As soon as you pick up a guitar, you’ll quickly hear names like Hendrix, Clapton, Page, and B.B. King—and with good reason. Every genre, from classical to rock to funk, has its legends who’ve shaped the sound and soul of the instrument. But when it comes to ranking the greatest guitarists of all time? That’s where things get loud—because every music fan has their favorite, whether it’s based on technical mastery, emotional depth, or just pure rockstar vibes. So while narrowing it down to a top 15 is no easy feat, we’ve done our best to spotlight the icons who’ve truly made an impact to the music industry. Let the debate begin and leave a comment of your favorite guitarists down below! 🤘🏽🎸
| 🏅 Rank | 🎸 Guitarist | 🗓️ Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jimi Hendrix | 1942-1970 |
| 2 | Eric Clapton | 1945 - |
| 3 | Jimmy Page | 1944 - |
| 4 | Eddie Van Halen | 1955-2020 |
| 5 | David Gilmour | 1946 - |
| 6 | B.B. King | 1925-2015 |
| 7 | Prince | 1958-2016 |
| 8 | Stevie Ray Vaughan | 1954-1990 |
| 9 | Brian May | 1947 - |
| 10 | Keith Richards | 1943 - |
| 11 | Carlos Santana | 1947 - |
| 12 | Muddy Waters | 1913-1983 |
| 13 | Chuck Berry | 1926-2017 |
| 14 | Robert Johnson | 1911-1938 |
| 15 | Elizabeth Cotten | 1893-1987 |
Who Are Some of the Greatest Guitarists of All Time?
We've surveyed about one century of music history to come up with this list of the top 15 best guitarists that the world has produced up until now. Remember that these rankings are subjective => So leave behind your preconceived ideas on the guitar before reading this article!
15. Elizabeth Cotten (1893-1987)
Starting on the guitar in her early years, Elizabeth Cotten was a self-taught folk and blues guitarist that developed a distinctive style of playing bass lines with her fingers and melody with her thumb on an upside-down, left-handed guitar. Cotten inspired many artists during the 1960s folk revival and later earned a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording and solidified her place influencing guitarists to play a fingerpicking style.
14. Robert Johnson (1911-1938)
In less than 29 songs, this blues guitar genius has had a major impact on this musical genre as well as rock guitar. The legend has said that he would have sold his soul to the devil himself to obtain guitar-playing talent: many blues players mocked his guitar playing incompetence.
His death was equally mysterious, further heightening the legend surrounding this atypical man. But one thing is clear, even though there remains little written by him, the young Robert Johnson aka “The Genius” revolutionized the world of blues and earned worldwide recognition.
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13. Chuck Berry (1926-2017)
He is one of the pioneers of rock’n’roll. At once a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, he has been a veritable source of inspiration for other iconic artists like Elvis “The King” Presley. He revolutionized music by combining two different guitar styles who were begging to be played together, blues and country. It was through this courage and confidence that Berry was able to convey his slick attitude that made everyone stop and listen.
Sadly, however, even though his lyrics and performances were positively received, the artist himself did not have as positive of a reception. He was said to be quite hard to get along with, but that didn't stop his band swinging along. A sign of complete trust in what they were achieving together. Thus rock was born – all you need to do to is listen to his famous song “Johnny B. Goode.” He is the pioneer of music as we know it today, he absolutely earns his place in our top 10 best guitarists list.
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12. Muddy Waters (1913-1983)
His presence among the top 10 best guitarists in the world may come as a surprise, but he who is named “The Lord of the Blues” is an unparalleled guitarist who popularized the bottleneck technique.
His complete mastery of this accessory and his blues virtuosity allowed him to write the great blues titles that are considered classics today like “Hoochie Coochie Man” or “Rollin Stone.” He’s often considered one of the great blues guitarists of all time along with Willie Dixon, Johnny Lee Hooker and BB King.
11. Carlos Santana (1947 - )
World music precursor, the Mexican-born Santana has inspired numerous artists around the world.
