From: "Lloyd T Jones" <tj@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Help:Most Influential Guitarist of Last 10 Yrs.
Organization: Computer Science, Indiana University
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 92 09:40:13 -0500


	Hello,

	I've been reading this newsgroup since it's inception and I think it's
really great.  Having said that, I'll get to the point of my post here.
	I'm trying to finish an incomplete for a performance class I took here
at I.U. several years ago.  The class is I.U. Soul Revue.  As you might guess
from the title of my post and the fact I posted here, I'm a guitarist.  And my
assignment is to do a survey of who I consider the most influential guitarist
of the last ten years.  Well this has to be the best resource for getting 
current views on who other guitarist think that might be.
	Now I have been playing myself for over 25 years, ten of those as a 
full time professional, which means I largely went hungry for ten years while
fooling around with music. ;-).  Most of the last ten years for me have been
concentrated on being married, raising kids, school, job, etc., etc..  I have
not been as active listening to the newest guitar slingers, but I always have
band gigs.  I know this dates me here, but the most influential guitarist on
me as far as overall attitude and approach is Jimi Hendrix.  And he's too far
in the past for my survey.
	So I need help.   I do have a list started tho'.  And I hope to get 
help here without starting a flame war about who's the best.  Here's my list
so far:

	1) SRV --  I don't think I'll get much argument here.  The man died too
		   soon, but left an incredible legacy of strong performances
		   that will influence us all for quite some time.  And he was
		   a big Hendrix fan as well.

	2) Buddy Guy -- Probably some argument here.  But he's been an 
		        influence in ways that younger people might not be 
		        aware of.  His latest release "Damn Right I Got the
		        Blues"  put him squarely back on the map of present
			guitarist who have to be considered as an important
			source for ideas to draw from.  And for those who may
			not be familar with him, he is an icon on the Chicago
			blues scene dating back to the 50's and 60's.  This
			latest album features performances by Clapton and Beck,
			two present day giants who claim him as an influence on
			their own playing.

At this point, I start to get fuzzy about who to include. Obviously people like
Clapton and Beck should be included.  I also think G. Benson is a big 
influence on pop/jazz players.  This is all VERY subjective and I hope any who
care to respond to this post keep that in mind.  
	If you do respond with your favorite list, I would appreciate if you 
BRIEFLY elaborate and include specific recordings you think are outstanding
and demonstrate your point.  I should also point out that due to the nature of
this course, I'm mainly interested in guitarist in the Blues/Soul/R&B/Jazz 
styles, and anything you consider closely related, e.g., Pop/Jazz, Reggae, etc.
And the key word here is INFLUENTIAL, not merely currently popular with the
masses or your personal current favorite, but people who's style and approach
can be pointed to as affecting the sound of music today as played by other 
guitarist.  Also they can be soloist or strong group players.
	Please e-mail me.  If enough interest is expressed, I'll post to the
news group.  Thanks in advance,

Tj.