Top 10 Best Punk Rock Guitarists

The Top Ten
1 Johnny Ramone John William Cummings, better known by his stage name Johnny Ramone, was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for being the guitarist for the punk rock band the Ramones.

Johnny is the best punk rock guitarist. He invented punk rock guitar riffs.

Johnny is better than Steve Jones. Even Billie is better than Steve Jones.

Johnny is the best. He's my guitar inspiration. You don't need to know a lot of songs or chords. Just play.

He influenced most punk guitarists. He originally started punk rock music.

2 Greg Ginn
3 Dr. Know

He has the best and most original sound as yet. He could adapt to any other genre without much effort, and I also speak of Jazz, to which Ginn has been linked. It's my humble opinion that Hendrix would have found the doctor quite interesting, given a time machine and a few minutes to listen. Not that it would be the thing for Hendrix, though listening, yes!

I was going to vote for Greg Ginn, but then I remembered the solos that Dr. Know ripped on the Bad Brains self-titled album, especially on Big Takeover and Right Brigade. Those solos are just damn awesome.

4 Billie Joe Armstrong Billie Joe Armstrong is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor who is best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and guitarist of the punk rock band Green Day, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt. He's also in side-project groups such as The Network, Foxboro HotTubs, Pinhead Gunpowder,... read more

Ok, I get that people say the Ramones are the best because they invented punk rock, but if Green Day was around back then, Billie's guitar wizardry would far surpass that of Johnny Ramone.

Listen to 'Dry Ice,' 'Only of You,' 'Judge's Daughter,' 'One for the Razorbacks,' 'Jesus of Suburbia,' 'Still Breathing,' 'Give Me Novacaine,' 'Basket Case.' You'll eventually get what I'm getting at here.

He comes up with the most melodic riffs and solos and is absolutely amazing live.

5 Steve Jones

Steve's guitar playing has changed my life and continues to be a resounding influence on me.

He created some of the best punk riffs.

6 Pig Champion

Belongs way higher on this list. Way underrated and never skimped on precision or aggression.

7 Johnny Thunders John Anthony Genzale Jr. (July 15, 1952 – April 23, 1991), better known by his stage name Johnny Thunders, was an American rock and roll/punk rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. He came to prominence in the early 1970s as a member of the New York Dolls. He later played with The Heartbreakers and... read more

Just badass! Don't need to say any more.

8 Tim Armstrong

He's the best by a long shot. Innovative and has a great feel for his craft.

9 Mick Jones

Mick Jones is probably the reason The Clash had so many great songs. His funky and bluesy guitar playing gave The Clash that unique edge, like on London Calling.

He has made some of the best punk rock guitar riffs in songs like London Calling and Tommy Gun.

White Man in Hammersmith Palais - listen to the intro.

10 Billy Zoom
The Contenders
11 Ron Asheton
12 Lyle Preslar

Great guitarist! Underrated, in my opinion.

13 Greg Hetson
14 East Bay Ray

It's rare to listen to a punk rock record and think, "Wow, what a good and creative guitarist." Kudos to East Bay Ray for his "weird" solos and cool riffs.

15 Rikk Agnew
16 Brett Gurewitz

The guy writes most of Bad Religion's songs. Enough said.

17 Tom DeLonge Thomas Matthew "Tom" DeLonge, Jr., is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and film producer. He was born in Poway, California on December 13, 1975. When he was in high school at age 15, he got expelled for drinking at a basketball game. He also used to play the trumpet,... read more

Most catchy, amazing melodic riffs... Exactly what you need from punk.

18 Dix Denney
19 D Boon
20 Noodles

Noodles is underrated. He should be at least in the top ten.

Are you serious? Spike Cassidy from D.R.I. needs to be on this list. Spike has got more punk heritage than this guy will have in a thousand years.

21 Poison Ivy

Possibly the most underrated guitarist in history.

22 Pat Smear Georg Albert Ruthenber, professionally known as Pat Smear, was the rhythm guitarist for the grunge band Nirvana, and is currently the rhythm guitarist for the post-grunge band Foo Fighters.
23 Stephen Egerton

Are you kidding me? Stephen is number one, and it's not close.

24 Captain Sensible

Still going strong, punk rock's Jimi Hendrix.

25 Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein

Doyle would beat the snot out of all other guitarists on the list.

Doyle is an ultra-chad. Do not test his might, for he is the best punk rock chad.

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