Eric Clapton vs. Jimmy Hendrix

["spaceman"Bryce]

How do I turn this into a poll?I dont know how to make the poll thingy.Anyway I vote Jimmy.

[Sponger15SB]

[ QUOTE ]
How do I turn this into a poll?I dont know how to make the poll thingy.Anyway I vote Jimmy.

[/ QUOTE ]

Who is Jimmy Hendrix?

Never heard of that guy, I'd vote Clapton.

[InchoateHand]

I've seen Clapton live, probably at his best. I wasn't around for Jimmy live, but it's clearly Jimmy.

Oh yea. And I prefer Clapton's music.

[kerssens]

Hendrix would kick Clapton's ass. Clapton is too sensitive and all those drugs probably gave Hendrix super strength.

["spaceman"Bryce]

eh Jimi Hendrix

[sam h]

Hendrix is in an entirely different stratosphere than Clapton and his mediocre white man's blues.

[Sponger15SB]

[ QUOTE ]
eh Jimi Hendrix

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh that guy....yeah hes good /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Clapton is better.

[PoBoy321]

Wait, do you mean like in a fight? Or in guitar playing abilities?

In a fight, definitely Hendrix, but Clapton is by far a superior guitar player.

[Boris]

Don't bother. Clapton shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as Jimi.

[turnipmonster]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't bother. Clapton shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as Jimi.

[/ QUOTE ]

[The Truth]

its closer than you guys are making it out to be

["spaceman"Bryce]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't bother. Clapton shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as Jimi.

[/ QUOTE ]
What was Jimi's best song ? Is it "All along the watchtower?" or is it "purple Haze"? or is it something that I wouldnt choose....

[touchfaith]

Randy Rhodes

[PoBoy321]

[ QUOTE ]
its closer than you guys are making it out to be

[/ QUOTE ]

No, it's Clapton, and it's not close.

[Uston]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
its closer than you guys are making it out to be

[/ QUOTE ]

No, it's Clapton, and it's not close.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, if you prefer Clapton's music to Jimi's that's cool. If you think that Clapton was or is a superior guitar player, either technically or stylistically, you're terribly misguided.

[Boris]

He's certainly better than Clapton.

[PoBoy321]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, if you prefer Clapton's music to Jimi's that's cool. If you think that Clapton was or is a superior guitar player, either technically or stylistically, you're terribly misguided.

[/ QUOTE ]

The difficulty in this poll is that Hendrix and Clapton have two very different styles. Hendrix plays a fast, rock style, while Clapton leans more towards a slow, bluesy style.

That said, Clapton's mastery of slow blues guitar far surpasses Hendrix's mastery of fast rock guitar.

However, in all fairness, I do think that if he were still around today, Hendrix would be the greatest guitarist the world has ever known, but his career was cut too short and he was never really able to fully mature as an artist.

[bholdr]

I aggree with po boy:

this is an apples and oarnges thing- they're two totally different kinds of musiciand, and to compare the two is unfair. I personally prefer Jimi, but i really appreciate what clapton's done, too.

[turnipmonster]

oh come on. characterizing hendrix's style as "fast rock" is flat out ridiculous.

[hogua]

Jimi was one of the greatest (if not THE greatest), but I can't even image how incredible he'd be if he was still alive today. With another 35 years of experience, no one would even be close.

[PoBoy321]

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oh come on. characterizing hendrix's style as "fast rock" is flat out ridiculous.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree that characterizing Hendrix as "fast rock" is a little bit misleading and inaccurate, but I was trying to develop an argument and make a good juxtaposition against Clapton's different style. Fast rock seemed to fit the bill.

[Boris]

Did Clapton write any good songs?

[PoBoy321]

[ QUOTE ]
Did Clapton write any good songs?

[/ QUOTE ]

Clapton definitely wrote at least Layla and Tears in Heaven, since he wrote them both about very personal topics (Layla was about how he was in love with George Harrison's wife, and the Tears in Heaven was about his son's death). I could go do a search and find all of the songs that he's written, but of course, I'm lazy.

