Paul Kossoff was a British guitar slinger that played in the band “Free” with Paul Rodgers. A great les paul player strats too but mostly LPs. His solo album “back street crawler” has a wealth of great licks great tones too.
Koss could make his burst sting, sing, weep, wail, he was along with God, (on the 8th Day he created his Stairway), Koss was the most emotive passionate player i personally have ever heard. He didn't need a million notes in one bar to make you feel. He could wring his guitars neck!
Gary Richrath wouldn't make this list, but his work in the 70's with REO Speedwagon was a huge influence on me growing up. Les Paul > Wah > Marshall = Tone!
Dude, you beat me to it. Gary was the man for Les Pauls. I play a Les Paul through a Marshall because of Gary Dean Richrath, not Jimmy fucking Page or anyone else. Gary truly made it talk and sing like nobody else could. I really appreciate you mentioning him so early in the comments. RIP Gary.
Watching Les Paul himself playing guitar reminds me of Chico Marx playing piano on the old Marx Brothers movies, it's almost as if the instrument is so easy for them to play they've got to do all sorts of flourishes and visual tricks just to keep themselves from getting bored. Amazing!
Harpo was the real musical showman among the brothers. Harpo had no formal harp training and as a result his playing techniques were unique unto themselves. BTW - I can't play harp, but a good friend was a much in demand professional harp player who did decades of research into harp, movie music and various harp players throughout time.
I agree. I was thinking of making about the same comment, but read yours, so I'll just agree with you. I want to add that; It's probably just me, but I had rather listen to Dickey Betts than any on his list, including his number one. To each his own.
@@DavidSmith-ss1cgNot really, he did use the PG LP on a chunk of his blues based albums, but he primarily used other Les Paul's such as the so-called "Stripe" LP on many albums and live performances.
@@JAWS-7675Yes far too little mention of Gary Moores contribution to the Blues. Also Peter Green and far too much time on Crapton (no no a misspelling, just an overrated musician.)
Alex Leifson-bringing the best of Canada to us Americans... because of Moving Pictures, i think of Alex as a Les Paul player, although some other RUSH fans think of him as a 335 player. At least an honorable mention, but he’d be in my top 10 for most influential as he ranks in my top 3 for guitar influencers on me personally.
To be fair, Alex Lifeson has played quite a few different guitars over the course of his career. He was playing PRS guitars at the time I caught my first Rush concert (in '94 during the Counterparts tour), and I won't say that didn't influence my decision to buy a PRS in the late '90s. :)
“Nice shirt.” 😂 Great video as always! Edit to add: Jimmy Page is literally the reason I play guitar at all. I could not believe the things I was hearing on their records as a teen. And no matter how deep I went chasing tones, parts, licks, etc, there was always more to discover. One of my favorite slide solos of all time is still What Is And What Should Never Be. Such a killer acoustic player, too. He is a complete musician and one of the first true Session Men.
Justin, I’m with you. No other player has created such a full catalog of timeless, tasteful, emotionally relevant and technically brilliant songs as diverse as Jimmy Page. He’s the main reason I play and why the Les Paul is my favorite guitar.
Beck used Les Paul since 1966 on Yardbirds records also. Layed great psych pop tracks of ‘66 sadly not a lot records of him from 1967 but all his JBG albums sounded great.
@@markmalanaphy3374over time,yes, as he played a Strat for a lot longer, but his playing on Truth was influential to a lot of guitar players, especially newer ones and also those who started playing at least in part due to Truth. And Blow by Blow also did something similar So he would deserve a place on a list such as this, no matter how Strat he was.
I believe Townsend used a Deluxe with the mini humbuckers. A lot of folks complain about the 70's Deluxes, but I have one and it plays and sounds great, but it's a backbreaker at close to 12 lbs!
Mick Ronson? The solo on Moonage Daydream is (l think) possibly the greatest rock 'n roll solo of all time. His use of his custom on all of Bowies Ziggy and Aladdin Sane albums is astounding, original and otherworldly. Pin ups is brilliant too. Paul Kossof has to be in the list, alongside Peter Green, they got the best tone out of a standard without any of today's tech. Amp and guitar, without a whole lot of gain either, simple and pure. Kossof's vibrato couldn't be bettered. Great show by the way.