Named "The Pope" of rock with Latino vibes, he’s a genius guitarist who discovered the magic formula by skillfully merging rock, blues, samba, and percussions, along with other guitar styles.
An expert in making guitar strings ring, he’s a performer who mastered his art while always experimenting. Indeed, instead of playing the same old songs, Santana prefers to collaborate with other artists to enrich and rethink his music.
Carlos Santana's success is also due to the messages he communicates through his guitar songs with notions of peace, compassion, understanding, and joy.
Listen to “Europa” or “Smooth” and you will recognize his typical lyrical playing, and its characteristic warm and saturated sound!
People say that the Grammy-winning guitarist can be identified with just one single note - now that's an achievement! For all of the playing styles Santana incorporates into his music, his unique guitar sound is immediately recognizable.
10. Keith Richards (1943 - )
One of the leading members of The Rolling Stones along with Mick Jagger, he is still one of the most talented rock guitarists today. Known for being a seducer guitarist! Called The Human Riff, he’s appreciated less for his virtuosity than for his extreme simplicity. For him, it’s preferable to have “2 notes that kill rather than virtuosity for nothing.” And 'killing' the music he played, he did. Richards was famous for bringing dark and sinister sounds to their songs which gave them their identity.
His obsession with sound and his personal guitar playing technique (thanks to his 5-string guitar with open tuning in G) ranks him as one of the greatest rhythmic guitarists of all time. Though not necessary one of the technical greats, his chord-playing conveys so much emotion it's as if the guitar is singing the notes. He has written and composed rock classics like “Jumpin Jack Flash,” “Satisfaction” and “Paint It, Black.”
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9. Brian May (1947 - )
Sir Brian Harold May achieved global fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen.
May's playing is instantly recognizable due to the worldwide fame from tracks "Bohemian Rhapsody", "We Will Rock You", and "Another One Bites the Dust".
These tracks showcase his delay effects and multi-tracked guitar harmonies. Brian May's abilities to blend technical brilliance with emotional depth helped define Queen's genre-defying sound, cementing his legacy as one of the top guitarists!
8. Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954 - 1990)
Whoever this is, he is going to shake the world. I have to find out, before the day is over, who that guitar player is.
Eric Clapton talking about the first time he heard Stevie Ray on the radio
Known for his soulful blends and being the frontman to trio Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Vaughan is considered one of the most influential guitar players of all time! His playing was full of emotion and he was about the reimagine classics and deliver intense originals, that left the audience speechless. Although his career only lasted seven years, he produced many smashing hits including "Pride and Joy", "Texas Flood", and "Little Wing".
7. Prince (1958 - 2016)
While Prince is often celebrated for his flamboyant stage presence, genre-defying music, and vocal prowess, his guitar playing remains one of the most underrated elements of his artistry.
Prince blended rock, funk, soul, and blues into a style that was both technically brilliant and emotionally charged. His solos—like the searing one he delivered during the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to George Harrison—are a masterclass in tone, phrasing, and sheer intensity.
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6. B.B. King (1925-2015)
B.B. (Blues Boys) King is the master of New Orleans blues. He’s a true legend of guitar history! Although certainly less technical than Stevie Ray Vaughan, he wrote numerous classics of the genre (“Sweet Little Angel,” “Sweet sixteen”), rounding out his songs with a rich voice full of emotions and his characteristic vibrato.
Thanks to his inimitable touch that gives real personality to the guitar, BB King has influenced the guitar biggies like Clapton and Hendrix. Working from one sole note, he is capable of telling a story that touches the deepest depths of the human soul.
5. David Gilmour (1946 - )
David Gilmour helped define the sound and style of Pink Floyd, one of the most influential rock bands in history. His skills are showcased in solos like “Comfortably Numb,” “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” and “Time.” His playing isn’t about speed, but about feel, space, and emotional depth. While playing with Pink Floyd, the band's albums The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall, sold over 250 million records! If you wish to master your tone and melodic style, Gilmour is the one to listen to.
