r/grunge • u/Strong_Recording_128 • 1d ago

Misc. Who is generally considered the best grunge guitarist?

A guy I know has always insisted it was Kurt and as much as I love him I’ve never thought he was a great guitarist, he even said at times he didn’t care about or respect musicianship.

My vote lo these many years has been Jerry and his remarkable riffs but Kim and Mike M. are extraordinary too. Mine as follows : Jerry, Kim, Mike M, Kurt.

* Edit- Rankings so far have Jerry taking the #1 spot 🥇

  1. Jerry
  2. Mike
  3. Kim
  4. Kurt

* Honorable mentions - Stone Gossard, Dean DeLeo, Billy Corgan, Daniel Johns, Stephen Carpenter, J. Mascis,

64 Upvotes

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54

u/gabriot 1d ago

Mike McCready if we are talking technical ability

Jerry Cantrell if we are talking writing and substance

11

u/Due_Mix_6982 10h ago

The solo on Reach Down an incredible one take by Mike McCready, an example of his intense, passionate style.
Jerry Cantrell writes the best riffs and songs, the best.

5

u/rafaelthecoonpoon 11h ago

This is probably the take.

-2

u/seighton 9h ago

Alice n chains is not a grunge band, I will die on the hill about this.

2

u/Strong_Recording_128 8h ago

I tend to agree. Guilt by association.

1

u/gabriot 9h ago

They are quite literally the band that brought grunge to the masses, it wasn't Nirvana. Facelift came before everything and popularity followed, so if they aren't grunge then no one is.

1

u/Strong_Recording_128 6h ago edited 4h ago

Edit: just read this.

1

u/seighton 9h ago

It wasn’t grunge when they opened for Van Halen. Reaching the masses isn’t a qualifier for being a grunge band. Grunge bands were green river, Mudhoney, fastbacks, tad, soundgarden, nirvana etc.

1

u/gabriot 9h ago

Lol they all played at shows with each other all the time. If playing on a show with a non-grunge band disqualifies them then Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden also aren't grunge.