EDIT: I just realized that you might have been focusing on the "good" part of that question. I would say that Layla is definitely his best song, but if someone wants to disagree, go right ahead.

[asofel]

[ QUOTE ]
Jimi was one of the greatest (if not THE greatest), but I can't even image how incredible he'd be if he was still alive today. With another 35 years of experience, no one would even be close.

[/ QUOTE ]

Duane Allman, if he hadn't died as well.

[twankerr]

[ QUOTE ]
What was Jimi's best song ? Is it "All along the watchtower?" or is it "purple Haze"? or is it something that I wouldnt choose....

[/ QUOTE ]

Watchtower isn't his song, so he doesn't get credit. I'd choose "Hey Joe" or "Manic Depression."

[twang]

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Did Clapton write any good songs?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes.

Anyone saying "and it's not even close" have no idea what they are talking about. I suppose what they have in mind is some clip of a stoned out of his mind Hendrix setting his guitar on fire vs a middle-aged Clapton sleeping his way through a charity concert. Put that way, I guess Hendrix is cooler.

But guitar playing wise, it's pretty damn close. These guys wrote the book.

/twang

[nothumb]

Hendrix was the greatest. Ask Clapton, he'll probably tell you the same thing.

NT

["spaceman"Bryce]

[ QUOTE ]
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What was Jimi's best song ? Is it "All along the watchtower?" or is it "purple Haze"? or is it something that I wouldnt choose....

[/ QUOTE ]

Watchtower isn't his song, so he doesn't get credit. I'd choose "Hey Joe" or "Manic Depression."

[/ QUOTE ]
It may not be his song but have you litsened to Bob dylans version then compared?? he made it his own.Everyone knows Bob dylan is an amazing songwriter.

[turnipmonster]

you're just overlooking that hendrix sounded great on a slow blues, "red house" being a prime example. clapton is a great player and I love his earlier stuff for his melodic sense and great time feel at any tempo. but hendrix had it all, the sound, the concept, and he was a genius rhythm guitarist (clapton is not). jimi's sonic palette was huge, clapton's tone has remained fairly constant.

jimi was a true original and changed the way people think about the guitar. I don't think even a clapton fan would say this about clapton.

--turnipmonster

[nothumb]

[ QUOTE ]
you're just overlooking that hendrix sounded great on a slow blues, "red house" being a prime example. clapton is a great player and I love his earlier stuff for his melodic sense and great time feel at any tempo. but hendrix had it all, the sound, the concept, and he was a genius rhythm guitarist (clapton is not). jimi's sonic palette was huge, clapton's tone has remained fairly constant.

jimi was a true original and changed the way people think about the guitar. I don't think even a clapton fan would say this about clapton.


[/ QUOTE ]

Very well put.

I like Clapton a lot by the way, except when he did "I Shot the Sheriff."

NT

[turnipmonster]

please, clapton didn't write any book. what can you find in clapton's playing that isn't in buddy guy's or albert king's? in my opinion, not much. hendrix redefined the instrument.

--turnipmonster

[Hermlord]

In terms of being a vituoso guitar player, meaning the ability to produce desired sounds on the guitar without being hindered by technical constraints, it's Jimi, and there's absolutely no conceivable argument otherwise. None. If you ask 1000 well-trained guitarists/musicians, I would be amazed if you got less than 999 agreements.

Now, in terms of musical or songwriting ability, obviously that's much more a matter of taste. I love Clapton, but Hendrix was just on his own plane.

Incidentally, I think Steve Vai might be the most virtuosic guitarist that ever lived, and yes I am including classical guitarists in that. I also think he is better musically than most people give him credit for.

[PoBoy321]

[ QUOTE ]
you're just overlooking that hendrix sounded great on a slow blues, "red house" being a prime example. clapton is a great player and I love his earlier stuff for his melodic sense and great time feel at any tempo. but hendrix had it all, the sound, the concept, and he was a genius rhythm guitarist (clapton is not). jimi's sonic palette was huge, clapton's tone has remained fairly constant.

jimi was a true original and changed the way people think about the guitar. I don't think even a clapton fan would say this about clapton.