4. Eddie Van Halen (1955 - 2020)
For many musicians, there is a before and after Van Halen. Why? The way guitar is now played changed all because of a measly one minute and 42 seconds, or the time it takes to play his infamous “Eruption.”
If you want to learn the electric guitar, Eddie Van Halen is the model to follow! How is it possible that a single man can play as though a group of guitarists is on stage? Whereas there is just him, his ten fingers and his incredible touch of the guitar neck! Nicknamed “Superman,” every guitar fan is awed after hearing his music and his mastery of the instrument.
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3. Jimmy Page (1944 - )
I believe every guitar player inherently has something unique about their playing. They just have to identify what makes them different and develop it.
Jimmy Page
One of the founding and leading members of Led Zeppelin is naturally third on our list of the top 10 best guitarists on the planet. Known as “The Wizard,” Page is a guitarist like no other, playing with a violin bow on his famous Gibson, alternating blues and rock with joy and passion.
He wrote several music pieces with Robert Plant that have entered rock mythology such as “Stairway to Heaven” (what guitarist has not tempted at least once to play the famous intro or final solo?), “Black Dog,” “Whole Lotta Love” and “Since I’ve been Lovin’ you.”
He bought his oft-used Gibson from Joe Walsh. The Fender Telecaster he played the Stairway solo on, The Dragon, was a gift from Jeff Beck.
His solos were show-stopping and innovative when it came to guitar-playing technique at the time. He set himself the challenge of breaking the preconceptions of what a guitar can do, so his style evolved over time. He was always one of the greats, even when experimenting! Anyway, a canonical guitarist.
2. Eric Clapton (1945 - )
Modestly known as “God” by fans, Eric Clapton is one of the most famous rock and blues guitarists still actively playing for almost 50 years today. This Brit rocker pushed the boundaries of rock and blues. He’s a great soloist and iconic melodist who quite simply knows how to play everything. Also nicknamed “Slow Hand,” Clapton handles the fretboard with virtuosity.
Big titles like “Cocaine” or “I Shot the Sheriff” brought him the global success that secured him a definite place in the canon of guitar-heroes. His talent is expressed in solos (we are thinking of the MTV album “Unplugged”) as well as through heartfelt collaborations with artists such as Phil Collins or Mick Jones and gigs in groups like The Yardbirds and The Cream.
When his guitar strings broke mid-concert, he would stop the show to change them on-stage. This time-consuming process caused audiences to break into a slow clap.
He is also the idol of countless students who take guitar instruction. One of the most evident talents of Eric Clapton as a guitarist is his fluidity. A singer and a guitarist, the star hears the songs he plays from both perspectives but weaves them together so smoothly to make them one. This is one artist who really has a fire in his belly and can turn up the heat as and when he wishes. Now in his seventies, Clapton is still performing on stage and is showing little sign of slowing down or not reaching the benchmark he set out for himself during his early solo career along with his stint in the band Cream.
Discover some of Slowhand's sexy songs for the guitar, like Layla or Wonderful Tonight!
1. Jimi Hendrix (1942 - 1970)
Whether you’re after emotion or technique, Jimi Hendrix is considered the uncontested master of the guitar today. Self-taught genius, experimenter, incredible soloist and melodist, he pretty much invented and reinvented the world of rock and blues, still inspiring both big names and beginner guitarists today, all of whom will have covered “Voodoo Child” at one time or another.
He also opened the doors for left-handed guitar players by showing them that they too can master a musical instrument and make something unforgettable from it. What made him truly special was that, unlike other guitarists of his time who stuck to one style of playing, Jimi combined styles and used strumming alongside licks and other additions to create a fuller and more organic sound.
Amazingly, he also used his thumb to do a moving baseline whilst he was playing chords - he wanted to do what no other guitarists were doing, or were able to do, and he succeeded. The way he dressed his chords with so many different sounds and rhythms just shows how naturally talented a guitarist Jimi Hendrix was. His guitar was like an extension of his body, a part of his left hand that had no boundaries.
