Is Edge one of the ten best guitarists ever?

[ShelleyLevene]

Don't laugh but being inducted with the other members of U2 into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame merits him some consideration.



Agree or disagree?



Without him, U2 is just another band.


Bono is awesome but Edge is the most important member and his signature riffs define U2.

[FinkPish]

First of all, I believe his full name is The Edge, not Edge. I don't think any of us know him well enough to start calling him just Edge yet. ;D

I think he is definitely up there; not sure of top 10 status, but I haven't started a list personally yet, so he could very well be.

[BadlyDrawnBoy]

listen to the fly.. that is all.. top 5 for sure.

[ShelleyLevene]

Jimi Hendrix. Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughn, are Eric Clapton would be in the top ten so there is space for him.

[mkdevo]

no.

[auto]

Of course not. Top ten? Don't be silly.

[Flashback]

I'd have to give a big no on that one as well.

[wendersfan]

Hard to say, really. One could argue that he's one of the most original and innovative guitar players in the history of rock, except that he stole everything he knows from Keith Levene. But I'd much rather listen to The Edge's work than yet another metal shred meister who can play diminished scales at a million miles an hour.

[Nazgul]

listen to the fly.. that is all.. top 5 for sure.

That was my first thought too.

[The Infidel]

This reminds me of the yearly Rolling Stone polls where everyone votes for their favorite musicians, or as RS puts it, "the best". I stopped buying RS eventually because I got sick of seeing all the clueless readers voting for every member of U2 being "the best"...EVERY STINKING YEAR. U2 may be a great band, and they may make great music as a collective unit, but in no way, shape or form are any of their individual members any better than at least 2 dozen other musicians that can be named for each of their respective instruments. These polls are popularity contests, and have nothing to do with talent.

So, in answer to the original question..........no.

[auto]

^^ Well said.

[The Infidel]

Jimi Hendrix. Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughn, are Eric Clapton would be in the top ten so there is space for him.
Steve Vai, Albert Collins, Alex Lifeson, Prince, Stanley Jordan, Andres Segovia, B.B. King, Ace Frehley, Brian May, Frank Zappa, Billy Gibbons, Andy Summers, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson.....

OOPS! No more room. Sorry, Mr. Edge.

;)

[Turd Ferguson]

His riffs are brilliantly simple in most cases, but there's a lot of guys who can pick circles around him.

[alanstar@erols.com]

Best? No.

Ten most influential? Possibly...

[MrE]

Definitely one of U2's top 10 guitarists.

[Ayre]

Having a great sound and being a great guitarist are two different things.

There are great guitarists that never became a professional musicians or recorded. You will never get a consensus on the Top 10 Greatest Guitarists.

I do like his sound :-)

I do disagree on your summary. U2 could have been successful without The Edge but U2 would much less likely have become a success without Bono.

Try thinking of anyone else singing "Where The Streets Have No Name". It would not sound right.

Now picture another guitarist playing the same shake progressions that The Edge does, but with Bono still doing vocals .... I think it would work.

The Edge was not the first to do that style of rythm guitar. Although he created a unique rock version of it, it was used in R&B ... Even the Talking Heads used a similar style (not the same) on "More Songs About Buildings And Food."

It isn't an overly complex or demanding style. Just very very catchy.

[Chrisedge]

The Edge, the Edge, the Edge, the Edge. He is a rare and true guitar original and one of the subtlest guitar heroes of all time. He's dedicated to ensemble playing and he subsumes his guitar ego in the group. But do not be fooled. Take Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Neil Young, Pete Townshend -- guitarists who defined the sound of their band and their times. If you play like them, you sound like them. If you are playing those rhythmic two-note sustained fourths, drenched in echo, you are going to sound like the Edge, my son. Go back to the drawing board and chances are you won’t have much luck. There are only a handful of guitar stylists who can create a world with their instruments, and he's one of them. The Edge's guitar playing creates enormous space and vast landscapes. It is a thrilling and a heartbreaking sound that hangs over you like the unsettled sky. In the turf it stakes out, it is inherently spiritual, it is grace and it is a gift.

-From Springsteen's induction speech of U2 into the RARHOF

(Chrisedge = Huge U2 fan, but I might have a hard time putting The Edge in the Top 10 all time guitarists)

[dick_grayson]

This reminds me of the yearly Rolling Stone polls where everyone votes for their favorite musicians, or as RS puts it, "the best". I stopped buying RS eventually because I got sick of seeing all the clueless readers voting for every member of U2 being "the best"...EVERY STINKING YEAR. U2 may be a great band, and they may make great music as a collective unit, but in no way, shape or form are any of their individual members any better than at least 2 dozen other musicians that can be named for each of their respective instruments. These polls are popularity contests, and have nothing to do with talent.

So, in answer to the original question..........no.


:up: I agree

[cdollaz]

I would much rather hear someone that has a unique sound, such as The Edge, than hear some supposedly great, technical master such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Satriani or others run up and down the scales or fit as many notes as they can into each song.

[dick_grayson]

I would much rather hear someone that has a unique sound, such as The Edge, than hear some supposedly great, technical master such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Satriani or others run up and down the scales or fit as many notes as they can into each song.