--turnipmonster

[/ QUOTE ]

Touché

[turnipmonster]

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and yes I am including classical guitarists in that.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hate arguments like this, but do you know about yamashita?

[razor]

Jimi

[twang]

[ QUOTE ]
but hendrix had it all, the sound, the concept, and he was a genius rhythm guitarist (clapton is not).

[/ QUOTE ]
Let's not forget that he died young. That always works wonders for getting a solid genius status. As for the rythm-melody thing, I think that's Hendrix's most important contribution to rock guitar. Of course, he was an absolutely amazing lead player too.

[ QUOTE ]
jimi was a true original and changed the way people think about the guitar. I don't think even a clapton fan would say this about clapton.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, it's pretty much impossible to listen to the radio for more than ten minutes without hearing a couple of Clapton licks. His lead playing has had a HUGE impact on rock guitar. All meat-and-potatoes leads we hear everywhere would probably not be there without Clapton and that's a huge contribution IMHO. I agree that Jimi pushed things a lot more though.

/twang

[twang]

[ QUOTE ]
please, clapton didn't write any book. what can you find in clapton's playing that isn't in buddy guy's or albert king's? in my opinion, not much. hendrix redefined the instrument.

[/ QUOTE ]
Jimi and Clapton are both souped up bluesplayers. Sure, Jimi pushed things a lot more, but to be honest, his more experimental stuff haven't had such a huge impact on music as him ripping through old blues licks and playing some of the meanest rythm guitar ever. Both built their careers on the shoulders of Kings and Guys and Wolfs and that's how rock guitar became rock guitar. I just can't imagine what would have happened if Jimi and Clapton wouldn't have been there to popularize the blues.

/twang

[Pocket Trips]

cross town traffic

[istewart]

NT is right on this one. Clapton would tell you the same thing and I believe has, more than once.

Clapton should be mentioned in the same breath as Hendrix, but Hendrix is clearly better.

Also, "Tears in Heaven" is possibly the gayest song ever, that doesn't help his case.

[ucfryan]

They're both awesome.

[astroglide]

i'm a pretty decent guitarist, and i would say that clapton is and was TECHNICALLY much better than hendrix. hendrix was a stylistic master and a very accomplished guitarist, but very sloppy and not particularly versatile. if you had a competition where they had to learn and play different varieties of music as they should be played (country, classical, you name it) clapton would blow hendrix away. but i like jimi's music/style/everything much better.

clapton has had years and years to develop it, but he seems to be a phenomenal improv soloist as well. still not into his music.

[twang]

[ QUOTE ]
They're both awesome.

[/ QUOTE ]
Thta sums up my opinon too. I'm just defending Clapton because I think he's always been in Hendrix's shadow. Hendrix had everything, funky clothes included. But to be honest, some of his more "experimental" stuff is cr[/b]ap. And Clapton had a pretty hip wardrobe too.

/twang

[Blarg]

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Hendrix would kick Clapton's ass. Clapton is too sensitive and all those drugs probably gave Hendrix super strength.

[/ QUOTE ]

Enough strength to beat a crocodile?

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What was Jimi's best song ? Is it "All along the watchtower?" or is it "purple Haze"? or is it something that I wouldnt choose....

[/ QUOTE ]

Watchtower isn't his song, so he doesn't get credit. I'd choose "Hey Joe" or "Manic Depression."

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Joe and All Along the Watchtower are my favorites, Watchtower first. Even though Dylan wrote the latter. It took Jimi to turn it into some kinda rock revelation or whatever. That's a helluva song.

I guess Purple Haze is my favorite after those two.

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
NT is right on this one. Clapton would tell you the same thing and I believe has, more than once.

Clapton should be mentioned in the same breath as Hendrix, but Hendrix is clearly better.

Also, "Tears in Heaven" is possibly the gayest song ever, that doesn't help his case.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wasn't blown away by that song either.

Then again, one of my favorite clapton songs is "bell bottom blues," so what do I know.