Ronson's playing and tone with the panned slapback on Ziggy was incredible. Great vibrato too, as good as Kossof's, but different. He looked as cool as Page, maybe cooler.
Outstanding once again!!! All killer but i'd add Al DiMeola to the 'honorable mention ' list. Fan since forever and lucky enough to see him twice, Elegant Gypsy era at Winterland (LPC on the cover) and the second round of The Trio (acoustic, Davies Symphony Hall). Great both times. Rock ON!!!
That you only mention Joe Walsh as "The guy who sold Jimmy Page his #1 Les Paul" is criminal. From "Walk Away" to "Funk #49" with the James Gang to "Rocky Mountain Way" and "Turn to Stone" on his own, you can hear his tone and attitude in players who came after him Honorable mention at the very least, to about 4 on the list.
Joe W. has always been a tone-ologist like Jimmy page. Joe always gets the short end of guitarist ratings. Sounds like this guy chose his favorites of his era over who actually deserves to be there. And what about the current Joe who is hugely influential today? Joe B.
You forgot about Tom Scholz of Boston. His approach to the quality of sound and his recording techniques forever changed the world. Before Boston's first album, music was recorded completely differently and Tom Scholz created a standard in which studio albums would be forever set.
Randy Rhoads' contribution to Heavy Metal/Hard Rock guitar playing was ground breaking at the time. It didn't matter what guitar he played, seeing him play live was proof he was the real deal. RIP RR.
Michael Bloomfield deserves at least honorable mention. He was really the first person to bring the Les Paul to blues playing while with Paul Butterfield Blues Band, especially on the East West album. Interesting factoid: both he and Jimmy Page (Jeff Beck, too) began their legendary careers on Telecasters. Clapton played a Tele early on in The Yardbirds. I suppose it’s fitting that Duane Allman gets billed over Dickey Betts in this list, but Dickey was a long time and masterful player of the Gold Top Les Paul. No Dickey, no Allman Brothers. Duane always maintained that Dickey was the one who engineered their iconic guitar harmonies. He also composed all the great ABB instrumentals. Dickey Betts is a Les Paul icon.
Permit me to suggest Robert Fripp as a Les Paul player who has used the instrument across a huge range of musical styles and been, in a slightly esoteric way, an enduring influence.
I was about to suggest Fripp. He made almost as great an impact on my teen mind than Page did and, with Keith Emerson for keys, he basically laid the blueprint for prog on the first King Crimson album. Fripp used his 3 pickups black beauty in a completely different way than any other player I'd heard before. But my nickname in high school was Led Zep so that tells you where my main loyalties were ;) But in spite of all that, I remain a dedicated Strat player to this day ;) That's due mainly to Hendrix and Gilmour but also Edge, Adrian Belew, SRV and many others in the 80s but especially Andy Summers who's Tele/Strat single cold tones really resonated deeply for me like few other players ever did. The Police is the sound of my late teens and early 20s so it's part of my musical DNA as much as my earlier influences are. It would be great if you did a list like this for Strat then Tele players. I know that many view the Les Paul as the most iconic rock guitar but I disagree and would place the Strat first.
Great list, all worthy and meet your criteria. Here are a few more to consider: 1 - Mike Bloomfield, 2 - Dickey Betts, 3 - Al DiMeola, 4 - Toy Caldwell, 5 - Warren Haynes, 6 - Tommy Crain, 7 - Gary Ritchrath.
Gary Moore (in solo context), Bernie Marsden and Paul Kossoff should have been on the honorable mentions too but it's fine, everyone has somebody else missing from the list, well put video as always.
I searched to see if anyone else had mentioned Paul Kossoff, for me one of the iconic Les Paul players. Robert Fripp used Les Pauls until the 1980's and his playing has been incredibly influential
For me, Frank Zappa is on the list based on the cover of Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar alone. That and the Guitar album changed my musical journey completely.
Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols might be worth a mention. The vanguard of the UK Punk Rock scene and the wall of sound power chords from his White 1974 Custom might not have made the same audio or visual impact using a Fender.
Totally. You beat me to it. Hey Keith, you might want to do a list of punk guitarists. And there's also your namesake Keith Richards as a brief but influential LP slinger.
Steve Jones recorded the album with a P90s equipped Junior Les Paul and the sound also came from producer Chris Thomas and recording engineer.Bill Price.
I would suggest Al Di Meola, whose Les Paul fusion playing in the 70s/80s revolutionised the solos of all subsequent rock and metal shredders forever. He later switched to PRS, but still occasionally brings out his old Les Pauls. Definitely a very influential guitarist.
I would say based on sales and influence zakk Wylde should atleast be mentioned here. He single handedly not only influenced generation of guitarists he kept the custom market blown up for years.
Gotta add Leslie West to this coveted list. His LP Jr tone, phrasing & vibrato was brilliant, innovative & most influential! Tommy Shaw (Styx) Kerry Livgren & Rich Williams (Kansas), & Rik Emmett (Triumph) well deserved honorable mentions.
Absolutely! I saw Leslie West with Jack Bruce and I believe it was Carmen Appice on drums but I don't remember it's been so long. What I do remember is Leslie playing that Les Paul junior through three hiwatt stacks! His playing was phenomenal but it was so brutally loud my hearing would go out when he would play those really high notes!
Toy Caldwell is the most underrated Les Paul player of all time. He is responsible for some amazing songs in which he wrote the lyrics, composed the music and then interpreted it on his guitar. The most unique player!!!!
I just knew Jimmy Page would be your top choice Les Paul player. His reach and scope in the history of Rock music is undeniable and will be studied for literally centuries to come. Outstanding presentation, by the way...
⬆️ Ditto to both of you guys here. Jeff exhausted the Les Paul and the use of a pick in RECORD TIME. He was in a hurry to get to the “grown up” Fender…. That creamy dreamy Strat with a whammy to wake yer old Grammy. Then he promptly exhausted the Fender too.🎸🎸🎸🎸 Saw it all happen live over the years and back to back shows on his last tour. Roll ovah Les Paula and let Beckola take Ovah‼️🎼🎸
Such a shame that the great Snowy White didn't get a shout out along with his Thin Lizzy cohorts! His authentically and throughly reliced '57 Goldtop is almost as legendary as he is.
Jimmy Page never just 'went along for the ride' with Led Zeppelin. Always, always, he played parts that were independently interesting works in and of themselves. I try to model much of my playing after him, though I am far from rocker.
Personally, I was waiting to hear Michael Bloomfield's name in this list. With Super Session, he helped put the 59 Burst to the forefront of collectors perhaps as much as Clapton's Beano album...just my opinion. I might also throw in Mick Ronson's name as well. The tones in Ziggy Stardust I believe are all Ronson's LP.
Gotta add Paul Kossoff in there.. his sound from a Les Paul was truly inspirational to a whole swathe of musicians, even at the time. Bernie Marsden.. also left an indelible impression with his awesome riffs on his “Beast” .. and finally.. my mate Steve.. who is legend in his own front room. 😉
Agreed .. Kossoff’s playing style, tone and riffs pretty much influenced the whole rock genre at the time (and beyond).. everyone wanted to be like Kossoff.
I am hesitant to use a word that gets overused in these conversations, but Kossoff is one of the most underrated guitarists. He is almost always left off these lists. That footage of him leaning back on a Marshall stack at the Isle of Wight during the Mr Big solo is as iconic as it gets
I think Jan Akkerman deserves an honourable mention. He's not one of the most influential LP players world wide but his influence across Europe (especially in his native Netherlands) is immense.
@@MrSmegfish When Focus hit the charts I the UK in 1973 he was playing a Les Paul. He's played various Gibsons and other guitars over the years, not to mention the lute. Last year Gibson released an Akkerman signature Les Paul but it was a very short run and only available in the Netherlands and France.
@MrSmegfish just going by live performances, he used a Les Paul Custom a lot in the early years (my favourite era is until the Focus III). Check the great BBC Old Grey Whistle Test performances. I know he used and had a signature Framus, among other things.
