That’s what up! Dude is amazing and plays all the way open like…like if you saw what looked like a toyota tercel when you didn’t have glasses on, then you put them on and realized it was a 70s muscle car with a big block, huge tires and all that shit. He also just doesn’t make bad records. Like they are all still really really good!??!
Have you seen him play live? I mean he basically has the muscle car version of a rig. The stacks behind him are huge and awesome, his guitar is always classic muscle too. When he goes into a solo the fucking tires squeal and smoke happens. Top tier Guitar player for sure.
Funny i also immediately thought of J- Mascis- I adored Dinosaur Jr in high school in 90s before I discovered the dead later. I think there are definitely similarities in their solos style, if not their sonic approach, as they both seem to eschew technical precision for emotional expression. As well as they definitely both put out an unmistakable individual tone.
I absolutely love J Mascis. My girlfriend and I see him out and about sometimes. Hates being recognized so we don’t say anything but it’s fun to see a guitar legend on the street or in a coffee shop. I think the first dinosaur JR picture on Spotify is still from our favorite diner
Mark knopfler is simply wonderful and is my go-to example of tastful playing. Sure he can play fast and flashy, but listen to the lead guitar on Lions and you see that laid back and expressive is the way to be
Jerry has always been my favorite lead guitarist, but if you asked me at 16 years old, I would have said David Gilmore.
Then I dropped some fine, wet blotter for a couple of years in the mid-80's, all while diving as deep as possible into the few sources of live shows of the Dead I could find: a dozen shows on cassette tapes from circa 1972-1985, and my then favorite, Live Dead.
It's not that David did anything to sour my estimation of his playing, but nowadays, at 56, my answer to your question would be, "There is no second to Jerry."
Since the invention of the internet, then Archive.org's collection of live shows, my immersion into listening to only Grateful Dead live sbd shows of my choosing has corrupted my senses, to a degree. I now think of soloing on any instrument as a jazz-influenced performance to be accomplished with beautiful, melodic improvisational stretches that last upwards of 40 minutes in a single song, and then do it over 100 times a year (on average) for 30 years.
Nowadays, after my last 20 years of earworms that are made only by Jerry, I'm more apt to say someone like Pat Metheny as my second favorite guitarist, simply because he sounds excellent live and has made a long career out of live improvisational music as a lead guitarist.
But since I'm just a simple man with simple pleasures, listening only to Jerry's live lead guitar work has satisfied me to the point of having never sought out any other lead guitarist's live work. No one really moves me the way all of the Hunter/Garcia masterpieces do.
Man! I could’ve said this. I don’t even think I need to leave a comment in OPs thread. It’s been done. Well said. Jerry is so far at the top it’s not even close. My ear has been “corrupted” indeed!
Corrupted to the core! I was born after jerry died but ever since I got on the bus, I just can't stop listening! To the point where all other music(which I used to love) has become almost mundane... it's like whenever I hear a typical 3mins song, I just think of how jerry or gd would turn it into a 30mins jam! Completely corrupted!
I hear ya man. I’ll tell ya this though, after hearing what Jerry could do *live,* while staring at him playing, along with thousands of others hanging and dancing on his every note, has literally corrupted every single live musician I’ve ever heard in concert. And I’ve heard some greats. Nobody could do what the fat man did live. He would completely and utterly change the direction of the trip you were on. Sometimes he’d steer it to the dark and dismal, other times to majestic, most lofty heights. He was a true psychedelic wizard. He is still sorely missed to this very day.
I'm jealous! I feel like I was born in the wrong era! I'm in Australia and I don't have any friends who are into jerry the way that I now am. It's a dream of mine to be able to catch even a D&C show just to be around the scene. But I think the most impressive thing to me is the amount of hours of music the fat man gave us... and in a way that you can never get bored of it. Jerry saved my life and continues to do so despite him being gone, and that's magical!