[Lestat]

<font color="red">What was Jimi's best song ? </font>

That's like asking which suit is the best royal flush, but I'm kinda partial to "Little Wing", myself.

[istewart]

[ QUOTE ]
<font color="red">What was Jimi's best song ? </font>

That's like asking which suit is the best royal flush, but I'm kinda partial to "Little Wing", myself.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Little Wing" by Clapton and Allman is better than Hendrix's version.

[willie]

hendrix in a walk


but the thing is you can't compare these things ina black and white who's better/worse sense- they're just different.

hendrix redefined the instrument


--but all in all SRV is my favorite guitarist.

[Lestat]

Wow, I didn't even know Clapton did little wing. Which album is it on? I guess Hendrix' version just brings back memories. I wasn't around when he was, but I listened to him a lot as a teenager.

Anyway, I don't know how a subject of best guitarists can come up without at least a mention of Carlos Santana and Eddy Van Halen.

[Lestat]

That's because Clapton was formally schooled while Hendrix learned to play via LSD. Also, didn't he play some kind of revised guitar/strings because he was a lefty?

[istewart]

No, Hendrix did it first, but Clapton (with Derek and the Dominos) did it on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, featuring Allman. It's sweet.

[LockForward]

Hey Joe also isn't his song.

[turnipmonster]

I don't like this definition of technique because it means all my favorite musicians have terrible technique.

[tbach24]

[ QUOTE ]
Carlos Santana

[/ QUOTE ]

O-ver-ra-ted (duh duh duh/duh/duh) O-ver-ra-ted

[blindu]

[ QUOTE ]

Who is Jimmy Hendrix?

Never heard of that guy, I'd vote Clapton.

[/ QUOTE ]

i sincerely hope your being sarcastic.

hendrix. he was more influencial on guitar as we know it than any other musician. clapton was very very talented, but hendrix was better. in terms of overall ability, i think that jimmy page is the best of all time.

[dsm]

Jimmy! http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=jimmy+hendrix+pot/v=2/SID=w/TID=I040_85/l=IVS/SIG=127ivhhjv/EXP=1113359067/*-http%3A//www.ukcultivator.biz/images/smilies/punk.gif

[razor]

[ QUOTE ]

Jimi! http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=jimmy+hendrix+pot/v=2/SID=w/TID=I040_85/l=IVS/SIG=127ivhhjv/EXP=1113359067/*-http%3A//www.ukcultivator.biz/images/smilies/punk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP

[mikeyvegas]

[ QUOTE ]
Hendrix was the greatest. Ask Clapton, he'll probably tell you the same thing.

NT

[/ QUOTE ]

What he said.

[astroglide]

jimmy page is a great writer (or blues rip-offer depending on your views) but in "overall ability" he can get the holy hell beaten out of him by the random dudes at your local guitar store. his play is *VERY* sloppy, and it's not a stylistic thing.

[astroglide]

when people talk about "technical" guitar ability it's the kind of stuff that relates to speed, accuracy, control, etc. it has nothing to do with the emotional quality of the music (which is where jimi runs away with the lead vs clapton).

[Phat Mack]

[ QUOTE ]
Hendrix was the greatest. Ask Clapton, he'll probably tell you the same thing.

NT

[/ QUOTE ]

Clapton agrees. I've heard him tell this story on the radio:

The first time Clapton heard Hendrix, Jimi was new and unknown in England and had been hired to open for Clapton's band. Clapton was in the wings listening. According to Clapton he was so shook by Jimi's greatness that he tried to light a cigarette, but his hand were shaking too hard to get the job done. According to Clapton, he couldn't play for several weeks afterwards.

The problem with Jimi was that he has too many imitators. He invented so much, but it's hard to understand if you weren't alive at the time. One of my favorite guitar solos is Clapton's Crossroads, but he could never have played it if he hadn't heard Hendrix.

JMO

[twang]

[ QUOTE ]
That's because Clapton was formally schooled

[/ QUOTE ]Huh? Art school?

/twang

[KungFuSandwich]

I think the difference is Jimi grew up in the blues and Clapton learned the blues. Claptons a great guitar player, but Jimi doesnt even play the guitar, He makes it bend to his will.

