said:

Rocker said:

By trying to name the best rhythm guitarist, the OP is missing the point of the songs.  The phrase rhythm guitarist infers a band.  The sound you hear is that of the entire band.  Isolating any member of that band for praise is ignoring the combined efforts of all the band members.  As everyone who has played/is playing in a band knows, the drummer determines the rhythm, the bass and/or rhythm guitarist locks in to the drummer.  This is to provide the backing for the vocalist [who actually is the most important member of the band].

So the question posed by the OP has no actual answer.  

Funnily enough, I came back on this thread to name Bob Dylan - who often plays without a band. As do many singer/songwriters who utilise the guitar as a melodic and rhythmic backing to their vocals. So the ‘rhythm’ guitar IS the music. 
You're ignoring a whole approach to music and presenting songs.

If you’ve ever seen Thom Yorke playing Paranoid Android solo on acoustic it confirms what you are explaining.

There’s loads of great rhythm players out there. It depends how you define best I think we are all really just putting forward our favourites.

Budgie

Steve Jones

snakemanStoo

Elvis was good.

Bellycaster

I'll have to give Paul Jackson Jr. a mention.



















Paul Jackson Jr.

koneguitarist

My top rhythm guitarists 
Elvis Presley, try playing Mystery Train! 
John Wilkinson Elvis guitarist in 70's had to play everything thrown at him. 
Pete Townsend, crap lead player, but that was done by Entwhistle anyway. 
Has to be Rick Parfitt for sheer power and rock solid timing. 

Dominic

Chet Atkins
.......because he could play Rhythm AND lead at the same time

martinw

koneguitarist said:

Has to be Rick Parfitt for sheer power and rock solid timing. 

This, or Malcolm for me.

BigBearKris

Unpopular, I know - but James Hatfield should be high upon that list.

Honourable mentions:
Bettencourt
Mustaine

p90fool

munckee said:

Frank Black.  Discussion finished.

Who the fuck is Frank Black?
Discussion reopened.