Great video as always! I am a big fan of the channel. I think Carlos Santana had one of his best tones using a Les Paul in the early 70s, especially in the albums Abraxas and Santana III. He used both a Les Paul Custom and a Les Paul Special with P90s. Greetings from Italy
Great video as always. We all knew that Page would be n.1. I was amazed by him as a 12 yeard old kid who liked rock music. I am still amazed by him as a musicologist with 2 master degrees. It's funny how you mention Frampton's use of 9 chords and such couldn't make him as commercial, while Page's guitar parts and voicings are often way more "dissonant" and out there and still sold millions. Monster musician. 1 in a billion.
A) Amazing as always. Keith and Co. you never fail to deliver. B) I can’t argue with anyone on this list. They are all legendary. C) Uncle Neil. Old Black is a 52, heavily modified and beat to death. He’s had it for 50+ years. He’s played it with Crazy Horse, CSNY, and with almost everyone he’s shared the stage with. And it’s very LOUD! LOUD, Keith! Keep up the good work.
Neil wrote and performed some great classic songs. But in a 1-10 scale, I'd rank him as a 3 on playing skill. And his best stuff was usually on acoustic.
If you're talking about influence Neil is the "Godfather of Grunge"... maybe not technical, but that's hardly the point of music. Shame he didn't get a mention.
@@grantstewart6079 To be the godfather of two musical genres, grunge and country-rock, whilst forging his own winding path through the business is enough to stick him on this list. His technique may be primal but he is one of my most influential Les Paul players,
Great video as always! I would add Martin Barre as at least an honorable mention. The Les Paul sound on such classics as Aqualung, Locomotive Breath and Thick as a Brick help define the Jethro Tull sound of that era.
Always enjoy your videos. I would add Dickey Betts to the honorable mentions or add him in with Duane as the Allman Brothers the way you did with Thin Lizzie. Whenever I pick up my cherry sunburst Deluxe I often launch into "Jessica". Both Dickey and Duane were a huge inspiration to my playing when I started in the early 70's and Dickey was as much the sound of the Allman Brothers as Duane and Gregg.
I didn't see your comment until i posted and you nailed it, I bought a gold top Les Paul in 1974 because of him and learned "Blue Sky" years later. Dickey loved his E major scale. -- I still am not that good but I try.
Tom Scholz: as songwriter, recording and technology innovator, and guitar tone sculptor, he has few peers, and I think the musical impact of Boston was at least equal to Thin Lizzy’s. You could make amends for not even an honorable mention by exploring either his signature Rockman sound or his much-tinkered-with “Mighty Mouse” ‘68 on a future episode.
I would agree except for the fact that everything Scholz recorded sounded the same. It sounded great, but a little diversity would've been interesting to hear.
Les Pauls made Rock N Roll with Marshall! It’s like walking on the moon for the first time it was magical. Beno album was pure history. Ace Frehely tone on Kiss Alive was perfect
Great list! Snowy White played a ‘57 Gold Top in Thin Lizzy (the only guitar he used for nearly all his career). Not sure if you omitted him on purpose but he featured on two Lizzy albums (Gary Moore and John Sykes, one each) and played with Pink Floyd and Peter Green. He had a surprise UK hit single, “Bird Of Paradise”, when he left Lizzy and went solo. Essentially a blues player, he had a laid-back stage presence, compared to his Lizzy predecessors and successor but his contribution to the band’s records was significant. Not a criticism of your video, Keith but this might be of interest! You’re correct about Lizzy being hugely popular over the pond - they were often in the singles chart in the mid-late 70’s and early 80’s (unusual for a hard rock band here) and were a great live act.
I was there; in Europe, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Thin Lizzy hugged much of the exposure time allocated to "old-timey" Rock groups, and also, there was a distinct "Eddie Who?" movement.