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Who is your favorite guitarist of all time?
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I’ve seen most of the musicians on your top 10 live, but my personal all time favorite IS Duane Allman. Rolling Stone’s original top 100 list had him at number 2, behind only Hendrix . He died 46 years ago at the age of 24 before most people outside the south even heard of him.
Agree 100 per cent
have not heard of him
Totally agree, I recall that list also.
The best guitarist not ever mentioned
Terry Kath. Check out Documentary
About him on YouTube
Hey somebody knows something. Terry could play
Kath was Hendrix’ favorite guitarist. That says it all.
OK, when the list started it was hard to tell if the author was knowledgeable on the subject because of the automatic “Go To” names. Unfortunately, by the time I got to the end I realized this was the author’s favorites list versus the Top 10 Greatest Guitar Players. Kirk Hammett, Slash, Jack White, Chuck Berry??? You can’t put them on any list and not mention the guy who influenced so many, and who Eric Clapton called the best guitarist in the world, SRV. Richards biggest claim to fame it the amount of drugs he’s done that haven’t killed him, and play with SRV on his best day. You mentioned Beck in the beginning, but I don’t think you meant Jeff Beck, I’m thinking the “Loser Baby” Back. You got Tom from Rage but no Steve Vai or Joe Satriani who trumps Eddie V all day. You have B.B. but no Albert King, who was a way more technical blues man than Chuck Berry. And even Mark Tramonti or James Hatfield plays better than Kirk Hammett.
Agreed
You made a list without SRV?
Who is SRV?
Stevie ray vaughn,nor did they pick Billy Gibbons,or Freddie King
Stevie Ray, ABSOLUTELY
Billy Gibbons /Freddie King
Absolutely not.
Terry Kath and Stevie Ray Vaughan for me over anyone on that list but Jimi. I’ve seen Page, Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Brian May, David Gilmour, Steve Howe, Eddie Van Halen, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Mick Ronson, Kerry Livgren, Joe Walsh, Don Felder and Carlos Santana among others. Totally subjective as is all art and I have weird taste.
So no one ever heard of a guy named Harrison?
Duane Allman
There is one musical virtuoso whom I would added to this list, if for no other reason then the fact that the 2nd guitarist on the list thru his comment, seemed to hand the title as “greatest guitatist on earth” to this guy. This same individual has often been compared to the one who holds the crown- Jimi. And yet, arguably should not be in this list due to the fact that he was much more than a Master of the guitar, he mastered vurtually over 30 other instruments he played, sold almost Every concert he performed world wide, and has thousands of unreleased songs that if put in an album form, and released one album ever year, would take us inti the next 100 years.
Of course Im referring to Prince. Whom was one of 2 guitarists given homage to by Clapton. The other of course was Hendrix.
See comment below. Prince. Maybe when doves cry.
B.B.King said and I agree that Derek Trucks is the best guitarists he’s ever played with. That guy is fantastic!
Jeff healey
Judging by skill, versatility, distinctive sound, innovation, ability to move his audience, place in the wider music community – Mark Knopfler has got to be one of the best. Really, are the players on your list better? Maybe Gilmour.
Also Blackmore’s district tone and style stands apart from most.
PRINCE.. without a doubt better than half listed above if not all.. His guitar solo on purple rain was arguably one of the best in history.. ETC… Seriously.. If Prince didnt make the cut its due to ignorance. Seriously.
Yes what about Prince. No one ever sees how great the man is. The best.!
Are you kidding me? Prince more like princess.
No Prince?
I can’t take this anymore
Steve Vai, Malmsteen, Blackmore, Nuno Bettencourt, Paul Gilbert, Al Di Meola are NOT on this list.
Gordon. you so know what your talking about! I would add Bonamassa, Wylde, Abasi
Hey Gordon, I agree Al Di Meola deserves credit, a blazing guitar player, just because of being Mostly Flamenco he doesn’t usually get mentioned.Splendido Hotel Baby…
I agree. bogus list. Just ones opinion.
