By Fletch Whipp

I remember reading Rolling Stone while growing up, they were edgy & were on the cutting edge of popular culture. If Rolling Stone approved or disapproved of a particular subject, it carried weight. Unfortunately now, in my opinion, rolling Stone are carrying a different weight, the weight of an organization too comfortable and overweight to be on the cutting edge of anything…

Still reigning supreme, Jimi tops the 100 greatest list from Rolling Stone

Case in question, their recent ’100 greatest guitarists of all time’. While the typical faces you expect were on there, Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Beck, Richards, Van Halen, Hetfield, Cobain….. sure, these are major heavyweights and no list could possibly be considered serious or definitive without them.

I get that.

But, then I started scratching my head as I noticed the inclusion of Paul Simon, Lou Reed, Willie Nelson….. ranking above some major leaugue players….umm, Houston, we have a problem.

But as I scanned through the list, a tinge of concern spread to panic, and finally total disbelief as, once the smoke settled, several serious caliber players were ommitted from the list.

Where was Eric Johnson? Yngwie Malmsteen? John Petrucci? Steve Morse? Those four missing is one tragedy, but to do a hot 100 without Joe Satriani or Steve Vai is just downright disrespectful, what kind of list was this again? Oh that’s right GREATEST guitarsists of all time. Actually the greatest guitar tour package of all time, G3 overseen by Satriani, and always has Vai on the bill has toured with 3 of the first 4 shunned guitarsists…. (Steve Morse would probably do the tour if given the opportunity)

Yes, a greatest guitarists list without these three, and it's not a joke....

Ummmmm…

Why didn’t someone check their breath of the author before submission, as I would offer there could very well have been evidence of alcohol, which is the only logical conclusion that can be drawn, before publishing such a ‘list’.

I think the list does little other than to prove Rolling Stone has officially jumped the shark. Fonzie you are no longer alone my friend.