The 30 Best Guitarists of All Time

Guitarists all around the world have inspired many with their soulful melodies and heart-wrenching riffs. They have touched hearts with their artistry and mesmerized minds with their technical prowess. From Jimi Hendrix to Yngwie Malmsteen, there have been many greats to grace the instrument.

This list contains the 30 greatest guitarists of all time, based on their performance and achievements on the instrument, as well as their influence on other guitarists and musicians.

1. Jimi Hendrix

Manipulating the guitar as no one had done before, Hendrix created a whole new sound that was unmatched by anyone. His use of feedback and distortion revolutionized the way we think about guitar playing. His riffs in songs like “Purple Haze” and “Fire” are some of the most iconic in rock history.

2. Stevie Ray Vaughan

An incredible blues guitar player, Stevie Ray Vaughan was known for his soulful playing and mastery of the slide guitar. His style was deeply rooted in the blues, but he also incorporated elements of rock and jazz into his music. He has built up a massive catalog of hits over his career, including “Couldn’t Stand the Weather” and “Pride and Joy”.

3. B.B. King

A true legend of the blues, B.B. King was one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His style was based on a single-string approach, which he used to great effect in songs like “The Thrill is Gone” and “Every Day I Have the Blues”. He was a master of the blues guitar, and his influence can be heard in the playing of many other guitarists.

4. Carlos Santana

A true virtuoso of the guitar, Carlos Santana is known for his complex and melodic playing style. He draws from a variety of musical influences, including Latin American music, rock, and jazz. His signature sound is instantly recognizable, and he has helped to shape the sound of popular music over the past few decades.

5. Chuck Berry

The Father of Rock and Roll, Chuck Berry was one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His style was based on a simple, yet effective approach that relied on a strong rhythm guitar sound. He was a master of the blues guitar, and his playing can be heard in the music of many other artists.

6. Mark Knopfler

Fingerstyle guitar genius Mark Knopfler is best known as the lead guitarist and singer of the rock band Dire Straits. He has a unique playing style that combines blues, rock, and folk influences. His guitar work is characterized by its intricate melodic lines and use of alternate tunings.

7. Jimmy Page

A guitar master of his time,  Jimmy Page was the mastermind behind the rock band Led Zeppelin. His playing style was highly influential in the development of hard rock and heavy metal. He was known for his use of unusual tunings and extensive use of guitar effects. His riffs in songs like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love” are some of the most well-known tracks in rock history.

8. Eric Clapton

One of the most popular and successful guitarists, Eric Clapton is a true legend of the instrument. He has played in several different styles, including blues, rock, and pop. His playing is characterized by its melodic beauty and technical precision. 

9. Yngwie Malmsteen

A renowned Swedish guitar player, Yngwie Malmsteen is known for his neoclassical style of playing. He draws heavily from classical music influences, and his playing is characterized by its fast-paced and technical nature.

10. Chet Atkins

As the “Country  Gentleman” of the guitar, Chet Atkins was one of the most influential players in country music. He developed a unique style that incorporated elements of jazz and blues into his playing. His unique approach to the guitar helped to shape the sound of country music. His songs “Poor Boy Blues” and “Mr. Sandman” are considered classics of the genre.

11. Brian May

Brian May is best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen. He is a highly skilled player, and his playing style is heavily influenced by classical music. He is known for his use of multiple guitars in live performances, and his solos in songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You” are some of the most iconic in rock history.

12. Buddy Guy

Crying the blues, Buddy Guy is a living legend of the blues guitar. He is known for his powerful and emotive playing style. His songs “Stone Crazy”, “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues”, and “Sweet Home Chicago” are some of the most iconic in the genre.

13. Keith Richards

As the rhythm guitarist of the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His playing style is based on a simple, yet effective approach that relies on a strong rhythm guitar sound.

He is known for his use of open tunings and his signature “Keith Richards chord” (playing many riffs using two basic chord shapes). His songs “Satisfaction” and “Gimme Shelter” are two of the most iconic in rock history.

14. John Lee Hooker

Another blues legend, John Lee Hooker was known for his unique approach to the guitar. He often played with a bottleneck slide, and his playing was characterized by its raw emotion and power. His songs “Boogie Chillen” and “Boom Boom” are some of the most iconic in the genre.

15. Curtis Mayfield

People are fond of saying that the greatest guitarists are the ones who make the instrument sing. If that’s true, then Curtis Mayfield is one of the greatest of all time. As the leader of the soul/funk band The Impressions, he wrote and performed some of the most iconic and influential songs in R&B history.

His playing style was characterized by its use of rhythmic and percussive sounds, and his solos in songs like “Super Fly” and “Pusherman” are some of the most memorable tracks he performed.

