Welcome To The Top 100 Guitarists Of All Time!
Examples being; Eddie Van Halen was ranked #70. This is a man who defined the electric guitar. He did things with a guitar that other people could only envy. How can he be a worse guitarist than Kurt Cobain (#12)?! Cobain probably wasn't even the best guitarist in Nirvana! (He's apparently on record as calling himself the "anti-guitar hero").
Slash (one of the most notable guitarists of all time, for sure!) wasn't even on the list.
This is only my opinion but that's what these lists are. Opinions. A "panel of experts" may not always get it right. So now, you, the public, the people who create these superstars, the people who acknowledge the ability of these players, get the vote.
It took a while to think of 100 Guitarists I thought were worthy. My friend Ryan (a guitarist) and I (vocalist) sat for about 4 hours trying to come up with 100 names who we thought should make the list. We based it on influence, charisma, ability, style, definition and popularity. Now we know we're not the "panel of experts" that selected the top 100 for Rolling Stone Magazine but I think we did a good job...
BUT... That's up to you to decide. If you think a different guitarist should be added. Add them and vote for them!
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The Best Guitarists Of All Time
Get Voting!
This appears to have caused quite a stir on a specific forum so I should make this clear; this is a vote. Logged in Squidoo members can vote.
If you haven't got an account, I highly recommend you make one. Click *this link*, you can make pages (called lenses) about (almost) anything you want.
Happy Voting!
1
Jimmy Page
Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin and The Firm50 points
2
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix Experience48 points
4
Eddie Van Halen
Van Halen40 points
5
Carlos Santana
Santana35 points
6
Eric Clapton
Yardbirds, Cream, Derek & The Dominos34 points
7
Kirk Hammett
Metallica29 points
8
Brian May
Queen26 points
9
Angus Young
ACDC25 points
10
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble25 points
11
Joe Satriani
Soloist25 points
12
Steve Vai
Whitesnake23 points
13
Pete Townshend
The Who20 points
14
Joe Perry
Aerosmith19 points
15
Keith Richards
The Rolling Stones19 points
16
David Gilmour
Pink Floyd18 points
17
George Harrison
The Beatles and Traveling Wilburys18 points
18
Randy Rhoads
Quiet Riot18 points
19
Ritchie Blackmore
Deep Purple, Rainbow and Blackmores Night17 points
20
B.B. King
Soloist17 points
21
Tony Iommi
Black Sabbath16 points
22
Matthew Bellamy
Muse16 points
23
Yngwie Malmsteen
Rising Force14 points
24
Synyster Gates
Avenged Sevenfold14 points
25
Zack Wylde
Black Label Society13 points
26
Neal Schon
Journey13 points
27
Dimebag Darrell
Pantera, Damageplan and Rebel Meets Rebel13 points
28
Eric Johnson
Soloist12 points
29
Mark Knopfler
Dire Straits12 points
30
Dave Mustaine
Metallica and Megadeth12 points
31
John Petrucci
Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment12 points
32
Jeff Beck
The Yardbirds and Soloist12 points
33
Alex Lifeson
Rush12 points
35
Buckethead
Guns N' Roses, Soloist and Collaborator11 points
36
Frank Zappa
Soloist11 points
37
John Frusciante
Red Hot Chilli Peppers10 points
38
Adrian Smith
Iron Maiden10 points
39
Marty Friedman
Megadeth10 points
40
Mick Mars
Motley Crue10 points
41
Ace Frehley
Kiss9 points
42
Don Felder
The Eagles9 points
43
Paul Gilbert
Racer X and Mr. Big9 points
44
C.C.Deville
Poison9 points
45
Richie Sambora
Bon Jovi8 points
46
The Edge
U28 points
47
Chuck Berry
Soloist8 points
48
Les Paul
Soloist and Inventor8 points
50
Steve Morse
Deep Purple8 points
51
Phil Keaggy
Soloist8 points
52
Duane Allman
