Greatest Living Guitarists

The Top Ten
1 Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He has also been a member of Derek and the Dominos.

Rolling Stone Magazine went to a lot of trrouble quizzing some of the top players and associates in hemusic industry to get the 100 greatest guitarists list, Eric Clapton is #2 on that list, bettered only by the late Jimmy Hendrix. So you want the greatest LIVING guitarist? Everyone in he business says it's Clapton. I agree.

What? He hasn't played decently since Derek and the Dominos (except for "Just One Night" and the Cream reunion shows, although not as good as in his heyday).

Eric Clapton is the personification of cool on the guitar. On top of that, he's just an all around good human.

Kirk Hammet? Who are we kidding? How did he even make the top 100? This poll is a joke!

2 Jimmy Page James Patrick Page is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin.

Jimi Hendrix was probably one of the best innovators on the guitar - the first time Clapton saw him he was playing Hey Joe then went right into The Wind Cries Mary. Clapton told the people he was with "This guy is gonna put us out of business! "
But Page knew music from the first time he put a pick to a string writing whatever tune he was composing the music for all the way through to belting the master tapes (that would join the annals of R&R) together and EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN!.
No 2 Zep albums were the same! They didn't stick to some formula that most bands were doing. Page took chances. It was his idea to release the 4th album with no information on it at all. He fought Atlantic Records on it (though he lost out to Atlantic - he didn't even want them to put their logo and name on IV! ) That is the only printing on the cover!
James Patrick Page - FOREVER THE HAMMER OF THE GODS!

Extraordinary on all levels...and actually no other guitarist could ever say that...this dude can play on the highest quality levels of musicianship...his musical vocabulary is without peer...he is a complete master producer and studio engineer and the greatest composer and arranger of guitar and other compositions in the rock era...bar none! and as a guitarist...the most versatile and influential who has yet lived...What a privilege to have him in our midst performing for 60 years in such astounding brilliance...

Pagey is the all around master. He writes, riffs, produces, and entertains. He doesn't just spit out the recorded version that you could listen to at home. He gives you a true live performance. And his music is still loved by millions 40 years later!

Hammett is NOT that good guys...any experienced player would not put him in the company of Page, Clapton, Beck, SRV.There has not been a new God since Stevie. He was the last to be worthy of the aforementioned company.

3 Derek Trucks Derek Trucks is an American guitarist, songwriter, and founder of the Grammy Award-winning The Derek Trucks Band. He became an official member of The Allman Brothers Band in 1999.

Put DT way at the top of the list. Unbelievable sounds (sitar like at times), plays slide as well as if not better than Duane Allman and has a broader musical base from which to draw on than most others on or near the top.

A lot better than Duane Allman (but wasn't Dickey Betts the same? ). He plays beautifully (in a tone that's somewhat reminiscent of B.B. King) on the Allman's last hurrah (Hittin' The Note) and final live CD ("One Way Out") and shows up until they broke up in 2014. Check out his own Tedeschi-Trucks band. Best young guitarist (he's my age).

Sorry Duane Allman fans...Derek Trucks has soared past the legend. Maybe if Duane was still alive, then...

Anyone that doesn't have Derek in the Top 5 has just not seen him play.

4 Slash Saul Hudson, known professionally as Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Slash was as close to being great without actually being truly great. He was good but not innovative. He couldn't CREATE even 10% of what Clapton & Page created at that level.
He had one style of guitar and that's it - maybe if he took some chances?

Slash is the best! Are you guys insane! Just listen to some of his Guns'n'Roses solos, for crying out loud!

Whatever...I suppose Axl Prose was better than Daughtry too.

He is better than anyone.

5 John Frusciante John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, producer and composer.He is best known for his time with the Funk Rock California based band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was also part of the Mars Volta, Swahili Blonde, Ataxia and more.

Slash rated higher than John Frusciante? Eric Clapton, even though an amazing guitarist and singer/songwriter has NOTHING on John Frusciante. Kirk Hammet?!

No one displays their soul in their playing like Frusciante, no one can give me goosebumps by jamming like he can. Truly the most underrated artist ever, and that is considering he is rated at number ten. Should be 2 or 1.

