The 25 Best Alternative Rock Bands Of The 1990's

[Hogan11]

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/listoftheday/55358/the-25-best-alternative-rock-bands-of-the-1990s

Another bullshat list by that douchbag Rob O'Connor. Half the bands just plain don't belong on the list, they're either wildly inconsistant with their material (Sebadoh, Cracker, The Breeders, Mudhoney) or just plain average (Weezer, PJ Harvey, Mark Lanegan, The Fall).

Personally docked an extra notch for failing to list Teenage Fanclub in the top 5. Brace yourselves for the usual deluge of Nirvana haters as well.

[Northman]

Wow, i have to agree.


No Soundgarden, NIN, Smashing Pumpkins, or Pearl Jam? Amazing.

[alkemical]

Pixies....

[ElwayMD]

Where the freak are the Pixies? Unless he considers them an 80's band. I think Radiohead was considered alternative during the 90's as well.

[Northman]

Yea, i think the Pixies were known far more for their 80's run than 90's.

[alkemical]

Wow, i have to agree.


No Soundgarden, NIN, Smashing Pumpkins, or Pearl Jam? Amazing.

You know what i love about soundgarden.... Not only is the real park a cool f'n place (yes, it is a real place (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_Garden)) - but the sound.... It was like the perfect alchemical blend of sabbath & zepplin - but it was their own...

I liked older Pumpkins, and to be honest - Vitology is my fav. Pearl Jam album...

NiN - I can always find SOMETHING good in each album. Hey, DYK that Grohl played a good bit on the 'with teeth' album (i think...)

[alkemical]

heh... lol - primus! hahaha!

[Northman]

You know what i love about soundgarden.... Not only is the real park a cool f'n place (yes, it is a real place (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_Garden)) - but the sound.... It was like the perfect alchemical blend of sabbath & zepplin - but it was their own...

I liked older Pumpkins, and to be honest - Vitology is my fav. Pearl Jam album...

NiN - I can always find SOMETHING good in each album. Hey, DYK that Grohl played a good bit on the 'with teeth' album (i think...)


Agree totally. ^5

[BroncoBuff]

He includes Seattle grunge with "alternative"? In hindsight, that genre is definitely NOT alternative, it's mainstream. But as long as he includes it, omitting Soundgarden and Pearl Jam is just plain wrong. Next to Nirvana, PJ and Soundgarden might've been the #2 and #3 bands of the decade, alternative or no alternative. Soundgarden was a musicians' dream, PJ is a songwriters' dream.

And no Stone Temple Pilots? Wrong wrong wrong wrong WRONG. I don't get how STP are so consistently overlooked as one of the great bands of the 90s.

[BroncoBuff]

You know what i love about soundgarden.... Not only is the real park a cool f'n place (yes, it is a real place (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_Garden)) - but the sound.... It was like the perfect alchemical blend of sabbath & zepplin - but it was their own...
Soundgarden are/were truly remarkable musicians. They were head and shoulders more sophisticated musically than other bands. Listen closely and you'll hear time signature changes in many songs, dropped beats, reverse echoes, and wildly creative and unique guitar sounds. Pearl Jam on the other hand just plugs in and plays ... they are night and day in their approaches, and yet both are amazing.


clavi, that Sound-Garden at Magnuson Park looks awesome. I'm going there this week. Thanks ... (pic: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/visualart/hart221.shtml ) Did you ever see the Olympic Sculpture Park? It's about 8 blocks from my house: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Sculpture_Park

Went to Woodland Park Zoo two weeks ago, STILL no penguins! They're offsite 'til 2009.

[alkemical]

Kim is one of my fav. guitar players.

[BroncoBuff]

Kim is one of my fav. guitar players.
Insanely talented ... makes Stone Gossard look like he just picked up the instrument last month (and I love Stone). No, those guys are in entirely their own league as craftsmen. You don't realize it because it's so seamless, but the time signatures and keys change all over the place on Fresh Tendrils, Fell on Black Days, Spoonman and others ... sometimes I think they're just showing off for other musicians. Very very few (if any) other groups in my experience have ever infused so much advanced stuff into their music.

John Paul Jones once brought a similarly complicated song to Led Zeppelin called Black Dog. As talented as he was, John Bonham took three days, several migraines and several more quadruple vodkas before he finally nailed the track. :~ohyah!:

[Los Broncos]

What a stupid list, was he drunk?

[BroncoBuff]

What a stupid list, was he drunk?
How about this for a stupid list: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time. You gotta admit they have the courage to tell it like it is: Joan Jett #87, just one behind Tony Iommi (close call), and Joan 13 ahead of Kim Thayil.

