30 American Virtuosos?

[Chris]

+1 on the mighty Schuldiner.

And what about Dimebag Darrell? Shocked nobody mentioned him yet either. Or maybe I'm not paying attention?

So yeah, Dimebag.

Meh, Dime was a decent metal guitarist who wrote some groovin' riffs but I don't really think he was a virtuoso.

.2c

 

[Makelele]

Meh, Dime was a decent metal guitarist who wrote some groovin' riffs but I don't really think he was a virtuoso.

.2c

There's a lot of people on his list that I wouldn't call virtuosos. But he also asked for "artists that are rooted in American music scenes.". So I'd say Dime belongs on the list.

 

[Metal Ken]

George Bellas comes to mind

 

[March_of_the_Mutes]

neil zaza
John 5

 

[7 Strings of Hate]

dime isnt a "virtuoso" in his writing for pantera, but he totally had the skill to be labled as that i believe, and that would be a good choice for the project, you dont get as american as dime

 

[LarksTongues]

I can eliminate one for you:

Stevie Ray Vaughn (i think you listed him twice).

 

[stuz719]

Eddie Van Halen.

American?

 

[Metal Ken]

American?

He's american as Canadian Bacon.

 

[Daniel S]

Dick Dale
Leo Kottke
Lenny Breau

lenny is Canadian

 

[DelfinoPie]

I personally wouldn't count Tom Morello and Adam Jones as virtuosos. They're interesting and innovative players but there are a heck of a lot better than them.

Just to re-itterate what some people have already said...: Buckethead.

And to add another: Marty Friedman

 

[Nick1]

George Bellas comes to mind

He should be #1 on that list!

 

[telecaster90]

Jason Becker
Randy Rhoads
Marty Friedman
Chris Broderick

I would maybe include Dimebag, just becuase he's so associated with metal in America, but I don't know if he's a virtuoso in the traditional sense.

 

[distressed_romeo]

Just to clarify, is this supposed to be a list of virtuosos as most guitarists would define them (i.e. technical wizards), or as the general public would likely define them (i.e. culturally important players or songwriters)?