Allman Brothers Band and Derek & The Dominos7 points
53
Jack White
The White Stripes and The Raconteurs7 points
54
Django Reinhardt
Soloist7 points
55
Michael Schenker
Scorpions, UFO, MSG and Contraband6 points
56
Robert Johnson
Soloist6 points
57
Chet Atkins
Soloist and Producer6 points
58
Rick Nielsen
Cheap Trick6 points
59
Steve Clarke
Def Leppard6 points
60
Nancy Wilson
Heart6 points
61
Herman Li
Demoniac and DragonForce5 points
62
Dave Murray
Iron Maiden5 points
63
Michael Angelo Batio
Nitro5 points
64
Allan Holdsworth
Level 42 and Soloist5 points
66
Jerry Garcia
Grateful Dead5 points
67
Steve Miller
Steve Miller Band and Soloist5 points
68
Lemmy
Hawkwind and Motorhead5 points
69
Prince
Soloist5 points
70
Johnny Ramone
The Ramones4 points
71
Vivian Campbell
Dio, Whitesnake and Def Leppard4 points
72
Phil Collen
Def Leppard4 points
73
Ry Cooder
Captain Beefheart (Now Primarily Soloist)4 points
74
Mick Thomson
Bodypit and Slipknot4 points
75
Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews Band4 points
76
Steve Lukather
Toto3 points
77
Uli Jon Roth
Scorpions3 points
78
Dave Davies
The Kinks3 points
79
Jeff Hannemann
Slayer3 points
80
Noel Gallagher
Oasis3 points
81
Jonny Greenwood
Radiohead3 points
82
Jose Feliciano
Soloist3 points
84
Marc Bolan
T. Rex3 points
85
Mick Jones
The Clash3 points
86
Jan Ackerman
Focus3 points
87
Johnny Winter
Soloist3 points
88
Dan Donegan
Vandal and Disturbed2 points
89
Glen Tipton
The Flying Hat Band and Judas Priest2 points
90
Steve Cropper
The Mar-Keys and The Blues Brothers Band2 points
91
James Burton
Soloist2 points
92
Jeff Baxter
Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers2 points
93
John McLaughlin
Mahavishnu Orchestra and Soloist2 points
94
Daron Malakian
System Of A Down and Scars On Broadway2 points
95
Bumblefoot
Guns N' Roses2 points
96
Jason Becker
Soloist2 points
97
Paul Weller
The Jam and The Style Council1 point
98
Ed O'Brien
Radiohead1 point
99
Josh Homme
Kyuss and Queens Of The Stone Age1 point
100
Mike McCready
Pearl Jam1 point
101
Hank Marvin
The Shadows1 point
102
Richard Thompson
Fairport Convention and Soloist1 point
103
Robert Cray
Robert Cray Band1 point
104
Adrian Legg
Soloist1 point
105
Leo Kottke
Soloist1 point
106
George Lynch
Dokken, Lynch Mob and Souls Of We1 point
107
Mark Tremonti
Creed, Alter Bridge1 point
108
Andres Segovia
Soloist1 point
109
Bill Frisell
Soloist1 point
110
Kaki King
Soloist1 point
111
John Squire
The Stone Roses0 points
112
Ronnie Wood
Faces and The Rolling Stones0 points
113
Kelly Jones
Stereophonics0 points
114
Blues Saraceno
Poison and Transmission OK0 points
115
Brian Bell
Weezer, Space Twins and The Relationship0 points
116
Merle Travis
Soloist0 points
117
Don Rich
Soloist0 points
118
Daniel Lanois
0 points
119
Oscar Castro-Neves
Soloist0 points
120
Billy McLaughlin
Soloist0 points
121
Tony Palacious
Guardian0 points
The Greatest Guitar Solo?
As per request of the people. I bring you a Youtube Plexo. Here are some of the greatest guitar solos ever!
1
Led Zeppelin Stairway to Heaven - Live in O2 Arena 2007 10 points
2
Comfortably Numb 8 points
3
Eruption Guitar Solo--Eddie Van Halen 7 points
4
Cliffs of Dover 6 points
5
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower Live! Isle Of Wight 5 points
6
Carlos Santana- EUROPA 4 points
7
John Petrucci - Glasgow Kiss - G3 2005 3 points
8
Queen - Brighton rock 3 points
9
frank zappa goes insane on the 'montana' improv 3 points
10
Stevie Ray Vaughan- Little Wing Live 1 point
Top 100 Guitarists Links
- 100 Top Rock Guitarists
- This list has been compiled using ratings of impact, influence, creativity, versatility, originality, technical skill and lasting
popularity. - Rolling Stone Magazine's 100 Top Guitarists
- The one that kicked off this lens!