Plini
where is George Harrison??????????????????
Right on dimodokos
Not one mention of Eric Gales. Even Bonamassa said he was the best in the world. This article is outdated ….Kieth Richards is in the top ten ???. I should slam my car door on both my hands and I could play just like him….
I remember watching johnny carson back in 1969 and ask jimi hendrix who was his favorite outside his self.his answer was billy gibbons of zz top
Where is Price
Was scrolling down. Great insightful piece. My distant Cousin Phil X,an unique incredible musical guitar artist. Seen him in Concert last April playing a series of different guitars in the Bon Jovi band. Have an original album of his Canadian group,Sidinex,which ia his last name spelled backwards.
Rory Gallagher was the best. Fact.
Rory Gallagher by far would be the top on any list on rock ,blues,rhythm ,lead solo or with a band
Ask jimmy or Eric or Slash
RIP Rory
Any list not consisting of Stevie Ray Vaughn at or near the top is not legitimate. Also no mention of the best jazz guitarist in the world Lee Ritenour. The Duane Allman omission is also difficult.
Angus young! By far the greatest lead guitarist ever! The others on your so called top 10, couldn’t hold his pick! Although he never used one! Technique, come on… Hendrix? You’ve got to be kidding! The only other name who deserves to be recognized… VanHalen!
This is a fantastic site. The point to like this site is focusing the most renowned guitarists.
Often left off lists of greatest guitarists is Terry Kath, the original lead guitarist of Chicago. The guy most often called the greatest of them all-Jimi Hendrix- considered Kath better then him. I think that Jimi’s assessment is enough to make a case for Terry Kath!
I agree with anyone who recognizes the unbelievable talent that was Terry Kath.
Saw him live your not kidding
Duane Allman and Dereck Trucks are missing from the list. Frank Zappa was also a great guitar player.
Frank was good
The issue I have is that all you ‘top 10’are r&b or r&r types. No acknowledgement of classical players – reinhardt, segovia, williams, peak et al. The former (r&b/r&r) are so mono-stylist. The classicals, however, can do spanish, jazz, rock, pop et al…. why are thry not recognised??
Jimi Hendrix will ALWAYS be number 1 and Eric Clapton number 2 I have to agree jimmy Page number 3 but that can get shakey Pete Townsend will rate in there but David Gilmour is definely in there GREATEST TIMES IN MUSIC
Totally agree, Hendrix showed you how to play, page showed you what you could do with a guitar and evh showed you that there is no limits. Thats my three and all the rest are 4th, great, but never revolutionized the guitar. When a guitar player changes the game, then he can be considered in the top three.
I’m no guitarist but I’ve seen enough of the masters in action live (Richards, Moore, etc) but for Prince to be omitted from the top 10 is a travesty!
Where does Prince rank, as Eric Clapton looked up to him?
I think Clapton was heavily sedated that day
Another purple lover
Rory Gallagher was the greatest,even jimi hendrix confirmed it when asked so ur way off the mark here fools
Tienes toda la razón
Where’s John Frusciante in this story? ;-)
I forget to write one more guitarist – Jason Becker!!! My last post didn’t appear here. Probably becase I added guitarist from Dream Theater, Polish band KAT, and few guitarist like Tina S or Dr. Viossy. These post examples are not best guitarist but well known guitarist and liked by author songs. Metal and rock bands guitarist are the best that don’t mean they are the best composers!
A top 10 without Prince has no merit…Eric Clapton himself believes Prince is the greatest guitar player to have lived…and he knew Hendrix personally. I think Prince just came to the fore as a “pop star” so no one thinks of him as a guitarist.
Well-written, but I gotta disagree with some picks and non-inclusions, the most glaring one being SRV’s absence.
