Why not do a "Great Rhythm Guitarists" issue? In order to make sure you sell newstand copies, go ahead and put Jimi on the cover! Or Pete Townshend or Keif...

Yes, GP has dealt with this matter on many occasions in the past... all the MORE reason to continue to do so, since it's still obviously a need, LOL!

Seriously, most great lead players in any style have also been at least good rhythm players, and they have all been glad to have had good accompanists in their BANDS!

What's worse than trying to take a solo and have someone behind you incapable of keeping steady time??

Great suggestion. As well many of the best lead guitarists always emphasize good rhythm playing.

I heard Robben Ford once talk about how he hates making distinctions like "rhythm" and "lead" guitar, he thought everyone should just work on being guitar players... but of course he's remarkable in either role...

In these days of power trios the old rhythm guitar has long been forgotten...but when you think of the Beatles, Creedence, the Rolling Stones, The Ventures etc. those are the days of the great importance of the rhythm guitar...Lead, Rhythm, Bass and Drums and wah lah, you got yourself a band...the more singers the better...I still love playing rhythm the best as it's great for solo sing'en and I to would like to see more in GP on rhythm guitarists...and chord leads

hello good guitar players around here. i am new today and from both
japan and stockton, ca. anyways nice to join here. thanks! joe.

malcolm young!

I always thought Brad Whitford of Aerosmith was a great rhythm guitar player

It's a cliche but John Lennon is often named but not really carefully concidered in this dept (not to mention his ocassional lead work).
Just listen to The Beatles song "All My Loving", for example, & imagine playing that part consistently throughout.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWvurnpKjE4

Check "Tell Me Why" & marvel at the interaction between rhythm guitar & drums during the refrain, not to mention the trade they make as the bridge goes back to the final chorus (about 1:40) in the following clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKl4ufehjpA

Malcolm Young.

The way the two guitarists in The Strokes blend their lead and rhythm work is one of the most refreshing things about that band as well.

Same with the two guitarists in The Knack. They do really well with the blend of lead and rhythm guitars.

A Great Rhythm Guitar issue? Excellent idea. Could this lead to a Rhythm Guitar Hall of Fame? Then I'd like to nominate a lifetime achievement award to Jimmy "Chank" Nolen and Alphonso "Country" Kellum from James Brown's old band. Youngsters, do yourself a huge one and listen to James Brown's "Live at the Apollo" recordings. Rhythm playing just doesn't get much better than this.

how about Eddie Hazel?

Oh yeah...poor Eddie sure didn't live very long, did he? Funkadelic wouldn't have been the same without him. But, don't you think he was more of a lead player?