The Jimi Hendrix Duel!
He ranked #1 in the Rolling Stone Magazine Top 100 but...
Is Jimi Hendrix Over-rated?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
123RealityCheck says:
He is over-rated and Joe Satriani is under-rated. The main reason is because Joe makes it look so easy it is comedy, but if you close your eyes and listen to him versus the rest of your top10 it isn't a contest. Most of the others are doing contortions while sounding weaker and less skilled, where he just stands there and effortlessly smokes the stage with no lyrics to his music, because the guitar is the music. How is that for a band... no singer or catchy lyrics necessary, Joe's guitar speaks for itself.
Posted August 05, 2011
EditionH says:
Yes,definitely. The new generation is much further in their music and in their ways to follow a career as musicians too.
My favorites from today are John Scofield,Pat Metheny,Bill Frisell,Wolfgang Muthspiel and Boris Stankewitz(check him out on Myspace).
Posted November 07, 2008
deedlebug says:
JIMI HENDRIX WAS GREAT IN HIS ERA BUT I'D HAVE TO SAY SLASH IS THE BEST GUITARIST I'VE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
Posted September 14, 2008
SimeyC says:
He was very revolutionary and unique, for that the answer has to be YEs.
Posted August 02, 2008
Roxy_Calamari says:
He had a wild new sound. For the times, he was an innovator with guitar effects. Technically, Vai, Satriani, and Petrucci are the current kings. (Check out Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt...an excellent guitarist.
Posted July 28, 2008
The_Homeopath says:
Jimi's great and all, but I think a lot of the mystique and praise comes from his death.
Posted June 29, 2008
LaraineRose says:
He may be a very good guitar player but just not my style. I like Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Posted May 08, 2008
theshinydude says:
It is hard to fit him in any sort of conventional rating system. I think that alone is reason enough not to be considered "over-rated".
Posted May 06, 2008
GeminiSky says:
I think he was a good guitarist but he was a more interesting and innovative as a performer than a totally amazing guitarist.
I just learned recently that he was Bi-polar. That explains the self-medicating with drugs.
Posted May 04, 2008
CrypticFragments says:
I'm not personally a Hendrix fan. Yes, he was innovative, but to me it's a lot of discordant and very unpleasant sounds...
to each their own!
Posted May 04, 2008
No
kmcvay says:
No - along with Buddy Guy and BB King, I consider him one of the all time best.
Posted November 21, 2011
PaulOnBooks says:
No. Forget all the gimmicks and the playacting and listen to him play - the mas was a god on his instrument.
Posted October 16, 2011
COCavemen says:
Jimi was ranked #1 for more than just his guitar skills - he has had the greatest impact on the instrument, performance abilities and influencing the next generation to learn to play. MY favorite guitarist however is David Gilmore - My #1.
Posted March 24, 2011
PHIL832 says:
Definately not!.He was way ahead of time,even now,had he lived he would still be #1.Many other great musicians have been influenced by him and his music.He was the first real icon of the electric guitar.
Posted January 29, 2009
Pyronaut says:
I agree with the below that santana is over rated. He is good, but he is old good. Plenty of guitarists that i would put ahead of him.
Hendrix is in no way over rated. If you try and play his songs on guitar you know how good he is. its just notes all over the place that make up the song. And they are notes that if you miss them out the song sounds COMPLETELY wrong.
Posted December 29, 2008
metallica1 says:
Jimi Hendrix is not over-rated. In fact, I think Carlos Santana is over rated
Posted December 20, 2008
Marcarr says:
If he had lived longer, or if he would be alive, we probably would not ask this question. Time stopped for him. He was a guitarist of most unbelievable NATURAL DIVERSITY.
Posted September 24, 2008
dkdaniel says:
Andres Segovia should be number one, but perhaps Squidoo readers are too young to be familiar with his virtuosity?
Posted September 10, 2008
sirkeystone says:
Absolutely. He had the monster guitarists of his time, ducking for cover. He was a recording genius. Just sit down and think about all of the tunes that some people have thought other bands did first, that were Hendrix songs. That and the pioneering effects? Stuff that he did with reel to reel tapes and a few stomp boxes, that we have to have computer controlled processors to do now.
