Is Jimi Hendrix's Lifespan Taken into Account When He is Rated as One of the Best Guitarists?
No, I have never heard of such a premise. Lifespan is not a consideration taken into account when one rates guitarists. He is simply one of the best guitarists. Not THE best but certainly at the top of the heap. He has influenced countless guitarists who in turn have influenced other guitarists. Stevie Ray Vaughn is a good example.
Impact of Fame on Evaluation
Jimi Hendrix was a celebrity musician. Celebrity takes on a life of its own. Fame puts what otherwise would be considered an accomplished musician in a position of influence to other people and in a position where people give them the “greatest in the world” title. In reality, the world is filled with wonderfully talented musicians who never get famous. Hendrix certainly deserves to be called one of the most popular, but I have a problem with the greatest or best in the world stuff. All this seems so childish. My thoughts.
Personal Perspective on Hendrix
Depends on who is doing the rating. I've never cared when he started playing or how or why or when he finished or how or why. I just listen and feel something that no other guitarist makes me feel. He's the one guitarist who I won't listen to much except on rare occasions because it's sometimes too much for me - the combination of his raw creative power, his skill, and his music. He's music to me in the same way Mozart or Coltrane or Miles are music to me. I've never cared to "rate" any of them.
Consideration of Lifespan
I've always taken his lifespan into consideration. I think he would have continued to be an innovator and just going further and further with playing and producing as he got older. The potential he had was immense, and had he lived longer, his impact could have been unparalleled. His raw talent and creative power were just beginning to manifest, and the possibilities were endless.
Technical Comparisons
No. He was the best period. Have there been technically superior players? Sure. Hendrix couldn't read music or didn't understand the theory behind what he played. There are guys like Satriani and Vai who blow him away from a theory perspective. Clapton has such a great feel and Page could make a riff like no one else. All those guys are phenomenal. But then there's Jimi. He made everything so effortless. Little Wing is a master class, just perfect, timeless, and smooth. Can others play it? Sure. But Jimi wrote it. Or more accurately, Jimi felt it into existence. His ability to connect with his audience on an emotional and soulful level is something that can't be taught or replicated. His influence on the world of music is immeasurable.
Conclusion
Whether it's the raw emotion in his playing, the sheer boldness of his innovations, or the sense of limitless potential that he represented, Jimi Hendrix's influence on guitar playing and music in general cannot be overstated. His lifespan was cut short, but his legacy endures, inspiring countless musicians and fans around the world. Hendrix's raw talent and unbridled creativity continue to resonate with listeners today, making him a true icon in the world of music.