John Frusciante is truly incredible. I've been an huge RHCP fan since their first album, and I am addicted to their incredible sound. When Frusciante left the Chilis to go in his own direction, I was devastated. He is an amazing musician and person and I really miss him in the band. However, I own his solo albums and LOVE them. I have no words for how much this man inspires me.

John Frusciante is, without a doubt, the best guitarist in the world today. In terms of technical skill he rivals Hendrix, and the feeling he puts into his music, you literally feel it. John Frusciante will give you goosebumps.
No other guitarist comes close for ability to play and put in real emotion.

This man is a living legend. Just looking at him you can tell he is an absolute genius. He plays with so much emotion and expression the way all great guitarist's. He will always remain one of the greatest guitarist's this world will ever get to experience.

6 Kirk Hammett Kirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and songwriter for the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus.

In the 70s Metallica would never got out of the club scene. They just happened to be around when the pubescent high schoolers didn't have a Zep, Yes, Spirit, Who, BOC, etc... bands who REALLY HAD TALENT and didn't burn out after 1or 2 albums and tours!

They've sold 125 million albums and people still talk trash...Kirk is an absolute icon weather you like it or not.

Good, great but page 1 clap 2, no debate. Best before JH, dead guy Rory Gallagher, look him and argue.

Hammet is average at best.

7 Alex Lifeson Aleksandar Živojinović, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush.

As usual, no respect. One of the greatest guitarists alive. Easily Top 20. Real musicianship, not pseudo/mimicry.

Had to keep up with Neil Peart.

8 David Gilmour David Jon Gilmour is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He joined the progressive rock band Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 1968.

His playing always fits the song, creating intensity, emotion, and drive as needed. His solos on songs like Time or Comfortably Numb will take you to another place.

Can you imagine how well Dark Side, The Wall, and WYWH would have sounded with the beautiful tones of David Gilmour? His singing only added to the sheer beauty that this man is made of.

David Gilmour is perfection! Listen to echos, shine on you crazy diamond, especially the version where he solo sings first half with just guitar I believe. there are to many songs to list

With age he is even better! Pompeii in 2016 was proof.. Number 11 when this picture was taken... number 2 or 3 in 2018...

9 Peter Lennodo Peter Lennodo is a British musician. He is also a composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the vocalist, lead guitarist and main songwriter of the rock band The Arcana.

The dexterity of this guy is second to none. I was listening to PPPCCC and the last part of the song is mind blowing. But his solos on Time is on the River and Flying High will make most other guitar players green with envy. A completely incredible musician.

I haven't heard a style of guitaring that Peter Lennodo can't play.

10 John Mayer John Clayton Mayer is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mayer attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but disenrolled and moved to Atlanta in 1997 with Clay Cook. Together, they formed a short-lived two-man band called Lo-Fi Masters.

Most people will never understand that this guy belongs in the top 10, if not the top 5. A lot of the guys near the top are only there because they're legacy has been written. Mayer continues to write his legacy as a reincarnation of Jerry Garcia while also creating diverse and technically perfect solo efforts. Criminally overlooked by "rock music fans".

Just listen to him play Voodoo Child live at the Red Rocks Amphitheater or Gravity live in Los Angeles and your mind will be changed. As far as acoustics go listen to him play neon in any venue and tell me his playing isn't flawless. Easily the most overlooked guitarist of this generation.

Mayer is way, way, way underrated in this poll. Hard to believe that anyone can watch "Where the Light Is" and not be blown away. Acoustic or electric, masterful.

Not saying he is one of the greatest of all time, or even one of the greatest living, but he IS the most overlooked guitarist of this generation. John can shred

The Contenders
11 Mark Knopfler Mark Freuder Knopfler is a British singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer and film score composer. He is best known for being the frontman of the British band Dire Straits.

Money for nothing... One of the best song in the world!
He is a brilliant picker, he should be in the top ten in the world!
Slash is good but come on he plays crap music, no offense!
Mark knopfler # 7 NOT 21

From his piercing single picking digs to his extreme rapid riffs... ( while singing ) You must agree that he has to be in the top ten...

His practice sessions are better than most guitarists life's work. Absolutely the best picker in my lifetime.

Mark knofler is the best. He has got magical hands to pluck. How is that Slash in the list? He just only bends. He is useless.