Posted August 08, 2008
lifelongfitness says:
John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani get my vote, and definately are top 10 material
Posted August 02, 2008
ieujon48 says:
A true innovator - fantastic! What about Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour for your list? Larry Carlton's solo on 'Kid Charlemagne' is one of the best solos ever!
Posted July 15, 2008
Gibson Flying V
As people were asking...
The Gibson Flying V is the guitar used in my introductory picture.The first prototypes of the guitar were manufactured in 1957. The were made of korina wood and were designed to take the company in a different direction and demonstrate a more futuristic approach.
This futuristic approach wasn't very well recieved by the public as it was deemed too radical and after the launch in 1958, production ceased in 1959.
Lonnie Mack and Albert King (both soloists) immediately embraced the Flying V and in the mid-60's their faith in the guitar was proven justified after both Dave Davies (The Kinks) and Jimi Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix Experience) adopted the guitar. This generated a lot of extra interest and Gibson re-issued the guitar in 1967.
Since then, the Gibson Flying V (a.k.a. V Factor) has become a cult icon. With the backing of the media, rock legends and the admiration of the public, this is the guitar to have.
If You Liked This...
And Don't Forget To...
Stumble It!Top 100 Guitarists Feedback
Got something to say? Here's the place!
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SaintFrantic
Oct 19, 2011 @ 12:52 pm | delete
- there is a lot more to be in that list.Great job.Thanks for the great lens.
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jamessirbensonmum
Jun 3, 2011 @ 8:36 pm | delete
- A much better list than RS. But, Where is Tommy Shaw (Styx)? That dude can play anything!
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AnonymousJ
Mar 31, 2011 @ 12:30 pm | delete
- I like how you got Hendrix, Slash and Santana in the top 5. And Prince is in there too. He's good at so much it's easy to forget how good a guitarist he is. But I should add, if you're into funk guitarists, Wendy Melvoin is as good as they come.
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bsblmike2
Oct 23, 2010 @ 4:48 pm | delete
- i like top 100's and i like guitars!
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damagedinc
Sep 28, 2010 @ 12:58 am | delete
- Nice Lens!
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TheOmegaJuggalo
Sep 22, 2010 @ 4:45 pm | delete
- Love it! I definitely agree with the number one choice right now (Jimi Hendrix). Though I'm wondering where Munky from Korn is on the list...
Regardless, nice lens. Keep it up.
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JaguarJulie
Sep 9, 2010 @ 7:23 am | delete
- OMG, I so love ANYBODY that can play a good guitar! So many talented people.
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LadyLovelace
Sep 9, 2010 @ 7:10 am | delete
- I have learned much on this lens - I hadn't heard of some of these people before today!
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greenguitar
Jun 18, 2010 @ 8:06 am | delete
- I was really blown away by the idea of listing 100 great guitarist and i really like the style of Mike Jones.
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Pyronaut Dec 29, 2008 @ 12:17 am | delete
- I personally thing jack white is my favourite guitarist. I mean.... Slash said jack white was the best modern day guitarist. He just has that feel. Not over the top and not too little, finds the pockets to poke sounds in but doesnt absolutely shred everything. Another thing to remember is that he can play in pretty much ANY genre and sound good.
I added omar rodriguez lopez to the list. Because he is pure amazing. And if someone like John Frusciante gets him in to play guitar on his SOLO albums. Then he must be good ;)
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lakeerieartists
Dec 11, 2008 @ 8:38 am | delete
- This is a truly great lens and I need to devote some serious time to it. Great choices. Not sure who my favorite is. Have to think about that.
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Seattletaxaccountant
Oct 29, 2008 @ 1:14 pm | delete
- Great lens. How do I vote Neal Schon lower?
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Tiddledeewinks
Sep 27, 2008 @ 1:46 am | delete
- Where's C.C. DeVille? I'm surprised Eelkat (my daughter), didn't ask, as he's HER favorite!
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HPR
Sep 20, 2008 @ 11:38 pm | delete
- Love the lens! Nice work
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CleanerLife
Aug 26, 2008 @ 5:21 pm | delete
- Great Lens! There's certainly room for debate, I don't think I could keep a list of my favorites under 100, and I'm sure I couldn't rank them!
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by Pixieish
Pixieish is a caffeine addicted, hyperactive and intensely competitive budding journalist with passions for rock music, gaming, technology, artistic flair,... more »
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