Vince Gill, the talented guitarist from The Eagles, recently had a candid conversation with Guitar World. He shared his thoughts on his role in the band, specifically focusing on playing rhythm guitar for The Eagles. During this interview, he also tackled a question that many musicians face: who is the best guitar player of all time?
Vince Gill’s Take on the “Greatest Guitarist” Debate
Gill’s answer was simple yet profound. He believes there isn’t one guitarist who stands above the rest as the greatest. He questioned the whole idea of ranking artists, saying,
“People always ask me, ‘Who is the greatest guitarist ever?’ I always say, ‘There’s no such thing.’ Why does anyone have to be the best? There’s a bunch of good players; it’s funny how guitar playing turns into a matter of outplaying each other. I don’t want to show anyone up. I like things simple. That’s how I live my life; that makes sense to me.”
His perspective sheds light on an important aspect of music and creativity. For Vince Gill, music isn’t a competition. Instead, it’s a way to connect, express, and share. This idea of not striving to outdo others but to contribute uniquely and authentically speaks volumes about his approach to art and life. It’s a refreshing stance in an industry often caught up in the whirlwind of awards, titles, and accolades.
Gill doesn’t spend time worrying about who plays the fastest lick or the most complex chord. Instead, he finds inspiration closer to home, particularly from one of his bandmates in The Eagles. When asked about his musical inspirations, he immediately mentioned Joe Walsh.
“My mindset is all about brevity and restraint now. That’s what I love about the way Joe plays – he shows tremendous restraint. He could play more, but he doesn’t. I really enjoy that.”
Embracing Simplicity and Growth in Guitar Playing
This distinctive approach to guitar playing, that of brevity and restraint, seems to have deeply influenced Vince Gill. It’s not about showing off technical skills or overpowering the song with solo acts. For him, the beauty lies in serving the song, not the ego. Walsh’s ability to do precisely that – to measure his passion with control – strikes a chord with Gill.
Furthermore, Gill finds motivation from the seemingly mundane aspects of his professional life. It’s not just the people around him that inspire; it’s also about the creative decisions he makes every day.
“My inspiration comes from the little things I’m trying to do, like sounding better and choosing the right guitar for the songs. This is an interesting gig for me with the Eagles because I only play a little lead guitar; there are only two or three songs that I solo on, which is different from what I’m used to, where it’s solos all night long.”
This transition from being the central lead guitarist to taking on a more subdued role within The Eagles brings a new layer of complexity and growth to Gill’s career. It’s this adaptability and willingness to explore different facets of musicianship that underline Gill’s ethos. His belief in simplicity, restraint, and the joy of playing, rather than competing, makes his music resonate on a level that’s both intimate and universally appealing.