I agree with that too. I do love guitar solos, but not the ones from those dudes. I prefer the Kirk Hammett, Chuck Schuldiner, Randy Rhoads or Alexi Laido....but that's just me. The Edge is certainly a fine musician and a talented guitarist and songwriter (assuming he writes or co-writes some of their stuff).

[Hiro11]

Technical skill does not equal "greatness" in my book. Look at Tony Iommi, the guy basically created an entire genre of rock, but you couldn't argue that he's a technically masterful guitarist. Fer crissake, he only has three fingers. He's still got to be in the top ten.

To me, a better measure of greatness is how instantly recognizable a musicians sound is or how many people imitate that sound. The average person could hear Jimi Hendrix being played faintly out or a car window driving by and be able to recognize his distinctive tone. Same is true of the Edge. After a few notes, you know it's him. In that sense, he is one of the greatest.

[atlantamoi]

Technical skill does not equal "greatness" in my book.Couldn't agree any more with this statement and that's why I'd have no problem with Mr. E in the top ten.

[Flashback]

Couldn't agree any more with this statement and that's why I'd have no problem with Mr. E in the top ten.

I can agree with that statement also, because technically there are many that could put The Edge to shame. And even still, take out all of your Berklee/GTI style boys and I still could not find a spot anywhere near the top 10. Do I like what he does, style tone etc, sure ... but that still does not change my opinion. I could take many guitar players who play a lot less notes (opposite of a Vai/Malmsteen/Gilbert/Macalpine(sp?) etc who are gifted at what they do) and blow him away.

[Filmmaker]

He owns the top position of all time in my book; you could follow wendersfan's lead and accuse The Edge of treading where others went before but, really, we all know that to be an inherently flawed argument since every musician builds off inspiration he takes from his musical predecessors. Others have more virtuosity (Hendrix) and others practice the instrument with a more clasically-trained kind of perfection (Stanley Jordan), but no guitarist in history has pulled off as adroitly what The Edge does so consistently--yank raw emotion out of the listener. A single chord from The Edge's guitar can put me at the edge (no pun intended) of shedding tears or feeling so exalted, I might burst into light--sometimes both at once. He has captured the human heart and human soul in his playing--I'm sure that sounds like a bunch of poetic hooey to many of you who prefer your musicians more cultivated or more sonically assaultive or experimental, but for me, music is about emotion and The Edge's minimalist, signature sound leaves me raw every time. Oh, and I have to go on record as saying there is more power and inspiration in The Edge accidentally bumping into a guitar and knocking it over than anything I've ever heard Eric Clapton do in his grossly overrated career. I flat-out canNOT understand what the appeal is of this guy in certain musical circles. I've yet to hear him do anything with a guitar that doesn't immediately make me feel like I've swallowed Nyquil.

[dick_grayson]

He owns the top position of all time in my book; you could follow wendersfan's lead and accuse The Edge of treading where others went before but, really, we all know that to be an inherently flawed argument since every musician builds off inspiration he takes from his musical predecessors. Others have more virtuosity (Hendrix) and others practice the instrument with a more clasically-trained kind of perfection (Stanley Jordan), but no guitarist in history has pulled off as adroitly what The Edge does so consistently--yank raw emotion out of the listener. A single chord from The Edge's guitar can put me at the edge (no pun intended) of shedding tears or feeling so exalted, I might burst into light--sometimes both at once. He has captured the human heart and human soul in his playing--I'm sure that sounds like a bunch of poetic hooey to many of you who prefer your musicians more cultivated or more sonically assaultive or experimental, but for me, music is about emotion and The Edge's minimalist, signature sound leaves me raw every time. Oh, and I have to go on record as saying there is more power and inspiration in The Edge accidentally bumping into a guitar and knocking it over than anything I've ever heard Eric Clapton do in his grossly overrated career. I flat-out canNOT understand what the appeal is of this guy in certain musical circles. I've yet to hear him do anything with a guitar that doesn't immediately make me feel like I've swallowed Nyquil.

his music does nothing to me, so I guess it's just personal preference. I also think you're confusing "best" with "favorite," but perhaps not.

[nodeerforamonth]

Never heard Edge play guitar. He is a big KISS fan and a great wrestler, but I'm ticked off at him for having an affair with Lita and taking her away from his best friend!

[Achtung]

I also think you're confusing "best" with "favorite," but perhaps not.

Don't the two words mean essentially the same thing, especially when dealing with an art form? :confused:

i.e. "What was your favorite movie of last year?" being basically the same as "What was the best movie of last year?"

[dick_grayson]

Don't the two words mean essentially the same thing, especially when dealing with an art form? :confused:

i.e. "What was your favorite movie of last year?" being basically the same as "What was the best movie of last year?"


"F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the best writers ever. Dean Koontz is one of my favorite writers." ----- see the difference?



*by the way, I don't like Dean Koontz

[The Infidel]

Don't the two words mean essentially the same thing, especially when dealing with an art form? :confused:
Well, if you want to go strictly on simple dictionary definitions, I think that would sum it up best (no pun intended):

"Best" - Excelling all others.

