My Little Something For Black History Month...My 10 Picks For The Greatest Guitarist Ever!

Initially I was not going to post anything under the title of Black History Month.  Over the years I have had enough with corporate sponsored versions of our history, and my attempt at rebuking the corporation's story or simply mentioning the names and deeds of people that the corporation chooses to keep hidden. 

This year, actually this morning, I decided I wanted to note some people that are near and dear to my soul.  Near and dear to me for the music they produce and quite actually, I believe are not given enough credit for their contribution to the world of music.  Most of my peers are huge fans of Jazz, and artistes like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk rounding out the sounds with the taste of Gil Scott Heron and The Last Poets.  Not being a Jazz enthusiast at all, rarely ever am I afforded the opprotunity to express who is heavy on my iPod rotation.  In light of that I present to you my picks for 10 greatest guitarist ever!

(1) Son House.  Born in Riverton, Mississippi Edward James House, Jr was a contemporary of the legendary Robert Johnson.  In fact, Son House relates the story of a young Robert Johnson coming to him requesting to "tour" with he and other Blues men aroung the south and was turned away because his guitar skills were subpar.  My favorite joint by Son House is Death Letter Blues

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(2) Born Ellas Otha Bates in McComb, Mississippi (home of R & B singer Brandy) was soon adopted by his aunt and changed his name to Ellas McDaniel.  Soon the McDaniel family moved to the south side of Chicago, like may in Mississippi undoubtly escaping the overt racism and hoping for better work.  After the move to "the Chi" he eventually changed his stage name to Bo Diddley.

(3) Muddy Waters was born McKinley Morganfield in Issaquena County, Mississippi near the legendary Rolling Fork, Mississippi.  By age 17 Muddy began playing guitar by imulating Son House vocally and Robert Johnson on guitar.  He was raised by his grandmother and by 1943 moved to Chicago, where he was introduced to the electric sound and playing larger venues.  My favorite tune by Muddy Waters is I'm A Man.

(4) Johnny Allen Hendrix born November 1942 in Seattle, Washington became know to the world as Jimi Hendrix.  Without a doubt Jimi Hendrix is the greatest and most influential guitarist that has ever lived. Born left handed, most guitarist will change the strings placing the "bass" stirng at the top part of the neck of the guitar ending with the highest note string on the bottom.  Mr. Hendrix however, never changed the strings therefore not only playing the strings upside but probably backwards as well.

 

(5) Eddie Hazel born December 1950 Brooklyn, New York to Grace Cook.  Eddie began playing the guitar when he received a guitar for a Christmas present from his older brother.  His shining moment was seleced as number 60 Rolling Stone's top 100 guitar solo's of all time, and one of my favorite joints, Maggot Brain.

 (6) Born November 1956, Michael Hampton joined P-Funk at the age of 17 and gave a rousing rendition of Eddie Hazel's phenomenal solo of Maggot Brain.  Hampton once said he learned the guitar by sitting and listening and practicing Jimi Hendrix songs over and over.

(6) Without a doubt Prince Rogers Nelson has become one of the elites of guitarist.  Born June, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Prince busted onto the scene with the smash hit I Wanna Be Your Lover.  However, falling under the R & B genre, Prince never fails to show us why he is one of the baddest guitarists of all time. Two of my favorites tunes are All The Critics Love You In New York and Lady Cab Driver.

 (7) Leonard Albert Kravitz, known to the world as Lenny Kravitz is a masterful singer, song writer and guitarist.  Son of the late Roxie Roker and cousin to the famous weather man Al Roker, Lenny has given us such great tunes as Rock And Roll Is Dead and American Woman.

(8) Ernie Isley, born March 1952 and part of the world famous Isley Brothers.  Not known as a Rock-Funk band, the brothers always found a way to bless us with Ernie Isley's guitar solos.  Ernie was influienced by non other than the great Jimi Hendrix while Jimi lived in the Isley household.  One of my favorite songs that featured Ernie's guitar styles is non other than the great song Atlantis and Ernie's Jam.

 (9) Edmond Montague Grant, born March 1948 in Plaisance, Guyana is one of my favorite guitarist.  Know for the famous Electric Avenue album, Mr. Grant's guitar stylings are not often heard on his album releases.  However I have had the great fortune to see him perform live in concert.  Let me tell you, this brotha can bang it out on the guitar, even playing notes on his behind.

(10) Born July 1947 in Jalisco, Mexico. Carlos Agosto Alves Santana, known to us simply as Carlos Santana has put it down for decades.  Santana has always blelnded into his music Mexican, Latin Caribbean, Soul creating his own unique style.  Not withstanding his many many hits including Black Magic Woman and Jingo, my one of my favorite joints is off the Shaman album, Aye Aye Aye, Hoy Es Adios, and Victory Is Won.

 Honorable mention:

Mikey Mao Chung

Wyclef Jean

Maquel Jean Baptiste

Buddy Guy