Rock music fans do not grow up. This is not true to the letter, but, generally accurate. When you discuss rock musicians, rock albums, rock songs, rock concerts, etc. the “youngster” emerges, even with a 60 year old person. One of the sure signs of this is the opinion, the outlook that is unchanged after decades. For instance, a determination that The Allman Brothers Band of 1970 was the best incarnation the group would ever have, that the musicianship of these twenty-somethings would exceed any pinnacle that the SAME PLAYERS would reach in their thirties, forties, and beyond is ludicrous. Sure, Duane Allman and Berry Oakley died in their twenties. But, did Dickey Betts and Greg Allman become worse artists over time? No. They grew. Were other band members of later incarnations lesser artists and lesser musicians, though they were MUCH older and experienced than twenty-somethings? Who can hear Warren Haynes sing and play and really believe he is lesser than 1970 versions of Duane and Dickey and Greg? Ask most rock fans about all of this and the answer is that Statesboro Blues, Whipping Post, and One Way Out are a high bar that cannot be touched, much less cleared by newer work. Doesn’t it stand to reason that a 40-year-old musician should be more than his/her 23-year-old self? Not according to the rock fan who descends into his 16-year-old mindset when discussing this topic. Even at 60, the teenage maturity level takes center stage when talking of rock music. Have you ever seen those “lists” of greatest music players? In a list of greatest guitarists, be it in a magazine, online blog, or water fountain discussion at work, the top 100 of all-time will consist of 92 rock guitarists. In other words, to be great you must be from the rock genre. “Everyone” knows that rock guitar styling is superior to other guitar stylings. So, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Steve Vai, Randy Rhodes, etc. will take their usual places in these “lists”. Just to show that there is SOME attention given outside rock music Chet Atkins and BB King might be on the list. But, that is only because the immature rock fan has heard of them a bit. Uncle Johnny, who plays guitar, has mentioned those players. Maybe, a musician friend has raved about them. So, on the list a few non-rock guitarists go. But, sadly, a couple of death metal players, one roots rocker, and a couple of speedy “shredders” have to be left off the list. Anyway, those 92 “freaks of nature” geniuses are there to be drooled over. You cannot play like Neal Schon or Tommy Iommi unless you are a born genius, right? The high school kid in the 60-year-old body is sure of this. Though he barely can play himself, or cannot play at all, he is an expert at knowing guitarist skill set. Back him into a corner on the discussion, point to the pyrotechnics around the fretboard onstage, the money spent by the record company to promote, and all the countless “lists” that qualify Eddie or Jimi or Stevie Ray as the top guitarists of all-time and the teenage 60-year-old points to the record sales and air play. THAT trumps anything Warren Haynes or anyone else does. After all, it is a proven fact that David Gilmour has been all over classic rock airwaves for decades, and his solo on Another Brick In The Wall is pure genius. Unplayable by anyone else, only by him. The success of Pink Floyd proves it. Yeah? You know Taylor Swift plays guitar. Check out HER success. Look at the sales and the popularity. Shouldn’t she be at the top of the list?