The Aging of Great Guitarists

I did not realize so many were getting uo there,thanks for the info its intersting. Keith Richards looks like he is about 90 but I think he is about 70.

Off topic a little
It's strange sometimes I get the feeling that Chordie's forum is just an cyber old age retirement home for ageing guitar players too. Me included
ark

Arkady ... you're actually right on topic! That's exactly what was going through my head when I posted this.

and another day goes by,,,,

badeye   

but this also brings up a good point,, all the greats were essentially baby boomers, having grown up after WW2, to be hot as snot in the 60s and  70s.  So lets look at todays crop of hot guitarist currently out and who do you think will be around in 40 years?

I see
Satch (who really is not young himself) (aka Joe Satriani)
Steve Vi (same as above)
Eddie    (same)
Ace     (not at all young)
Jim root (over 40 but snot hot!) slip knot and stone sour

but current guys??? Im sure they are out there, but I cant lay a name to one, espically as heavy lead guitar laden songs have been out of fasion in popular radio play.  Imagaindragons??? yea right!

Hopefull guys

Synister Gates  from avgened 7fold
DARRELL ROBERTS and ZOLTAN BATHORY  from 5 finger death punch
any help now? my kids listen to everything so dont have input there.

I agree with Beamer and TF. Great guitar players are harder to find these days. I think the ones that stand out have that old soul and do it just for the music. One that comes to mind for me is Steve Stevens (Billy Idol's guitar player). He's 55. He played with Idol and did all that type of music for a long time (he still does), then turned a corner and got really in to Flamenco. I don't really care for it, but my point is that he wanted to expand and learn something new. you can only beat the same drum for so long before it doesn't work for you anymore. I think this is the type of person we will be talking about in another 15-20 years.

I don't know if Jack White is all that great, but he is also in this category. Mabye Dave Grohl also.

where is pete townsend?

Just looking at that list up top, and noticing that many of those (some names I don't recognize) guitarists are British. Don't know what it is about you "Limeys" (< see the smileys?) but y'all tend to live longer than the rest of us for some reason. Example: Keef and Sir Paul just to name a couple.

That makes me think that those on the list will be with us for some time to come.

As for some names not on the list and who have gone on to join that rock band in the sky, add Danny Gatton to the list.

Sorry if I seem to be rambling. I've not had my meds yet.

Bill

Big PS: If there is (and I dearly hope so) a "Musician's Heaven" (would have said "Rock 'n Roll Heaven", but I don't want to exclude the other genres), who'd be in charge of placing which musician with which band or would it be a "rotation" kinda thing?

I'm not all that religious, preferring "Paschal's Wager" to any kind of organized religion, but it would sure be great to have Mr. Atkins teach me how to use that thumb.

That's a true "Hall of Fame" list, Cocktails ... and I'm also delighted to see your performing credentials! One guy in your list who really stands out for me is Phil Manzanera. I've always thought he was an excellent guitarist, with a style reminiscent of David Gilmour (Pink Floyd). Some of his albums (Quiet Sun, Impossible Guitars, etc.) are still amongst my favorites.

I'll be 58 in a few months, so hear you loud & clear about getting older.