John Lennon vs Keith Richards
Lennon, sadly, is largely remembered for the sickly sweet and soporific "Imagine". His self-described style was "not very good technically, but I can make it f*~#ing howl and move". Yes please. No better example of this is the cannily-titled Yer Blues, where rough vocals and wailing guitar are almost aural orgasm-inducing. A truly versatile guitarist, a sonic soothsayer and a lover not a hater. What's not to like? Other than marrying Yoko Ono and binning The Beatles, the boy done good. Living the lifestyle of an old-school outlaw can take its toll. Keef's craggy, crevassed face is an open display of a man who stayed up too late, imbibed too many substances and generally partied for 40 years (not that we're jealous, honest). From the haunting Gimme Shelter to the foot-stomping Satisfaction, the man still doesn't miss a note. All the more impressive given that we're not entirely convinced he knows who/where/what he is.
Verdict A truly tough task to separate two genuine masters of their craft. One gone too soon, the other a somehow-still-walking talking modern-day pirate... Lennon. There. I said it! Richards himself reckons that guitarists age like a fine wine, that supposition + technological advancements = Lennon. The acoustic alchemist would be in his element if he were around today. The Beatles 1 1 The Rolling Stones