Who is on par with Jimi Hendrix?

Can a strong argument be made for this? I don't feel he is THE best, but he is up there, I think. He had the full package: Singer, songwriter, amazing guitarist, great frontman, good looks, great personality, does anyone compare really?

 

Hendrix's originality is what makes him stand above everyone else.

 

Calling all Prince fans....

 

the only 3 i can even say come close, notice i said 'come close (not an equal of) are phil keaggy.....prince....and had he lived: terry kath.

but no one is, has been, and probably never will be, his equal.

 

his unique personality influenced his unique guitar playing. Of course there are others who may be technically better but who cares when you've got such personality? People aren't still talking about him for nothing.

 

That's simple. No one.

 

The fascinating thing about Hendrix is that even if he weren't a revolutionary instrumentalist, on the basis of his singing, songwriting and personality alone he would be a significant (if not necessarily epochal) figure in the history of pop music -- on par, perhaps, with an Arthur Lee or even a Curtis Mayfield. His guitar concepts are probably what he'll be most remembered for, but he would have had star potential even if he were a more routine instrumentalist. Anybody that one might try to compare him to would either be an epigone like Prince, or somebody with a similar one-two-three musical punch but whose strengths were balanced differently, such as Van Morrison (much stronger singer, similarly versatile songwriter, much less important instrumentalist) or Joni Mitchell.

Hendrix isn't one of my favorite artists, but I have to give him credit -- as you say, he was the total package.

 

On guitar? None.

 

Hendrix was unique. Comparisons are impossible to make.

I will say I have never heard anyone interpret Hendrix better than Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush). I saw him as a 16-yr old when he played a Saturday night dance we put on in our local church.

 

Clapton. Page. Beck. A few others.

 

No one - otherwise I'd need another Ikea Expedite.

 

My dad would kick my ass for saying this but....

 

Who do you think compares?

 

In the studio - No other guitarist. Ever.

Live - Several have equaled and/or bested Hendrix, e.g. Duane Allman, Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan...

In fairness about playing live, though, Hendrix never had a proper guitar tech, his gear and how it was mic'ed was rudimentary; he was playing live with this barely controllable sound that in just a few years would be remedied by newer technology. Had Hendrix lived he would have greatly benefitted by proper monitoring, mic setups, and probably a real guitar tech.

 

Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck

 

Only Eric Clapton was a singer, right? Unless you're talking about Beck...and not Jeff Beck.

 

I could dredge up an old argument and say Eddie Van Halen.

Nah, Jimi was so unique I'd be hard pressed to make a case for anyone being on par.

 

I love these guys - but they really do not take the place of Jimi. Clapton etc - same thing. Jimi was one of a kind and never to be replaced.

 

One of a kind.

 

Maybe if Eddie turns to the timeless blues and gets out of that signature sound.

 

Prince and McCartney--the latter isn't a genius musician, but he's a damned good multi-instrumentalist and an astonishing tunesmith and singer. And he was the cute one, so he had the looks, I guess. -E

 

Nobody can be "replaced" - Once you get over that, others can be more appreciated...

 

maybe prince and clapton. SRV is close. jeff beck from just a guitar playing standpoint. i'd say billy gibbons is sorta close.

 

Ollie Halsall

 

The short answer.......not many if any at all.