Listen closely to John Mayer and you’re gonna see that half of what he does comes from SRV’s bag of tricks. The list itself deals encompasses mostly Rock and Blues guitarists as well. Actually, Django is probably better than most people on this list.
Nuno Bettencourt?????????
Ridiculous no prince?
Hey, why?, where ? is the Name gone, why hasn’t anybody invoked Yngwie Malmsteens name. Neoclassical metal Rock. And ofcourse Zal Clemenson……woof…..what Guitar playing skills.
No Brian MAY?
Skunk Baxter
Elliott Randall
Larry Carlton
Guthrie Govan
Zakk Wylde
Steve Morse
Andy Timmons
Paul Gilbert
Denny Dias
All better than half of the list
Did I miss Stevie Ray Vaughn?!!!
I’m not saying the top ten picks are bad but STR was in a class of his own. What about Johnny Winters? Nothing was said about Randy Rhodes.
My favs are “The Wizard”and “Superman!!!” I’ve never seen Jimmy Page live, but he is incredible. Love his style.
Then there’s Eddie Van Halen.
The first time I saw Van Halen live was on their VH2 album tour. He blew my hair back then I saw VH on their 1984 tour. Wow!!! Eruption was a statement!!!
I saw them when they were Van Hagar, then with David Lee Roth after he got back with them for a tour. EDDIE!!!EDDIE!!!EDDIE!!!
I agree Jimi Hendrix is number 1
Playing a right handed guitar left handed and the emotion he put into it. Anybody remember the Pepsi commercial. It’s a fav. Check it out on Utube.
Here’s another guy I think should have been mentioned is Jeff Healy. A blind guy who plays like he did. Just as good as anybody else. I saw him live once in Salmon Arm BC. At the blueberry festival He played 7 encores. They had to pull him off the stage. Ashley Macissac followed him. He plays anwesome violin/ fiddle Awesome show. The next day Jeff Healy held a jam session and anybody could come hang out with him. It was so cool!!!
Alex Liefson from Rush he is an awesome player and from the past Rik Emmitt from Triumph.
Gotta mention the Canadian boys
Mark Knopfler and Joe Walsh?!!!
Definitly this is only for commercial guitar players, where are
Guthrie
Petrucci
Malmsteen
Paul Gilbert
Zappa easily trumps many on this list – not to mention his plank-spanking band-member, Steve Vai. Oh well, at least Gilmour merited an entry, albeit an ‘honourable mention’…
Huge oversight…
Hound dog Taylor where 90% of the guitar players got their sound from Allman to Van Halen he was 102 when he cut his first album
Hound dog Taylor
Roy Clark
Agreed, Roy Clark in my opinion was a VERY under rated guitar player. Very mean with a banjo too. Definitely in top 15.
How do you have a greatest guitarists list without Stevie Ray Vaughan? That’s just wrong.
I can’t believe that John McLaughlin, who is definitely in the top five, wasn’t mentioned. Clapton, though great, is, IMHO, the most overrated of all top guitarists. Watch videos of him playing with (and totally embarrassed by) Jeff Beck for example. My top fiveare Jimi alone at the top. Rounding out the top five are Beck, McLaughlin, Vaughan and Kath in no particular order.
Eddie Should be above Santana , Keith Richards and Robert Johnson!
10. Jimmy Page
9. BB King
8. Albert King
7. Muddy Waters
6. Slash
5. David Gilmour
4. Duane Allman
3. Stevie Ray Vaughn
2. Jimi Hendrix
1. Eric Clapton
did yo7 guys forget stevie ray vaughn
What about Alvin Lee?
Roy Buchanan
for one my favorite gutairist front man from green day is billie joe armstrong
I don’t think blues guitarist should be there n the same competition as rock n roll guitars st
If you don’t have Joe Walsh, Don Felder, Randy Bachman and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on your list, you simply don’t have a list of the greatest guitarists….
No Blackmore??? He emits more emotion than many of these slingers and his tone and technique stands alone.
