Top 10 Best Guitarists of All Time

The guitar is one of the most versatile and popular instruments in modern music. With its ability to produce a wide range of sounds and styles, it has been the backbone of many genres, from rock to jazz and everything in between. Over the years, there have been many guitarists who have pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the instrument, captivating audiences with their virtuosity and creativity.

In this top ten list, let's identify the best guitarists of all time, whose contributions have shaped the way we think about and play the guitar.

The guitarists on this list come from all walks of life and have made their mark on different genres and eras. Some of them were pioneers who invented new techniques and sounds, while others refined existing styles to perfection. They all share one thing in common, however, and that is their ability to make the guitar sing in a way that touches the soul.

So, without further ado, let's dive into the top ten best guitarists of all time.

The Top Ten

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though his mainstream career lasted only about four years from 1966 to 1970, he's widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in popular music.... read more

I'm sure that Slash would admit that he, and basically every guitarist since the early seventies, owes Jimi Hendrix big time.

Jimi Hendrix revolutionized the playing of the electric guitar. Before Hendrix, guitarists just strummed the guitar, played the chords, and maybe picked out a solo melody. Hendrix got sounds out of the guitar that nobody had ever heard. He was THE innovator. He didn't just accept the guitar method book approach to playing and approached the instrument as more than just chords and twangy solos. He used the guitar and amplifier together to create even more unique sounds. He was the first to use feedback as a part of his playing. He brought fuzz, distortion, feedback, and reverb into the mainstream of guitar. You want to talk about shredding? Hendrix did it with his teeth.
The entire concept of the killer rock guitar solo started with Jimi Hendrix. True, it would have happened sooner or later, but Hendrix was the one man that changed the playing of every guitarist that came after him.
I guarantee if you ask Eddie who is the best guitarist of all time, he would say Hendrix and then probably Santana or Eric Clapton, and then some old blues players you've never heard of.
Jimmy Page

James Patrick Page is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of Led Zeppelin. He's widely regarded for his innovative guitar techniques, production work, and influence across rock music genres. After Led Zeppelin disbanded... read more

It's subjective as to who is the best at any art form, although there are some analyses that can help. How enduring and widely popular, how much quality content, how complex, varied, and original are all factors.
Page's brilliance has been obscured by the fact that Zeppelin, as a band, was so great. It gave him more exposure but also camouflaged him. This is true with others, of course: for example, Joe Walsh, Neil Young, and Keith Richards. There are other reasons great guitarists don't get their due. I love guitar, and for me, it's Page, then Duane Allman. The fact that Allman is so far down this list is ridiculous. Also, many on this list don't really belong because so many voters are too young to know the difference.
Eddie Van Halen

Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen (January 26, 1955 - October 6, 2020) was a Dutch-American musician, songwriter, producer, and inventor. He was best known as the lead guitarist, occasional keyboardist, and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen. He is widely recognized for pioneering guitar techniques... read more

Van Halen deserves his place. Some people say his fans are going too far with his solos while those same people are literally treating people talking into a mic with auto-tune like gods.
Van Halen also helped popularise techniques such as tapping. Just playing five seconds of one of his songs on guitar is already hard.

In my opinion, Van Halen should easily be number one when you add in everything. While his technical skill has probably been surpassed, nobody before or since has combined chops, feel, tone, influence, songwriting, and stage presence in such a complete package. He advanced the art of rock guitar like no other.
Hendrix was great and gets the nostalgia vote since he died in his prime, but really, he doesn't come close to Eddie Van Halen. That also goes for today's uber-shredders who can't write a good song to save their lives and simply don't have Eddie's fabulous finger tone. I predict that years from now when people look back, Eddie will be considered number one.
Eric Clapton

Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He was also a founding member of Derek and the Dominos, known for... read more

The great B.B. King once said you will never find a guitar genius that can hold down, note for note, to Eric Clapton. He is the "one." He doesn't care if he's on any top list of anything. He has nothing to prove. Kids love to hear a guitarist banging on his guitar, but Clapton never does that. He actually knows how to play an instrument.
Some oldies but goodies think he is the rebirth of Robert Johnson. You will seldom find anyone who knows who Robert Johnson is, so how can you expect teenagers and 20-something guys who want to be guitar heroes themselves to understand the history of true rock and roll? Step up and listen to the ballads, and then listen to the riffs Clapton manages without breaking a sweat and the magic that happens when he does. There is soul to this man's music. He is simply the best.
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. He has also released solo work and collaborated with... read more

Slash is an awesome guitarist. He's got it all! He's dedicated, and I think he's proven that he doesn't give up. All the music he plays is great. You don't get a song in which Slash plays the guitar that sucks. He just does what he loves.
Slash has earned his place in the top 5, and one day he may even make it to number two. Let's face it, Slash is a great guitarist.
I mean, you don't just wake up and are good at something. You have to earn it, and Slash has. For this, he is one of my greatest idols.

