Part of my feature on how rock music isn’t what it used to be, I am going to deliver you a list of the best guitarists I’ve ever listened to. This is by no means a list just about technical skill, but moreso a list of guitarists that are irreplaceable, deliver the energy, mayhem, and skill necessary to catapult their band to the next level. These twenty guitarists carry their own unique style and sound, and without them ever getting involved in the music world, we’d have a totally different outlook on music today.
#20: Adam Jones
Band: Tool
Favorite Work: Schism
This man is by no means conventional, by no means traditional, and by no means willing to play by the standard rules of playing a guitar. That being said, he is very skilled at what he does, and few guitarists out there can match up and catch up with the extremely off-key and awkwardly-toned sounds of Tool.
#19: Santana
Band: Santana
Favorite Work: Black Magic Woman
Santana is an extremely skilled guitarist that sometimes has these long periods of fail with several consecutive less-inspiring albums. But when he is on top of his game, he can deliver some nasty good tunes and some killer guitar solos. Unlike any guitarist on this list, his best work has decades of range—as his first three albums were amazing, and then made an epic comeback over 20 years later with his Supernatural album.
#18: Bob Bogle
Band: The Ventures
Favorite Work: Diamond Head
The Ventures are hands-down one of the most underrated important bands in the history of music. They experimented like crazy, they were among the first bands to experiment with several different tunings, guitars, and accessory equipment like the whammy bar (which is used extensively nowadays). Bogle’s best work was definitely in the 60s however with his influx of hip, clever, and addicting surf rock tunes that still are a major influence to the world of rock music today. When you usher is a new era of guitarists, you deserve a place on this list.
#17: Kurt Cobain
Band: Nirvana
Favorite Work: In Bloom
Cobain is by no means an extremely skilled guitarist to the likes of Santana, B.B. King, or Van Halen. Instead however, he introduced a new sound, a dirty, distorted, simpler guitar sound that resonated with an entire generation of people in the early 90s. And unlike the three I mentioned in the previous statement, Cobain was not at all afraid of taking risks and challenging his audience and fanbase with a diverse roundabout of sounds, guitar solos, and distorted fun. Cobain’s Nirvana started a musical revolution that lasted several years, and it was one that destroyed glam rock once and for all. Killing genres deserves respect, and Cobain pulled it off within one album.
#16: Bradley Nowell
Band: Sublime
Best Work: Santeria
Ska was successful on rock/mainstream radio only once, and that was when Sublime rocked the airwaves. This very underrated band had this fun mix of island/beach rock with some nasty punk and a heavy dosage of ska embedded. Nowell was the ringleader of the band with his decent vocals but far superior guitar work, which ranges from relaxing, melodic, to sometimes absolutely chaotic. Nowell can play surf rock, can play punk rock, and could have been able to play metal if he hadn’t died so soon.
#15: Alex Lifeson
Band: Rush
Best Work: Working Man
Canada’s best musical gift to the world lies in the lightly intense band Rush. While the band will forever be known for its nearly-flawless drum work and complex-yet-engrossing bass work, we can’t forget the guitarist and all his glory. Just like Adam Jones, Lifeson’s rather complicated sound to his guitar solos and riffs despite off-key are mildly addicting and infuse an extra layer of uniqueness to an already outside-the-box rock band.
#14: Tony Iommi
Band: Black Sabbath
Best Work: Paranoid
Respect the legends, you must. One of the earliest examples of metal guitar, Tony Iommi is one of the biggest reasons why the British invaded the rock scene back in the 70s with his incredible display of talent in the first couple Black Sabbath albums. What he lacks in guitar solos he makes up with excellent metal riffs as Paranoid and Iron Man are staples to the world of metal. Nearly every metal band in the 80s and 90s were influenced by Black Sabbath’s early-early work, whether they want to admit it or not. And let’s not forget him keeping Black Sabbath afloat after Ozzy left and formed his own band.
#13: Daron Malakian
Band: System of a Down
Best Work: Chop Suey
A recurring theme amongst the guitarists on my list is that they are willing to experiment, bend the rules, and just ultimately distance themselves from the norm in every possible way. System of a Down does that as they combine heavy metal with punk mannerisms with nu-metal and with a hintage of Middle Eastern influence. Malakian might be a horrible singer (who ruined the latter System albums) but his guitar skills cannot be denied as his work is just as intense as the subject matter. No two solos sound the same as he can build masterpiece riffs and solos using multiple pitches and tones, and when its time to crank up the noise, he isn’t afraid to deliver. Toxicity is one of the best albums in the last 15 years, and the guitar work from Malakian is definitely one of the reasons why.