16. Ritchie Blackmore

A founding member of the rock band Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore is one of the most influential and innovative guitarists of all time. He was one of the first players to use heavy distortion and feedback in his playing, and he is credited with inventing the power chord. His solos in songs like “Smoke on the Water” and “Highway Star” are some of the songs that you can’t stop listening to.

17. Billy Gibbons

As the lead guitarist of the rock band ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons is known for his unique style of playing. He often uses a combination of slide guitar and standard tunings to create a distinctive sound. His solos in songs like “La Grange”, “Gimme All Your Lovin'” and “Tush” are some of the most iconic in rock history.

18. Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He is known for his innovative playing style, which combines elements of classical music with rock. He is also known for his use of two-handed tapping, which he popularized in his solos in songs like “Eruption” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”.

19. Scotty Moore

Scotty Moore is best known for his work as Elvis Presley’s guitarist. He was one of the first guitarists to use distortion in his playing, and he helped create the signature sound of rockabilly. His solos in songs like “Hound Dog” and “Mystery Train” are super iconic.

20. Angus Young

A core founder of the rock band AC/DC, Angus Young is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. He is known for his high-energy stage performances and his unique approach to the guitar. He often uses a combination of power chords and single-note riffs to create a distinctive sound. His solos in songs like “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black” are always rocking!

21. Jeff Beck

Jazz and rock fusion legend, Jeff Beck is one of the most innovative and influential guitarists of all time. He is known for his use of feedback and distortion in his playing, and he is credited with inventing the wah-wah pedal. His solos in songs like “Beck’s Bolero” and “Escape” are some of the best performances he made.

22. Frank Zappa

A true iconoclast, Frank Zappa was one of the most innovative and influential guitarists of all time. He is known for his unconventional approach to the instrument, and he often used techniques like dissonance and atonality in his playing. His solos in songs like “Freak Out!” and “Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow” are some of the most iconic in all of popular music.

23. Tom Morello

As the lead guitarist of the rock band Rage Against the Machine, Tom Morello is one of the most influential and innovative guitarists of all time. He is known for his unique playing style, which combines elements of heavy metal and hardcore punk.

He is also known for his use of effects pedals, which he uses to create a distinctive sound. His solos in songs like “Killing in the Name” and “Testify” are smashing rock history.

24. Les Paul

A true pioneer in the world of guitar, Les Paul is credited with inventing the solid body electric guitar, and he also helped develop the first commercially successful electric guitar. His solos in songs like “How High the Moon” and “Lover” are hard to forget.

25. David Gilmour

As the lead guitarist of the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, David Gilmour is not one to forget. He is known for his unique playing style, which combines elements of blues and jazz.

He is also known for his use of effects pedals, which he uses to create a distinctive sound. His solos in songs like “Comfortably Numb” and “Time” are some of the most iconic in rock history.

26. George Harrison

As the lead guitarist of the Beatles, George Harrison is another great guitarist. He is known for his use of slide guitar, and he is also credited with popularizing the sitar in Western music (in the song “Love You To”). His solos in songs like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, and “Here Comes the Sun” are some of the songs recognized worldwide.

27. Muddy Waters

Who can forget Muddy Waters? He is credited with popularizing the electric guitar in the genre, and he also helped develop the Chicago blues sound. His solos in songs like “Mannish Boy” and “Hoochie Coochie Man” are well-known in all of popular music.

28. Mick Taylor

A former member of the Rolling Stones, Mick Taylor is one of the best guitarists of all time. He is known for his unique playing style, which combines elements of blues and jazz. He is also known for his use of effects pedals, which he uses to create a distinctive sound. His solos in songs like “Brown Sugar” and “Satisfaction” are some of the most enjoyed by their fans all over the world.

29. Tony Iommi

The Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is known for his use of power chords, and he is also credited with popularizing the doom metal genre. His solos in songs like “Iron Man” and “Paranoid” are some of the songs you might enjoy.

30. James Burton

One of the most renowned and inventive guitarists in history, James Burton is a pioneer of rock and country rock. He is known for his use of double stops and his distinctive tone. His solos in songs like “My Elusive Dreams” and “Corn Pickin’” are some of the most memorable in all of rock history.

Conclusion

The passion for the strings! From blues to rock, these 30 guitarists are the best of the best. Their notable skills, techniques, and innovation have set them apart as the legends they are today. So, the next time you pick up your guitar, remember these distinguished guitarists and try to follow in their footsteps. Better yet, listen to their music and be inspired by their talent!

Jimi Hendrix Featured Image (Top-Left) by: A. Vente, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL, via Wikimedia Commons
B.B. King Featured Image (Bottom-Right) by: Gorupdebesanez, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yngwie Malmsteen Featured Image (Top-Right) by: Alterna2 http://www.alterna2.com, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eric Clapton Featured Image (Bottom-Left) by: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons