h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Guitar Heroes - A3384317
Author: Danny B. [Musicians' Guild (U150368)] - U182633

A long, Musicians' Guild collaborative Entry on what makes a true guitar hero.

Please note, I am not looking for any more guitarists to add to this Entry - there are quite enough in there already, and they are intended as examples of traits, rather than as a definitive list of the world's top n guitarists. If there's someone you think is missing, it might be better to start a conversation when (if) the Entry reaches the Front Page.

And I'll take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed

Excellent, excellent work!

One thing that jumped out at me in my first reading was the line:
A genuine Guitar hero, IMO, is however more than that.

I guess I'd like it to be changed to:
However, many believe that a genuine Guitar hero is more than that.

I really didn't like the 'IMO' bit.

But if that's my only complaint in the whole thing, you've got a sure-fire front page entry with artwork!

Congratulations again on pulling it all together!


- Jimi X

Thanks, Jimi!

There are going to be many, *many* typos and other glitches on this one, so thanks for getting the ball rolling

Nice entry.

The only typo that jumps out at me is in the David Gilmour section. Syd Barrett's name is spelt with a 'y'.


GTB

Well no typo's leapt out at me, though I was surprised I had to wait so long to find Slowhand, and thought Paul Kossof might rate a mention.

However, whilst I know you said you didn't require any aditional names, in terms of influencing people to play I'd have thought Bert Weedon would be there ?

Excellent entry

"ends and the guitar begins- it's just an extra limb" needs a space after 'begins'

What about the bass guitarist from Level 42 - mark Wotsisname? He is considered to be a bass hero - are you sticking to non-bass guitarist?

One small thing - 'I think a guitar hero, first of all....' Take out the 'I think' - it's the only time you've used the first person and it wouldn't lose anything if it started 'A guitar hero....'

Fantastic work!

Thanks, everyone! Typos etc. have been corrected.

Mort - there are (if I remember rightly) two bass players in there: Marcus Miller and Paul McCartney.

McKay - I might make an exception for Bert Weedon. I'd thought about him early on in the deveopment of the Entry, and then promptly forgot him again...

Thanks for compiling this one!

HELL

Mort, do you mean Mark King? He is a bit of a bass hero, but don't think he's *quite* on the 'hero' of Hendix and all....

A short paragraph on Bert Weedon added, as promised

How about a blurb about anti-heroes?

I was listening to 2112 this morning and listening to Alex Lifeson twist the strings really got me to thinking about his place in my 'all-time greatest' list.

He's really, really good. But with such a strong rhythm section (Peart and Lee) he doesn't stand out nearly as much. And often he was content to sit in the background and make odd wailing noises and strange growls leap forth without the obligatory solo.

Another guy that I think fits this anti-hero mold is Andrew Summers from the Police. Having to compete for glory with the rhythm section (Copeland and Stine) he also contributed much in the way of short wailing notes and growls. But man, can he play!

Just a thought...

Great Entry

Of course it needs locking down early or people will just keep wanting additions/alterations based on their own personal heroes.

2 minor points :

The section on Paul and Fender doesn't quite fit. Probably better left out and developed into a separate Entry on electic guitar design?

The last sentence of the "Talent" part doesn't scan. Is it missing the word 'whether', maybe?

But well done. Vital subject. Fine treatment.

>>it needs locking down early....

Agreed; get it in quick....

"Gilmour also has the distinction of owning including a 1954 Fender Stratocaster with the coveted serial number 001."

Seems to be a couple of words missing... or one too many.

"Jazz had a hundred virtuosos, commercial rock had four dozen session musicians working overtime in the studios, and country had four hundred and seventy odd guitar pickers just in Nashville alone!"

Or whatever number it was that John Sebastion quoted in "Nashville Cats". I'll see if I can verify the number and you can use it as a footnote.

I think it is my responsibility to edit this sentence...
since I wrote it.

http://www.jauko.nl/tot/tab/l/lovin_sp/nashvill.htm

I'm sorry, it was "1352 guitar pickers in Nashville".

"Atkins is the the most recorded solo instrumentalist in music
history"

Should probably read "one of the most".

If you like, I can see if I can find out who the most was or is.