Greatest Dead Rock Stars

[daddyphatsacs]

For that era and that generation that listens to that style Rock N Roll, he was a huge loss and had a degree of social impact. Especially given the violent and tragic way he died and the situation was somewhat similar to Lennon in that it was a disturbed fan that blamed him for the breakup of Pantera. You can't discount someone just because you don't like or follow that style of music. To me personally Jerry Garcia listed is ridiculous.

Personally, I think it's ridiculous for someone to mention Jerry Garcia and Dimebag Darrell in the same paragraph. I have yet to run across a song that I can think of from Pantera. And yes, I get it. I get what they were all about, I just found their music to be rather sloppy. Just the name "Dimebag Darrell" screams black leather, long grungy hair, and a front man who screams really loud into the mic.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

I think you could add someone to the discussion here. How about Bradley Nowell from Sublime? The guy was a gifted guitar player, and wrote great lyrics. Like him or not, you've got to appreciate his ability as a musician.

 

[Folanator]

Dimebag was a hammer on the guitar, but if you look at almost every one on that list they are unique and created a path that was followed by others. They were innovators, not just technically good.

That is why I agree with the argument for Hendrix, he did what no one had done before. Marley the same. Lennon. Elvis. They were the first to do it big time.

I think a good argument could be made for Duane Allman. Fact he should have been on there for sure. The Ramones. Sid Vicious. Them way more than a guy that could just rip.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Flea?? You must be kidding. Doesn't all he do is play bass and run around on stage naked?? You can not seriously compare a Bass player with one of the best guitarists of that genre.

I'm absolutely not kidding. Flea is the force that drives RHCP and he is extremely good at what he does... I'm not saying he's proficient, I'm saying he is probably one of the top 5 and certainly top 10 bass players ever... all time. Dimebag is not one of the top 10 guitarist of all time... hell, he's not even one of the top 10 guitarists of the 90s.

Your questioning Flea's inclusion is exactly my point. A bass player is not the typical "leader" of a band, he's the guy that sits back and lets the lead guitar folks do their work over top of. Not Flea. Flea provides the more than just a background groove, he sets the entire tone for the entire band. Ask Anthony Keidis who is the heart and soul of RHCP, and he does not hesitate to answer that it is Flea. I figure Keidis would know, since he's in the band and all.

Dimebag? Big deal. In my mind, Dimebag is the same as every other guitarist of that style. There's not one thing that seperates him from that pack, at least not that I've heard. And I do admit to being less than a Pantera afficianado.

For what it's worth, I've played guitar and bass for over half my life (And I even now play a little piano ). I therefore feel qualified to appreciate what it takes to be a good musician for particular genres more than simply liking or not liking any particular style of music. I don't say that to indicate "I know more than you" just sorta giving you some of my credentials on this issue.

Edit: although, it occurs to me that Flea wouldn't qualify to be on this list because he's still alive.

 

[stxbuck]

Dimebag Darrell created a totally unique style of metal guitar-his sound is what makes Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power, and Far Beyond Driven the masterpeices that they are. I can name metal bands that sound like Metallica, or Slayer, or Iron Maiden- I cannot name another metal that replicates Darrell's sound. I think most people putting down Darrell simply do not like metal, just like people who trash the Grateful Dead do not like hippies.

 

[Folanator]

Dimebag Darrell created a totally unique style of metal guitar-his sound is what makes Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power, and Far Beyond Driven the masterpeices that they are. I can name metal bands that sound like Metallica, or Slayer, or Iron Maiden- I cannot name another metal that replicates Darrell's sound. I think most people putting down Darrell simply do not like metal, just like people who trash the Grateful Dead do not like hippies.

I like Pantera, I own Far beyond driven and listen to it just to piss off the wife. While he might have a unique sound I just think that Alice Cooper, Kiss, New York Dolls and Sabbath were the cutting edge not Panatara. Pantara was Ozzie and Metalica on Meth.

 

[Dryden]

You can not seriously compare a Bass player with one of the best guitarists of that genre.

Yes. Flea (and RHCP) have inspired thousands of rock/rap/funk wannabes. Kids who learn to play bass today have two inspirations, really: Flea and Les Claypool. That's pretty much it.