"Favorite" - One that is treated or regarded with special favor or liking.

The Edge may be a favorite among fans, and possibly even fellow guitar players, but that does not make him the best guitar player, meaning his skills or knowledge of his craft would make him any better than a thousand other musicians out there, famous or not.

[Flashback]

I also think you're confusing "best" with "favorite," but perhaps not.


I agree 100 percent.

[Achtung]

"F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the best writers ever. Dean Koontz is one of my favorite writers." ----- see the difference?



*by the way, I don't like Dean Koontz



Sure, the difference is that one is someone else's opinion, and one is your own opinion. If you ultimately "favor" Koontz over Fitzgerald, wouldn't you say Koontz is better?

[The Infidel]

"The best" should be voted on by fellow guitar players and other musicians in general; people who know what they're talking about.

"Favorite" should be voted on by fans; people who wouldn't know a guitar string from one of their own ass-hairs, but appreciate a good musician anyway, God love 'em.


I see where you're coming from, but being the best is less defined by opinion than being a favorite.

[dick_grayson]

Sure, the difference is that one is someone else's opinion, and one is your own opinion. If you ultimately "favor" Koontz over Fitzgerald, wouldn't you say Koontz is better?

well, I meant it as "I think F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the best writers ever." in comparison to other writers. "Dean Koontz, however, may be a favorite of mine, I don't think he's in the league of Fitzgerald's writing quality."

see The_Infidel's post too

[Josh H]

'Best' in art only has meaning for elitist snobs who think they're smart enough, and their opinions matter enough, to say what's truly the best.

[The Infidel]

'Best' in art only has meaning for elitist snobs who think they're smart enough, and their opinions matter enough, to say what's truly the best.
Which is why I think "(insert media) critic" is the most useless, meaningless job in the entire universe. Their vast knowledge of the history of the topic of which they speak does not make their opinion mine.

[dpganz]

He owns the top position of all time in my book; you could follow wendersfan's lead and accuse The Edge of treading where others went before but, really, we all know that to be an inherently flawed argument since every musician builds off inspiration he takes from his musical predecessors. Others have more virtuosity (Hendrix) and others practice the instrument with a more clasically-trained kind of perfection (Stanley Jordan), but no guitarist in history has pulled off as adroitly what The Edge does so consistently--yank raw emotion out of the listener. A single chord from The Edge's guitar can put me at the edge (no pun intended) of shedding tears or feeling so exalted, I might burst into light--sometimes both at once. He has captured the human heart and human soul in his playing--I'm sure that sounds like a bunch of poetic hooey to many of you who prefer your musicians more cultivated or more sonically assaultive or experimental, but for me, music is about emotion and The Edge's minimalist, signature sound leaves me raw every time. Oh, and I have to go on record as saying there is more power and inspiration in The Edge accidentally bumping into a guitar and knocking it over than anything I've ever heard Eric Clapton do in his grossly overrated career. I flat-out canNOT understand what the appeal is of this guy in certain musical circles. I've yet to hear him do anything with a guitar that doesn't immediately make me feel like I've swallowed Nyquil.


First of all, I'm not a huge U2 fan but mostly because Bono's personality grates on me. As a band, I have respect for them, but top 10 guitarist I just can't see. I think a better argument would be had for top 10 band. Comparing Clapton to The Edge is kind of odd to me though, since they're approach is so different. I'd put clapton as my favorite guitarist, and just have to say that calling his career overrated while extolling the greatness of U2 in the same paragraph is a bit convoulted. Clapton's career is talked of so much, because he moved through so many stages in which he found success. I think he's the only person to be inducted into the RnR hall of fame three times for the various groups he's been a part of. Essentially, U2 has and always will be U2. But I guess that's why there isn't only one musician in the world, that way we all have something to enjoy.

[slop101]

I was camping/surfing at Malibu just this last Saturday and me and my friend saw The Edge, hanging out with his kids. We didn't bother him, as it looked like a nice mellow time for him and his family, which I didn't want to interupt.

Anyways, he's a very innovative guitarist with a very distinct style. But great? I personally know about 20 guitarists who live in my neighborhood that can play circles around him... though they haven't innovated shit.

[Filmmaker]

I also think you're confusing "best" with "favorite," but perhaps not.

Here's the rub--I consider him the best because his playing can elicit raw, powerful emotion more adroitly and consistently than any other guitarist I've ever encountered. Again, I'm prepared to concede there are many more learned players out there (arguably, Clapton would find root here) and there are others (such as Hendrix and--another no-mention--Vernon Reid of Living Colour; Eddie Van Halen must also be mentioned here--he's an asshole, but a guitar genius) who are far more dynamic--virtuosos of the guitar, if you will--but if you agree with me that music is more vital when it concerns itself with eliciting motion rather than highlighting a "perfect", highly-trained command of an instrument (the same logic I would use to argue Bono as a better vocalist than Barbara Streisand or Celine Dion) then, yes, The Edge is the greatest guitar player to have ever walked the Earth. I'm not confusing "best" with "favorite", but I think you and I have a different conception of from what "best" should be measured.

