My Top 10 Guitar Heroes

Everyone has their own guitar heroes. Recently I chanced upon the Rolling Stones Top 100 Guitarists of all time and I have to say it is the most screwed up chart ever. I wonder if the top 100 was voted in or conjured up by a jury of weed smoking americans. Yes, I think it has to be the americans.

I never believed that we should judge their music solely by the instrument, but by the amount of heart they put into the music they produce. Jimi Hendrix was great, I'll admit it. But did he deserve the No. 1 spot? I'll say weed was the best guitarist. Even Hendrix died trying to compete with it. The best Beatles songs were all written under some sort of substance abuse, and the glory of Nirvana began with Cobain's heroin love affair. It all Smells Like Drugs to me.

My Top 10, ladies and gentlemen. At least I think they don't invlove drugs.

10. B. B. King


Mr. King, moved me when I watched his videos. His occassional facial spasm somewhat annoys me, but his music was something special. This jolly gentleman and his fine lady - Lucille - make a fine pair on stage, mesmerising thousands till today. He cradling her gingerly on his lap as pushes the right buttons to make her growl, moan, wince and belt out soulful tunes and she, obediently accede to his soft touch.

Who is Lucille? That's his guitar. He named her because in a bar that he was playing at, a fight broke out and something caught fire. King embraced the fiery wreck to get his beloved guitar back, only to realise how stupid he was to risk his life. He later on found out that the two men were fighting over a lady called Lucille. And he named his guitar since to remind himself never to do such a silly thing again. A salute to you sir!

9. Joe Satriani


Known more affectionately as Satch by most fans, Joe Satriani always inspires me to learn more tricks on the guitar. He is like a magician to me, just tha he lacks a bunny lady by his side to do his bidding. Beneath his bald exterior is a man full of naked emotion and soul. His single "Love Thing" was the first I've heard an fell in love with. Each squeal he made sent chills in my spine.

More recently Coldplay had so preposterously plagiarised his 2004 song If I Could Fly, using bulk of it to produce Viva La Vada or whatever it is. Shame on you!

Also, Satch's wife is a Singaporean! How cool is that?! Singaporean women 1, other countries 0.

8. Jack White of the White Stripes

Jack White. His music is never as plain as his pseudo surname. I was captivated in which how he played his music. He had no bassist, rhythmn guitarist or any form of accompanyment! He was all rolled into one! Drums aside, It was fascinating to watch how Jack ripped at the guitar in songs like Icky Thumb and more recently with Alicia Keys's Another Way to Die. One word to describe such drive and creativity - Class.

His choice of guitars and effects he employs creates a very dream-like sound - nightmarish at times and psychedelic in others. His lovely crunchy tone is just induces me to yearn for Gretsches! like the one he is holding here.

7. Angus Young of AC/DC


Familiar attire? You might have seen this on Jack Black in School of Rock countless of times. What made AC/DC so famous? I daresay it was Angus. Sorry to the other guys in AC (I don't even know your names) but i can't help hearing Back in Black and Thunderstruck again because of his raging fretwork.

Angus' energy is infectious. His every picked note somehow found its way into my spine and my skull unconsciously nods. One thing i found fascinating was that he always looked as if he was going to sneeze when he plays the guitar - his signature Gibson SG. But he never does - maybe Jack Black would.

6. John Frusciante of Red Hot Chilli Peppers


I wonder what people think when I mention RHCP. Probably Flea the bassist or Anthony Kiedis, but no one ever remembers this great man of John Frusciante. He was a large influence on me to learn blues properly. His humble attitude towards stardom and his child-like fascination with guitars and his music really warms my heart to know such greats exist.

His brush with hard drugs left him reeling in a rut with nothing. He departed the Chili Peppers and almost met with death. He immediately checked into rehab and conscientiously followed the program, and has since left the substance behind and moved on, announcing that his music is now his best drug ever.

Great big salute to you! I have never more respect for someone who could walk away from such demons of a past.

5. Hide of X Japan


Never heard Japanese music before? Shame on you. My top five are mostly Japanese already.

If this were 2003 still, Hide would have been my number 1 undoubtedly without a moments hesitation. Haha, sad to say, I have moved on.

Hide of X Japan, grandfather of Japanese Rock movement, in my opinion, one of the best technical guitarist in my book. His flamboyant stage presence, pink hair and nonchalant attitude could not be forgotten. Many JRockers try to emulate him but can never ever come close. Hide is a league of his own, a maestro and a legend, try as hard but you can never come close.

Hide inspired me to play guitar. No, he really did. I did not spend the last five years even till today playing 'Weekend' solos in order to improve technique (I know its lame, yea, but) still, no one really ever inspired me so much.

