New Kid On The Block

Went with Demartini.........but it was a tough poll, lots of legit choices there.

From that list Lee. But, I'll got with Vinnie Vincent.

Criss also, but from your list I would say Lynch.

Since we're talking 80's guitarists, I'm going to try and think only 80's albums.

George Lynch > Jake E. Lee > Vivian Campbell > Criss Oliva > Warren DeMartini > Brad Gillis  > Yngwie Malmsteen > Mark Kendall > Mick Mars > Carlos Cavazo

: I love the first four Dokken records, so George Lynch gets the nod.

: Jake E. Lee is just a smidgen behind George, but I was never as enamored with "Bark at the Moon", like I was with "The Ultimate Sin" and both Badlands records.

: The first three musicians are really close for me, as I love all three DIO records that Vivian played on. Yes, even "Sacred Heart". I also really liked Vivian with Sweet Savage. The four track BBC session is a monster (Eye of the Storm, Into the Night, Queens Vengeance, Killing Time)



: In all fairness to Criss Oliva, I didn't really get into Savatage until a few years ago. I always knew about them, but I never pulled the trigger as it pertained to buying their catalog. His playing was amazing, but I listened to all these others in their infancy, save for Diamond Darrell, who I wasn't familiar with until the Phil Anselmo years.

: I love the E.P and "Out of the Cellar" so much, so Warren gets the nod over Brad, due to Night Ranger kind of sucking on their last couple records of the 80's. I like "Invasion of Your Privacy" and "Dancing Undercover", but loathe "Reach For the Sky".

: I thought Brad Gillis did an admirable job on filling in for Randy Rhoads, as that had to be one of the top 5 hardest musician slots to fill. He was in a lose-lose situation. I know some people are critical of his playing on "Speak of the Devil", but here again, I thought he did a pretty good job playing Sabbath tunes, which were totally different from what he would be accustomed to playing when in Night Ranger. Regarding Brad in Night Ranger, I loved those first two records "Dawn Patrol" and "Midnight Madness" were tremendous Hard Rock/AOR records. "Seven Wishes" was okay, but then the fall off the cliff took place with "Big Life" & "Man In Motion". With that being said, Night Ranger only rivaled Journey for me when it came to that familiar sound, along with Survivor. Many memories involving those three bands.

: Yngwie should be higher on my list, as I played his albums just as much, if not more than the others. As much as I love those first three Yngwie albums, along with the Steeler album, I can't get out of my head the "super ego" that is Yngwie. I've hated the revolving door of musicians within his camp over the decades. His band makes a band like Megadeth seem stable.

: Mark Kendall like that of Criss Oliva was a guitarist I wasn't as familiar with back in the day. I was well versed when it came to "Once Bitten", but that was it. When "Once Bitten...Twice Shy" came out, I was in thrash mode, and I didn't think much of the title track (I couldn't stand it). It wasn't until a few years ago, that I discovered their "Out of the Night" E.P, s/t, and "Shot in the Dark", which are all really good, especially their s/t.

: Mick Mars playing is average in my mind. I suppose I would give him more credit, if he had more writing credits to his name, though one one of my favorite songs that he penned is the vastly under appreciated "Danger". The fact that I don't think much of the Crue after "Shout", is the reason he almost brings up the rear.

: I've never been much of a Quiet Riot fan, though I love songs like "Metal Health (Bang Your Head)", "Love's A Bitch", "Danger Zone", and "The Wild & the Young". Sorry Carlos, you're definitely pulling up the rear by a wide margin.

Out of the ones listed, Lynch.

I've always liked Jake E Lee, the others on the list never did much for me cept maybe Vivian Campbell and listening now I think his early Dio stuff was a bit too 'look at me! look at meee!!'

My favorite guitarist from that era tried to record an album in '83. But James and Lars had other ideas   

Jake E. Lee hands down.

Boris2008 wrote:

I've always liked Jake E Lee, the others on the list never did much  for me cept maybe Vivian Campbell and listening now I think his early Dio stuff was a bit too 'look at me! look at meee!!'

My favorite guitarist from that era tried to record an album in '83. But James and Lars had other ideas   

If you are referring to Dave Mustaine I concur...

Went w/Viv, but could've easily went w/Jake or Yngwie, I just love those early Dio lp's, and Viv is largely responsible for their success.

akeldama wrote:

Boris2008 wrote:

I've always liked Jake E Lee, the others on the list never did much  for me cept maybe Vivian Campbell and listening now I think his early Dio stuff was a bit too 'look at me! look at meee!!'

My favorite guitarist from that era tried to record an album in '83. But James and Lars had other ideas   

If you are referring to Dave Mustaine I concur...

It ain't Lloyd Grant   

metalinmyveins wrote:

akeldama wrote:

Boris2008 wrote:

I've always liked Jake E Lee, the others on the list never did much  for me cept maybe Vivian Campbell and listening now I think his early Dio stuff was a bit too 'look at me! look at meee!!'

My favorite guitarist from that era tried to record an album in '83. But James and Lars had other ideas   

If you are referring to Dave Mustaine I concur...

It ain't Lloyd Grant   

I wasn't sure so that's why I said what I said, I wasn't sure if it was Mustaine or Grant he was referring to...   

Mötley Crüe's debut, Too Fast for Love, was actually released in December 1981.

Anyways, my vote goes to Dimebag Darrell of the guitar players listed. However, Holy Diver is the best album on the list, and I prefer it to any Pantera album. That, and I actually don't even like that Pantera debut, Metal Magic.

I chose Jake E Lee but I was/am a huge fan of Adrian Vandenburg...The first Vandenburg album was a really great album for guitar players...of recent I have started to really like the old Mick Mars playing also...

Witchfinder wrote:

I picked George Lynch but was torn between him and Jake E Lee.  Both are phenomenal.  

This. Could say it was tie also.

Adrian Vandenburg turned out a great performance. I'm only judging by the first couple of releases and not the whole of their career.

Of the guitarists listed in the poll I still own a few albums with Jake E. Lee and I own the first 2 Dio solo albums.