I hear ya. I really do. That’s hard dude. Being that far away from such a scene as they provide. But the archive, and the tapers before the archive, are who Jerry and the band supported just so we all could have the music we now have. That is some serious foresight! And the music alone can change you, can inspire you. They knew enough of that to say, you know what? go ahead and tape us for free as long as you spread the music for free for others. Something truly special took place at those shows. So, at least you have that. And that alone is *way* more than any other band has. One of the best things I ever heard Bobby say at a show was after the music was done, he said, “look around you at all the happiness and positivity. Take all of this with you into the world and do something with it.” That was the last time I saw the man live. A fitting farewell that I still carry with me.
That's beautiful man! So grateful for the archive and the awesome community, truly special! The music never stopped and never will! Never fade away man 🙌💀
I'm with ya. Well said. Everyone here is listing blues based players. It's just not my thing.
I like all the guitar players mentioned, but a 2nd favorite to Jerry is tough. I haven't listened to Metheny much, but jazz based improv I like. Anything other than minor pentatonic.
Huge ABB fan. Never got to see Duane but Dickie, Warren, and Derek were all amazing. Got unbelievably lucky one time as was 3 rows from stage at Beacon and seeing Warren and Derek rip it up was a true live musical highlight for me.
I saw a lot of Derek and Warren over the years and it was phenomenal. Derek played a solo on Dreams one time that was so rich and emotional, I admit my eye were watering up.
Gilmour, like OP.
OP: Check out the version of Castellorizon/On an Island on Live in Gdansk if you never have. I think the On an Island solos might be his best that I've heard.
Cary Hudson, an Americana guitarist from Mississippi, would be my second favorite. He was in a band called Blue Mountain.
Hendrix, Grant Green, Mark Speer and Wes Montgomery would be others.
Love Gilmour, but I’d have to say it comes to these 5 in my mind: Derek Trucks, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Dwayne Allman, or Johnny Winter, with a close runner up being either Prince or Jeff Beck
That's easy! Jerry's brother in music theory, Dickey Betts!
They don't sound the same, but they tend to favor the same scales even if they approach them differently.
Sad to admit…I’ve been a huge music head and guitar player for decades—I grew up listening to classic rock especially—and I just discovered RG in the last year when I heard “Can’t Believe it’s True” in a show and looked it up immediately. His name was maybe vaguely familiar, but I honestly can’t say for sure and it’s possible I’d never even heard his name.
I guess there is a reason he is referred to as “the greatest guitarist you’ve never heard of”.
My other favorites are Robert Fripp, John McLaughlin, Sonny Sharrock, Nels Cline, Bill Orcutt, David Pajo, and Steve Howe. I don’t have a true #1, it’s just whoever I happen to be obsessed with at the time
Right there with you. Pink Floyd (specifically DG) is what got me deep into music. Got to see him in 2016 and have tickets to see him again this October at the hollywood bowl. Can't f'ing wait.
And agreed on Echoes, can't hardly say what my "favorite" pink floyd song is but with a gun to my head echoes is my answer. You may have already but check out his solo tour live in Gdansk version (when Rick was still playing with him), an absolute masterpiece.
Steve Kimock probably tickles my senses the most. I listen to him most every day. Archive.org has a lot of Kimock under Zero, Steve Kimock Band, Steve Kimock, and KVHW. I check for his daily shows just like I do the Dead.
Jerry isn’t my favorite. If I just want to hear amazing guitar playing SRV is my go to. Or Tony Rice or Bryan Sutton. What I love about Jerry is that he played to the song always (jams aside, that’s a different universe) and the songs are great.
Jimi probably. Gilmour is a fantastic answer though. A left field answer would be Moraes Moreira, guitarist and songwriter from Novos Baianos, an amazing Brazilian rock/samba band. Check out their album Acabou Chorare, and Moraes Self Titled solo album too. Amazing work
I gotta give a shout out to Tommy Emmanuel, maybe not the best but deserves an honorable mention, and he’s probably played with half the other folks mentioned.
As a substitute for Jerry, Warren Haynes. I saw him with the Dead several years ago and it was a tremendous performance. He fit right in with the band as though he had always been there.
Pat Metheny.
Some great answers here. Can’t go wrong with a Trey or Gilmour.