#12: John Frusciante
Band: Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Favorite Work: Other Side
His importance on Red Hot Chilli Peppers is best shown when you display the band’s best work. In 1991 with Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik----Frusciante was there. 1999’s Californication album---Frusciante was there. The band’s worst years? 1995-1999---when Frusciante left the band. This guitarist focuses less on skillpower and much more on emotion and pacing, two important elements when creating the funky Californian sound of the band. This man is quite underrated, as he nearly destroyed the band he helped build in a couple years by simply leaving. His irreplaceable status is best represented in those grim times in the 90s.
#11: Eddie Van Halen
Band: Van Halen
Favorite Work: Hot For Teacher
I will forever argue this: if Van Halen had gotten along in the 80s then they would have gotten Rockin’ Roller Coaster in Disney World instead of Aerosmith. Why? Nobody represents the skill, talent, popularity, and intensity of 80s glam rock quite like Van Halen. And good ol’ Eddie is the main reason for the band’s signature and timeless sound, as he can play furiously fast, or just blaze the song with an addicting riff. Or…do both like he did in Hot For Teacher. While he calmed significantly in the 80s after some fast-paced tunes in the 70s, there is no denying that he can jam out with the best underground guitarists, while appeal to the mainstream in the exact same time. His range is relentless, and it’s a shame that overrated bums like Slash get all the attention when discussing the 80s.
#10: Tom Morello
Band: Rage Against the Machine
Favorite Work: Bulls on Parade
When you hear the modern-day abusing of the whammy bar, or the ridiculous approach to frets, harmonics, and anything else used to change the pitches of a guitar, you have Morello to thank. While a few bands here and there altered their guitars in a variety of ways, nobody used it as extensively, as creatively, and as successfully as Tom Morello. Morello was a revolutionary in guitar sound, as he went to great lengths to find unique ways of producing sounds, riffs, and solos from the same instrument used to create his also-well-known heavy metal riffs. Rage Against the Machine was not the most talented band, as the drummer wasn’t that great and the singer was never really singing—but Morello put the band on the map and kept them there.
#9: Angus Young
Band: AC/DC
Favorite Work: Back in Black
Angus Young is definitely not known for range, creativity, or an attempt to try something different. Throughout his entire career, which spans four decades, he uses the same pitch, the same tone, the same style, and the same chords. Despite all this: this man can play the guitar, and quite well I might add. While they are not exactly heavy metal, they definitely are an influence thanks to Young’s antics and ability to play the guitar at high speeds and more intensity than your typical guitarist in the same decade. Picture an improved version of Eddie Van Halen: powerful enough for the metalheads, but fun enough to appeal to the masses.
#8: Eddie Vedder
Band: Pearl Jam
Favorite Work: Yellow Ledbetter
Pearl Jam may have been in Nirvana’s shadows for quite some time, but they were definitely the more talented band, even if they weren’t as influential. The main reason is Eddie Vedder’s very impressive skills with the guitar, which are usually not utilized because of his band’s simpler sound. But unlike Nirvana, every so often they like to crank out the heavy rock tunes and with this, we witness Vedder’s amazing ability to create these wholesome sounds that contain just as much emotion as his singing and subject matter. And long after the grunge era Vedder continued to impress with his solo work: ranging from a ukulele album (very few talents in music can crank a full album with a simple Hawaiian instrument) and especially with his music for Into the Wild.
#7: Rodrigo y Gabriella
Band: Rodrigo y Gabriella
Favorite Work: Diablo Rojo
This entry is mildly unfair because its two people in one entry, two people in one group. But these two have proven time and time again through tours and live performances that they can strive perfectly fine by themselves---yet when they are together incredible magic is created. Without saying a word they deliver the emotion, complexity, and talent of all the best current rock bands combined. They are currently my favorite act in the music scene today, as they mix heavy metal riffs with the beautiful sounds of classical guitar. While it took them a while to gain the recognition they deserve, there is no denying that they absolutely blow away any other instrumental guitarist out of the water today or any other day. Classical guitar is a tough instrument, and to be able to deliver exceptional work for years is truly proof that you have talent.
#6: Kirk Hammett
Band: Metallica
Best Work: Master of Puppets
Funny story. If this article had been done in 1992, he would have been in the top 3, perhaps even gunning for the #1 slot. And then came Load and St. Anger, ruining a lot of his credibility. But during the 80s he was the master, he was the king of metal by being responsible for some of the best rock albums in the history of music. His heavy riffs, impressive guitar solos, and just pure ability to maintain the pace while Metallica shreds the amps for 5-6-10 minutes remains a wonder to be heard. Whie unfortunately we remember them for selling out, hating MP3s and selling out, we must try to remember that during the Master of Puppets days---Metallica was the undisputed heavyweight king of metal—and it was partially because of Hammett.
#5: Jack White
Band: The White Stripes
Best Work: Black Math
Now, most of the guitarists here had the blessing of being backed by incredible talent to help them produce their music. This especially applies to Hammett, Young, and Vedder—all in the top 10. Now, can those three turn a two-person band into a garage rock talented powerhouse even though the drummer had never taken a single drum lesson? Perhaps not, but this man could. Jack White has the skills of a Rodrigo, the creative structure of Tom Morello, the hyperness of Angus Young, and just an overall knowledge of music you don’t see with many guitarists. This man cannot quit, as he has been with three bands, and is the best piece in each of them. You want a Jack White in your band.