Slash gets my vote because, since I first started hearing their songs around 1992 when I was 13, Guns N' Roses were by far my favorite band. That was largely because of Slash's amazing guitar work. It just "hit the spot" like no one else really had in the past, or has consistently since.
It would (and still can) give me goosebumps on songs like "Sweet Child O' Mine" (especially when he really winds up in the middle guitar solo), "November Rain" (near the end when it reaches a crescendo), and "You Could Be Mine." It could also go straight to the heart and soul on other songs, like during the beautiful guitar solos earlier in "November Rain" and in "Estranged."
One of the reasons he is so good is that he reportedly would just play what came to him in the moment when in the studio. So someone would hand him a song, and he would just let go and play what came to him (pure inspiration). That would basically be what ended up on the album. He wouldn't generally spend weeks trying to piece something together, and that would be why his solos flowed so well and really hit the spot.
Others might have been technically better, or faster, or whatever, but for heart and soul, especially, Slash gets my vote.
David Gilmour

David Jon Gilmour (born March 6, 1946) is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He joined Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in late 1967 after the departure of founding member Syd Barrett. His arrival helped solidify the band's signature sound.... read more

People who vote on this list don't play guitar. Gilmour is the master. Being a great guitarist isn't about playing as fast as possible. No one on this list can make a note sing like him. No one on this list comes even close to his ability to write solos.
His solos are more melodic than any other individual on the list, and they could go on for many minutes without ever boring you. You'll be in a trance every instant of his solos, no matter how long they are. Listen to his solos on Comfortably Numb, Echoes, Money, Time, Dogs, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, and I could name many more.
He can play anything when he has the sacred instrument in his hands. He is the God of all guitarists, and no one can beat the God.
Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 - August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Despite a mainstream career that lasted only seven years, he's widely considered one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of music. He played a key... read more

To me, the fight for the #1 spot comes down to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. If I had to choose one, I'd give it to Vaughan. Hendrix was phenomenal. He absolutely ripped on guitar. But to me, he was more of a creative force - a guy who sounded different than anyone else, past and present.
I was in the midst of writing a lengthy argument when I realized that probably no one would read it. So, I will just sum it up with my closing paragraph:
If the two took the stage together, the level of awesomeness would surely cause the world to explode. Barring that, I can't help but speculate that while Hendrix would likely outperform Vaughan, Vaughan would be very capable of outplaying Hendrix. Innovative, influential, and revolutionary Hendrix was - the best ever he was not. I think that distinction should go to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Kirk Hammett

Kirk Lee Hammett (born November 18, 1962) is an American musician who has been the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Metallica since 1983. In addition to playing guitar, he contributes as a songwriter for the band.
Prior to joining Metallica, Hammett co-founded the thrash metal band Exodus... read more

Kirk is a special guy. Yes, he is the ripper of the wah pedal, but he can use it like Jimi. He is also a guitarist who plays with a lot of emotion.
In my opinion, his complete style incorporates influences from Jimi and other artists like Joe Satriani. You can hear these influences in their songs. For example, the solos in Trapped Under Ice, Ride the Lightning, Welcome Home, The Outlaw Torn, and Until It Sleeps.
However, he is often underestimated on Load and Reload. My personal favorite solo is the one on Hardwired... to Self-Destruct in the song Murder One, where he plays a slot machine solo as a tribute to Lemmy (rest in peace).