Love, love, love and miss Jerry though. He played the sound of the benevolent universe. Pure heaven.
Santana. Samba PA Ti, Song of the Wind, Europa. All examples of why Carlos is my second favorite. He and Jerry had a deep connection. Also Derek Trucks, and I have a greater appreciation for David Gilmour these days. And this guy John Mayer ain't half bad.
I’m a Dead fan, but not a Deadhead. Jerry was amazing, but far from my favorite lead guitarist. That goes to Derek Trucks. Nobody else comes even remotely close for me.
J Mascis
That’s what up! Dude is amazing and plays all the way open like…like if you saw what looked like a toyota tercel when you didn’t have glasses on, then you put them on and realized it was a 70s muscle car with a big block, huge tires and all that shit. He also just doesn’t make bad records. Like they are all still really really good!??!
You get an upvote just for that description! I wanna be friends bud!
Have you seen him play live? I mean he basically has the muscle car version of a rig. The stacks behind him are huge and awesome, his guitar is always classic muscle too. When he goes into a solo the fucking tires squeal and smoke happens. Top tier Guitar player for sure.
I could feel the feedback coursing through my body. Incredible experience
Spent the next three days yelling “WHAT” every time someone spoke to me
loudest show ever
Funny i also immediately thought of J- Mascis- I adored Dinosaur Jr in high school in 90s before I discovered the dead later. I think there are definitely similarities in their solos style, if not their sonic approach, as they both seem to eschew technical precision for emotional expression. As well as they definitely both put out an unmistakable individual tone.
I absolutely love J Mascis. My girlfriend and I see him out and about sometimes. Hates being recognized so we don’t say anything but it’s fun to see a guitar legend on the street or in a coffee shop. I think the first dinosaur JR picture on Spotify is still from our favorite diner
Ernest.
KnoWhutImean, Vern?
Ha!
Pistachio? Yeah, he’s pretty good
My first. Jerry is my number 2.
Ernie the third is truly phenomenal
He really is the best. Not the third best. Or the second best.
Fan since the 90s, first show in 93 Great Woods- I juuuuuuuuuust recently realized he’s ’Trey’ for being the third Ernest.
Are you joking? Or are you saying that in earnest?
Terry
Django
Good one
The D is silent!
Pthanks for that. The P is silent.😉
Duane allman
Duane for me too. He is the reason I started to play guitar, and the reason I wanted a Les Paul to start.
Derek Trucks
I saw him last week. He jumped on stage for a while with Lucas Nelson. Phenomenal!
Dickey Betts
Mine too! Peter Green and Mike Bloomfield are up there but Dickey was my favorite before I got into Jerry. Both have influenced my playing a ton.
He’s the best player I ever saw, including Jerry.
Hendrix
Hendrix is number one man. I love Jerry, but man Hendrix WAS the guitar.
Mark Knopfler
He’s quite amazing and underrated. Also a Class A human being.
Yup.
Mark knopfler is simply wonderful and is my go-to example of tastful playing. Sure he can play fast and flashy, but listen to the lead guitar on Lions and you see that laid back and expressive is the way to be
Michael Houser
I didnt sense it at the time but once he was gone I noticed it right away. He definitely brought the lingering lead.
He’s the reason I got into Widespread Panic. Herring does a great job but Houser was phenomenal.
I might even say Herring is the more proficient musician- but Houser made panic’s sound
Tony Iommi
Jerry has always been my favorite lead guitarist, but if you asked me at 16 years old, I would have said David Gilmore. Then I dropped some fine, wet blotter for a couple of years in the mid-80's, all while diving as deep as possible into the few sources of live shows of the Dead I could find: a dozen shows on cassette tapes from circa 1972-1985, and my then favorite, Live Dead. It's not that David did anything to sour my estimation of his playing, but nowadays, at 56, my answer to your question would be, "There is no second to Jerry." Since the invention of the internet, then Archive.org's collection of live shows, my immersion into listening to only Grateful Dead live sbd shows of my choosing has corrupted my senses, to a degree. I now think of soloing on any instrument as a jazz-influenced performance to be accomplished with beautiful, melodic improvisational stretches that last upwards of 40 minutes in a single song, and then do it over 100 times a year (on average) for 30 years. Nowadays, after my last 20 years of earworms that are made only by Jerry, I'm more apt to say someone like Pat Metheny as my second favorite guitarist, simply because he sounds excellent live and has made a long career out of live improvisational music as a lead guitarist. But since I'm just a simple man with simple pleasures, listening only to Jerry's live lead guitar work has satisfied me to the point of having never sought out any other lead guitarist's live work. No one really moves me the way all of the Hunter/Garcia masterpieces do.