Comparing Clapton to The Edge is kind of odd to me though, since they're approach is so different. I'd put clapton as my favorite guitarist, and just have to say that calling his career overrated while extolling the greatness of U2 in the same paragraph is a bit convoulted. Clapton's career is talked of so much, because he moved through so many stages in which he found success. I think he's the only person to be inducted into the RnR hall of fame three times for the various groups he's been a part of.

I knew people would take offense to my statement, and I don't wish to move the focus of criticism from The Edge to Clapton, but when people extoll the virtues of Clapton's talent, it just frustrates me to no end because I literally don't see any appreciable talent in him. People here can argue until they're blue in the face why they think Jimmie Page, Prince, Hendrix, Ray Vaughn, Berry, etc. etc. etc. are better than The Edge and I will vehemenetly disagree with them, but I will fully understand where they find talent in their choices--I can't and won't argue that virtually each and every one of the choices offered against The Edge thus far is a crackerjack musician and we're all honored to have received such joys as we have from their command of craft, but Clapton is just (from my aesthetic point of view) a little scoop of unadorned vanilla ice cream. Bland, uninspired, without having ever once done something on guitar (this instrument of which he's allegedly such a master craftsman) that ever made me stop and take note. Really, I'm serious, can someone please direct me to these songs of his that I'm missing upon which his reputation is built? I'm just looking for three or four titles that I could hear and walk away saying a) I've never heard anyone do that with a guitar and b) I don't think anyone could try to pull it off as well. I can say that with dozens upon dozens of U2 tracks--nothing even close from Clapton, though. His appeal just escapes me on every single level.

[paulringodaman]

Add up another vote for the Top 10...............but #9 or #10.

[creekdipper]

Really like The Edge's (AKA Dave Evans) riffs...instantly accessible (although I remember some early reviewers referring to him as 'Johnny One-Note'). But I wouldn't put him in top ten as far as being technically accomplished (judging solely from his recorded output...who knows what he plays in his spare time?). His playing "style" has influenced an entire generation of young guitarists, however.

BTW...one of the all-time 'best' rock guitarists who has appeared on tons of other artists' recordings in addition to his own formidable catalog is the great RICHARD THOMPSON. Maybe he doesn't get the popular recognition because he's so multi-faceted. He's the ultimate triple-threat artist who excells in songwriting, performing solo (singing & playing), and simply playing guitar. Thompson is equally adept at rock, jazz, or classical genres (Check out his intrumental "1000 years of popular music" CD, for example in which he performs covers of everything from Bach to Beatles). Thompson is a critic's darling, Grammy winner, a "musician's musician" (two tribute albums devoted to his songs have been released so far)...winner of Rolling Stone's Best Rock Album of the Year and in the top 20 of their best guitarists poll a couple of years ago...yet you can still see him perform live in an intimate club setting for less than $30. Simply amazing...to sit a few feet away from a master musician/songwriting genius...well, it's incredible that someone so talented is still largely ignored by the general public. He's also one artist who keeps getting stronger & better with time. If you are a fan of popular music, you owe it to yourself to check him out (he's now into his fifth decade of music but performs live with more intensity than most in their 20's...whether solo accoustic or with full band). Be prepared for his thick English accent (we have come to love his rich baritone, but some friends have found it unsettling at first) and his acerbic wit.
One other thing about Thompson...his playing is instantly recognizable even when he's doing session work for other artists.

[mike1978]

I say "no" to both The Edge being one of the ten best guitarists ever and to the suggestion that U2 is a great or even good band.

[Shawn41]

I'm just looking for three or four titles that I could hear and walk away saying a) I've never heard anyone do that with a guitar and b) I don't think anyone could try to pull it off as well. I can say that with dozens upon dozens of U2 tracks...

Just curious, could name a few songs that highlight the Edge's playing? I am just starting to listen to U2, and I would like to hear more songs that would evoke these emotions. What I've heard so far, I greatly enjoy, but I think that someone more familiar with their discography could help me to become an even bigger fan. Thanks in advance!

[Filmmaker]

Just curious, could name a few songs that highlight the Edge's playing? I am just starting to listen to U2, and I would like to hear more songs that would evoke these emotions. What I've heard so far, I greatly enjoy, but I think that someone more familiar with their discography could help me to become an even bigger fan. Thanks in advance!

Well, selecting a couple from each album, I'll go with:

BOY:
I Will Follow
Out of Control

OCTOBER:
Gloria
Rejoice

WAR:
New Year's Day
Two Hearts Beat as One

UNDER A BLOOD RED SKY:
11 O'Clock Tick Tock
The Electric Co.

THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE:
A Sort of Homecoming
Pride (in the name of love)

WIDE AWAKE IN AMERICA:
Bad (Live) [the second greatest u2 song ever]
Love Comes Tumbling

THE JOSHUA TREE:
The whole fucking album...I shit you not. Features THE greatest U2 song ever, Where the Streets Have No Name

RATTLE AND HUM:
Hawkmoon 269
Bullet the Blue Sky (Live)

ACHTUNG BABY:
Zoo Station
The Fly
...really, like Joshua Tree, the whole damn thing...

