polara Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 To me, a guitar hero isn't necessarily the most brilliant technical player (though can be) but someone who wields a guitar like a magic sword, who is known for the instrument and for being a swaggering badass. Very importantly, NON-GUITARISTS... people who don't know how many strings are on a guitar but know they like music... have to think of them as a guitar hero. They're a popular celebrity who is inextricably associated with guitar. Marc Bolan was a good example of a guy who maybe wasn't gonna beat Al DiMeola in a head-cutting contest, but had the swagger and look and riffs. Hendrix was probably the ultimate, and Page, Clapton, Beck, the usual suspects. In the 21st century, who do we have? I'm thinking... I may not necessarily dig all these guys and gals but they have the guitar-celebrity thing. Matt Bellamy (Muse). They sell out stadiums, and when I've seen them, people cheer when his red glitter Manson guitar is put on its stand. Seriously. Jack White Dan Auerbach Ani DiFranco. I've witnessed many young women grab a guitar and start writing crappy "dear diary" songs and do lots of percussive acoustic stuff because of her. Nita Strauss (maybe not selling millions of albums but has that mass appeal) Ed Sheeran. Hate all you want, but that guy has got to be driving sales of acoustic guitars. And I've finally, after years of really not getting it, come around to digging Annie Clark. The show below definitely showcases "I am a star and I play guitar." Who else? Remember it's more about being a star and a hero to the masses than being a "Musician's musician." We may all love Jason Becker but this celebrities who make kids want to rock our on tennis rackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshoowah Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Though it may pain me to say it, by your criteria, John Mayer qualifies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polara Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 1 minute ago, joshoowah said: Though it may pain me to say it, by your criteria, John Mayer qualifies. Dates celebrities and is famous for guitar. Yeah, probably the king of 21st century guitar heroes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zorrow Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Joe Bonamassa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cynic Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Taylor Swift. I have to shower now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 I get the point. Lzzy Hale has done a good job of being known for putting on a great rock show with a guitar. Metallica still brings in younger fans, and they are probably the biggest rock band going. They still count as 21st Century guitar heroes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princeofdarkness56 Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 This question has me stumped. This century seems short on guitar hero’s compared to the previous century. But rock is not at the forefront anymore. I’m aware of good bands with good players but the star tag might not apply. The hero’s seem to be holdovers from the previous century. So I’ll default to Nita Strauss. Makes the guitar mags, shows up at non music events like WWF matches, does the radio blog quest frequently and slings a mean guitar for Alice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shark Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 My son says, "John M. and Joe B.". Gary Clark Jr. too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennyboy-UK Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Justin Derrico - maybe not high enough profile for your average punter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamer_SS_guy Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 I'd say, someone like Greg Koch is a hero for musicians. Maybe not in sales, but the guy is a fantastic player, very entertaining and his YT clips get watched. I always look for what gear he uses. While I was watching clips of the Fender Acoustasonic Tele I got aware of the talent of Nathaniel Murphy. But one thing is for sure, all those yesterday's guitar heroes would have been nothing if they hadn't had an equally great band with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorch Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Brian May, Prince come into my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadroller Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Pablo Gilberto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Justin Hawkins. Riffs. Soul. Style. Say no more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zorrow Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 2 hours ago, svl said: Justin Hawkins. Riffs. Soul. Style. Say no more. I think we got our guy. The Darkness started in 2002 (just checked), and Justin brought back the guitar fun to mainstream rock. WINNER!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSII x 2 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 On 9/28/2019 at 5:41 PM, cynic said: Taylor Swift. I have to shower now. I'm told that nowadays, more young women than young men are taking up guitar, owing to Taylor Swift? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveH Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 21 hours ago, svl said: Justin Hawkins. Riffs. Soul. Style. Say no more. Total shredding baddass. And showman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveH Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 22 hours ago, gorch said: Brian May, Prince come into my mind. I'm pretty sure they are from the previous century... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorch Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 15 minutes ago, DaveH said: I'm pretty sure they are from the previous century... Yeah, obviously, I totally missed the topic here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorch Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 19 hours ago, zorrow said: I think we got our guy. The Darkness started in 2002 (just checked), and Justin brought back the guitar fun to mainstream rock. WINNER!!! New album supposed to be out this week! I‘ll certainly order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cynic Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 4 hours ago, SSII x 2 said: I'm told that nowadays, more young women than young men are taking up guitar, owing to Taylor Swift? Yeah. As much as I wanted to say I was kidding, I wasn't. One of the first criteria for guitar heroes should be inspiring others to play, and no doubt she's doing that in spades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shankyboy Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes. She's the modern day Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svl Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 6 hours ago, gorch said: New album supposed to be out this week! I‘ll certainly order. Out on Friday (the 4th). Concept album, here's the title track... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zorrow Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 49 minutes ago, svl said: Out on Friday (the 4th). Concept album, here's the title track... Sounds kinda Queen meets Rush. I love it! Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnieZ Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Can't leave Brad Paisley off the list and Keith Urban deserves consideration as well ArnieZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zorrow Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 8 hours ago, ArnieZ said: Can't leave Brad Paisley off the list and Keith Urban deserves consideration as well ArnieZ Brad Paisley rules, absolutely. And hopefully he’ll inspire some young people to pick up a guitar and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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