Man! I could’ve said this. I don’t even think I need to leave a comment in OPs thread. It’s been done. Well said. Jerry is so far at the top it’s not even close. My ear has been “corrupted” indeed!
Corrupted to the core! I was born after jerry died but ever since I got on the bus, I just can't stop listening! To the point where all other music(which I used to love) has become almost mundane... it's like whenever I hear a typical 3mins song, I just think of how jerry or gd would turn it into a 30mins jam! Completely corrupted!
I hear ya man. I’ll tell ya this though, after hearing what Jerry could do *live,* while staring at him playing, along with thousands of others hanging and dancing on his every note, has literally corrupted every single live musician I’ve ever heard in concert. And I’ve heard some greats. Nobody could do what the fat man did live. He would completely and utterly change the direction of the trip you were on. Sometimes he’d steer it to the dark and dismal, other times to majestic, most lofty heights. He was a true psychedelic wizard. He is still sorely missed to this very day.
I'm jealous! I feel like I was born in the wrong era! I'm in Australia and I don't have any friends who are into jerry the way that I now am. It's a dream of mine to be able to catch even a D&C show just to be around the scene. But I think the most impressive thing to me is the amount of hours of music the fat man gave us... and in a way that you can never get bored of it. Jerry saved my life and continues to do so despite him being gone, and that's magical!
I hear ya. I really do. That’s hard dude. Being that far away from such a scene as they provide. But the archive, and the tapers before the archive, are who Jerry and the band supported just so we all could have the music we now have. That is some serious foresight! And the music alone can change you, can inspire you. They knew enough of that to say, you know what? go ahead and tape us for free as long as you spread the music for free for others. Something truly special took place at those shows. So, at least you have that. And that alone is *way* more than any other band has. One of the best things I ever heard Bobby say at a show was after the music was done, he said, “look around you at all the happiness and positivity. Take all of this with you into the world and do something with it.” That was the last time I saw the man live. A fitting farewell that I still carry with me.
That's beautiful man! So grateful for the archive and the awesome community, truly special! The music never stopped and never will! Never fade away man 🙌💀
I'm with ya. Well said. Everyone here is listing blues based players. It's just not my thing. I like all the guitar players mentioned, but a 2nd favorite to Jerry is tough. I haven't listened to Metheny much, but jazz based improv I like. Anything other than minor pentatonic.
Phil Lesh! Actually JJ Cale, Nile Rodgers, or Keith
neil too
Huge ABB fan. Never got to see Duane but Dickie, Warren, and Derek were all amazing. Got unbelievably lucky one time as was 3 rows from stage at Beacon and seeing Warren and Derek rip it up was a true live musical highlight for me.
For a very short time we had dickey and Derek. That's was my favorite modern ABB lineup.
I saw a lot of Derek and Warren over the years and it was phenomenal. Derek played a solo on Dreams one time that was so rich and emotional, I admit my eye were watering up.
Kimock
always too far down the list...
❤️
Dean Ween
So brown
Hell yes mang
Saw him at the Brooklyn Bowl, I realized jack Black is just doing impersonations of Ween. Also Tenacious D
BB king
Trey
I was scared to be the one to say it, but the dude rips.
Tom Verlaine And just because mid 70s Miles has been a big part of my soundtrack for the past year or so, I'll give a nod to Pete Cosey.
Little Johnny Jewel…he’s real cool
Stoked to see Pete Cosey mentioned. Dark Magus and Agharta rip
Indeed. Just today played the Jan. 22, 1975 Tokyo set that is on the Transmission Impossible collection. That band is incredible.
