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I had a really tough time finalizing a Top 7 list, as there are so many great guitarists throughout the history of Rock. Anyway, here they are, in no particular order of skill or ability, but ranked somewhat by influence on Rock.
1. Jimi Hendrix - Undoubtedly the best now and forever. He gave the world the true meaning of being a rock guitarist. I consider him the most unique, original, and innovative guitar player. His solos were not very exceptional compared to some of today’s other guitarists, but they were definitely original. He must be regarded as the Creator, the inventor of today’s type of riffs and solos. I am speechless to describe him further.
2. Eric Clapton - A very exquisite guitar player. His riffs and solos are so expressive that you truly feel his emotions from his guitar. I would regard him as the best currently living legend in Rock. His compositions such as “Layla” or “Tears in Heaven” are so beautiful and emotional that its impossible to play these with as much feeling and expression as Mr. Clapton.
3. Jimmy Page - A complete Rockstar! The most versatile of the lot. He has given us such deep and soft riffs like “Stairway to Heaven” and harder riffs like “When the Levee Breaks” and “Kashmir.” His solos are also very impressive and he should be regarded as the beginning of the era of Hard Rock.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan - He revived the Blues genre of the 1980’s. His songs were so inspiring and magical that we can’t omit him from any such rankings.
5. Steve Vai - The “Talking Guitarist” as I call him. He proved his skills and originality in various songs and live performances. He has always done different great things with his band and the tremolo has been his speciality.
6. Blackmore - “Smoke On The Water”, “Highway Star”, “Space Truckin” and many more! It’s hard to forget this guitarist. Blackmore was such an extremely talented guitar player that his riff in “Smoke On The Water” might be the best guitar riff in Rock history. And so does it truly deserve to be.
7. David Gilmour - What can I say about him! Such beautiful solos that you feel he wants to say something to you via his guitar. His solo in “Comfortably Numb” and also “Time” are perfect examples of what I am talking about. Definitely deserves a spot on the list.
Some Honourable Mentions: Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Brian May , Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Slash, BucketHead, Keith Richards, Eric Johnson And Kirk Hammett, yngwie malmsteen
Contributed by BeARockr
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Tags: classic rock, eric clapton, guitar, guitar for beginners, jimi hendrix, Learn Guitar, led zeppelin, rock guitarists, rock music, vocals
My favorite has to be Stevie Ray Vaughan, he can really make that guitar scream. My favorite song by him is Crossfire, Riveria Paradise is really nice long song too.
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What about Michael schenker – Yngwie Malmsteen – Gary Moore, there’s so many how could you possibly make a list and narrow it down to 7 anyway very good list.
I know 90% of these guitarists but to ask me for a great i would say Mark knoefler of Dire Straits.
Great list but if you asked those guitarists who their hero is…besides Hendrix….Uli Jon Roth is considered God..his early Scorpions works ….few have ever added guitar solos so heart felt…adrenalin producing sounds….only once did he wank but hey….consider from Fly to the Rainbow to his Tokyo Tapes 5 solid albums every song amazingand his classical pieces later again a master….the best group ever ok UFO and Schenker are close 2nd
how about Leslie West from mountain !!!
no mention of edward van halen anywhere.. yet buckethead gets a pip?!! please….
no “kirk hammet”?
im sorry, kirk should be in the top 5
This list doesnt feature Jeff Healey, no way guys should be number 1
SRV, Billy Gibbons, Alex Lifeson
Bucket is just honorable mention? He has more soul than most everyone (ex. Colma) and can shred faster and with more precision than possible
and where is Shawn Lane…?
Your list is a very good one with a few exceptions. At number 2 should be Eddie van Halen. The evolution of rock guitar would not be complete without his presence. Rock guitar as we know it would not exist if it weren’t for Eddie van Halen. Hendrix started it and Eddie continued it,followed by Yngwie Malmsteen who put the final stamp on rock guitar with his neo-classical stylings. With those three players forging new ground with their playing,rock guitar went from being thought of as simplistic and stupid to Herculian like jazz in terms of technique. Clapton,while being a good singer and song writer,is not a good guitar player. Alvin Lee was a much better player than Eric Clapton and so many people consider him a minor footnote in the evolution of rock guitar,which is just flat out wrong. When you consider a list of great players you have to ask yourself “Did this player send thousands of kids rushing to their local music store to buy a guitar”?
Hendrix did. Van Halen did,and so did Page. Clapton merely happened to swept up in the evolution of rock guitar,and road it to the point of coming across as influential.
Any top 5 list that doesn’t include RANDY RHOADS or EDWARD VAN HALEN is totally non-credible! Give me a break dude.
UUHHHHH………Dimebag? What is a list of great guitarists without Dimebag Darryl? Come on people, he should be right up there with Jimmi Hendrix. The things he could make a guitar do were simply astounding and beautiful (his solos in “Floods” for example). And what about Dave Mustaine?
I like Metallica…but as a knowledgeable guitarist myself…what Kirk does on guitar isn’t all that amazing…creative at times but not amazing.
Eddie Van Halen is probably not far from the all time best…and I’m not a big fan of Van Halen. Eddie’s skills are ridiculous.
These kids with their kirk hammet, and dimebag. Duanne Allman, motherfuckers. I think he even made two on Rolling Stone’s list, not that they are really spot on, but in that case they were!
I cannot believe that no one has mentioned Angus Young!! some of the greatest rock songs ever made have been written and played by him – It’s a long way to the top, Back in black, Highway to hell. they are awesome songs, and Angus deserves a mention.
Brian May, an honorable mention? Bollocks.
The list should be segregated by style. Chet Atkins is one of the all-time greats, but wasn’t on the list. Roy Clark was also an exceptional guitarist.
Tim Millar and Luke Hoskin from protest the hero are the fucking bomb i just have to say
I’m with Darren: Jeff Healey at No.1! Not saying I’m a huge fan of his either, but aside from the unusual way in which he played the guitar flat on his lap, I think being blind probably heightened his senses and allowed him to play the thing more expressively than just about anyone else in history. Nevertheless still a pretty good list.
what about tony iommi?
zappa should at least be an honorable mention.
Jimi is 100% tops, Healey and SRV as great as they are, both have styles that are so heavily influcenced by Hendrix.
As for Eddie van Halen, sorry fellas, but he was great and fell off the creative wagon in my opinion.
Alvin Lee is a master.
Pete Townshend is way better than a lot of the honorables or suggestions too…and to the guy who suggested Angus Young-really? There is a reason he wears a schoolboy outift, it symbolizes his stagnant growth as a guitarist. Simple is okay, but it isn’t great…
I agree with Adrian. Angus Young is very underrated. As for KC saying “simple is okay, but it isn’t great,” I strongly disagree. I’d rather listen to Angus Young than to Yngwe Malmsteen (and the like)anyday. “Stagnant growth as a guitarist?” What does that even mean? Angus Young was a great guitarist from the beginning of AC/DC’s career. I do agree that Pete Townsend is very, very good, and should be mentioned.
Agreed that this was a good list. Where is Randy Rhoads?
Dimebag Darrell Abbott, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wilde, Flea (RHCP), Angus Young,
I agree with brendon… that would be the top 5 in my eyes..
BRENDAN put flea down.. he’s not even a guitarist. Even in a list of top bassists he wouldn’t come that high up.
In my opinion Buckethead, John Petrucci & Joe Satriani should be higher up. The Satch especially, he’s taught so many of the greats of guitar (Hammett, the guy from Primus). But Buckethead or Petrucci would be my favourite.