ZOOROPA:
Some Days are Better Than Others
The Wanderer

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS 1 (as Passengers):
Always Forever Now
Beach Sequence

POP:
Discotheque
Gone

ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND:
Beautiful Day
New York

HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB:
Vertigo
Love and Peace or Else
City of Blinding Lights (since this is the latest album, I'll pick three ;) )

And this is only the tip of the iceberg...even U2's B-side tracks can shake me to my core...

[dpganz]

Here's the rub--I consider him the best because his playing can elicit raw, powerful emotion... but if you agree with me that music is more vital when it concerns itself with eliciting motion rather than highlighting a "perfect", highly-trained command of an instrument ...


I knew people would take offense to my statement... I literally don't see any appreciable talent in him.

I completely agree that eliciting emotion is what makes great music. The problem is, its extremely subjective as to what can elicit that emotion. I respect U2 as a band, they have songwriting talent, I can only aspire to be able to write as well as they can. But never has it actually brought emotion to me (not in the way other music can), it just offers a good listen. I don't expect, or want, all music to give me raw powerful emotions so bands like U2 fit the bill nicely when I dont want that. That said, the musician that first yanked on my emotions was Clapton, and no matter how many times I listen to his stuff I can still get the same feeling as the first time I heard it. Its not something I can really argue, or try to convince with, its just the way it is. I do find it hard to believe that you can't find *any* musical talent in him, as I can probably find at least *one* thing in almost any musician that is of some worth. And since you asked, I'd say his best song is Bell Bottom Blues, or the entire Layla album. Funnily enough, the solo in that song may actually be Duane Allman, I've never looked into it, but the songs pretty intense to me. Just the emotion that I hear him put into his music is why I love it, much like I'm assuming is why you like The Edge.

As to people saying 'the best...' discussions are pointless, I disagree. Obviously, there's never going to be a difinitive 'best' but being able to hear others opinions on it has brought my attention to artists which I would have never found otherwise.

[Setzer]

He owns the top position of all time in my book; you could follow wendersfan's lead and accuse The Edge of treading where others went before but, really, we all know that to be an inherently flawed argument since every musician builds off inspiration he takes from his musical predecessors. Others have more virtuosity (Hendrix) and others practice the instrument with a more clasically-trained kind of perfection (Stanley Jordan), but no guitarist in history has pulled off as adroitly what The Edge does so consistently--yank raw emotion out of the listener. A single chord from The Edge's guitar can put me at the edge (no pun intended) of shedding tears or feeling so exalted, I might burst into light--sometimes both at once. He has captured the human heart and human soul in his playing--I'm sure that sounds like a bunch of poetic hooey to many of you who prefer your musicians more cultivated or more sonically assaultive or experimental, but for me, music is about emotion and The Edge's minimalist, signature sound leaves me raw every time. Oh, and I have to go on record as saying there is more power and inspiration in The Edge accidentally bumping into a guitar and knocking it over than anything I've ever heard Eric Clapton do in his grossly overrated career. I flat-out canNOT understand what the appeal is of this guy in certain musical circles. I've yet to hear him do anything with a guitar that doesn't immediately make me feel like I've swallowed Nyquil.


:up:

[Filmmaker]

I respect U2 as a band...but never has it actually brought emotion to me (not in the way other music can), it just offers a good listen. I don't expect, or want, all music to give me raw powerful emotions so bands like U2 fit the bill nicely when I dont want that.

If you're telling me you can listen to "Bad (Live)" and not feel like your heart's going to split apart at the seams or "Where the Streets Have No Name" and not be convinced that every human moment in history has occurred for the sole purpose of leading up to the recording of that song, then it is painfully obvious that our personal aesthetics are so divergent as to render any common ground for further discussion non-existent. I don't say that as an insult but as truth--if these types of songs don't shake you down to your core, and yet Clapton's do (Bell Bottom Blues, really? [i]Really?[i]), then we're just as different as night and day in terms of musical appreciation. That's okay, it makes the world a more interesting place but I gotta reiterate, I just don't get it. Thanks for trying to give me some Clapton examples, though; sorry to not concur with your opinion of their worth. Even "Tears in Heaven", a song written out of the richest kind of emotional material possible, falls flat in Clapton's delivery for me. Just the facts...

[dpganz]

Well, I took a listen to "where the streets' and 'bad' per you suggestion. Since this topic really is on The Edge as a guitarist, not as the band as a whole, I really don't see where any emotional contribution is made from the guitar on 'streets' (same with 'bad' but I couldn't find a live version). Its essentially the same bit on repeat. It really is funny how opposite we sit on The Edge and Clapton. As only one more suggestion, try listening to 'while my guitar gently weeps' from 'the concert for george', and presumably off the original album. If this doesn't grab on to some feelings, I could only tell you its pretty doubtful that anything else by him would be worthwhile for you to listen to, as his playing on that track pretty much sums up what I find appealing from him. Really, considering Bono is something of a personal annoyance of mine, I say with regret that the only part of U2's music I find at all emotional, is Bono's singing. Put any other band behind him, at it would probably sound just as good to me, if not better.

Oh yeah, and as for 'tears in heaven'.... good lyrical content but, meh as far as musically pleasing. Considering how well it did commercially, it's far from his best in my opinion.