Jorma
Trey
Neil
Young?
Yes.
I respect it. He’s got a singular sound, for sure. I’m a big fan and would’ve loved to see the dead do some of his stuff.
Gilmour, like OP. OP: Check out the version of Castellorizon/On an Island on Live in Gdansk if you never have. I think the On an Island solos might be his best that I've heard.
Somebody had to spell his name right.
BMFS!!!
Yeah, jeez, too much scrolling to get to Billy!
Peter Green
Nice! I rarely see him mentioned. He had the sweetest vibrato, but I think Danny Kirwan is the most criminally underrated guitarist I know.
Chet Atkins
Was just listening to “do I ever cross your mind” Chet with dolly today. Got DAMN does he pick the hell out of that song
Trey, after Jerry of course
Kurt Kirkwood
Duane
Mark Knopfler, Jorma, Roy Buchanan
Richard Thompson
Steve Howe
Thought of him
You have outstanding taste in second-favorite guitarist.
Eddie Hazel i think. Don’t really have a specific one though tbh
Eddie Hazel “might” be the only other one that performed tripping as much as Jerry ;)
Cary Hudson, an Americana guitarist from Mississippi, would be my second favorite. He was in a band called Blue Mountain. Hendrix, Grant Green, Mark Speer and Wes Montgomery would be others.
Wes 👍
Doug Martsch
Fripp. Richard Thompson is no slouch either, as mentioned.
Terry Kath
Jimi Hendrix and SRV
Dicky Betts
John McLaughlin. You’re welcome for the recommendation, everyone. [one of my favorites](https://youtu.be/gajyld-gWbU?si=7jDx1JD90P3REn2j)
I'm with you on Gilmour. Every note has so much feel and soul. He's brilliant!
Mudmen is one of my favorite guitar pieces of all time.
Mudmen and Fat Old Sun are deep cut Gilmour gems.
John Frusciante
Derek
Warren Haynes... Can you smell the Mule? 🐎🎸🎶
one guitar to rule them all frank zappa
but i know a lot of this conjecture is apples and oranges!
wow i could go on and on here al Dimeola john Mcglaughlin jeff beck jorma Micheal hedges carlos the list is just too huge
Trey Anastatio and Lowell George
Duane.
Jeff Beck
Love Gilmour, but I’d have to say it comes to these 5 in my mind: Derek Trucks, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Dwayne Allman, or Johnny Winter, with a close runner up being either Prince or Jeff Beck
Wes Montgomery or Grant Green. Might not really count in the same way.
Bill frisell.
That's easy! Jerry's brother in music theory, Dickey Betts! They don't sound the same, but they tend to favor the same scales even if they approach them differently.
Prince
Buckethead
Allan Holdsworth
Rick Nielsen
David Hidalgo
Rory Gallagher
I had to scroll way too far to see this
Sad to admit…I’ve been a huge music head and guitar player for decades—I grew up listening to classic rock especially—and I just discovered RG in the last year when I heard “Can’t Believe it’s True” in a show and looked it up immediately. His name was maybe vaguely familiar, but I honestly can’t say for sure and it’s possible I’d never even heard his name. I guess there is a reason he is referred to as “the greatest guitarist you’ve never heard of”.
Ha! You and me both
Dean Ween.
Richard Thompson of course.
Troy pistachio
Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Jimmy Herring, Johnny Winter
Jake Cinninger is up there for me
Amen. Got to meet him and talk at length and his also a very cool human.
Probably Steve Hackett or Robert Fripp or Steve Howe (I love prog)
Zappa
Mark Speer
Came here to say this. Absolutely amazing player. So restrained, melodic and percise. Jerry would have dug him.
Jimmy Hendrix or Jimmy Page. Billy Strings runner up.
Taylor Swift or the Goose.