#4: Brian May
Band: Queen
Best Work: Stone Cold Crazy
Most people are going to disagree with this man being so high up the list. After all, Queen has never been really truly known for skills or for the production value— instead more for the lead singer, who is still the best I’ve ever listened to. But Brian May was responsible for creating several sub-genres of music, with arena rock and speed metal being the best examples. Queen had a different sound for nearly every single album, nearly every single song, and few musicians can ever thrive in that type of atmosphere. This is the man that provided the guitar work to We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, Another one Bites the Dust, Killer Queen, We Are the Champions, and much more. Each of those classics sound vastly different, but are each helmed by a man who can convert a good guitar solo as well as create music that will be copied for decades to come. The entire subculture of 80s thrash metal owe a major thanks to Brian May and Queen. Seriously.
#3: Dimebag Darrell
Band: Pantera
Favorite Song: Walk
The top 3 are not just the best, but they are absolute legends. Dimebag was hands-down the most important and best ingredient in the underrated powerhouse of a band known as Panetra. This man can shred (Domination), this man can wipe out the whammy bar (Cemetery Gates), he can craft some of the most incredible and rage-driven solos (Cowboys From Hell), and best of all hammers out the best riffs in the history of music (Walk, I’m Broken). And unlike most of the great thrash/metal bands of the 80s, he is not afraid of totally changing up the tuning and experimenting heavily (Floods). Whenever the singer ws at his weakest, Dimebag is there. Whenever the song needs new life, Dimebag will be there. Dimebag IS Pantera, and there has been nobody even close to him in terms of talent since his unfortunate death.
#2: Jimi Hendrix
Band: Jimi Hendrix Experience
Favorite Song: The Wind Cries Mary
Let’s go out on a limb and pretty much declare the rock world non-existent if it weren’t for the innovative and forever-life-changing works of Jimi Hendrix. Before Hendrix, the guitar was just a guitar. Before Hendrix, you record, clean up the vocals, and that’s that. Before Jimi, music was quite boring….and yes, the Beatles had been around for a few years too. Jimi Hendrix changed the entire scene of music by turning guitar playing into an art, by crafting a new form of post-production in terms of music crafting, invented the modern guitar solo, and was arguably the first guitarist to mess around with wah-pedals, amplifiers, and anything else related to the guitar. He is the first guitarist in modern music history that we modern scholars can call: talented, purely, utterly, truly, madly, deeply talented. Don't let the old farts at the magazines fool you: B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Elvis, and the Beatles are leagues under Jimi Hendrix.
His style of playing the guitar ranges from early-early metal to progressive rock to psychedelic rock to indie rock to even some slick blues rock. Jimi Hendrix didn’t just know how to play, he showed an extremely diverse range that to this day few can imitate. He can riff, he can solo, he can perform live, and best of all, sticks away from the clichéd guitar-playing script. Jimi is Jimi, and there is no substitution.
#1: Jimmy Page
Band: Led Zeppelin
Favorite Work: Heartbreaker
Most people put Hendrix at first and this man in the top 3, maybe top 10. Now, the reason why I place this man #1: he made a subpar band phenomenal and extremely successful without having to use his voice….ever. They had one of the most overrated vocalists in the history of music and still managed to deliver billions in sales thanks to the diverse, phenomenally crazy, and highly innovative guitar work of Page. Page MADE Led Zeppelin, and everyone in the band quietly (and not always happily) knew this. When Robert Plant was at his singing worst (which was often) Page would be there to save the day with a killer solo and a killer musical transition. At times we heard Plant just yelling and Page has to work twice as hard to save the song (See: Immigrant Song, Whole Lotta Love).
He made Stairway to Heaven with those opening notes, he made Kazmir with that riff, he exploded Heartbreaker out of the gate with his (made up on the spot) guitar solo, and in the latter years would help create arena rock, while at the same time experiment with psychedelic, Latin, hard, soft, and blues rock. Jimmy Page deserves the #1 slot because unlike most on this list, he had very little to work with. Great drummer that never quite hit his full potential, a bassist that never developed anything special, and a singer that…….just paled so badly in comparison to the likes of other British acts of the 60s/70s like Ozzy Osbourne, John Lennon, Sting, and especially Freddie Mercury.
Jimmy Page is a guitarist on top of his game at all times, because he wants to and because he HAS to. And with that necessity to step up his game, he is the greatest guitarist I have ever listened to. Led Zeppelin dominated an entire decade, and its because of the guitarist. No guitarist on this list ever dominated an entire generation of music---with the exception of my #1 pick. Bow down, because Page is indeed as good as it gets.
My opinion.
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