And those overrated no-talents Robin Trower and Terry Kath couldn't crack the list. :~ohyah!:

1Jimi Hendrix
2 Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band
3 B.B. King
4 Eric Clapton
5 Robert Johnson
6 Chuck Berry
7 Stevie Ray Vaughan
8 Ry Cooder
9 Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin
10 Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones
11Kirk Hammett of Metallica
12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
13 Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead
14 Jeff Beck
15 Carlos Santana
16 Johnny Ramone of the Ramones
17 Jack White of the White Stripes
18 John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
19 Richard Thompson
20 James Burton
21 George Harrison
22 Mike Bloomfield
23 Warren Haynes
24 The Edge of U2
25 Freddy King
26 Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave
27 Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
28 Stephen Stills
29 Ron Asheton of the Stooges
30 Buddy Guy
31 Dick Dale
32 John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service
33 & 34 Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth
35 John Fahey
36 Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's
37 Bo Diddley
38 Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac
39 Brian May of Queen
40 John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival
41 Clarence White of the Byrds
42 Robert Fripp of King Crimson
43 Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic
44 Scotty Moore
45 Frank Zappa
46 Les Paul
47 T-Bone Walker
48 Joe Perry of Aerosmith
49 John McLaughlin
50 Pete Townshend
51 Paul Kossoff of Free
52 Lou Reed
53 Mickey Baker
54 Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane
55 Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple
56 Tom Verlaine of Television
57 Roy Buchanan
58 Dickey Betts
59 & 60 Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien of Radiohead
61 Ike Turner
62 Zoot Horn Rollo of the Magic Band
63 Danny Gatton
64 Mick Ronson
65 Hubert Sumlin
66 Vernon Reid of Living Colour
67 Link Wray
68 Jerry Miller of Moby Grape
69 Steve Howe of Yes
70 Eddie Van Halen
71 Lightnin' Hopkins
72 Joni Mitchell
73 Trey Anastasio of Phish
74 Johnny Winter
75 Adam Jones of Tool
76 Ali Farka Toure
77 Henry Vestine of Canned Heat
78 Robbie Robertson of the Band
79 Cliff Gallup of the Blue Caps (1997)
80 Robert Quine of the Voidoids
81 Derek Trucks
82 David Gilmour of Pink Floyd
83 Neil Young
84 Eddie Cochran
85 Randy Rhoads
86 Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath
87 Joan Jett
88 Dave Davies of the Kinks
89 D. Boon of the Minutemen
90 Glen Buxton of Alice Cooper
91 Robby Krieger of the Doors
92 & 93 Fred "Sonic" Smith, Wayne Kramer of the MC5
94 Bert Jansch
95 Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine
96 Angus Young of AC/DC
97 Robert Randolph
98 Leigh Stephens of Blue Cheer
99 Greg Ginn of Black Flag
100 Kim Thayil of Soundgarden
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time/


Actually, Neil Young being on that list shows REAL courage by Rolling Stone. His electric guitars are all open-tuned so he can more readily display his mastery of the instrument Knowitall

[Dudeskey]

Wow, i have to agree.


No Soundgarden, NIN, Smashing Pumpkins, or Pearl Jam? Amazing.

Temple of the Dog... Pre-Soundgarden & Pearl Jam

[Los Broncos]

How about this for a stupid list: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time. You gotta admit they have the courage to tell it like it is: Joan Jett #87, just one behind Tony Iommi (close call), and Joan 13 ahead of Kim Thayil.

And those overrated no-talents Robin Trower and Terry Kath couldn't crack the list. :~ohyah!:

