20 - 11
The 20 All-Time Greatest Chicago Guitarists
20. Son Seals
Shootings, fires, amputations, W.C. Handy Awards: Son Seals seemed something out of an Andrew Vachss novel, which, in fact he also was. Frank Seals also knew a raw solo or two, we’re told.
19. Terry Kath
Darwin Award recipient Terry Kath hung with the jazzbos in Chicago yet couldn’t read a lick of staff paper. Still, that lead in “25 Or 6 To 4″ goes on for 24/7.
18. Trouble
Bruce Franklin and Rick Wartell didn’t alter any courses as much as preserve them. With heavy metal addicted to speed in the ’80s, Trouble kept their focus on Black Sabbath’s legacy, giving rise to doom.
Trouble appears Saturday, April 5th at Nite Cap in Chicago.
17. Michael Angelo Batio
Guitarists would do anything to be outrageous in the ’80s; Michael Angelo Batio brought ambidexterity in general to heights unseen. But his double-neck (one for each fret hand) legato madness wasn’t all: Someone had to teach Tom Morello.
16. James Young
Though for a time it seemed Styx wanted to be known for anything but guitar, James “J.Y.” Young was the rawk over which the DeYoung/Shaw dramas fluttered.
15. Luther Allison
Born in Arkansas and spending a good chunk of change in France, Luther Allison barely meets our residency requirements. But for catching the eye of Muddy Waters, playing behind James Cotton and Howlin’ Wolf, and being the rare bluesman to entice Motown Records, we’ll make an exception.
14. Nels Cline
The sole force keeping Jeff Tweedy and Wilco from dad rockin’ into middle age is the boundless Nels Cline. Plucked from the jazz boroughs, Cline can make you cry or shutter your ears.
13. Hubert Sumlin
The greatest tribute to our lucky 13’s craft is he shared a stage with Howlin’ Wolf and people still remembered the sound of Hubert Sumlin.
12. Steve Albini
Steve Albini simply pioneered being pissed off (frequently at us). His presentation wasn’t one-dimensional, however; he retrofitted whatever bile couldn’t spew from his mouth (there’s only 24 hours in a day, mind) to lash from his guitars. Roland did the rest.
11. Billy Corgan
Neither the most innovative nor happiest guitarist on this list – on second thought, you could probably argue Billy Corgan pioneered pissed-off glory guitar. Whatever the cause, the effect was to firmly implant classic leads and solos into the alt-rock repertoire.
– Steve Forstneger
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on April 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
Props and respect,
I think Terry Kath needs to be higher on the list, maybe just a little. He’s extra-under-rated, I think, because of the turn for the MOR that his band took after his death. Jimi Hendrix was a big fan, too.
Peace ‘n love,
jj
on April 2nd, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I can’t put much faith in a list that has Steve Albini ahead of Hubert Sumlin.
on April 2nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Excuse me… anyone think about Tommy Shaw or Don Griffon and Tommy Gawenda. SHEESH… and Rick N. should be in your Top 5. and Bo D. ? PAL-LEEESE
on April 9th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Terry Kath should be top 10. Hendrix told James Pankow “your guitarist is better than me”. Speaking of under rated… I nominate REO’s Gary Richrath. Anyone who has ever seen him live would agree. Rick N. should be top 5. Sorry Tommy, JY is enough from that band…
on April 12th, 2008 at 8:38 am
How could Terry Kath not be near the top, if not number 1? He is one of the reasons Chicago became arguably the greatest rock band America has ever produced. In fact, I won’t say arguably. The original Chicago lineup is definitely the greatest rock band America has ever produced. We’re talking about an American musical institution here.
And I fully agree with the person who suggested Gary Richrath from REO Speedwagon.
on April 12th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Billy Corgan above Terry Kath??? Obviously you really aren’t all that familiar with Kath’s playing or a musician yourself …
on April 15th, 2008 at 3:22 am
you mention the so-called ‘darwin awards’ in the Terry Kath’s section?
WTF is wrong with you?
Is this supposed to be recognition?
Next time, just leave him off your list. This is hurtful crap and my guess is that you are a complete —hole.
on May 12th, 2008 at 9:06 am
TERRY KATH, #1 PERIOD………..WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS-25 OR 6 TO 4, ALL OF IT. THE TONE THE FEEL. WHAT A LOSS………….
on July 1st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I agree, Kath should be in top 5. And why is Steve Albini even on the list? Is Jann Wenner working for IE now?
At least Nielsen is in the top 10! Richrath should be on the list too.