Slash and Hendrix are great, but Hammett is far more versatile than either of those guitarists. Slash has a great bluesy-rock style of guitar that he uses to great effect, but that's really his only style of playing. Hendrix was great too, but I can't tell how much of his playing came from him or the drugs. He, too, stuck mainly to one kind of playing style: psychedelic. Hammett does stick to metal, but he's had so many different approaches to metal over the years that it cannot be called one style of metal. Each album he comes out with is a different style of metal from the last.
Angus Young

Angus McKinnon Young is an Australian guitarist of Scottish origin, best known as the co-founder, lead guitarist, songwriter, and the only constant member of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. He is recognized for his energetic stage presence and schoolboy-uniform stage outfits. When performing live... read more

Angus is literally the epitome of "rock." There is no other guitarist who can play pure rock the way Angus does. People criticize him for the simple chords, but that's just a part of the songs they play and not a reflection of Angus's true abilities. When he lets loose, he is very close to Eddie Van Halen.
I understand why people always place Hendrix at the top, but it's more for his innovation rather than purely being the best. I believe Gilmour and Page are better, and the things said about Stevie Ray Vaughan are true as well. These lists need to be more specific. If you're talking about the best rock guitar player ever, it's Angus by a long shot. For the best ever across all genres, I'd say Gilmour, who literally speaks to you just like everyone says. He takes you away to another land when he plays. Also, the guitarist for Yes escapes me, but he would be up there too. He takes you to places you've never been in your mind. Bunch more, but this is enough.
Tony Iommi

Anthony Frank Iommi, known as Tony Iommi, is an English guitarist, songwriter, and producer. He's best known as the lead guitarist and a founding member of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath. At age 17, he lost the fingertips of his right middle and ring fingers in an industrial accident.... read more

Hands down, Tony is the greatest of all time. He has the best body of work out of all these guitarists on this list. He helped pioneer some of the most influential metal genres ever: traditional metal, stoner rock metal, and thrash metal. Don't believe me? Just listen to Supernaut, Symptom of the Universe, Paranoid, Into the Void, Iron Man, War Pigs, Snowblind, Lord of This World, Sweet Leaf, Heaven and Hell, and Methademic. Not to mention the fact that he is missing part of his fingers due to a factory accident when Tony was a child. Come on, give this guy the credit he 100% deserves.

The master riff maker. A more iconic sound has never been heard. Just when you think he has run out of juice, he comes out with a whole album of classics again and again. Even chucking Ozzy didn't matter. The riffs were what mattered.
When he dies, I think they will find a stash of riffs he didn't think were good enough, and he would be wrong. I have heard he just writes and writes, then writes some more. I can only hope.

The Newcomers

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Jeff Stinco

I am so surprised he is not on this list yet. I am so lucky to have heard about Jeff Stinco and the way he plays his guitar. The Stinc Icons just want him plastered all over the internet.
He also plays good Les Pauls and Fender Stratocasters, which have strong enough sound to metaphorically punch 107 Ashraful Masum in the face and beard. Let's make Jeff number one on this list.
#JeffStincoIsBeautiful #MakeJeffStincoASingerAgain
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Bill Napier

The Contenders

Brian May

Brian Harold May (born July 19, 1947) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and astrophysicist. He is best known as the lead guitarist of Queen. He co-founded the band in 1970 and contributed iconic guitar parts and vocal harmonies on hits like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, and Another One... read more

So, let me get this straight. Everyone, and I mean everyone on this list eats Slash for breakfast. I simply can't see your point when you fuss about him being the best guitar player, or even the best soloist. Really, people? November Rain is the best you can get?
Well, if you pop in any Queen song, it will most definitely have a solo that humiliates all. But if you are going for harmonies, try My Bijou. If it's for creativity, check out Brighton Rock. And if you are someone to be amused only by the speed (which is a shame), then Princes of the Universe shall blow your mind.
But then again, I could have mentioned basically any songs from the band, from The March of the Black Queen to Crazy Little Thing Called Love (for those rockabilly fans), so this is just a little appetizer for you all, and also a friendly reminder that you should check out others before you decide to stick with the current favorite.
Randy Rhoads

Randall William "Randy" Rhoads was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot. He was widely regarded for his innovative guitar work and neoclassical metal style. Rhoads was killed in a plane crash on March 19, 1982, at the age of 25.