1Jimi Hendrix
2 Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band
3 B.B. King
4 Eric Clapton
5 Robert Johnson
6 Chuck Berry
7 Stevie Ray Vaughan
8 Ry Cooder
9 Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin
10 Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones
11Kirk Hammett of Metallica
12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
13 Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead
14 Jeff Beck
15 Carlos Santana
16 Johnny Ramone of the Ramones
17 Jack White of the White Stripes
18 John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
19 Richard Thompson
20 James Burton
21 George Harrison
22 Mike Bloomfield
23 Warren Haynes
24 The Edge of U2
25 Freddy King
26 Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave
27 Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
28 Stephen Stills
29 Ron Asheton of the Stooges
30 Buddy Guy
31 Dick Dale
32 John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service
33 & 34 Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth
35 John Fahey
36 Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's
37 Bo Diddley
38 Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac
39 Brian May of Queen
40 John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival
41 Clarence White of the Byrds
42 Robert Fripp of King Crimson
43 Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic
44 Scotty Moore
45 Frank Zappa
46 Les Paul
47 T-Bone Walker
48 Joe Perry of Aerosmith
49 John McLaughlin
50 Pete Townshend
51 Paul Kossoff of Free
52 Lou Reed
53 Mickey Baker
54 Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane
55 Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple
56 Tom Verlaine of Television
57 Roy Buchanan
58 Dickey Betts
59 & 60 Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien of Radiohead
61 Ike Turner
62 Zoot Horn Rollo of the Magic Band
63 Danny Gatton
64 Mick Ronson
65 Hubert Sumlin
66 Vernon Reid of Living Colour
67 Link Wray
68 Jerry Miller of Moby Grape
69 Steve Howe of Yes
70 Eddie Van Halen
71 Lightnin' Hopkins
72 Joni Mitchell
73 Trey Anastasio of Phish
74 Johnny Winter
75 Adam Jones of Tool
76 Ali Farka Toure
77 Henry Vestine of Canned Heat
78 Robbie Robertson of the Band
79 Cliff Gallup of the Blue Caps (1997)
80 Robert Quine of the Voidoids
81 Derek Trucks
82 David Gilmour of Pink Floyd
83 Neil Young
84 Eddie Cochran
85 Randy Rhoads
86 Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath
87 Joan Jett
88 Dave Davies of the Kinks
89 D. Boon of the Minutemen
90 Glen Buxton of Alice Cooper
91 Robby Krieger of the Doors
92 & 93 Fred "Sonic" Smith, Wayne Kramer of the MC5
94 Bert Jansch
95 Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine
96 Angus Young of AC/DC
97 Robert Randolph
98 Leigh Stephens of Blue Cheer
99 Greg Ginn of Black Flag
100 Kim Thayil of Soundgarden
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time/


Actually, Neil Young being on that list shows REAL courage by Rolling Stone. His electric guitars are all open-tuned so he can more readily display his mastery of the instrument Knowitall

Not a bad list but, but they left out a few I would have put in there.

Blind Willie Johnson was one of the best ever along with Elmore James, king of the slide guitar.

Chuck Schudiner should be in there as well.

[FADERPROOF]

Not sure how Nirvana is alternative but the rest of the grunge bands aren't considered.

And yes, Dave Grohl along with Josh Freese did the percussions on Nine Inch Nails' CD With teeth, after that if has been all Freese(Year zero, Ghosts, and the slip.)

Not sure what this NIN tour entails now that Joardie White is back with Manson and Freese has started at project with Bill Howerdel called Ashes Divide, apparently Reznor is trying out the solo concerts with electronics, wonder if he'll keep it up.

[FADERPROOF]

Oh and with all due respect to Kurt Cobain, Stone Gossard, and Kim Thayil...Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains was the best guitarist of the grunge years.

[Los Broncos]

Cobain was a big Neil Young fan, in his suicide letter the lines from the song "Hey Hey My My", "Its better to burn out than to fade away"

[Hogan11]

Johnny Ramone @ #16 shows how irrelevant any list of "great guitarists" really is. Immagination trumps ability and nothing signifys it better than that placement. "Learn your instrument" indeed ::)

BTW, Soundgarden is terrible. Chris Cornell is one of the most irritating rock vocalists since David Byron (Uriah Heep, for those who don't know), couple him with hard rock rehash of the same old tired cliched riffs and well...you know. Those who like such things love it and everyone else can easily live without it.

[Hogan11]

BTW II: Saw Mudhoney last night w/ The Cynics opening for them.

Not only did The Cynics absolutely blow them off the stage, but Mudhoney reaffirmed that they're one of the lamest outfits to emerge from the 90's Seattle grunge scene. They played "Touch Me, I'm Sick" twice and lacked the energy that The Cynics poured into their set. They do earn kudos from me though for covering Pere Ubu's "Street Waves"......that does take some guts and they did a decent job on it as well, so credit where credit is due.

[FADERPROOF]

Johnny Ramone @ #16 shows how irrelevant any list of "great guitarists" really is. Immagination trumps ability and nothing signifys it better than that placement. "Learn your instrument" indeed ::)

BTW, Soundgarden is terrible. Chris Cornell is one of the most irritating rock vocalists since David Byron (Uriah Heep, for those who don't know), couple him with hard rock rehash of the same old tired cliched riffs and well...you know. Those who like such things love it and everyone else can easily live without it.

Respectably disagree about soundgarden, I could listen to badmotorfinger all day and night and except for a few songs, same goes for super unknown...down on the upside however was a brutally bad CD and spelled the end for them.

[BroncoBuff]

BTW, I think Soundgarden is terrible. IMO Chris Cornell is one of the most irritating rock vocalists since David Byron (Uriah Heep, for those who don't know).
I fixed your post for you.

