Spin's 100 Greatest guitarists Of All Time... really?

Last week Spin Magazine released it's list of the 100 greatest guitarists, according to them. Needless to say, I did not approve of their choices. Numerous "top 100" lists have been created by a variety of publications. Many of them contain similarities and differences, some good, some bad, but Spin is just off of the board completely. Spin is known for being a music publication that is always seeking to be different, which is respectable, but there is such thing as too different. Spins list contained wild cards left and right, and more importantly they failed to include some of the most legendary guitarists of all time. Do not get my wrong, I'm not one to fall prey to the hype of a certain musician, but just because a musician is popular does not mean they aren't incredible. So I ask Spin this question: "How on earth can you compile a list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time and not include the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, or Chuck Berry? I will give them this, Spin got some things right. For instance, they managed to get Prince, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Ramone, and Jack White on the list. There were some great picks here and there, however there were some picks that I would say were completely wretched. For example, number 100 on the list was Skrillex. Skrillex is a dubstep artist, a music created entirely on a computer. There are no instruments involved what so ever. Dubstep is glorified club music on acid. Skrillex never even touches a guitar when he creates his music, but Spin thought he deserved a spot because he manipulates the sounds of other guitarists.

Furthermore, not even Spin's pick for the number one spot is one that I agree with. The honors actually went to Leo Ranaldo and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth. All I have to say is, "Seriously? Sonic Youth? Yes, they have given the world of progressive, indie rock much inspiration, and are considered the forefathers of the modern indie music movement, but this countdown is not the 100 most inspiring guitarists of all time. In my humble opinion, Thurston Moore could not even come close to keeping up with Jimmy Page or even Jimi Hendrix. All are pioneers in their own right, but Page could play Thurston Moore under the table any day.

All of this to say, different is not always better. These days it seems like Spin is just trying way too hard to be different. They pick these obscure bands in an effort to be unique. There have been numerous top 100 guitarists lists, so I can understand why Spin would want to do something different. However, you can't beat a classic, and there is simply no justification for their not including the legends that really deserve a spot. So, be different, be unique, have your own opinion, but don't let the effort to be "underground" give you a voice of condescension and a complete ignorance of the truth of music

http://www.spin.com/articles/spins-100-greatest-guitarists-all-time?page=10