Why Jerry Reed Was One of The Best Guitar Players Ever

When you compare all the greatest players – with a few exceptions – they turn out to something – some technique – Some gear – some sound or some attitude that sets them apart from everyone else. Usually these are people who though they are influenced by others – they are more interested in their own different sound.

We all know Eddie Van Halen tells us he was never that into Hendrix – but I think what he did learn from Hendrix was not to try and copy as the ultimate goal. Sure – copy the players you like while you learn, but aim ultimately to be DIFFERENT.

So here’s some examples;

• Mark Knophler – played with fingers a clean sound while everyone was rockin’ and distorted with country rock style like no one else.
• EVH – or course he was tuned down a step and used light string while everyone else was still using mediums and played the heck out of his axe.
• Hendrix – with no one to copy he was unafraid to make mistakes and tuned down half a step giving that deep bassy growl.
• Stanley Jordan – just look at his tuning – forget his amazing two-handed playing style.
• And of course Jerry the ‘Claw’ – played a detuned classical guitar as a rock instrument and just listen to his slide on Elvis 82 remix album – Guitar Man – mind blowing!

Now Jerry had an amazingly musical ear and there was NO ONE – I mean almost no one apart from perhaps Chet Atkins and a few others (who he was influenced by) who devoted their learning time to melodic lines and what they played making real sense to the listeners rather than to other guitar players. He is another that I doubt was worried about a few imperfections – listen to the Elvis Guitar Man sessions for a mixture of fun and powerful playing. In my humble opinion I believe Jerry really was one of the best guitar players that ever lived and here’s some proof…