And "same old tired riffs"? Really? Your a musician, Hogan, you know better than that. Cool you don't like them, but calling Soundgarden "same old" misses badly.

[Hogan11]

Respectably disagree about soundgarden, I could listen to badmotorfinger all day and night and except for a few songs, same goes for super unknown...down on the upside however was a brutally bad CD and spelled the end for them.

You respectfully disagree and that's cool...that's why I ended the post with "Those who like such things love it and everyone else can easily live without it." Afterall, Soundgarden was the band of that scene that was closest to the heavy metal of the early 1970's, which explains it's appeal with fans of that era.

[Hogan11]

I fixed your post for you.

And "same old tired riffs"? Really? Your a musician, Hogan, you know better than that. Cool you don't like them, but calling Soundgarden "same old" misses badly.

You didn't fix anything. It's understandable that your into Soundgarden since they were heavily influenced by Zeppelin & Sabbathlike rock with the occasinonal dash of psychedelica. Throw in the mix the unquestionably histrionic Cornell's vocals and what you really have is the most familiar sounding, traditional and safest band of the grunge era. That's why when most metal and hard rock fans are asked about the grunge era, they trot these guys out over the Nirvana's and Pearl Jam's as a reference and preference...it's really pretty simple.

[loborugger]

And no Stone Temple Pilots? Wrong wrong wrong wrong WRONG. I don't get how STP are so consistently overlooked as one of the great bands of the 90s.

I pretty much missed the 90s musically, but STP is without a doubt my favorite band from the 90s. However, can you really call them Alternative? They are more metal to me. Also, they get plenty of play on the rock stations where Alternative bands dont. I think that would pretty much count for their exclusion.

[Northman]

You didn't fix anything. It's understandable that your into Soundgarden since they were heavily influenced by Zeppelin & Sabbathlike rock with the occasinonal dash of psychedelica. Throw in the mix the unquestionably histrionic Cornell's vocals and what you really have is the most familiar sounding, traditional and safest band of the grunge era. That's why when most metal and hard rock fans are asked about the grunge era, they trot these guys out over the Nirvana's and Pearl Jam's as a reference and preference...it's really pretty simple.


You are a weird cat. Everytime i think i have you figured out you throw me for a loop on something else. Totally disagree about your viewpoint on Soundgarden but that is your opinion and thats cool.

[alkemical]

What about some Jesus Jones?!?! ;)

[BroncoBuff]

You didn't fix anything. It's understandable that your into Soundgarden since they were heavily influenced by Zeppelin & Sabbathlike rock with the occasinonal dash of psychedelica. Throw in the mix the unquestionably histrionic Cornell's vocals and what you really have is the most familiar sounding, traditional and safest band of the grunge era.Here we go again Hogan, opinion vs. fact, opinion vs. fact ... where do we draw the line? You talk about a Zeppelin/Sabbath influence, and I wonder what Soundgarden you've listened to - sure they have heavy riffs, but their approach is kinda unique. Pearl Jam is much closer (musically, not lyrically) to old school rock. For heaven's sake there's only two chords in Evenflow. Again, it's cool you don't like SG, but calling them more derivative than the others is kinda nutty.


FADER - I agree Jerry Cantrell was great with unique sounds and hyper-creative effects, but Thayil is a much better technician imo.

[Hogan11]

Here we go again Hogan, opinion vs. fact, opinion vs. fact ... where do we draw the line? .

and I suppose you're dealing in "facts"? You're facts are as valid as mine, likewise on opinions.

You talk about a Zeppelin/Sabbath influence, and I wonder what Soundgarden you've listened to - sure they have heavy riffs, but their approach is kinda unique. Pearl Jam is much closer (musically, not lyrically) to old school rock. For heaven's sake there's only two chords in Evenflow. Again, it's cool you don't like SG, but calling them more derivative than the others is kinda nutty.

Oh I don't think so.......and believe me when I tell you I've been subjected to enough it over the years to have a valid opinion of it. They had much more in common with hard rock and metal acts (no real surprise that they toured with Guns And Roses) than most of the Seattle grunge bands...again, they were the most traditional in approach and sound of all the bands happening there (the heavily derivative riffs, Cornell's vocal stylings, the constant obsession with weird time signatures and instrumental interplay etc.)...much moreso than Pearl Jam or anyone else that I know of was. To me, that really wasn't that big of a problem, to me....the main problem with Soundgarden is Cornell's over the top vocals. It grates on the nerves like nails on a chalkboard and makes the entire catalog unlistenable.