Randy was a true great. He was so far ahead of most people playing guitar and always practiced. You would never see him without a guitar in his hands, like Hendrix. He was great in Quiet Riot and had a great opportunity to join Ozzy. Randy's writing and playing improved dramatically. He was the type of person who was in it for the music. "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman" are great examples of what rock/metal virtuosity is.
Listen to songs like "Mr. Crowley," "Revelation (Mother Earth)," "Diary of a Madman," "Crazy Train," his spotlight solo that he did in Quiet Riot, "Laughing Gas," "I Don't Know," "Over the Mountain," and "Flying High Again," and you'll surely be amazed. He was always in control of what he did. "Blizzard of Ozz" is a very powerful title because of its power and energy. "Diary of a Madman" shows him going deeper into jazz and classical music. The best example of that is the album's title track, which doesn't have the typical power chords and rock licks. It has crazy time signatures from 4/4, 9/8, 8/8, 6/8, 7/4, 3/4 and uses diminished, 13th, and suspended chords. It truly shows the testament of Randy's writing, a beautiful piece of work.
His work left a huge impact on people. His death was one of the worst deaths in music history. That cocaine-induced pilot shouldn't have coaxed him to go up in the plane while the pilot was high. Very few can match him to this day. He had that piece of God in him and intertwined into his DNA. RIP Randall William Rhoads: December 6, 1956 - March 19, 1982. Rock on Randy!
Dimebag Darrell

Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter. He co-founded the bands Pantera and Damageplan with his brother Vinnie Paul. Abbott was tragically shot and killed during a performance in 2004 by a mentally unstable fan.

Dime was and will always be number one for me as a guitarist. Not even Jimmy could compare to the amount of inspiration and skill that Dime brought to the table. He was the innovator for future metal guitarists, and he was absolutely brilliant!
His memory will live on through his family, friends, and fans. And if you think that he doesn't deserve this spot, and you've never heard him shred, I strongly suggest you watch/listen to "5 Minutes Alone," "This Love," "Walk," "Cemetery Gates," and all the greatest songs by Pantera. I'm sure you'll change your mind! R.I.P. Dimebag Darrell.
"In this river, all shall fade to black" - Zakk Wylde (In this River, a tribute to Dime)
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, including Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, Rick Hunolt, Kirk Hammett, Andy Timmons, Charlie... read more

Joe Satriani is the closest anyone will get to a guitarist with as much feeling and soul in his music. He is known for his amazing, soulful songs like Surfing with the Alien and Unstoppable Momentum. The list goes on and on.
He can shred and does on rare occasions, but chooses not to, instead playing the music he makes. He can play solos or entire songs. Check out his part-time band, Chickenfoot. He has more talent than most of these mainstream metal guitarists, but people don't listen to his music enough because it's not hard and heavy. He undeniably could play like that, but his music is so much more. A true god on the guitar.
Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana is a Mexican and American musician who rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band Santana, which pioneered a fusion of rock and Latin American jazz. Santana's performance at Woodstock in 1969 helped launch his career. He has won ten Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy... read more

I saw him outdoors at the World's Fair Park, and though I liked most of the songs, Samba Pa Ti was unbelievably magical. It was perfection as it floated through the air during dusk. Hearing it live made it become one of my top ten songs. Too bad the friend I took for her birthday kept calling the band Chicago. Getting a secondhand mild high from all the dope smoke going on around us definitely didn't hurt the effect either.
Every time I play or hear the song, I'm right back on that hillside on a mildly muggy night with that song floating on a gentle breeze. I could almost see the notes floating through the air. It was an unbelievably magical experience that will stay with me forever, and no, I hadn't even hit being stoned.
Synyster Gates

Brian Elwin Haner, Jr., better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the band Avenged Sevenfold. He joined the band in 2001 and has since become recognized for his technical skill and melodic solos. Gates... read more

Synyster Gates has such blistering speed, and yet you can hear every note played. He is a pro at dive bombs and sweep picking and is definitely an amazing guitarist. Because of his young age, by the time he reaches Slash's age, he will be the next Slash.

