Clapton vs Bonamassa

[Gunnihunter]

For anyone who cares, of the best still living, is it Clapton or Bonamassa? I used to think Clapton, but as prolific as Joe is, my opinion is starting to change. For the unaware, Google Joe Bonamassa and be amazed. On YouTube look for Beth and Joe. “I’d rather go blind”.

 

[runamuk]

Bonamassa is great and I listen to his music often, but he's got a Looooooooong ways to go before he can reach the likes of Clapton.

 

[Gunnihunter]

Clapton is not god, but amazing. His achievements are more than legendary, probably the best blues / rock player ever. Times are a changing, what happened then probably can’t happen now. Bonamassa is humble and gives credit to others. The more he does, the more I appreciate his greatness. He can stand up with anyone on a stage.

 

[Rie bread]

Bonamassa Is just doing what Clapton did, copy other great/better guitarists.

 

[eelgrass]

It's hard for me to pick because I always associate the artist with the group. Match Eric Clapton with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, for example. A complete package.

Joe Bonamassa and Eric Clapton together. Tough choice.

 

[Gunnihunter]

It's hard for me to pick because I always associate the artist with the group. Match Eric Clapton with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, for example. A complete package.

Joe Bonamassa and Eric Clapton together. Tough choice.

So Good! ?

 

[Gunnihunter]

Do any of you know of Sean Costello. I saw him many times as he traveled through the Denver area, 3 times at the Little Bear if that means anything. Check YouTube, esp. The Hucklebuck to start. He died way too early in 2008 of an overdose, at 28 not 27. His death still bothers me, it seems like yesterday. A truly gifted musician.

 

[lif]

Bonamossa is technically as good as anyone ever. I personally feel he lacks a little personality to his style. But still an unbelievable player.

As far as greatest living player, I’d take Gilmore over both.
As far as the young players go, I’d take Derek Trucks over them all.

 

[mtmuley]

I miss Stevie. mtmuley

 

[wytex]

I miss Stevie. mtmuley

Stevie played a dive bar in town while I was in College in East Texas, 3 times. What shows they were.
Saw Bonamassa in a 1500 seat theater and he was awesome but no Stevie.

 

[mtmuley]

Stevie played a dive bar in town while I was in College in East Texas, 3 times. What shows they were.
Saw Bonamassa in a 1500 seat theater and he was awesome but no Stevie.

First time I knew of him was on a show called Austin City Limits or something to that effect. I was blown away. Up to that point I listened mostly to butt rock. Butt rock being my buddies description of hair metal. Glad I found Stevie. Led me to more and better music. mtmuley

 

[Gunnihunter]

Not sure SRV is still living, but I certainly enjoy his playing.

 

[Gunnihunter]

Enjoyment of musicianship is vey subjective. Off the top of my head, a list of great deceased blues guitar players I would include would be the 3 Kings, Mike Bloomfield, Roy Buchanan, Johnny Winter, and others. Bloomfield, maybe the first of the great white blues guitarists.

 

[BigPig]

Isn’t Mark Knopfler still alive?

 

[otcbowhunter]

Clapton is god!

I saw SRV open for the Allman bros and Little Feat in Toronto. They don't make them like that anymore!

 

[nontypical]

Mike Bloomfield was a relative unknown because he played mostly the blues genre in a rock era. That and he couldn't kick his heroin habit and it ended up killing him. Much like Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison, his demons got him. But make no mistake-he was on par with those 3. Clapton was even impressed and influenced by Mike Bloomfield. Google him and you could find a youtube video about his life. It's about an hour long, it seems.

I'm kinda surprised no one mentioned Robben Ford. Outstanding blues/jazz guitarist.

 

[JB1975]

Big SRV fan. Died way too young.

For a great young guitarist, Gary Clark Jr is phenomenal. Worth a listen on Youtube if you get bored.

 

[Rie bread]

Jimmy page

 

[feddoc]

Regarding the OP. Clapton.



Otherwise I submit Roy Clark and Glen Campbell as darn good guitar players.

 

[Gunnihunter]

For you country fans, Albert Lee, may be the best country picker ever. And he is a contemporary of Clapton. Small world.

 

[joesikora]

For anyone who cares, of the best still living, is it Clapton or Bonamassa? I used to think Clapton, but as prolific as Joe is, my opinion is starting to change. For the unaware, Google Joe Bonamassa and be amazed. On YouTube look for Beth and Joe. “I’d rather go blind”.

Two way different styles of playing. Mrs Sikora and I have tics for Beth Hart in the middle of May I think.

 

[joesikora]

It's hard for me to pick because I always associate the artist with the group. Match Eric Clapton with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, for example. A complete package.