[Hogan11]

You are a weird cat. Everytime i think i have you figured out you throw me for a loop on something else. Totally disagree about your viewpoint on Soundgarden but that is your opinion and thats cool.

Thanks I guess. Just when they think they have the answers, that's when I have to change the questions Ha!

[Northman]

Thanks I guess. Just when they think they have the answers, that's when I have to change the questions Ha!

LOL

[FADERPROOF]

I pretty much missed the 90s musically, but STP is without a doubt my favorite band from the 90s. However, can you really call them Alternative? They are more metal to me. Also, they get plenty of play on the rock stations where Alternative bands dont. I think that would pretty much count for their exclusion.

I think STP gets overlooked mainly because of the other bands that were out at the time, Nirvana Pearl Jam Alice in Chains and Soundgarden were also hitting hard then during the grunge scene and while STP was/is a good band, they always seemed to finish 5th on that list.

Kinda like the Art Monk to the HOF debate, great numbers and career but never the top WR in the league that dominated the league at one time, STP while good never was on top.

[Northman]

I think STP gets overlooked mainly because of the other bands that were out at the time, Nirvana Pearl Jam Alice in Chains and Soundgarden were also hitting hard then during the grunge scene and while STP was/is a good band, they always seemed to finish 5th on that list.

Kinda like the Art Monk to the HOF debate, great numbers and career but never the top WR in the league that dominated the league at one time, STP while good never was on top.


Although they took some heat (i dont know why) with the song "Plush" sounding too much like Pearl Jam they did manage to seperate themselves musically but never gained enough attention to overtake the other bands during that time.

[FADERPROOF]

the main problem with Soundgarden is Cornell's over the top vocals. It grates on the nerves like nails on a chalkboard and makes the entire catalog unlistenable.

I can understand that cause I'm still trying to figure out how anyone can like the Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan has the most god aweful annoying voice ever

[Northman]

I can understand that cause I'm still trying to figure out how anyone can like the Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan has the most god aweful annoying voice ever

I actually enjoy the Pumpkins. But i can see how Corgan can come across as whiney. still cant get over them wearing dresses. WTF was that **** all about?

[loborugger]

How about this for a stupid list: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time. You gotta admit they have the courage to tell it like it is: Joan Jett #87, just one behind Tony Iommi (close call), and Joan 13 ahead of Kim Thayil.

And those overrated no-talents Robin Trower and Terry Kath couldn't crack the list. :~ohyah!:

1Jimi Hendrix
2 Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band
3 B.B. King
4 Eric Clapton
5 Robert Johnson
6 Chuck Berry
7 Stevie Ray Vaughan
8 Ry Cooder
9 Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin
10 Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones
11Kirk Hammett of Metallica
12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
13 Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead
14 Jeff Beck
15 Carlos Santana
16 Johnny Ramone of the Ramones
17 Jack White of the White Stripes
18 John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
19 Richard Thompson
20 James Burton
21 George Harrison
22 Mike Bloomfield
23 Warren Haynes
24 The Edge of U2
25 Freddy King
26 Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave
27 Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
28 Stephen Stills
29 Ron Asheton of the Stooges
30 Buddy Guy
31 Dick Dale
32 John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service
33 & 34 Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth
35 John Fahey
36 Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's
37 Bo Diddley
38 Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac
39 Brian May of Queen
40 John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival
41 Clarence White of the Byrds
42 Robert Fripp of King Crimson
43 Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic
44 Scotty Moore
45 Frank Zappa
46 Les Paul
47 T-Bone Walker
48 Joe Perry of Aerosmith
49 John McLaughlin
50 Pete Townshend
51 Paul Kossoff of Free
52 Lou Reed
53 Mickey Baker
54 Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane
55 Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple
56 Tom Verlaine of Television
57 Roy Buchanan
58 Dickey Betts
59 & 60 Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien of Radiohead
61 Ike Turner
62 Zoot Horn Rollo of the Magic Band
63 Danny Gatton
64 Mick Ronson
65 Hubert Sumlin
66 Vernon Reid of Living Colour
67 Link Wray
68 Jerry Miller of Moby Grape
69 Steve Howe of Yes
70 Eddie Van Halen
71 Lightnin' Hopkins
72 Joni Mitchell
73 Trey Anastasio of Phish
74 Johnny Winter
75 Adam Jones of Tool
76 Ali Farka Toure
77 Henry Vestine of Canned Heat
78 Robbie Robertson of the Band
79 Cliff Gallup of the Blue Caps (1997)
80 Robert Quine of the Voidoids
81 Derek Trucks
82 David Gilmour of Pink Floyd
83 Neil Young
84 Eddie Cochran
85 Randy Rhoads
86 Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath
87 Joan Jett
88 Dave Davies of the Kinks
89 D. Boon of the Minutemen
90 Glen Buxton of Alice Cooper
91 Robby Krieger of the Doors
92 & 93 Fred "Sonic" Smith, Wayne Kramer of the MC5
94 Bert Jansch
95 Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine
96 Angus Young of AC/DC
97 Robert Randolph
98 Leigh Stephens of Blue Cheer
99 Greg Ginn of Black Flag
100 Kim Thayil of Soundgarden
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time/