12 Jeff Beck Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" was an English rock guitarist. He was one of the three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds (the other two being Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page). Beck also formed The Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice.

He isn't just making his guitar speak. He is making it sing, scream, cry and laugh.

Great, great player. Better than Clapton or Page.

There's Jeff Beck and then there's everyone else.

How can Slash be rated higher than this guy?

13 Buckethead Brian Patrick Carroll, known professionally as Buckethead, is an American guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has worked within many genres of music.

If you look at how he plays...he is the best...I'm an open minded old fart...in my 60's...Love hendrix, Clapton, Van Halen, Page, Emanuel, Bonamassa, Roy Clark for god's sake, Dimebag...I love all the greats just like you guys...but the Bucketboy can play all their stuff, they can't play his...Look at the remarks after the players, Buckethead has the most complaints about not being higher up the list...just saying...enjoy him while he is alive. thanks

Most variety, for example: Sourced Autonomy is almost 15 min of straight shredding, Autopsy is awesome, Veil of Tinfoil is dirty, track 12 pike 15 has nice slow solo. Anyone who likes epic guitar playing should hear Soothsayer, Forgotten Trail, Look Up There, and Siege Engine. As far as technical skill, he can play just as well as anyone else can + more.

I'm biased. I love Buckethead. Just don't brush him off because he's "different". He has some of the fastest, the most beautiful, the most experimental, the most precise and the most emotional guitar music you will hear from one man PERIOD.

Ok, I realize that Buckethead is no big celebrity and he seems a little off but if you care enough to be looking at this page you should definitely check him out. Mind blowing. Deserves top 5. by the way, Jack White but no Kerry King!?!?

14 Jack White John Anthony "Jack" White is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the duo The White Stripes, but has also had success in other bands and as a solo artist.

It's been said that jack white's hands are actually just an extension of the guitar itself. The devil went down to Georgia, and he was looking for the guitar skills necessary to beat Jack white in a guitar skillz battle. We all know how that turned out. No guitarist alive (John Mayer excluded) could even approach the skill level of Jack white.

Jack is a life saver! Really when the guitars sing are nice but after a while the style of Jack White and constant changes to it are exhilarating instead. Excellent guitar work, friendly vocals despite the edge careful play of that top two instrument. Awesome!

Jack White definitely deserves a to ten place. Jimmy page top 3. Kirk Hammet top ten. Clapton top 3.

Jack should be above Kirk Hammet, if only for his diversity.

15 Joe Bonamassa Joe Bonamassa is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. When he was only 12 years old, Bonamassa opened for B.B. King. He was born 8th May 1977. He is known to be one of the greatest blues guitarists ever.

Joe has 2 million 183,000 Facebook likes numb nuts. First of all, you have no idea how Clapton, SRV or any of the greats got to where they got and are. Yes Joe's dad created a path for him, what great anybody didn't. Tiger Woods, the Jacksons and so on had parent (s) that promoted and encouraged. Joe spends the majority of his life on the road entertaining and filling auditoriums. Isn't that truly what its all about? He is smart, he is a very large fish in a small pond. That is the way todays music business works. Outside of the Rap gender, making in blues and rock and roll is next to impossible. He has truly carved a notch in stone to be one of the greatest guitar tenders ever to be reckoned with. Trust me, the others have whined about this and that, only difference is, they didn't have social media to be exposed. He is one of the greatest players of all time and his creativity and excellence keeps evolving. Get used to him, he is not stopping!

Joe is by far the best living guitarist in the world and believes me I have seen them all. I am 64 and have never seen anyone more devoted to his craft. He studies all the greats and just keeps getting better and better.

Joe is simply the best out there now. Super versatile, great songwriter and great blues vocalist. Second to none on electrics and fantastic on acoustic guitar.

After seeing Joe play live at the Palace Theater in Columbus, Ohio, I feel his ability and versatility are on a par with Clapton. Eric's voice is better.

16 Carlos Santana Carlos Santana is a Mexican and American musician who first became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered a fusion of rock and Latin American jazz.

Carlos Santana invented a whole new genre of music, and his guitar playing sparked a new generation of music and the guitar itself. He is easily the best living guitarists. Even Jimi Hendrix admired Santana.

Carlos is an original who goes from genre to genre with ease.

Should be higher ranking than Jeff Beck.