[Filmmaker]

I really don't see where any emotional contribution is made from the guitar on 'streets'

I'm sorry but, to me, this statement is about as non-sensical as if you had written "The sky is green with pink pola dots." Again, not an insult, just another acknowledgment that, in terms of musical aesthetics, you and I are operating on completely divergent wavelengths, and I must opine that "It's essentially the same bit on repeat" is not at all a fair criticism of what Edge does in that song, from the surreal, twinkling, crescendoing intro, to the kinetic pulse of the verses to the surging, stirring clarion call of the choruses, to the bittersweet, chiming imperative of the outro, "same bit repeated" does not apply.

(same with 'bad' but I couldn't find a live version)

Ah, that's the problem. "Bad" as a studio track is actually one of U2's more mediocre efforts, a meandering little tune, sung without the necessary conviction by Bono and played by Edge and Clayton without much breadth or force (with Larry doing some odd, kind of annoying "woodpecker" effect on the drums, to boot); as with all U2, I enjoy it and it has its virtues, but never has a song been so radically evolved and improved upon as when U2 took "Bad" live--on stage, it becomes a righteous, agonizing powerhouse of a melody, with Bono singing like it's his last stand, and Edge and the rest of the gang swelling the emotional tonal landscape of the song to a point that brings me nearly to tears every single time. You can find (IMO) the best live version of it on the WIDE AWAKE IN AMERICA EP, or by watching the DVD of RATTLE AND HUM. If it fails to leave its mark on you, then I really think the gulf between us in terms of what we register in music is simply too vast to find common ground.

As only one more suggestion, try listening to 'while my guitar gently weeps' from 'the concert for george', and presumably off the original album. If this doesn't grab on to some feelings, I could only tell you its pretty doubtful that anything else by him would be worthwhile for you to listen to, as his playing on that track pretty much sums up what I find appealing from him.

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"? Would this not just be Clapton working off the framework provided by The Beatles?

[dpganz]

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"? Would this not just be Clapton working off the framework provided by The Beatles?

Sure, just like many artists work off the framework of others. Just like The Edge works off the framework set by his bandmates. Its not as though Harrison wrote this song, gave Clapton the notes to play and asked him to do it just cause he didn't want to play it. Very specifically speaking of the guitar on these songs, then it was harrison that went to clapton and asked for him to put the guitar to a song on which the framework was laid.

Edit: I found the live version of Bad, and I just cant say it affected my feelings of The Edge (although I'd agree the song comes off much better live). That said, its obviously just a complete difference in what we look for in guitarists. I'm curious to know, what other guitarists would you put right up there with The Edge? I'd almost be suprised if we have any overlaps =]

[Tafellappen]

I say "no" to both The Edge being one of the ten best guitarists ever and to the suggestion that U2 is a great or even good band.

Agreed.

[Chrisedge]

I can see how people could argue that the Edge is/isn't a top 10 guitar player. But to dismiss U2 as a band that isn't even "good", means you're on crack.

I can admit Hendrix, Van Halen, Rhoads, Page, Stevie Ray, Clapton, etc...are ALL greats even if I don't LOVE them or put them in MY top 10. But to dismiss the greatness that is U2....

[tommy28]

The Edge isn't even a top 10 guitar player in Jersey;)

[Filmmaker]

Sure, just like many artists work off the framework of others. Just like The Edge works off the framework set by his bandmates. Its not as though Harrison wrote this song, gave Clapton the notes to play and asked him to do it just cause he didn't want to play it. Very specifically speaking of the guitar on these songs, then it was harrison that went to clapton and asked for him to put the guitar to a song on which the framework was laid.

I'll be perfectly honest--I consider myself a Beatles fan, but never knew this. That's why I asked about framework--I thought you were comparing Clapton playing Harrison's notes to The Edge's melodies having influence from other sources and that didn't wash, but if Clapton created the guitar work in WMGGW, then I'll admit after 32 years on the planet to being impressed. I love that song and, though it doesn't work at the same emotional depths that most of U2's catalog does for me (to be frank, most of The Beatles work doesn't; I've always thought of them as a band that appeals more to the head, what with their expert musical craftsmanship, and U2 as a band that appeals mostly to the heart, what with their naked passion and force), it does stir feeling, so I'll finally concede that in Clapton's favor. However, if that (composition of a section of a song, not even one song entire) remains his one claim to justified fame in my book after nearly 40 subsequent years, then you'll pardon if I still think of him as the single most overrated musician in rock history.

Edit: I found the live version of Bad, and I just cant say it affected my feelings of The Edge (although I'd agree the song comes off much better live). That said, its obviously just a complete difference in what we look for in guitarists.

Uh-greed.

I'm curious to know, what other guitarists would you put right up there with The Edge? I'd almost be suprised if we have any overlaps =]

Honestly, none--I feel he's in a class by himself. But as far as the next highest tier of guitar players, I'd go with Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Vernon Reid, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmie Page, Lindsey Buckingham, Chuck Berry, and Ed O'Brien and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead (as far as the ones that come immediately to mind). Perhaps Kurt Cobain, but my opinion on that is inclined to vary from day to day...