Actually, Neil Young being on that list shows REAL courage by Rolling Stone. His electric guitars are all open-tuned so he can more readily display his mastery of the instrument Knowitall

I scrolled thru the list just for the heck of it, to see what they had. And one thing, in my mind, stuck out immediately.

Eddie Van Halen at 70, with Steve Howe one step in front of him.

I chuckled and thought, "there is no WAY IN HELL they would put Eddie outside of the top 5 at the height of VH's popularity. No way". Of course, that had a lot to do with the audience. The readers of Rolling Stone were much more in tune with Van Halen back then and woulda put the magazine down (some to never pick it up again) had Eddie VH been #70 on the list.

And it got me to thinking about how subjective and silly this list really is. You make that list 20 years ago, in 1988... It would be decried if Eddie Van Halen was anywhere outside of the top 3. Meanwhile Angus Young would be in the top 25, I imagine, instead of at 90 something - barely on the list. Same with Ritchie Blackmore whose # on this list is actually above Eddie Van Halen. And there is no mention of Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, or Jake Lee.

No, I think this list would look EXCEPTIONALLY different 20 years (ignoring the fact that some of the names on this list played in the 90s & 00s) - and it has everything to do with the readership of the magazine and little to do with the talent.

[Hogan11]

Although they took some heat (i dont know why) with the song "Plush" sounding too much like Pearl Jam they did manage to seperate themselves musically but never gained enough attention to overtake the other bands during that time.

STP was a great singles band. When they nailed a song, they flat out nailed it probably better than any band of their era, the albums however, were inconsistant as hell.

[Hogan11]

I actually enjoy the Pumpkins. But i can see how Corgan can come across as whiney. still cant get over them wearing dresses. WTF was that **** all about?

I really don't know....they were a weird band to say the least. Inoconsistant albums each with a few choice singles, and yes, Corgan's voice was a problem but then again, it was also a precursor to the late 90's whiny vocal stylings of Blink 182 and their ilk. I hate the vocal whine myself, ruins a lot of bands for me...we can start at The White Stripes and work our way back from there.

[Hogan11]

I scrolled thru the list just for the heck of it, to see what they had. And one thing, in my mind, stuck out immediately.

Eddie Van Halen at 70, with Steve Howe one step in front of him.

I chuckled and thought, "there is no WAY IN HELL they would put Eddie outside of the top 5 at the height of VH's popularity. No way". Of course, that had a lot to do with the audience. The readers of Rolling Stone were much more in tune with Van Halen back then and woulda put the magazine down (some to never pick it up again) had Eddie VH been #70 on the list.

And it got me to thinking about how subjective and silly this list really is. You make that list 20 years ago, in 1988... It would be decried if Eddie Van Halen was anywhere outside of the top 3. Meanwhile Angus Young would be in the top 25, I imagine, instead of at 90 something - barely on the list. Same with Ritchie Blackmore whose # on this list is actually above Eddie Van Halen. And there is no mention of Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, or Jake Lee.

No, I think this list would look EXCEPTIONALLY different 20 years (ignoring the fact that some of the names on this list played in the 90s & 00s) - and it has everything to do with the readership of the magazine and little to do with the talent.

Rolling Stone hasn't been relevant in 20 years and their editorial staff is a bunch of douchbags. 20 years is about the last time I even picked one up to look thru it.

If you really want a good laugh, seek out the Rolling Stone Album Guide, a book published in the 90's that rates and reviews albums of supposedly every artist of the popular genres. Not only is it wayy off the mark in it's conclusions, but they also leave out many well known (and I'm talking mainstream here) artists.....I think it's far and away the poorest work with the brand name attached to it. You should be able to find it used for a buck or two, but even then, you'd be paying too much for it.

[Northman]

Rolling Stone hasn't been relevant in 20 years and their editorial staff is a bunch of douchbags. 20 years is about the last time I even picked one up to look thru it.

If you really want a good laugh, seek out the Rolling Stone Album Guide, a book published in the 90's that rates and reviews albums of supposedly every artist of the popular genres. Not only is it wayy off the mark in it's conclusions, but they also leave out many well known (and I'm talking mainstream here) artists.....I think it's far and away the poorest work with the brand name attached to it. You should be able to find it used for a buck or two, but even then, you'd be paying too much for it.