Duane Allman, Terry Kath,
Stevie Ray Vaughn not only better than half this list. But should be in the top 5
Prince…not only guitar but multi talented and if he only played guitar instead of the 20 instruments he could play and devoted all his time to guitar and not producing, singing, writing, directing, he very well could have been the best, but he damn well deserves a place on this and any other list for playing guitar
No Jerry Garcia
Thank you Tom!!! Most of these people are oblivious…..I cant believe i had to read this far down to see a reference to Garcia!!!
Captain Trips played everything from Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country, Bluegrass…Super innovative, and his sound is unmistakable, and can be recognized by one or two notes…
All the guitarist listed, wanted to play with Jerry…
Get with the times people. There are much better more talented guitar players out there. If you don’t agree, don’t care.
List is bogus.No one on your list can play what Ritchie Blackmore plays. Including Hendrix.
Incredibly, Dimebag Darrel of Pantera didn’t even get a single mention. When it comes to chops on a guitar, no one I can think of did it better. Take a listen and you will agree.
SRV, Rory Gallagher, Ritchie Blackmore, Humble’s Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton, Duane Allman, Steve Howe…
I think it’s VERY difficult to make a list like this because without question, these men listed are quite literally THE very best (but here’s the important thing) AT WHAT THEY DO. It’s certainly not a surprise to see Jimi Hendrix listed as #1, for God’s sakes, he did things with (and to) guitars that even his road crew couldn’t understand, and still drops jaws all these decades after his untimely passing.
Eric Clapton, Slowhand, what can you say ? Again, another example of a level of skill that’s hard to find words to adequately describe. You can literally FEEL his raw emotion pour into, thru, and wash over your very soul. Just an absolute “Bluesman” thru and thru. And not just because of how he plays, but just look at what he’s endured (and like many, overcome) in his life. If that’s not “The Blues”, I don’t think anything qualifies.
Since they were so close, and really very surprised to see Duane Allmans name not up there, one has to really give it to him. Look what he accomplished in the limited time he was graced to be here. He IS the “2nd half” of Layla, arguably one of, if not THE greatest Love song ever written. Duane, and Duane alone played Slide with notes that are quite literally, OFF THE INSTRUMENT !!! I don’t think ANYONE played Slide the way Duane did. Absolutely, indescribably, beyond perfection. You didn’t just “feel” his sound because of being in the vicinity of an amp, you felt it, again, emotionally, deep in your very soul.
Jimmy Page will always be a Guitar God. Not just because LED ZEP played loud 4 hour gigs, and to say Jimmy’s skill was ” beyond spectacular” still doesn’t come close to doing him justice. Look at how the music was “put together” and you see its actually VERY COMPLEX and to just get thru it is a feat in itself. But to OWN IT with his skill level…thats a whole different thing.
I could go on forever, as Im sure most can, about how phenomenal these guys that are listed really are. But I wont, and can’t stand the “he’s better than him” nonsense for good reason.
I like to think of a list of these guys, real guitar Masters, in the same way you would think of the finest liquors on the “Top Shelf” at any Bar or Pub. Up on that “Top Level”, each is the PINNACLE, the absolute BEST….at what they do. And we all know, they DONT all do “the same thing” (once you’re past the fact that they’re all using a guitar).
Each one has their own unique, and in some cases, wildly different Style.
David Gilmore, for example, also shockingly not on this list, is by most, also considered a Master, a true virtuoso. And that fact cant be denied. But clearly, whether we’re talking about Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck (also not on this list), Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy (again, not on this list), there’s no argument that these guys, well…simply put, It just doesn’t get any better. Just like that “Top Shelf” liquor. Each man, in his own right, is absolutely a true Master of his craft, a Master of his “sound”. In that vein, they simply are the VERY BEST, PERIOD.
That said, they’re all playing very differently, so it’s VERY difficult to compare them and come up with a numerically based list that somehow implies that “#1 is better than #5” to just pick arbitrary numbers.
