A Rock/Metal Poll: Who Is The Best Rhythm Guitarist of All Time?
I have written much about guitarists during the two years I have been blogging, but it has all been about the great lead guitarists who have graced us over the years. So today, I thought it would be a grand gesture to pay homage to those unsung heroes, the rhythm guitarists. These are the ones who, while their much more noted and worshiped lead guitarists are cranking out the solos, are playing power chords in rhythm with the music that allows their compatriot to work their magic. Once in a while, they may be allowed to play the occasional solo, but often times just keep striking their chords without any adulation.
So I will not only honour these unsung heroes, I would also like to know who you, my readers, consider to be the best rhythm guitarist. I have put forward a number of candidates but by no means is this list exclusive.
I know there are many more out there so all you have to do is comment who your favourite or favourites are. Meanwhile, when you listen to an album from any of the great bands these guys are from, strain your ears for the efforts they are putting in.
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This entry was posted on March 24, 2013 at 11:54 am and is filed under Heavy Metal, Music, Rock, Uncategorized with tags AC/DC, Aerosmtih, anthrax, Classic Rock, Guitarists, hard rock, Heavy Metal, Heavy Rock, Jefferson Starship, Megadeth, Metallica, The 1970s, The 1980s, The Eagles, The Scorpions, WASP. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
33 Responses to “A Rock/Metal Poll: Who Is The Best Rhythm Guitarist of All Time?”
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March 24, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Malcolm Young, all the way for me.
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March 25, 2013 at 8:58 pm
Cool, thanks for answering.
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March 25, 2013 at 9:10 pm
No probs, a good rhythm player is the engine of any good band.
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March 26, 2013 at 7:46 am
Very true
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March 24, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Malcolm for me too.
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March 25, 2013 at 8:58 pm
He seems to be one of the favourites, thanks
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March 24, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Brad Whitford! He’s such a great humble guy and obviously he kicks ass! “Last Child,” is one of my all time favorites.
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March 25, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Brad is a true unsung hero, thanks.
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March 25, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Would love if you’d check out my latest piece on Aerosmith! 🙂
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March 26, 2013 at 7:45 am
Could you send the link for that? I would love to check it out.
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March 26, 2013 at 10:35 am
Definitely! https://livingonthebside.wordpress.com/
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March 24, 2013 at 2:53 pm
All great selections! I choose Mustaine. And I’d mention Dimebag and Iommi as great riffers (even if they are the only guitarists in their bands). I’d throw in Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer too.
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March 25, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Thanks, and thank you for bringing Mr Schaffer to my attention. I have heard some Iced Earth and like most of what I did hear
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March 25, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Cool! I saw them support Heaven and Hell once and I was especially impressed with Schaffer live.
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March 26, 2013 at 7:51 am
I’m doubly jealous, you saw Heaven and Hell as well. I was all pumped to see them at Bloodstock 2010 before tragedy struck. I also regret not being able to go to BS 2011 and seeing Iced Earth. That’s life I suppose
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March 26, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Absolutely, I’ve lost track of all the gigs I’ve missed and regretted!
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March 24, 2013 at 5:23 pm
I don’t consider Dave Mustaine a strict rhythm guitarist, because he can shred with the best of them. I’m picking James Hetfield, although just by the slimmest margin over Malcolm.
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March 25, 2013 at 8:56 pm
I almost didn’t include Mr Mustaine fro the same reason but it does seem that he, James Hetfield and Malcolm Young are the favourites here
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March 24, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Very cool list!
Dave Mustaine from this list due to his overall lead and rhythm prowess. Paul Stanley has given many a KISS album untold amount of rhythmic licks in his day too. 🙂 \m/
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March 25, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Boy do I feel like an idiot! How dare I not include Mr Stanley in that list. Thanks for bringing him into the fold.
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March 25, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Don’t feel bad at all… there are so many excellent rhythm guitarists both past and present! Your list is a grand starting point for future lists you’ll (hopefully) post on this topic \m/\m/
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March 26, 2013 at 7:48 am
I don’t feel bad, I just felt that I missed the obvious with Paul. I will be doing more lists in the future, especially with all the response with this one. This was something I had been thinking about for a long time because of my belief that rhythm guitarists always seem to be missed out.
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March 24, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Hetfield all the way.
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March 25, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Cool, thanks for answering
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March 25, 2013 at 11:32 am
Hey Mike, good poll. I’ll have to go with Malcom Young. Thinking about the music I listen to I couldn’t find (m)any Prog bands with rhythm guitarists. Although the last couple of Rush albums haven’t had much soloing from Mr. Lifeson so maybe……….
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March 25, 2013 at 8:54 pm
I still can recall some great solos from Mr Liefson, so we won’t include him here. Thanks John
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March 25, 2013 at 9:53 pm
Yup – it’s Mustaine and Young for me too.
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March 26, 2013 at 7:45 am
Thanks, they seem to be the favourites along with Hetfield
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March 26, 2013 at 6:29 pm
I think Mustaine has great technical ability and Young just crunches stuff out brilliantly. Two great players, who would be terrible in each others’ bands!
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March 29, 2013 at 4:12 pm
You have a point there
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September 22, 2013 at 8:41 am
i will challenge you and tell u the name of Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth.If u dont know him just check some Lives on Youtube.The best right hand in metal way far from the second.
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September 22, 2013 at 8:43 am
I also think is a bit funny some people to say that hetfield is the best even if metallica is the best band of all times for me.
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September 22, 2013 at 8:47 am
I asked this question on another site and Hetfield was overwhelmingly number one so it is an opinion hugely shared. I have heard Iced Earth in the past and I can say that I liked most of what I heard. But I will re-listen with the intent of concentrating on Jon Schaffer.
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