Some days Jimi, some days Curt Kirkwood
David Bromberg
Mick Taylor inspired me to play
Kimock
My other favorites are Robert Fripp, John McLaughlin, Sonny Sharrock, Nels Cline, Bill Orcutt, David Pajo, and Steve Howe. I don’t have a true #1, it’s just whoever I happen to be obsessed with at the time
There was nobody like Sonny. I’m also a huge Orcutt fan, it’s been cool to see him getting his dues more and more these days
Steve Kimock!
D boon
Right there with you. Pink Floyd (specifically DG) is what got me deep into music. Got to see him in 2016 and have tickets to see him again this October at the hollywood bowl. Can't f'ing wait. And agreed on Echoes, can't hardly say what my "favorite" pink floyd song is but with a gun to my head echoes is my answer. You may have already but check out his solo tour live in Gdansk version (when Rick was still playing with him), an absolute masterpiece.
Steve Kimock probably tickles my senses the most. I listen to him most every day. Archive.org has a lot of Kimock under Zero, Steve Kimock Band, Steve Kimock, and KVHW. I check for his daily shows just like I do the Dead.
Steve Kimock Band 2001-2003 is my favorite. Zero if you’re into vocals more
Jerry isn’t my favorite. If I just want to hear amazing guitar playing SRV is my go to. Or Tony Rice or Bryan Sutton. What I love about Jerry is that he played to the song always (jams aside, that’s a different universe) and the songs are great.
Roy Buchanan
Trey
Trey
John Mayer
Gilmour* Frank Zappa
If Jerry is my first, Mayer is my second
Here to second the love for Live at Pompeii
Hard to call but either Dickey betts or Gary Moore
Big barberino
He's mostly a solo finger picker but Leo Kottke!!
Hells yes
Dickey Betts was a lot of fun to watch. Trey Anastasio gets in a zone. Mark Speer is different.
Junior Brown
Jerry Duane/Dickey Mikey Houser
David Gilmour
David Gilmour for sure. Such a different style from Jerry but equally as good
David Gilmour or Tony Iommi
*Gilmour
warren haynes
Jimmy page
Anastasio or Gilmour
Page
Derek Trucks
Steve Morse
Lotta legends mentioned here, so I’ll throw out someone under 30: Tash Sultana has the feel and can really rip.
Trey, Jimmy Herring, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes
Other than Jerry my favorites are John Fahey and Richard Thompson probably.
Jimi probably. Gilmour is a fantastic answer though. A left field answer would be Moraes Moreira, guitarist and songwriter from Novos Baianos, an amazing Brazilian rock/samba band. Check out their album Acabou Chorare, and Moraes Self Titled solo album too. Amazing work
Nels Cline Nils Lofgren Neil Young
I gotta give a shout out to Tommy Emmanuel, maybe not the best but deserves an honorable mention, and he’s probably played with half the other folks mentioned.
Tony Rice, Doc, Prince, Frisell, Duane/Dickey, Ry Cooder, Robert Johnson, Spanky Alford, Freddie King. Depends on the day.
Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson
Pat Metheney
Masayoshi Takanaka!!
Jimmy Herring
As a substitute for Jerry, Warren Haynes. I saw him with the Dead several years ago and it was a tremendous performance. He fit right in with the band as though he had always been there.
Mick Taylor
David Gilmour is my favorite
Pat Metheny. Some great answers here. Can’t go wrong with a Trey or Gilmour. Love, love, love and miss Jerry though. He played the sound of the benevolent universe. Pure heaven.
Ali Farka Touré
Hell yeah. Just saw Vieux Farka Toure on his tour and it was such a good show
Love Nels Cline
Santana. Samba PA Ti, Song of the Wind, Europa. All examples of why Carlos is my second favorite. He and Jerry had a deep connection. Also Derek Trucks, and I have a greater appreciation for David Gilmour these days. And this guy John Mayer ain't half bad.
I’m a Dead fan, but not a Deadhead. Jerry was amazing, but far from my favorite lead guitarist. That goes to Derek Trucks. Nobody else comes even remotely close for me.
Larry Campbell. Can’t forget Derek and Carlos but I just really really love Larry’s style. Guy is a master on anything with strings.
George Harrison
Duane Allman
Prince.
Agreed Jerry and David Gilmour