He is a very multi-talented guitar player and has mastered almost all the techniques.
He can even play well while doing backing vocals. He is highly deserving of being juxtaposed with other guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Joe Satriani.
He is the most complete!
B.B. King

Riley B. "B.B." King (1925 to 2015) was an American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. Nicknamed "The King of the Blues," he popularized a sophisticated style of soloing that influenced countless guitarists. King won 15 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and... read more

B.B. King, the man who started it all when the other greats were just babies or perhaps not even conceived yet, quite literally didn't create this amazing instrument. However, besides T-Bone Walker, he brought the electric guitar to the forefront along with Albert King, Freddy King, Buddy Guy, and a vast majority of the older and late great bluesmen.
His "hummingbird" vibrato effect, nuance, and style have made him a household name for some 50 or 60 years. Even today, with all the different types of music, he is still a household name. However, in this day and age, blues is no longer the mainstream music it was way back when.
Jeff Beck

Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck was an English rock guitarist. He was one of the three notable guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds, alongside Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Beck also formed The Jeff Beck Group and the power trio Beck, Bogert and Appice.

Ask actual guitarists who the best ever was, and they will say Beck. He was way ahead of everyone and the most innovative player ever, doing everything Hendrix did before Hendrix. Listen to the beginning of the Yardbirds' Train Kept A-Rollin' and you will hear a train whistle. That's actually Beck's guitar being played in a way no one else could.

What to say. If you don't vote for Jeff Beck, you were never really playing guitar. Others had more well-known impact, but he was the best at guitar. His feeling was incredible.
I mostly play metal and love playing Metallica, Megadeth, and other metal stuff, but Jeff Beck is still superior to all of them. Even though it's not my kind of music, every musically interested person should appreciate Jeff Beck's playing.
Steve Vai

Steven Siro "Steve" Vai (born June 6, 1960) is an American guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer. He is known for his virtuosic guitar playing and has released numerous solo albums. Vai was born and raised on Long Island, New York.

If mastery of the guitar is the criterion, then the number one spot can only go to Steve Vai. I've been playing for almost 50 years, and he is the hardest to replicate. Every time I try to learn one of his songs, I end up frustrated and just listen in awe of the speed and soul of his music.
I've seen him live a dozen times and am floored by the precision and absolute lack of mistakes. He also happens to be one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I saw him in a bar once in Pompano Beach, Florida. One night, he let an amazingly talented 12-year-old sit in and play Steve's parts. The kid's mother sent him a video, and Steve let him come up and play. Number 1 in my book every time!
Dave Mustaine

David Scott "Dave" Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, actor, and author. He was the original lead guitarist of Metallica before being dismissed in 1983. Afterward, he formed the band Megadeth, where he became the lead vocalist and primary creative force.... read more

He is the person responsible for the early success of Metallica (nobody can deny). He then created Megadeth, which turned out to be better than Metallica, if not as good. He influenced guitarists like James Hetfield, Kerry King, Marty Friedman, Chris Poland, Chris Broderick, etc. He is a great composer and songwriter and has also proven to be a great vocalist for his band. His music and voice are aggressive and have a fast tempo. He mostly writes meaningful songs about society, politics, nature, relationships, etc. He is a better rhythm guitarist than Hetfield and a better lead player than Hammett. Most of Metallica's hits were written and composed by Mustaine before he was fired, namely: The Four Horsemen, Phantom Lord, Metal Militia, Jump in the Fire, Motorbreath, Ride the Lightning, The Call of Ktulu, and many more.
Chuck Berry

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. He is known for songs such as "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll Over Beethoven," and "Maybellene." Berry died on March 18, 2017.

He's the father of the electric guitar! Without him, there'd be no Hendrix, no Slash, no Clapton!
I agree that Hendrix and Page should be number 1 and 2, but Chuck should be right above Eric Clapton in third, not 20!
Just listen to Roll Over Beethoven, My Ding-a-Ling, and most notably Johnny B. Goode. You'll see I'm not kidding when I say he deserves the bronze.
He introduced guitar solos to the industry. Even Marty McFly played Johnny B. Goode right before the Van Halen-styled solo. And the '50s crowd loved it!