Yes you can compare hendrix and clapton, both were blues players at their heart. Many of the songs they "ripped off" were blues standards. If you listen to the blues you will find many different versions of the same songs. Listen to poor black mattie/poor black mattie by R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, North Mississippi Allstars, or Richard Johnston.

Led Zepplin were the worst rip offs, because they did not give the royalties to the original artists.

Someone asked about hendrix's guitar, Since he was lefthanded and too poor to buy a left handed guitar He turned a right handed guitar upside down and strung it in the opposite way, so it played the same as a lefthanded guitar. (Albert King actually just played a right handed guitar upside down, learning to play the opposite)

You can compare Hendrix to Clapton, but not to Duane Allman. Allman played slide guitar which is completely different.

And yeah, I know Im a douchebag for knowing all this and careing enough to write it all.

[fluxrad]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes you can compare hendrix and clapton, both were blues players at their heart.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hendrix was not a blues man. In fact, most of his blues play was overly technical and too overbearing. One thing I think Hendrix never learned was that silence is part of music too. Clapton's blues play is significantly better, though they both pale in comparison to guys like Muddy Waters or John Lee Hooker (IMHO, the best blues guitarist of all time).

That being said, Hendrix is the best guitarist of all time. His work on Little Wing alone should easily prove that. Second best is probably Stevie Ray Vaughn.

[coltrane]

[ QUOTE ]
please, clapton didn't write any book. what can you find in clapton's playing that isn't in buddy guy's or albert king's? in my opinion, not much. hendrix redefined the instrument.


[/ QUOTE ]

and in fact, Clapton's solo on "Strange Brew" is a note-for-note copy of Albert King's "Pretty Woman" solo.....

[twang]

[ QUOTE ]
and in fact, Clapton's solo on "Strange Brew" is a note-for-note copy of Albert King's "Pretty Woman" solo.....

[/ QUOTE ]
I think Clapton said that the intention of that solo was to sound like Albert King.

/twang

[dr. klopek]

I think they're technically comparable in that they probably play scales the same way, but when Jimi did it, I bet it sounded like angels makin love. That's the real and important difference. BTW the Woodstiock performance blew my skirt up.

[zephed56]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Yes you can compare hendrix and clapton, both were blues players at their heart.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hendrix was not a blues man. In fact, most of his blues play was overly technical and too overbearing. One thing I think Hendrix never learned was that silence is part of music too. Clapton's blues play is significantly better, though they both pale in comparison to guys like Muddy Waters or John Lee Hooker (IMHO, the best blues guitarist of all time).

That being said, Hendrix is the best guitarist of all time. His work on Little Wing alone should easily prove that. Second best is probably Stevie Ray Vaughn.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't even know what to say to this. I like SRV too.

To this post in general, do you guys really believe that being a bit more technically proficient means much, especially in rock and blues?

[Allan]

Is that the dude who transcribed Le Sacre for gutiar?

Allan

[Duke]

[ QUOTE ]
How do I turn this into a poll?I dont know how to make the poll thingy.Anyway I vote Jimmy.

[/ QUOTE ]

So would Clapton.

I think a lot of people confuse him making a guitar sound exactly how he wanted it to sound with sloppiness.

~D

[turnipmonster]

yeah he's incredible, one of the great classical players and quite possibly the best classical technician ever. I hate talking about technical proficiency because I don't think it means a lot, but guys like that and the flamenco guys (pena, delucia, etc) have an extremely broad technique, and are capable of playing almost anything written for the guitar.

IMO, talking about guitar technique without talking about the flamenco heavyweights is just ridiculous.

--turnipmonster

[twang]

[ QUOTE ]
To this post in general, do you guys really believe that being a bit more technically proficient means much, especially in rock and blues?

[/ QUOTE ]
I sure don't. One should use what's necessary to get the point across. Aything beyond that is excessive fat and should be pooped upon. FFS, this whole Mr Miyagi/Daniel thing of the 80's and 90's almost killed rock.

/twang