Damn Keith, I was sure I would be in that top 10 list, but I didn’t even make it to the honorable mentions! 🥴 Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, Mick Ronson, Jan Akkerman, Robert Fripp, Paul Kossoff and lots of others you already mentioned. But these are the first I think about. ❤
Mick Ronson REALLY deserves a spot in this top ten. No offense to the cat from Journey, but I think Ronson should have that spot... That said, another fine video Mr. Williams!🎉
Yes, Ronson and Page are the reason I bought a Les Paul with hard saved paper route money in the mid 70's. Schon is a decent enough player I guess, but I never liked Journey or purposely listened to them for even a second. I never got to see Mick Ronson with Bowie unfortunately, but I did get to see him in Ian Hunter's band a couple times and he was fantastic.
Jerry Garcia played the happiest Les Paul you may ever have the privilege to hear! He could also make it cry. His improvs and arrangements no matter how complicated always have the clarity of perfect pitch that only a Les Paul can deliver.
When you said LP players that changed the world, but not necessarily your favorite players, I thought Steve Jones had a chance, as the Pistols absolutely did change rock music with their one proper album, with Jones iconic LP Custom tone being a big part of it. Instead we got the guy from Journey. I should have known better. Also, no Neil Young? Not even in the honorable mentions? Oh well, it was still a nice video.
George Gruhn has named Mike Bloomfield as the individual he would point to as one of the most influential on not only Les Pauls, but Telecasters as well. Loved your videos. Just wish you’d mention him.
I agree; Bloomfield influenced the old British guys at LEAST as much as any old Blues guitar hero - many of them criminally under - exposed by racist US music industry policies.
I agree on both guitars,when Bloomfield was "on" I don't think anyone could touch him, control of his instument,ahead of his time as far as noth playong cliche licks and that tone,you knew it was him
Thoroughly enjoyed this countdown. Jimmy page number one, who else ? been a fan since 73. Immense player and top musician including his sublime acoustic work, many thanks.
Great list Keith. I'd add Hubert Sumlin to the honourable mentions. Although he played a funny Italian guitar later in his career, his early recordings with Howling Wolf are all played on a '54 Gold Top similar to Freddie King's.
Great video and perfect timing. My desire for a Lester came from players like Gary Moore, Page, Joe Walsh, Peter Green, Alex Lifeson, Vivian Campbell. However, I found it difficult to bond with one’s I tried and for some years, I dropped my quest. But, a close friend of mine brought a Standard into my life this last week (from the year 2000) that was not only in my budget, but also felt just right. My quest is complete for now.
And, ironically, Santana inspired me to get a PRS, and yet, many of his iconic songs were recorded on a Les Paul (besides the ones on his SG, Yamaha and PRs guitars)…
Jeff McErlain playing La Grange is reason enough for Billy Gibbons to be on the list! Glad you listed Freddie King too, a personal favorite of mine. I thought for sure the list would include Pete Townsend, at the very least as an honorable mention.
During the time in the early 70's when Jeff Beck made "Blow By Blow" I traded my Gibson SG for a 1970 Les Paul. I have never regretted it. While I own somewhere between 25-30 guitars of all types and brands more than half of my collection are Les Paul style guitars. Mostly Gibson and Epiphone also two Agile and a greqt sounding (well played/personally road worn) 1976 Ibanez copy that is a great guitar. The sound of Jeff Beck on his "Truth" and "The Jeff Beck Group" albums taught me a lot about playing lead guitar. "Blow By Blow" made me realize Jeff was miles ahead of everyone else at the time.
A great list Keith and can’t disagree. I’d add Paul Kossoff to the honorable mention list. His brilliant licks and superb vibrato definitely made a statement with his 59.
Love the list and the channel. My honorable mention would have to be Tom Scholz. Perhaps more of an influence on technology, you can’t underestimate the talent in his playing and almost exclusively on LP’s!
My favorite Guitar Tones are based on early Clapton. Both from his limited time with Mayal, but more so with Cream. (I know, he was using an SG, but I feel he would have gotten that same sound with the L.P. had it not been stolen.) Beyond Clapton it would be Paul Kossoff on his L.P..
BTW: The first album, Fresh Cream, was all Les Paul. The solo on the studio version of "I'm So Glad" is epic !!! Completely different than any of the live versions I have heard.