The best, other than Hendrix.

17 Brian May Brian Harold May is an English musician, singer, songwriter and astrophysicist, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen.

This idiot needs people off stage to work his effects pedals. He should stick to watching himself play air guitar in the mirror.

Has a 2 PHD's in mathematiques and physics, is an astrophysisist and wrote "We will Rock You" How much greater can you get?!

18 Synyster Gates Brian Elwin Haner, Jr., better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician, best known for being the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the band Avenged Sevenfold.

If they played more popular music he would be recognized as one of the best in the world he is so talented.

Yeah I respect all the others but you can deny the fact that skillwise he is the best at present, hands down!

No one sounds like sinister gates, right now the best guitarist on earth

19 Tommy Emmanuel William Thomas "Tommy" Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist, songwriter, and singer, best known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances, and the use of percussive effects on the guitar.

These lists tend to reflect how well known someone is. They end up being mostly lists of rock guitar flat pickers people know about with few or no virtuoso classical, jazz or flamenco guitarists.
I think Tommy is the best alive, daylight second. He may be the best ever (although he said he thought Paco De Lucia was). Tommy can shred with the best of the electric guitarists but is a superb finger picker with great control and finesse. He is a master of all styles. Really I just don't see how any rock flat picker would make the top 50.

I have seen Tommy in concert twice. Hands down the best alive. He and his brother Phil (who just passed this year) are in a class by themselves. Like so many of the previous comments, if you doubt this, just watch a few YouTube videos. There is a great one of the two of them playing an Irish medley. Nobody has the depth and breadth that they have.

No one else on this list can do what this man can do. He is the greatest guitar player alive today and probably the best ever. Watch him live I beg you and you will agree.

Hands down better then any guitarist I have ever seen I'm dead serious.. You guys are blind to a side of music I wish you have seem... YOUTUBE HIM! Classical gas

20 Keith Richards

How the bloody hell is slash and kirk hammet ranked above Keith? Good job on spelling by the way

Should be on list somewhere around 150.

21 Joe Satriani Joseph Satriani (born July 15, 1956) is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. Early in his career, Satriani worked as a guitar instructor, with many of his former students achieving fame, such as Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, Rick Hunolt, Kirk Hammett, Andy Timmons, Charlie ...read more.

This poll should be about their ability to play the guitar not their popularity. Sat and Vai should really be in the top 5 and not Slash and Hammet

I can't believe so many people haven't got a clue about the guitar. Joe and vai should be 1-2 without question.

Joe has incredible range. He goes from metal to alt rock to ballad to country to blues. He does it all.

What kind of idiots are voting here, there is no conversation without Satriani, Via or Malsteen. Keith Richards, really.

22 Matt Bellamy Matthew James "Matt" Bellamy is an English musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He is most famous for being the main vocalist in alternative rock band "Muse".

Plug In Baby says it all, even though that's just one of a ton of incredible guitar riffs. Live performances take it to the next level.

Best live act award winning performer twice must e in top ten matt is new gen. Guitarist he play live with lots of energy he just rocked stadium...0

Live at the O2 in London last week. Epic!

Matt should be number one for the excellent guitar solo in Drones, Reapers

23 James Hetfield James Alan Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963. He is an American musician, singer and songwriter known for being the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for the American heavy metal band Metallica.

Not only a guitar player but also one of the best ever song writer. If you consider that he's also one of the best singers, that makes him one of the best musician.

He's just so bloody clean with everything he does. Enough said.

Should not be on this list.

24 Guthrie Govan Guthrie Govan is an English virtuoso guitarist and guitar teacher, known for his work with the bands The Aristocrats, Asia, GPS, The Young Punx and The Fellowship, as well as his solo project Erotic Cakes.

Technically one of the best of all time - proficient in all aspects of his playing, and also plays with real feeling; seldom found among modern shredders. In my opinion the best guitarist on the planet.

Must be in 1st place!

The most technically accomplished guitar player on the planet

25 Tom Morello Thomas Morello is an American musician, singer-songwriter and political activist. He is best known for his tenure with the band Rage Against the Machine and then with Audioslave.

Nobody can make sounds with a guitar like Tom Morello, the best bar none.

Who the fook are these chumps who think they can hold a candle to Tom?

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