Rock’s Guitar Gods
…of the 1960s
Every since the graffiti “Clapton is God” started appearing around London in the mid-1960s, great lead guitar players have been known as Rock Guitar Gods.
You don’t become a Guitar God on technical skills alone. You also need to really drive the band, have a great stage presence, and be able to create memorable hooks and melodies. And, usually, you need to be in a great band.
Here are some of the true guitar gods from the classic rock era of the 1960s. There have certainly been plenty of guitar gods since then, for example, Slash in Guns N’ Roses, Brian May in Queen, Jack White in White Stripes, The Edge in U2, Eddie Van Halen, Lenny Kravitz. But I think these are the gods that set the mold.
Eric Clapton
This is the sound of a Guitar God!
Fun Fact: Clapton said Cream ended because he couldn’t stand the constant bickering between Bruce and Baker.
Jeff Beck
This video is a very unusual Jeff Beck performance because (a) he sings (sort of) and (b) he displays a modicum of showmanship. (Don’t be fooled by the Ron Wood billing— he only shows up only a tiny bit right at the end.)
Fun Fact: Jeff played using a pick in the 1960s, but later videos show him playing without a pick, mostly picking with his thumb.
Jimmy Page
Stairway to Heaven — but have you heard it live?
Fun Fact: Jimmy was a session musician before joining The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin.
Keith Richards
Well, we know who is the real Rock God is in this video! (“And he doesn’t even play an instrument,” as they said on SNL.) But Keith was working his way up to God status.
Fun Fact: Early on, Keith discovered the open G guitar tuning (where stumming across all strings without pressing any frets gives you a G chord) and played with that tuning most of his career. Probably easier to play that way when you’re high on smack.
Pete Townshend
I always say The Who had Pete Townshend on rhythm guitar and Keith Moon on lead drums. But Pete had (has) some mad guitar skills and stage presence out the whazoo!
Fun Fact: Pete was a great showman, known for his signature windmill strum (seen near the end of this video) and often destroying his guitar (and sometimes amps and speakers) at the end of a show.
And the Guitar God crown is awarded to … Jimi Hendrix!
Fun Fact: Jimi played left-handed on a right-handed guitar, just flipped over.
Bonus: The Yardbirds
Fun Fact: Sixties English rock band The Yardbirds amazingly launched the careers of three guitar gods: Clapton, Beck, and Page. Clapton left the group before Beck or Page arrived. For a short time, Beck was on guitar and Page on bass. For another short time, the band had both Beck and Page on guitars.
Yardbirds hits you may be familiar with include:
- Heart Full of Soul
- Train Kept A-Rollin
- I’m a Man
- Shape of Things
- Over Under Sideways Down