I think each one, in their own right, is in fact, the “Best Guitar Player”
Unquestionably, they’ve all collectively given us their heart and soul, and expressed it thru a medium that has most likely “moved” each and every person that’s heard their music in amazing ways, and we’re all very fortunate to have seen, and/or heard them.
So a huge “Thank You” from all of us to all of them. You’ve all helped shape our lives in one way or another.
~Jules
No Kenny Wayne Shepherd great blues rock guitarist.
One only needs to hear “Bluest Blues” by Alvin Lee to know that he deserves a mention amongst the best blues guitarists of all time.
Where is Stevie Ray, Albert Collins, Duane Allman, Vince Gill, Frank Zappa, Keith Urban, Kingfish, Bonnie Rait, Derek Truck, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Jerry Cantrel, Richie Blackmore, Roy Clark, Glen Campbell, Chet Atkins, Susan Tedeschi and many more
It s all subjective. Depending on who you like. I like melodies, so Mark Knopfler is my guy.
Has anybody ever heard of Alvin Lee by far one of the best guitarists who receives no accolades!!!
Uli Jon Roth..Robin Trower..Tony Iomni Michael shenker …invegh Mounstien Stevie ray vaun Alex lifeson…Billy gibbons..Frank morino …all of these right here are rock guitarists but I garuantee they best work can go against anyone!!!
Yeah Stevie Ray Vaughan should definitely be in the top three
Thank you for seeing Steve Lukather’s talent. To me he is the best guitarist, since he can play anything and on a moment’s notice. Being a session musician he, at times had to come up with something on the spot. Plus, you know he’s a great guitarist/musician when Elton John, Bob Seger & Miles Davis wants you in there band. I’ve heard him play metal, hard rock, jazz, blues, disco, rock, pop, ballads and more. He did play “Beat It” (Michael Jackson). Played electric and bass on that song. Eddie only did the solo. Question is, What can’t he play?
John Mc Laughlin Carlos and Jeff Beck … Saw them play together Capitol Theatre in NJ
In 74 .
Frank Zappa is a glaring and frankly inexcusable ommission.
Y’all don’t shit where is Stevie Ray Vaughn it’s alwwys Jimi H. Alot of Jimi playing is bunch of distortion playing. So me a favor no y’all a favor listen to Austin City Limits ” Mary had a little Lamb’ fuck me Eddie V Halen come on man I’m Hispanic Carlos don’t deserve Robert J. He sold his soul to the Devil what y’all Satanist only I agree is Eric only one right in list now go clean your ears and do better listen
Then there is Son House, who invented the slide, later learned by Robert Johnson and others.
B.B. King said, “The day that Son died, every Blues player in the world moved up a notch.”
SRV hands down best ever. No mention of Lindsay Buckingham Joe bonamassa is bad ass. And anyone who thinks Prince is not deserving needs to watch him play before deciding not to include him
Mike Bloomfield, Roy Buchanan, John McLaughlin, Albert King, Mark Knopfler, Lou Reed, Alvin Lee, Johnny Winter, Ronnie Wood, Tony Iommi, Mick Taylor, Pete Townshend, Albert Collins I’ll stop right there I got to go to bed
Dont forget to mention Tina S https://youtu.be/NhKEBTz2N28
Ignoring Terry Kath is a huge mistake. He should be near the top or even at the top of your list! . But hey, it’s all about opinions isn’t it.
You didn’t mention Stevey Ray Vaughn
Prince Stevie Ray Vaughn should have been in the top with Hendrix and Clapton
Albert king, Freddy King are best gutarist
Eddie Hazel and Vernon Burch
you forgot mark knopfler
I know many guitarists who can play ALL of Jimi’s tracks…even 16 year old guitarists! Which makes him, in my humble opinion, the most overrated guitarist ever! Its all down to individual preference. All are ‘MASTERS’ in their own style…It is entirely up to the listener. So, who is the best guitar player? Such a stupid question!
JEFF BECK! He did things that Hendrix couldn’t imagine and most of your Top Ten guitarists would agree