[Osiris]

He may may the top 100.

[dpganz]

I can see the connection between most of those guitarists to The Edge in the way they approach the instrument, namely Prince and the Radiohead gang. There's some overlap in what guitarists are appealing, just not on our extremes ;)

[harpo787]

Just a couple of thoughts here...

1. Is someone suggesting (stating?) that Eric Clapton played guitar (or at least the solo) for the song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on the original "White Album" recording? I ask out of sheer curiousity, as I'm somewhat of a Beatles fan, but certainly not avid...although I'm working on it. I checked my "White Album" liner notes (there aren't any really...just listing who wrote the songs: While My Guitar...Harrison). I didn't see anything in the whole album inlay to suggest that Clapton had anything to do with the song/album.

2. I think in some capacity, it's virtually impossible for anyone to make a best of list if they consider one thing to be absolutely KEY above all else. Some folks think of technical prowess as key, some think classical training, some think evoking emotions are important. For someone to consider "emotional response" to be key and to dismiss technical capability is to ignore an important aspect in overall guitar capability. That's why I'd agree with the one poster who suggested that the only ones who may be "qualified" to rate true "best of" lists are those who do it...ratings by group of peers if you will.

3. When it comes to emotional response (which I love from music/lyrics etc), it's a VERY subjective thing. While I, like others, enjoy U2's music and The Edge's contributions, some of their songs evoke emotion, and others don't. For me, I find Pink Floyd more "emotional" for me...I enjoy Steve Vai and find his slower songs to be very emotional, and probably have emotional reactions to these artists more often and more consistently than I do for U2. So for me and my opinion alone, I find Steve Vai to be a far better guitar player than The Edge. I'm sure there are others who agree with that. I'm sure there are those who totally disagree.

Hell, I'm just glad there's so many different styles and innovators and whatnot out there. That way, we've got choice! So thumbs up to The Edge, thumbs up to Vai...thumbs up to all the music/musicians out there who have ever gotten an emotional response out of me.

[kvrdave]

Hmmmm, I like The Edge, but I don't think he is top 10 material. However, what I find really sad is that there has been a lot of great guitarists mentioned, and I am the first to bring up Santana. In a thread of great guitar players, he should be there. Hopefully just an oversight by everyone :)

[Filmmaker]

For someone to consider "emotional response" to be key and to dismiss technical capability is to ignore an important aspect in overall guitar capability.

This is certainly true, but I think you misread me a bit--let's be honest; no guitar player is going to be successful at eliciting an emotional response if he doesn't already have a laudable grasp of technical capability. For me, what separates Edge from the other greats is that he consistently utilizes his command of technique to elicit raw emotions (some exultant, others pained) whereas all the other guitarists mentioned, while admittedly having their random emotional moments, tend to utilize their command of technique to highlight, well, their command of technique.

[JAA]

The Edge isn't even a top 10 guitar player in Jersey;)

:up: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[cungar]

Just a couple of thoughts here...

1. Is someone suggesting (stating?) that Eric Clapton played guitar (or at least the solo) for the song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on the original "White Album" recording? I ask out of sheer curiousity, as I'm somewhat of a Beatles fan, but certainly not avid...although I'm working on it. I checked my "White Album" liner notes (there aren't any really...just listing who wrote the songs: While My Guitar...Harrison). I didn't see anything in the whole album inlay to suggest that Clapton had anything to do with the song/album.



Clapton is uncredited on the album but definitely played lead on the song.

[dpganz]

I'm truly suprised how few people knew clapton was the guitarist on 'my guitar gently weeps'. Not to bash harrison by any means, but I've heard more than once someone say that hearing that song was the only reason they thought harrison could really play. Like he was holding up all of that soloing ability for just one song. Then i correct them :P Anyway, I don't want that comment taken as anti-harrison, he was a great musician.

[Ezekiel 25:17]

I really like U2, but I couldn't put him anywhere near top ten. There are a lot more than 10 better just in country music alone including Junior Brown. If you have never heard him you should check him out even if you don't like country music. A few names not mentioned here are Robin Trower, Ted Nugent, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Vivian Campbell, and George Lynch. I'm not saying that any of these are the best ever, just a few of the many besides others mention already that I think are better than The Edge.

[dollfins1]

top 10 is a little crowded to put "the edge" into guitar god status. don't get me wrong, i love u2 but i don't even think he's in the top 25.

[harpo787]

Filmmaker: sorry...didn't mean to misinterpret etc. I should actually add that of course, in addition to not ignoring/eliminating technical prowess you also cannot eliminate the emotional response category as well. I guess I'd say that someone with technical skill will still elicit emotion often forgoing what one friend of mine refers to as "noodling" on the guitar (ie: cramming lots of notes)...for some folks, that display of technical know how is what will evoke the emotional response! -wink-

cungar- thanks...I think I semi knew that he was the soloist on that song, only because of having recently purchased/seen Concert for George...and I think at some point in the "theatrical version" that it was mentioned that it was a gathering and recognizing of several people who contributed to George's/Beatles' music but were never credited because back in those days, you couldn't mention an artist from a different label.

