Steve was really the 1st player I ever heard who was able to combine the genres in a totally individual way. His playing has become neither of the original forms it was inspired by - It's Steve Howe music. Most other players are very generic, nothing wrong with that, but if you're going to vote on greatness. It has to be Steve Howe. Not technically perfect, but original. Try and play it, there are some things that you will have to abandon all you've learned in order to play. Even Jimi (RIP), was basically a blues player. Looking forward to seeing Steve play in a couple of months
Are you young people nuts? Did you even know this guy won guitar players best overall guitarist five years in a row? And is in their hall of fame? I want to hear slash do classical, jazz, bluegrass, flamenco, even country picking like this guy. I want to hear slash play acoustic guitar solos with a nylon, six, and twelve string guitars the way Mr. Howe does. I want to hear slash play a mandolin ^^ pedal steel like Steve. Slash is only an electric guitar player with one style only. Steve Howe is THE guitar man. He deserves to be #1
He who does not acknowledge that Steve Howe is the most skillful and technically accomplished among rock guitarists knows little about guitar playing. It's not just the noise, speed or dexterity.Of course, Steve has all these too. But more than these qualities, there are others like: complexity, direction, tonality, integration of the instrument, choice of intervention... I could go on. Anyway, Steve Howe is definetely the best. And yes, YES is the greatest rock band ever.
If you love guitar and you don't think of Steve Howe, you're just not paying attention. There is a video on Youtube of Steve Howe giving an interview in the early 70's when Yes was first getting some attention and he's noodling on the guitar during the interview. Even back then, when he was still wet behind the ears, he held his own with most everyone else on this list. NOW... Forty years later, his musicianship is off the scale.
steve howe should probably be somewhere in the top 3 of this list. not only does he do an amazing job contributing improvisational rhythm, but his solos show a sense of rawness and melody unheard of by pretty much any guitarist ever. hes also an amazing classical and jazz guitarist which does wonders to his playing. look for songs "the clap", "heart of the sunrise" and "america" for his best work
When everyone wanted to play the blues, Steve Howe introduced flamenco, classical, ragtime, jazz and many other styles to rock. Also was the guitarist for one of the best bands ever, Yes. During the 70s, Howe was voted 5 times in a row the best guitarist in the world on a Guitar World magazine readers poll. Because of him they had to implement a rule that no one could win the poll more than 5 times!
Clearly people have no broad knowledge of music. Even if you don't like the prog rock genre just look at the Steve Howe playing and tell me how many people above him could come close to matching his ability. In the 1970's Howe was regularly voted above Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Beck etc in guitarist polls. Now he's below - shows this is a popularity contest only.
That Steve Howe is this far down on this list just proves that this is just a popularity contest, not a true judge of talent.
im disappointed! i agree completely that Robert Fripp should be place way up on the list. My top 20 would certainly include Fripp, Steve Howe, and anyone forgetting Allan Holdsworth. This should be fixed!
Should be top ten, by far one of the most skilled, creative, original, and important guitarists in rock history.
Putting a plug in for Steve. He's ranked way too low in most polls. Easily a top ten contender. He's innovative, highly skillful and has impeccable taste in what he plays and doesn't play.
Steve Howe is a lot more technically skilled and versitile than Joe Satriani
I think Steve Howe is one of two guitarists that quite clearly should be placed above all others on this list. Unfortunitely Robert Fripp does'nt appear to be on here!
Steve is the most talented and versatile guitrist in this poll. Just listen to his solo material. He's underrated and YES is underrated (not in the Rock & Roll Hall of fame). What a joke.
personally i think steve howe is one of the greatest guitarists that any kind of rock has ever seen and will ever see in a long time.
There's a reason Guitar magazine voted him best rock guitarist for five years running in the late 70s/early 80s.
How(e) could this list be taken seriously if Steve Howe is not in the top 10 or even the top 5. MY opinion only Hendrix and clapton may rank better
By far Steve Howe is the most creative and hottest guitar player to this day. I seen countless time and every time he blows me away with his style.
There is a lot of talent in this list but I wonder what the answer would be if somebody was ask them if they where better than steve howe
How many of those guitarists ranked above Howe would probably not be playing, if Steve Howe didn't exist?
Has impacted rock by translating a classical impression on his guitar style, while technically maintaining his passions.
His left hand dances up and down the neck while His right strums and picks like no one can
Should be in top ten list. Still playing. Still sounds great. When was the last time any of you seen Hendrix.
By far one of the most importand and skilled guitare players ever. The man is a true genius!
Anyway, Steve Howe is definetely the best. And yes, YES is the greatest rock band ever.
His right strums and picks like no one can
The man is a true genius!
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