Trying to determine the top five rock guitarists is like trying to establish the top five colors. It can only be done subjectively, and it begs the question — what does “best” mean? Do you base it on soloing, or is versatility important? Is speed crucial, or does melodic sense outweigh it?
It’s a problem without a solution. All we can really do is list our favorite guitarists. One we didn’t mention in our recent discussion is a favorite of mine, Larry Carlton.
I have no idea who the best guitarist is, or even the best solo, but I can tell you the best song-opening guitar solo in rock — Carlton’s on “Don’t Take Me Alive” from the Dan’s 1976 “Royal Scam” album. It’s an easy choice, because I don’t know of another rock song that starts with a guitar solo and then never features another one. From that sustained G7#9 — the “Hendrix chord” — and through the opening 45 seconds, Carlton encapsulates the anguished mind of a bookkeeper’s son holed up with a case of dynamite. His subtle work on the rest of the song is impressive, too.
Carlton was one of the top studio guitarists of the ’70s and ’80s, and he’s the star of “The Royal Scam” LP, appearing on four songs (some believe a fifth as well). His work on “Kid Charlemagne” made it one of the band’s best-loved songs.
