In the 1960s, any guitarist serious about their craft had to learn the blues. Even though bands like The Beatles and artists like Jimi Hendrix were pushing rock into new directions, the heart of guitar playing still beat in the blues, thanks to pioneers like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf—and their followers, such as Eric Clapton and Keith Richards.
But not everyone stuck with the same formula. Ian Anderson, the frontman of Jethro Tull, always looked for something different. He wasn’t just impressed by flashy blues riffs. For him, real musical greatness came from originality and emotion. And when he saw those traits in a guitarist, he knew it.
Blues Was Changing, and So Was Rock
By the late ’60s, blues had started to feel repetitive to many. Anyone could get by playing a basic blues shuffle in clubs, but Anderson believed true musicians gave audiences something unexpected. For Jethro Tull, that meant blending rock with unusual sounds—like a flute-driven version of Bach’s “Bouree.”
At the same time, other bands were pushing the blues into heavier directions. Led Zeppelin added power, while Jimi Hendrix brought a wild, explosive sound. But one guitarist, Peter Green, carved out his own space in this shifting scene.
Peter Green: Blues With Soul, Edge, and Art
Peter Green had big shoes to fill when he replaced Eric Clapton in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. But he didn’t just imitate Clapton—he took the blues somewhere new. His playing was thoughtful and emotional. Every note felt intentional. And unlike the showy styles of the time, Green focused on feel more than flash.
When he formed Fleetwood Mac, Green proved he wasn’t done exploring. Songs like “Oh Well” stayed close to classic blues. But tracks like “Black Magic Woman” and “The Green Manalishi” tapped into darker, stranger moods. There was something almost haunted about them. Yet underneath, the beauty of his tone always came through.
Ian Anderson’s View: Green > Clapton
Anderson didn’t hold back when sharing his opinion on Peter Green.
“I always rated [Peter Green] at the top of the tree. He was the best of the bunch.”
He even said he preferred Green’s style over Clapton’s. What made Green stand out was his tone—gentle, rich, and soulful. His phrasing wasn’t rushed or flashy. It felt natural, like he was speaking through the guitar.
Anderson wasn’t alone in that thinking. Green’s influence stretched far. Guitarists from Noel Gallagher to Metallica’s Kirk Hammett have cited him as an inspiration.
A Legacy of Innovation
Peter Green’s playing didn’t just impress his peers. It pointed to where music could go. His unusual note choices and creative phrasing hinted at the kind of experimentation that would later define progressive rock. He wasn’t trying to follow trends—he was building something new from the roots of the blues.
That’s why artists like Ian Anderson saw him as more than a great player. He was a true original. Someone who respected tradition but wasn’t afraid to move beyond it.
