The moment Alice Cooper knew he was witnessing the greatest guitarist in history
Alice Cooper is one of the biggest names in rock music. His shocking stage presence, unique-sounding vocal tone, and infectious nature make it impossible for people to listen to his music and not immediately feel compelled to go in for more. Because of how good his music is, rock guitarists worldwide have been compelled to work with Cooper, and he has had the honour of working with some of the very best.
Slash is one of the guitarists he has worked closely with throughout his career. He went on tour with Guns ‘N Roses early on in their career and has worked with the top hat-wearing shredder on a number of songs. They are so familiar with one another that Cooper once referred to Slash as his “Auxiliary guitarist,” adding, “I took Guns N’ Roses on their first tour in 1984, so he’s always been like my boy.”
Slash is an incredibly well-respected guitarist. Throughout his time with Guns N’ Roses and as a solo artist, he was responsible for a barrage of riffs and solos that captured the hearts of rock fans from all over the world. However, despite his talent, Slash isn’t the guitarist Cooper calls the very best; that title is reserved for Jeff Beck.
“This is what cinched it for me,” Cooper began to explain, “Jeff Beck, they’re playing the song, he holds his guitar like this [upright, in one hand], and it’s feeding back. He’s talking to somebody, he’s like 19 years old, and while he’s talking, he’s dropping the guitar and doing triplets. Perfect triplets. And then, he catches it right on the last note, where it’s feeding back, and we went, ‘What? That’s impossible!’”
Jeff Beck was one of the best showmen when it came to playing electric guitar. Before him, the guitarist stood at the back of the stage; their job was to help the singer, and that was it. Jeff Beck stepped forward, playing flamboyantly, taking centre stage and setting the groundwork for artists like Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend, who came after him. “You know, that was 1966,” said Cooper, “That’s why when people say, ‘Who’s the best guitar player?’ I go, ‘Jeff Beck’.”
It wasn’t just Beck’s theatrics that helped him stand out, though. He was one of the best guitar players on the scene, with an ability to convey every emotion on the planet just using six strings and 22 frets. Brian May once said that Beck was one of the most emotive guitar players in the world, and he encouraged everybody to listen to him.
“If you wanna hear his depth of emotion, sound and phrasing, and the way he could touch your soul, listen to ‘Where Were You’ of the Guitar Shop album […] sit down and listen to it for four minutes,” he said, “It’s unbelievable; it’s possibly the most beautiful bit of guitar music ever recorded, alongside Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Little Wing’.”
