Why is Chuck Berry ahead of Tony Iommi on this list but not on the Rock list?

I personally like this placement better

Because Iommi is a much greater rock guitarist.

When has Chuck Berry been anything but a rock guitarist?

I don't know what you mean, but purely as a guitar player, Iommi > Berry.

You really need to start paying attention to the criteria.

And you really need to stop underrating Iommi.

You don't even know where I stand on this argument, you dope. I'm just trying to advise you on the best way to get your arguments noticed and taken seriously.

was listening to some stuff by this guy today, then ventured to see if he was on this list, and whoa ! top 50 .....

yeah interesting style, i dont really care ffor the guy though. if u like him check out bill frisell too

it's the uniqueness of the style that got to me, really...

checked out Bill Frisell. Very nice, and very melodic. So many quality musicians out there.

Well, going by George's criteria:

Importance - Berry by far. Iommi is the foundation for the whole metal style, but Berry is the foundation for ROCK guitar itself. It was Chuck, more than anyone else, who made electric guitar the lead instrument in rock. The entire concept of the 'guitar god' itself certainly owes a healthy amount to Chuck.

Innovation - I say Berry because he helped to innovate a certain 'riff rock' kind of sound that would serve as a template for pretty much a huge majority of rock guitarists to follow (think AC/DC for instance), and on a broader basis than Iommi.
However, Iommi (along with Butler) innovated the entire heavy metal sound. The thick, weighty downtuned pounding that became the metal trademark.

Respect From Other Guitarists - Berry by a comfortable amount. Soooooo many have praised sang his praises for opening the doors to guitar-dominated rock in general.

Influence - Berry by a very small amount. Has profoundly influenced giants from Eric Clapton to Keith Richards to Jeff Beck and far beyond.

Legendary Status - Tied. Pretty much a no-brainer that this is impossible.

Creativity - Iommi. Planet Caravan.

Versatility - Iommi. Pretty obvious.

Musical Depth And Expression - I have no clue on how George thinks this can be determined, but neither one of them really excel, so I say a tie.

Live Presence - Berry by a landslide.

Improv Skills - Iommi

Originality - Iommi by a little. While there were a few guitar records similar to Chuck before his breakthrough, there were VERY few guitarists playing like Iommi prior to his arrival on the scene. Maybe Leigh Stephens from Blue Cheer, and to a lesser extent Tony Hill from High Tide, but Iommi was more original.

Let's not debate the top ten anymore.

it's not happened much on this page, to be honest FS. It's basically the rock list that that just keeps on and on and on

Sorry, I assumed I was in the rock guitarist thread when I saw an Iommi vs Berry argument. Still, I don't think there's much between them. Not enough to decisively change anyone's mind about their placements at least.