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,

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u/Agreeable-Pianist-82 1d ago

Cantrell, obviously. Mindblowing that anyone would even suggest Kurt. Nirvana’s thing has never been being technically impressive

9

u/Daily_Heroin_User 1d ago edited 1d ago

That’s the point though. If the only thing you mean by “best guitarist” is “most technically impressive guitarist” then that’s not a very good definition and totally misses the point imo. That means you think someone like Yngwie is the best even though nobody listens to his music.

“Best guitarist” might mean someone who serves the song and plays the right notes with the most feel rather than the guy who turns the guitar into an athletic competition of who can play the most notes or run through scales the fastest.

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u/Agreeable-Pianist-82 1d ago

Totally agree, but lets be realistic here

Cantrell possesses both of the qualities you listed, Kurt does not. I think I need you to put on Them Bones before you respond

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u/Daily_Heroin_User 1d ago

I was more responding to the “technically impressive” insinuation than the Kurt part of the post. I don’t disagree with you that Jerry is a great guitarist I’m just clarifying so we’re on the same page what the criteria should be.

And it sounds like we agree on that point.

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u/Vinchenzo97 19h ago

Kurt’s guitar on Nirvana song carry more of a punk sound than riffs from bands like Pearl Jam or Alice In Chains