Aging guitarists that don't mellow

[dangayle]

I have this ongoing debate with some guitarist friends of mine. One friend loves new Eric Clapton. I only like 60s-ish Clapton. Another guitarist loves Gilmour's recent work. I dig Pompeii-era Gilmour.

These all-time greats mellowed over the years, trading raw for refined, smoothness for saturation. Which is ok, if that's your thing, but I prefer their classic versions who weren't afraid of a little feedback (in the case of Gilmour, practically insisting on it).

One of the few exceptions to this rule seems to be Jimmy Page, who proved he could still rock even as an old geezer. His recorded stuff is meh (IMO), but if you compare Celebration Day to Cream's reunion album, there's not even a comparison. Both he and John Paul Jones could still rock the house like no one's business.

Can you name any other guitarists who haven't mellowed with age?

 

[jazzandmetal?]

John Mclaughlin from that "era"

Yngwie....going on over 30 years of Fury.

 

[GAT]

Jeff Beck

 

[erksin]

Neil Young if anything is even more pissed off. lol

I saw Joe Walsh in a small club recently and he fricking ripped. Dude still has the fire.

See also: Dick Dale

 

[GAT]

Billy Gibbons is still playing the same.

 

[neoprimitive]

+100 for Dick Dale.. the dude is a bada$$..
What makes him even more bada$$ is that he was a member of Lawrence Welks band early on..and if you know anything about Lawrence Welks band, you know it took severe discipline to hang for even one day.. and Dick still has the attitude, and then some..

 

[dangayle]

Jeff Beck

I was thinking Jeff Beck, actually. He played on Letterman a few years back. I was quite surprised.

 

[dangayle]

+100 for Dick Dale.. the dude is a bada$$..
What makes him even more bada$$ is that he was a member of Lawrence Welks band early on..and if you know anything about Lawrence Welks band, you know it took severe discipline to hang for even one day.. and Dick still has the attitude, and then some..

Dear Lord, Lawrence Welk? How old IS Dick Dale, seriously?

 

[shane8]

not really - it's all over when you hit 30

 

[Hammered]

Steve Vai

 

[illinimax]

Ted Nugent

 

[Lolaviola]

Pat Martino

 

[neoprimitive]

Dear Lord, Lawrence Welk? How old IS Dick Dale, seriously?

He was born in 1937, so roughly 76.. he was a pup on Lawrence Welk. Pretty crazy that the guy we all know as the surf guitar man, pretty much got his launch off Lawrence Welk.
I'm just guessing but I'll bet there are few younger members going "Lawrence Who" lol..

 

[ZosoRush]

every member of Rush

 

[Stike]

Link Wray
Ted Nugent
The Young Brothers

 

[clint]

Robin Trower

 

[Lost_Cause]

For sure Neil Young. He kicks all kinds of can.

 

[MORE BARN]

not really - it's all over when you hit 30

 

[bsacamano]

Buddy Guy still freaking rips.

 

[Telebluze]

Ted Nugent

The Motor City Madman is who I immediately thought of..........