Why is he number sixteen? Good ol' Chuck Berry deserves to be number one, enough said. If it were not for him, the Beatles might not even exist.
Jimi Hendrix sure did bring the electric guitar to new heights, but there is just no out-shredding Chuck. If it were not for him picking up the electric guitar and making it a thing, then there might not be anyone else to make a list with.
Keith Richards

Keith Richards is an English musician, primarily a guitarist, as well as a singer, songwriter, best-selling memoirist, and founding member of the rock band The Rolling Stones. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in rock history. Richards has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall... read more

Being a good guitarist is more than just playing the song. It's about writing music. Everyone on this list is a fantastic guitarist. What makes some stand out more than others are the songs they write, and for me, the riffs Keith Richards wrote were the reason The Rolling Stones are so famous.
Even today, 50 years later, they are still very catchy and energetic. And there are so many good ones! The guitars in Satisfaction, Gimme Shelter, Jumpin' Jack Flash, Brown Sugar, Sympathy for the Devil, Start Me Up, Paint It Black, Beast of Burden, and countless others are all amazing. Very few other guitarists have the creativity to create so many masterpieces.
George Harrison

George Harrison (25 February 1943-29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle," Harrison embraced Indian culture and helped broaden the scope of popular music through his incorporation... read more

A lot of people think the only reason George Harrison is mentioned on these lists is because he was in the Beatles. That's pretty misguided. He's mentioned because he is one of the greatest.
Do you know how old Harrison was when he joined the Quarrymen (the band that evolved into the Beatles)? 15! And that's not because they were desperate. That's because he was that good! He was only 27 when the Beatles broke up. If you listen to the Beatles' hard rock songs, his skills come through. And he further demonstrated those skills in his solo career after the Beatles broke up.
It's a shame a lot of people don't respect George Harrison as much as he should be. He is definitely in the top 20, maybe even the top 10. He was good.
Ritchie Blackmore

Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with the hard rock and heavy metal bands Deep Purple and Rainbow.
In 2004, Guitar World ranked him number 16 on its list of the "100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time," and in 2011, Rolling Stone... read more

Why is it not strange to see that Jimmy Page is 2nd and Blackmore is 25th? Well, it's because Led Zeppelin is simply more popular. The funny thing is, if Ritchie and Gillan had stayed together and Deep Purple had survived from 1974 to '84, they would probably be even more recognizable than Zeppelin. And if that were the case, Ritchie would be ranked higher than Jimmy.
But he went off, started Rainbow, and you know what? He reached an even higher level as a guitarist. It's another ranking based on popularity rather than guitar playing. It makes me angry because I first listened to Zeppelin's hard music, and then my dad introduced me to Deep Purple. The difference in guitar playing was so significant that it knocked me to the floor.
Technically and in general, Ritchie was always far superior to Jimmy. Jimmy stuck to blues and rock, while Blackmore developed something harder to play: hard rock and heavy metal with neoclassical melodies performed with speed and technical precision. He is simply no match for Page, and he was certainly a pioneer and an influence on shredders and other musicians.
He was also more versatile, playing styles ranging from blues, rock, Eastern music, progressive rock, hard rock, neoclassical, to heavy metal and very early shred pieces. So, my vote goes to him.
In his time (the 70s), he was definitely the best, and that's it. He may have been a buffoon, but he was a true guitarist.
Duane Allman

Howard Duane Allman was an American guitarist, session musician, and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band. He was known for his slide guitar work and contributions to Southern rock. He died in a motorcycle crash in 1971 at the age of 24.

I don't care who plays the fastest, has the best technique, the slickest... whatever. It comes down to telling an emotional story, note by note, and Duane could do it better than anyone. Add Dickey, and they weaved a story untouched by any duo.
Then Duane adds slide to the mix and just takes your heart and mind to places no guitarist has reached. Just listen to Live At Fillmore, considered by many (Rolling Stone, Playboy, and others) as the best live album ever recorded. After that, get a beverage, a couple of hits, headphones, and put on Mountain Jam from Eat A Peach for the ride of your life.

To make Duane anything but Number 1 is a shame. It shows how those who vote have not listened to him live. There are plenty of examples out there to listen to. I have seen more than half of the top 25 live. From 1970 to 1971, I was lucky enough to see Duane live three times. I also saw Hendrix (couldn't reproduce the albums I loved live, maybe it was the drugs). Page I saw twice, and he was not good at all. I have seen better bar band guitarists. Gilmour was great, May was great, Slash was good, BB was great, Stevie was great. Clapton was good. Bonamassa was OK. But Duane was the "Natural."
To lose him in 1971 at just 24 was a horrible loss. What he could have done live or in the studio is beyond comprehension. There is a great band up there, and they all are giving Duane their pick for him to play lead. Listen to the live stuff and the Anthology albums. This is what he was and did every time.