Joe Bonamassa and Eric Clapton together. Tough choice.

I seen a YouTube vid of Joe Bon was telling the story of what all took place the night of the show. Sound check was at 4:30 Clapton walks on the stage he had a fender amp and a brand new Fender Strat that a local guitar shop lent him I going to assume he have a tech or someone from Joe’s camp carry the stuff in. Any he says that he plugged in play the song in one take later play it for the crowd then Eric went back to his house,

 

[Betterluckythangood]

There is no “best” guitarist. Just a matter of style. I prefer Bonamassa to Clapton. Page is the best composer.

 

[DeerHunter53]

For anyone who cares, of the best still living, is it Clapton or Bonamassa? I used to think Clapton, but as prolific as Joe is, my opinion is starting to change. For the unaware, Google Joe Bonamassa and be amazed. On YouTube look for Beth and Joe. “I’d rather go blind”.

Bonamassa for sure that boy can rip on that guitar I'm a big time blues listener
Anymore the blues players are making new music that is great

 

[joesikora]

Doyle Bramhall II
He’s in Eric’s band when he can. Andy “Fairweather” Low. He’s the guitar player you see with EC on Unplugged Etc. look up his rendition of Gin House Blues.

 

[Gunnihunter]

I saw Clapton in Denver several years ago and he was playing with Doyle Bramhall, Derek Trucks, and Steve Winwood. Bramhall is really good.

 

[Bluehair]

Clapton? Really?

 

[wetmule]

Jimi Hendrix called Terry Kath the greatest guitar player in the universe. Gone too soon for both of them.

 

[Gunnihunter]

Billy Strings, a great acoustic guitar bluegrass artist.

 

[runamuk]

Steve Winwood has always been on my favorites list.


Joe Walsh is right up there as well, kind of a weird dude but he rips.

 

[eelgrass]

I don't normally include Prince when I think of great guitarists but...

 

[coloradoman]

Eddie Van Halen hands down. Best ever!

 

[runamuk]

I don't normally include Prince when I think of great guitarists but...

I have to admit the first time I saw that video I tried my best not to like it, but it didn’t work.
He definitely nailed it down pretty tight.

 

[eelgrass]

I have to admit the first time I saw that video I tried my best not to like it, but it didn’t work.
He definitely nailed it down pretty tight.

My exact reaction too.

 

[runamuk]

Eddie Van Halen hands down. Best ever!

Maybe you should try laying off the bubble gum for awhile.

 

[Bluehair]

EVH was an evolutionary guitar player and ABSOLUTELY deserves to be on the long list of the “greatest”.

 

[runamuk]

EVH was an evolutionary guitar player and ABSOLUTELY deserves to be on the long list of the “greatest”.

Ahh..
I was just funn’in with Coloradoman.
I agree with everything you say.

But the best ever hands down?

 

[Bluehair]

Ahh..
I was just funn’in with Coloradoman.
I agree with everything you say.

But the best ever hands down?

Nope, nobody is the best ever. But he has to be on the list. My listening tastes change over time so I’m always looking for the next best one. Currently I’m obsessed with finding the best Umphrey’s Mcgee youtube performance. Not easy when there are thousands. Their guy Jake Cinninger is near the top of the best guitar player list somewhere.

 

[coloradoman]

In my opinion yes!
I also say John Bonam is the best drummer of all time Hands down too.
YMMV

 

[Bluehair]

I saw Zep back in the day, and it was a very sloppy performance. I would not consider them great musicians but Bonham could beat the crap out of those drums. YMMV too.

I notice as I get older, a lot of the music I like best is associated with memories.

 

[joesikora]

Miss Georgia Doyle’s sister

 

[joesikora]

Me with Doyle and Jimmie

I went for the DA hair style that day just for Jimmie!

 

[joesikora]

KWS?

 

[joesikora]

I just purchased third row for Kenny Wayne Shepherd 9/14/24

 

[Ropinfool]

For you country fans, Albert Lee, may be the best country picker ever. And he is a contemporary of Clapton. Small world.

Roy Clark = best country picker ever

 

[Joe2Kool]

Answering the OP's question, Clapton. Been a fan of his for, OMG, almost 50 years! He's definitely at or near the top of the list. Man has 9 lives though. Glad he's still around.

Bonamassa is dang good also.

SRV died in a helicopter crash in 1990. He was touring and opening for Clapton at the time. I attended the first concert after his death. Hated SRV wasn't there.

But I gotta post a link to this. The baddest version of the baddest guitar rock ever. Ignore the audience though.

 

[notdonhunting]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1780580298570322361