[astrochimp]

If you were calling it top 10 MVP's(like they do in sports) then for sure the Edge is in the top 10 but "best" is a different story.

[Saxofonix]

Best? No.

Ten most influential? Possibly...


Exactly my thoughts.
The influence that The Edge has had on modern guitarists is huge. That's not to be dismissed.

[gregx55]

Questions like this are very loaded. I believe that when it comes to music it's really hard to make a greatest of all time list. It's simply just too subjective to each persons taste. There is ofcourse that short list of guitar gods that are just a step above the rest. Guys like Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton just to name a few. Thos guys are considered the cream of the crop because they had that intangable element of being one with a guitar. Now can you really put The Edge on the same step as them? I think not. He'll be lucky to be in the top 500. Two guys that come to mind that I think could play circles around him are Price and John Mayer. Prince is not known for his guitar playing skills but when I saw him live I was blown away at how good he was. And since I have seen John Mayer play live a few times and listened to a couple bootlegs, the man can play. If anyone gets a chance to listen to one of his blues only shows you will see what I mean. But thats just my opinion I could be wrong.

[SlingshotBandit]

Phil Keaggy.

[thismeansyou85]

Two guys that come to mind that I think could play circles around him are Prince and John Mayer. Prince is not known for his guitar playing skills but when I saw him live I was blown away at how good he was. And since I have seen John Mayer play live a few times and listened to a couple bootlegs, the man can play. If anyone gets a chance to listen to one of his blues only shows you will see what I mean. But thats just my opinion I could be wrong.

I agree, on both guys. I think the reason John Mayer and Prince's guitar skills are generally underrated is because they don't show off on their studio work. Sure, John Mayer is known as a guitarist, but mostly for being one of them feel-good acoustic strummers which are a dime a dozen. Prince is known for just his awesome composition and funky riffing. But both, live, are amazing lead (and rhythm) guitarists. They use restraint marvellously on album so their chops don't take away from the song.

That being said, I've never been a big U2 fan so I've never seen or heard the Edge live, so it might be the same situation with him - maybe he's not showing us everything he's got...

[The Infidel]

I'm not a big fan of John Mayer's music, but I can also attest to his skills. I saw him on Austin City Limits doing some SRV covers, backed by none other than Double Trouble themselves, Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon. EXCELLENT performance!

[dpganz]

Agreed with the comments on both Prince and Mayer. Its really amazing how good Prince actually is at the guitar considering that's not what he's known for, and same for Mayer. I saw him jam with clapton, bb king, jimmy vaughn, and buddy guy. The mere fact that he could keep up with this group says a TON, although he was of course shown up. But the fact that he really is so musically inclined, tells me he'll be around for a long time. I wouldn't be at all suprised to see him change the type of music he plays as time goes on, to stay relevant, and because he has the skill to. Personally, I'll be glad if he does change, because I really dislike what he does as of now.

[TheGodfather]

I love U2, don't see The Edge as a top 10 guy. I personally think in terms of stirring emotion, O'Brien and Greenwood of Radiohead shit on him. IMO, Hendrix, Clapton, Rhoades, Paige, Reid, The-Artist-Currently-Known-As-Prince, Van Halen, Hammet, Vai, and the un-mentioned Allen Collins and Slash are ahead of Edgy here. Greenwood too.

But that's me. This is a very opinionated question here, as others have pointed out. I respect all your opinions, I just feel like The Edge is a big part of a well oiled machine. Pull him out and the machine explodes, but he might too.

[creekdipper]

Since everyone's mentioning favorite guitarists here, I'll add another rock guitarist who was technically more accomplished than Edge: RORY GALLAGHER.

And, if you're judging Edge by his influence, how about the great BILLY GIBBONS of ZZ Top? He has influenced a couple of generations of air guitarists. What redblooded male (or female) hasn't accidentally swerved into another lane because they were too busy "playing" along with a ZZ Top song on their car radio? I remember reading an article about Gibbons once in a guitar magazine in which the reviewer opined that Gibbons' economic playing style was responsible for his not receiving as much recognition for his playing...but that was what the reviewer found most impressive: not a wasted note. Compare that to flashmasters Joe Satriana, Steve Vai, Yngvie Malmsteen, etc....lots of style but often little substance. Of course, comparing different playing styles is apples & oranges...would be hard to compare Cobain to Django, for instance.

I still think of Edge as an excellent guitarist who has helped to define the sound of a great rock band...similar to what PETER BUCK did for REM. However, I wouldn't pay to go see either as a solo performer.

[The Bus]

I'd say yes if you break it up into type of guitars. I'm sorry, but I don't think you can come up with ten well-known players of the electric guitar than Edge. I just remember when I was young and Achtung Baby was out, I ran to my grandmother and said, "Listen to this." This is an Old World woman who knows maybe 5 words of English and knows at most 15 American rock songs. She listened and smiled.

So I guess it would be fairer to split into electric guitar, classical/acoustic, and blues guitar. I'm not a guitarist, so I don't even know if that's an accurate "break down".

I'd personally be wary of any list that didn't at least include Robert Johnson, Son House, and/or T. Bone Walker.