Re: Is there even a close second to Jimi Hendrix?
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I was talking about better guitarist. I'm a huge Zeppelin fan btw. Easily in my top 5. But you've got to be able to admit that on most lists Jimi will always be listed #1. We all have our personal favorites and mine are always changing and growing as I'm turned on to new stuff, but in this discussion it will always be Hendrix vs. the rest.
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I'm almost certain that the primary reason why rock journalists and other guitarists revere Hendrix so much is because of what he brought to rock 'n' roll, i.e. his "sound." But if it's a matter of virtuosity and technical skill I could argue all day that Page was better, at least based on their widely distributed recordings. Both players based their lead work on blues scales and licks, but Page's leads (and I mean his actual fretting) found their way outside of those familiar motifs more frequently than did Hendrix's. Also, I've never heard a Hendrix solo that contained as many lightning-fast notes as Page's more intense offerings. So regarding who could play the fastest I give that one to Page as well. Again, I haven't heard all of Hendrix's work, so on this one I could be mistaken.
In short, if you mean by better guitar player who is the most technically impressive, or who can play the fastest, or who has the most range, Page can match up with Hendrix all day long.
Now, if by better guitar player you mean which one has more soul, or which one was most impressive to listen to based on his overall approach to the instrument, there's no way to objectively evaluate it. Once a certain skill level is reached the argument comes down to taste.
But please don't tell us as if it's a matter of fact that in a discussion of great guitarists it comes down to Hendrix versus all the rest. I don't accept this as a matter of fact, and I don't recognize any authority that could force me to concede that it ever will be.
Ok more more factoid: The last time I saw a Guitar Player magazine ranking of the 100 top guitar soloes, Page had the #1 spot. Food for thought.
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