QFT

[BroncoBuff]

I scrolled thru the list just for the heck of it, to see what they had. And one thing, in my mind, stuck out immediately.

Eddie Van Halen at 70, with Steve Howe one step in front of him.

I chuckled and thought, "there is no WAY IN HELL they would put Eddie outside of the top 5 at the height of VH's popularity. No way". Of course, that had a lot to do with the audience. The readers of Rolling Stone were much more in tune with Van Halen back then and woulda put the magazine down (some to never pick it up again) had Eddie VH been #70 on the list.

And it got me to thinking about how subjective and silly this list really is. You make that list 20 years ago, in 1988... It would be decried if Eddie Van Halen was anywhere outside of the top 3. it has everything to do with the readership of the magazine and little to do with the talent.
You nailed it, Butch. I was apoplectic about that list until you pointed out it was a readers' vote. But seriously ... Eddie Van Halen 70?! Whatever you may think of VH's metal-pop schlock, Eddie is an extraordinarily gifted musician.

And Neil Young anywhere on that list is an affront to decent, hardworking music fans everywhere. And unless Joan Jett is wailing some serious licks on her album's off-tracks, she too is a poor choice. Even Stephen Stills is just plain wrong. I have Wooden Ships live on my player at the gym, and as great a song as that is (truly great), he is a very pedestrian guitar player - literally no better a lead guitar player than I am. Literally no better.


I'm gonna start our own Top 10 guitar player poll/list, based on rigid, identifiable parameters. We'll get Requiem and LABF and Hogan and all the serious fans and players voting in there. I kinda doubt Joan Jett wil make it.

[ak1971]

check out The Fluid..one of the best non -Seattle bands on sub pop in the 90s.

[Raider Bill]

"All I got to say is: the reason why so many critics dislike Van Halen and like Elvis Costello so much is because they all look like Elvis Costello."

-David Lee Roth

EVH at 70 is a joke.

[Hogan11]

-David Lee Roth

EVH at 70 is a joke.

Bitterness by David Lee Roth is always amusing.

For the record, EVH should be a top ten entry, if not top 5. He also deserves a medal for putting up with that obnoxious, azzhole acrobat for as long as he did. You want to hear a joke? Check out any of Roth's solo albums....all of them are dismal.

[BroncoBuff]

You want to hear a joke? Check out any of Roth's solo albums....all of them are dismal.
I love me some Yankee Rose ... it's on my player.

But you're basically correct, he's more a clown, less a musician.

[Hogan11]

I love me some Yankee Rose ... it's on my player.

But you're basically correct, he's more a clown, less a musician.

"Yankee Rose" , a direct VH ripoff, is about the only thing servicable that I've heard from his solo career (thanks to journeyman extrodinare, S. Vai).

I'm waiting for some Roth devotee to try to advance the theory that somehow Crazy From The Heat was a good album :rofl:

[FADERPROOF]

relevant or not to this thread, I recently created my personal top 20 CD's list. Yes my age shows in this list but it's what I grew up with and it is a personal list...here goes.

20.) The offspring - Smash
19.) System of a down - Toxicity
18.) Metallica- Ride the Lightning
17.) Atreyu - the curse
16.) Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
15.) Guns N Roses - Appetite for Destruction
14.) Korn - Life is Peachy
13.) Mudvayne - L.D. 50
12.) In Flames - Soundtrack to your escape
11.) Marilyn Manson - Antichrist Superstar
10.) Tool - Undertow
9.) Pearl Jam - Ten
8.) Alice in Chains - Dirt
7.) Killswitch Engage - The end of heartache
6.) Metallica - Master of Puppets
5.) Korn - Korn(self-titled debut)
4.) Nine inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
3.) Tool - Lateralus
2.) Nirvana - Nevermind
1.) Tool - Aenema

[Los Broncos]

relevant or not to this thread, I recently created my personal top 20 CD's list. Yes my age shows in this list but it's what I grew up with and it is a personal list...here goes.

20.) The offspring - Smash
19.) System of a down - Toxicity
18.) Metallica- Ride the Lightning
17.) Atreyu - the curse
16.) Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
15.) Guns N Roses - Appetite for Destruction
14.) Korn - Life is Peachy
13.) Mudvayne - L.D. 50
12.) In Flames - Soundtrack to your escape
11.) Marilyn Manson - Antichrist Superstar
10.) Tool - Undertow
9.) Pearl Jam - Ten
8.) Alice in Chains - Dirt
7.) Killswitch Engage - The end of heartache
6.) Metallica - Master of Puppets
5.) Korn - Korn(self-titled debut)
4.) Nine inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
3.) Tool - Lateralus
2.) Nirvana - Nevermind
1.) Tool - Aenema

Good list, but not a lot of balance.

