Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarist - the complete list?

[toomanyhatz]

OK, I was just looking up the band Redbone - an intriguing group and maybe a subject for a thread at some point - and there it was again:

According to Pat Vegas, it was Jimi Hendrix - himself part Cherokee - who talked the musicians into forming an all-Native American rock group, and they signed as the band "Redbone" to Epic Records in 1969. Jimi Hendrix also stated that Lolly Vegas was his favorite guitar player and biggest influence in music.[citation needed]

Has any musicianly brag been more prevalent than "Jimi Hendrix's Favorite Guitarist?" And at least once (and maybe more) it had to be true, right?

As far as I can remember, this is the list - feel free to add to, comment, etc:

Billy Gibbons (the one that Hendrix supposedly really did mention)
Phil Keaggy (an urban myth - Hendrix never would've heard him)
Stephen Stills (they were friends, and jammed together, at very least - and Hendrix was a CSN(Y) fan)
Lolly Vegas (see above)
Rory Gallagher (plausible - but unconfirmed, I think)
Hubert Sumlin (supposedly a direct quote from Jimi - I imagine he mentioned a lot of blues guitarists)
Deke Leonard (supposedly said in a BBC interview - can anyone confirm?)

['skope]

wasn't he a huge clapton/cream fan? hence the lulu show.

[Quaco]

Not the guitarist specifically, but similar: Hendrix apparently once said King Crimson was the best group in the world!

[Quaco]

Phil Keaggy (an urban myth - Hendrix never would've heard him)

I heard this as Eddie Van Halen saying this. Probably not true wither!

[toomanyhatz]

Additions, from a 'rare interview' I found on line:

Are you listening to bands like that doing country, like the Flying Burrito Brothers?

"Who's the guitar player for the Burrito Brothers? That guy plays. I dig him. He's really marvelous with a guitar. That's what makes me listen to that, is the music."

[So that would be Sneaky Pete, I'm guessing]

[Sings intro to Hang On Sloopy, which featured Rick Derringer on guitar.] "Yeah, that guitar player's great."

"I like Larry Coryell, yeah."

[Guy E]

I think Henry "Sunshine" Vestine of Canned Heat made Hendrix' favorite list too.

[Tactful Cactus]

I'd like to see the actual quote on Rory Gallagher, but I too suspect its a myth. It always gets thrown about here in Ireland -- "Rory Gallagher? Even Jim Hendrix [sometimes John Lennon] said he was the best!"

The "Blues..." compilation I think has some quotes in the liner notes from times where he spoke about other guitarists. I'd look it up now but Im on my way out to see All is By My Side!

[Bent Fabric]

John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix were evidently prone to almost Tourettes-like outbursts of superlatives.

Bob Dylan deserves honorable mention, I think.

[Charlie O.]

Allegedly, after he heard Chicago Transit Authority live, he told one of the members "Your guitar player's better than I am."

[C]

Allegedly, after he heard Chicago Transit Authority live

Indeed Terry Kath - what a player?

Hendrix played on Stephen Stills' eponymous debut as most know

The fact that Hendrix played with the lad Stephen says something

Yes, the fact that Hendrix played with the lad Stephen says something

Incidentally, who's Phil Keaggy....?








.

[Quaco]

The fact that Hendrix played with the lad Stephen says something

Yes, the fact that Hendrix played with the lad Stephen says something

Perhaps it said that he didn't rate Stills' as a guitarist and so said "Let me have a shot at it"!

[C]

The fact that Hendrix played with the lad Stephen says something

Yes, the fact that Hendrix played with the lad Stephen says something

Perhaps it said that he didn't rate Stills' as a guitarist and so said "Let me have a shot at it"!

Indeed Jimmy-lad that is probably what we can interpret from the liaison

Yes, that is probably what we can interpret from the liaison








.

[whodathunkit]

Charlie Christian surely?

[Muskrat]

I recall him mentioning this guy in an interview. In any event, he should have!
(later with Johnny Otis and James Brown, among others)

[Davey the Fat Boy]

Curtis Mayfield, clearly.

[der nister]

[Incidentally, who's Phil Keaggy....?
.

Glass Harp- 1970- Full Album with Phil Keaggy


Hendrix was also supportive of Joe Walsh, Rick Derringer(of the McCoys), Billy TK of Human Instinct

[Hugh]

John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix were evidently prone to almost Tourettes-like outbursts of superlatives

They both thought Footy was a cunt though.

[frimley_greener]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/movie ... ias%3As%2C{%222%22%3A%22RI%3A16%22}&_r=1


Seems like Hendrix fans could be in for a real treat...that "fabled" tribute to M.L.K has surfaced.
Yes,it has surfaced.

[nathan]

I heard a recent interview with Billy Gibbons and he tried to lay to rest the claim of being a 'favorite'. He said that they toured together early on in each respective careers and would spend a lot of backstage and travel time trading riffs and guitar tricks. He kind of laughed at the whole 'favorite' thing and just said that they learned a lot from each other and enjoyed the friendship.

He said he learned a lot about R&B guitar techniques from Jimi based on his experience on the R&B circuit and he showed Jimi a lot of Texas blues stuff.

I believe him. He really has no reason to lie about it.

[Snarfyguy]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/movies/d-a-pennebaker-and-chris-hegeduss-counterculture-archive.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3As%2C{%222%22%3A%22RI%3A16%22}&_r=1


Seems like Hendrix fans could be in for a real treat...that "fabled" tribute to M.L.K has surfaced.
Yes,it has surfaced.

Fascinating. I hope all that stuff will see the light of day.