Their earliest recording has some technical issues. The drum sound is muffled; The mix of the lead vocal to the harmony vocals is strange; etc; but a great album none-the-less. The Les Paul Gibson guitar model had been out-of-production for six years when the album was released.
Very glad to see Neal Schon make the list. Monster les paul player, who contributed some brilliant design ideas to the heel of the les paul guitar, culminating in what ended up becoming the Gibson Axcess model. Those who know, know it was all Neal.
Great video! Love seeing Freddie King up there. Les Pauls, in some random guys opinion, are some of the most versatile and useful guitars ever made. Live setting wise, I find it typically blows the other tones out of the water. I love a good tele and strat tone, but a les paul paul can cover anything from rock, to blues, to jazz, to grunge, to metal, to country even, but SGs typically sound the best for country Gibson wise in my experience. Make a list about famous SG players next!!
My TOP 10 Before watching 1. Jimmy Page 2. Duane Allman 3. Peter Green 4. Les Paul 5. Randy Rhoads 6. Billy Gibbons 6. Mick Taylor 7. Gary Rossington 8. Slash 9. Gary Moore 10. Joe Walsh Tried to choose guys who were exclusively or at least primarily LP players. As opposed to guys who played an LP but only for a relatively short fraction of their career.
Bet ol Neil is cringing day and night after writing keep on rocking in the free world then taking his music off Spotify cos he. didn’t like Joe Rogan who has 1000% been proved right .
Keith - as always, your videos hit the mark so perfectly. For the stated purpose of listing the 10 LP players that changed the world, I can’t disagree with any of your selections. I do want to strongly second including Jeff Beck on the top of the honorable mention list, for “Truth” through “Blow by Blow”. Here are my own personal “changed my world” additions: Mick Ronson (Bowie, Ian Hunter), Jeff Lynne (ELO), Davey Johnstone (Elton John Band), Pete Townshend (during the 70’s, as someone else pointed out), Neil Young (Old Black), Robert Fripp (70’s King Crimson), Tom Scholz, Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), and my out-of-left-field choice, Mark Knopfler (switching to a LP in the 80’s).
I love this channel,i know you guys have a million requests but i still think you should do a billy gibbons guitar history!! thanks for all the amazing content!
I too, was pleased to see Billy in this list. He has never gotten as much credit as he deserves. I think Martin Barre also deserves a LOT more credit than he receives.
Excellent rundown, Pete Townsend should have received an honorable mention. I did notice that the last great LP player is Slash. So has LP time come and gone?
The Jimmy Page tones and the Peter Frampton tone pretty much pushed me back into the world of Les Pauls (actually have a Heritage 150 standard but same difference) . It’s absolutely fantastic. What a great and beautiful instrument design. Les Paul and Gibson gave us something special.
Bob Marley was arguably the first international music superstar that came from a third world country, and his music changed the world. I don't know if his playing on his Les Paul changed the way guitar was played, but when I think of Les Paul players, he definitely makes my list.
Brilliant. Jimmy Page influenced me to get my Les Paul decades ago. When my band plays Led Zeppelin covers I bring it out and its presence envelops me to channel that sound. I love my Tele and my ES-335, but the Les Paul has a special place in my heart. My dad played Les Paul and Mary Ford records for years when I was young. He turned me on to the music of his generation that also flows through my veins. Thank for the video.
This is a superb way to get a variety of great players into a single video. I know it applies to other types of guitar too, but the range of different styles of music that the Les Paul has been used for is impressive. We've had jazz, blues, rock and metal just about covered in this list. The Les Paul was also the choice of some punk players such as Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols.
In 1958 Mike Bloomfield acquired a burst Les Paul and recorded Super Session with Al Kooper. That was a huge influence on guitar players of the Sixties. He definitely belongs on your list!
I figured Page would be top on the list. Slash is the reason I wanted to learn guitar at all, and obviously the reason I wanted a Les Paul to mimic those tones.
Great content as always! Perhaps not as universally influential in the global guitar world as the others, but certainly ranking very highly in the list of people that made me love the guitar sound would be Jan Akkerman and Steve Hackett.