Dimebag Darrell is not, and never was, one of the best guitarists of that genre. If he were so darn influential he would have refused Dave Mustaine outright when he was invited to join Megadeth. Great, influential musicians don't consider playing second fiddle to existing acts already on the downside of their popularity. He has also done studio work for dozens of other bands' albums, including several by Anthrax. I own every Anthrax disc, and I can honestly say I wouldn't have recognized his guitar work from any of the half-dozen other guitarists Anthrax has fired over the years if I hadn't read the liner notes.

He was a good, competent guitarist. But he was not 'great.' I'm quite certain he would cite at least ten other guitarist of that genre as his inspiration for his work, and any of those would at least be in the realm of valid choices, such as the pioneers of hard rock/metal like Randy Rhodes, Eddie Van Halen, Ace Frehley, and so on and so on.

 

[Dryden]

Dimebag Darrell created a totally unique style of metal guitar-his sound is what makes Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power, and Far Beyond Driven the masterpeices that they are. I can name metal bands that sound like Metallica, or Slayer, or Iron Maiden- I cannot name another metal that replicates Darrell's sound. I think most people putting down Darrell simply do not like metal, just like people who trash the Grateful Dead do not like hippies.

That's funny, because I would say I can find dozens of bands that sound like Pantera, but nobody sounds like Iron Maiden. Frankly, I can't think of anyone who harmonizes guitars like Maiden does, which is what makes their riffs so distinct. I've heard some great, spot-on covers too, such as Iced Earth's version of Transylvania ... I can still tell that that ain't Maiden.

 

[CookyPuss]

Just an FYI, Guitar World's top Metal Guitarists:

#7 Dimebag Darrell

LINK

I never got into Pantera, I was just curious where he would fall on this list.

 

[Dryden]

Just an FYI, Guitar World's top Metal Guitarists:

#7 Dimebag Darrell

LINK

I never got into Pantera, I was just curious where he would fall on this list.

FWIW, that list of "metal" guitarists includes Neil Young, among a number of other absurd choices considering the genre.

 

[Bleed S & G]

i was between hendrix, morrison, and marley.. went with bob

 

[OCBucksFan]

i was between hendrix, morrison, and marley.. went with bob

Morrison was a tough one for me, I wasn't really alive when the Doors were actually doing stuff, and my best memory is that horrible movie. :(

 

[CookyPuss]

FWIW, that list of "metal" guitarists includes Neil Young, among a number of other absurd choices considering the genre.

Not to defend the list, but they do explain that in the intro. Like most lists of this sort, they mix in a few guys who were more or less influences on the movement.

 

[Folanator]

Just an FYI, Guitar World's top Metal Guitarists:

#7 Dimebag Darrell

LINK

I never got into Pantera, I was just curious where he would fall on this list.

1. Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
2. Kirk Hammett & James Hetfield (Metallica)
3. Angus & Malcolm Young (AC/DC)
4. Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne)
5. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
6. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
7. Dimebag Darrell (Pantera, Damageplan)
8. Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)
9. Adam Jones (Tool)
10. Kerry King & Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)
11. Dave Murray & Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
12. Jimi Hendrix
13. Glen Tipton & K.K. Downing (Judas Priest)
14. Ace Frehley & Paul Stanley (Kiss)
15. Slash (Guns N' Roses)
16. Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow)
17. Yngwie Malmsteen
18. Joe Perry & Brad Whitford (Aerosmith)
19. Dave Mustaine & Marty Friedman (Megadeth)
20. Chuck Schuldiner (Death)
21. Brian May (Queen)
22. Michael Schenker (Msg, Ufo)
23. Nigel Tufnel (Spinal Tap)
24. Jeff Beck

ANY list that has Spinal Tap over Jeff Beck is shit. Jeff Beck is GOD among the serious Guitar players I know.

Jimmy Page at 6? Behind Randy Roads of Ozzy fame? Plaeeeese!

Hendrix at 12?

Richie Blackmore should be way higher.

Not to defend the list, but they do explain that in the intro. Like most lists of this sort, they mix in a few guys who were more or less influences on the movement.

That makes sense, it looks pretty random as to where they put guys of the old school. No way do you put Page that low.

 

[NFBuck]

I think you could add someone to the discussion here. How about Bradley Nowell from Sublime? The guy was a gifted guitar player, and wrote great lyrics. Like him or not, you've got to appreciate his ability as a musician.

I mentioned him on page 1.