The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time: Reader Letters

Your list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time" was a great read and all of those songs should be required listening to any music lover. I understand that there is always room for debate on which songs should or should not be on the list. What I can't understand is how "Smoke on the Water" was not on the list. I'm guessing that was an oversight. That song has the riff that launched a million guitar players. "Highway Star" should have been on there also.

Paul Curtin
Bronx, NY

Dear Rolling Stone,

Your list has gaping holes in it, most notably "Since I've Been Loving You" By Led Zeppelin, which may be the greatest guitar song of all time. Your Pink Floyd choices are equally baffling. Of all of David Gilmour's masterpieces, you chose "Money" and "Interstellar Overdrive" and overlook "Shine on You Crazy Diamond?"?? Even "Sorrow" or "Wish You Were Here" would have been reasonable. I know, there are only 100 slots and an incredible amount of good music to consider. So let me help you. Take Michael Jackson off your list. His music should never appear any list of great guitar songs. Ever. While you're at it, take John Mayer off the list too. This is not Seventeen Magazine.

I will give credit where credit is due, however. "My Iron Lung," though not the obvious choice, is an excellent song and clearly deserving of being on the list. "Little Wing," "You Enjoy Myself," "The Thrill is Gone," and "Whole Lotta Love" are guitar masterpieces as well. The rest of your list is suspect.

Bill Hitch

To The Rolling Stone Magazine Editors,

I just wanted to commend you on your inclusion of Omar Rodriguez Lopez in this month's issue. I've been reading your magazine since I could read and listening to music for as long as I can remember and The Mars Volta and Omar are truly the most amazing band I've ever experienced. I tell everyone that I believe Omar is one of the three greatest guitar players that I've experienced from my generation live and it couldn't make me happier than to see him rightly and deservedly recognized by your magazine. Kudos to you guys! Thanks for your time.

Lacey Reilly

I am very much in agreement with most of your list, especially the lesser known picks like "Over Under Sideways Down" at #23! But I was really surprised when there were two Steely Dan songs listed and neither of them was "Reelin' In The Years!" Not sure who is playing, Denny Diaz or Elliott Randall, but the solo in "Reelin" is all over the place! Triads, bends, hammers, slides, it is all there in one incredible frantic run! Also notably absent is anything by The Doors' Robbie Krieger.

Shawn Whalen
Natick, MA

Finally, how can Rolling Stone leave Muddy Waters off the list?

Nelson Barnes
Lexington, KY