A consistent philantrophist and a soft heart for those who are disabled, Hide till his death gave generously to those who needed help. A museum erected for him does not justify such a great personality, and Japan truly missed and mourned a great, dead as he already is, but gargatuan in real life. RIP, hide.

4. Pata of X Japan


Yes, I know. I've heard the lame jokes that his stage name resembles a Malaysian/Singapore typical traditional breakfast set.

That aside, as much as Hide was my ultimate favourite in X Japan, I believe poor Pata was always behind the scenes cushioning them to success. His melancholic and moody presence always made him easily forgettable.

Not I.

Pata, in all his moodiness, always carried a massive amount of emotional baggage in his guitar. The guitar solo harmonies would not have sounded so beautiful if not for Pata's undying commitment to the band. His solo work, which deals with alot of acoustic solo playing, was mellow and a joy to hear on a rainy and cloudy day, so reminiscent yet forward-looking.

To many, he is just a person, but to me, he is an orchestra.


3. Matt Bellamy of MUSE


Woohoo! Just look at him! I have never heard anyone who have heard of Muse say that they suck. Never! Matt is the synonym of Talent. Raw, unbridled talent unleashed into world of music. His stage energy is comparable to that of a beast, and his guitar playing is out of this world!

Why isn't he in the top 100 guitarist list? You people blind or what? Don't count Starlight, cos we all know that's like, overrated by the rest of the world, but still? Plug in Baby? Stockholm Syndrome?

I tell you, this man is mad. If you have seen him, you will know what I mean. His massive use of effects largely define the Muse sound that eludes many even today. His creativity is that of a genius. Ingenius, really. His lyric writing, is fabulous and flowing like poetry in motion and he is a man of many talents. He even plays the piano, WELL! not like some half-past six dude, but Beethoven stuff! Alright, I'm exaggerating!



Most people tend to argue that Tom Morello (Rage against the Machine, Audioslave) was better guitarist than Matt. True enough, given that Matt largely tries to emulate Morello's sound and creative use of materials to get effects (electric screwdriver, etc.) However, as a musician, to me, Morello will never come close. Matt is an accomplished singer (he can sing REALLY high), guitarist, and pianist. I think I have said enough.


2. Die and Kaoru of Dir En Grey

I cannot decide who was better so I decided to put both of them down as tied!

To me, Dir en Grey's music was revolutionary. I have never heard something so intensely emotional and refreshing before. Although I must say I don't like their vomitty/scream filled songs. I prefer their slower songs and the occassional bitey ones.

The issues they tackle in song hardly involve love, a topic crucified by most bands. They tackle issues regarding the Japanese society like planned rapes, abortions, etc. The very taboo topics that people would prefer to sweep under the carpet. And they brought it out with such rile that it flows thick like tar.

Their sound is very unique. Kaoru (above, blonde) always employs other-worldly sounds in his solos, e.g sitar. His guitar playing is very optmistic and repetitive, coupled sometimes with bouts of angry riffs. He tends to play out emotional songs with a slow hand and elongated notes that signify the wail of shattered feelings.

Die (above, redhead), on the other hand plays it out with raw, intense passion, his guitar work being very chordy and screechy, which I like and admire how much they could employ such originality in their playing.

These two guitarist also display fine acoustic playing, with songs like Undecided and Mushi, and a myriad of other songs, and it really goes to show the amount of heart they put into making their music. It is not just chords and words; but complex ideas transformed in sound delivered straightforward. No frills. Although their music now have altered toward appeasing the american public, which I could not come to terms with, their older songs still hold weight of all things essentially Japanese.


1. Brian May of Queen

My number one. Numero Uno. Brian May.

No one can rival him in the respect and awe that I have for this man you see here on the left. Remember it. His cheesy curls,overly large shirt and signature red guitar.

Brian May is just so refreshing to hear. His is one which I can say has a musical direction. His music with Queen were so diverse and unique, and till today I have never heard or seen anyone trying to emulate him and succeed in doing it.

I respect him not as an artiste. I respect him as a person. So humble is he in his success, and so devoted is he to his music and how it impacts his life and other people.
Brian May was knighted by the Queen, is now a Chancellor in Liverpool John Moore University, had an asteriod named after him, an accomplished physicist and scientist, and most of all, a great legend of a guitarist.

Brian made his guitar with his father from scratch. He never had the money to buy one, and now it is one of the most coveted in the entire world. No one could get his tone or sound .It was simply too unique. Till today, he uses the same humble guitar he so painstakingly made together with his dad (now deceased) and continues to touch people with his brilliant musical genious.

There you have it! My top ten.