[Ratboy]

Tom Waits.. Alternative Rock?

Waits and Elliott Smith are my favorite from the list, the rest suck.

[Ratboy]

I don't know they were one of the best, but Jimmy Eat World is a decent band.

[Raider Bill]

"Yankee Rose" , a direct VH ripoff, is about the only thing servicable that I've heard from his solo career (thanks to journeyman extrodinare, S. Vai).

I'm waiting for some Roth devotee to try to advance the theory that somehow Crazy From The Heat was a good album :rofl:

That entire album (Eat 'em and Smile) is pretty good. Much better than that Yacht Rock on 5150

[Northman]

"Yankee Rose" , a direct VH ripoff, is about the only thing servicable that I've heard from his solo career (thanks to journeyman extrodinare, S. Vai).

I'm waiting for some Roth devotee to try to advance the theory that somehow Crazy From The Heat was a good album :rofl:


I dont consider myself a Roth devotee but he was a hell of a performer and singer. But you are correct, as a whole his solo work was terrible aside from the radio hits he had. His ego was his biggest dilemma his entire career.

[FADERPROOF]

Good list, but not a lot of balance.

I'm pretty 1 dimensional with music, I like a lot of hard rock/metal and don't care for much else.

[Hogan11]

That entire album (Eat 'em and Smile) is pretty good. Much better than that Yacht Rock on 5150

It stayed closer to the more traditional early sound of Van Halen's first few albums, that's true...but it paled in comparison to them. Was it better than the MOR direction Halen was taking in the Hagar years? Probably, unfortunately, Roth is such a jerk and the band was full of uber egos that the band splintered rather quickly (like most "supergroups" do), so we'll really never find out what that incarnation of his band was fully capable of.

[Hogan11]

I dont consider myself a Roth devotee but he was a hell of a performer and singer. But you are correct, as a whole his solo work was terrible aside from the radio hits he had. His ego was his biggest dilemma his entire career.

I just thank God he didn't make his movie...I'm guessing that that would've been one of the worst displays of ego masturbation of all time, bar none (even beating out U2's Rattle And Hum...no mean feat)

[ak1971]

I really think that these lists etc are useless. Kind of like wine..if you like box wine, thats the best wine in the world for you (ie you like it). Kind of like if you like New Kids on the Block or something..if you like it, its good.

[Los Broncos]

I'm pretty 1 dimensional with music, I like a lot of hard rock/metal and don't care for much else.

I feel ya, I grew up on metal.

I listen to music based on mood.

I like stuff I can relate to.

[Raider Bill]

It stayed closer to the more traditional early sound of Van Halen's first few albums, that's true...but it paled in comparison to them. Was it better than the MOR direction Halen was taking in the Hagar years? Probably, unfortunately, Roth is such a jerk and the band was full of uber egos that the band splintered rather quickly (like most "supergroups" do), so we'll really never find out what that incarnation of his band was fully capable of.

Eat Em and Smile, Skyscraper, and A Little Aint Enough and 1998's DLR Band were pretty good. Much better than that Adult Contemporary stuff VH was doing.

[Raider Bill]

I just thank God he didn't make his movie...I'm guessing that that would've been one of the worst displays of ego masturbation of all time, bar none (even beating out U2's Rattle And Hum...no mean feat)


I can't beleive it got green lighted, the storyline sounded pretty stupid to hear him tell it in his book. Eat 'Em and Smile was going to be the soundtrack.


VH definitely was/is greater than the some of the parts. DLR wasn't as good without the VH brothers, but the reverse is also true.

[Hogan11]

I can't beleive it got green lighted, the storyline sounded pretty stupid to hear him tell it in his book. Eat 'Em and Smile was going to be the soundtrack.


VH definitely was/is greater than the some of the parts. DLR wasn't as good without the VH brothers, but the reverse is also true.

You read his book? Oh Man.....you must be a fan to get through something like that.

[Raider Bill]

I am a fan of Diamond Dave, but his book was pretty good actually. Just a bunch of 1-4 page stories so it was perfect bathroom reading.

[alkemical]

you have no idea how funny that is.

[Raider Bill]

I just thank God he didn't make his movie...I'm guessing that that would've been one of the worst displays of ego masturbation of all time, bar none (even beating out U2's Rattle And Hum...no mean feat)

http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/funny-graphs-bono-sunglasses-charity-music.gif