From todays Sunday Times (probably paywalled so text in comments)……
I’m sure this will generate lots of disagreement. Most of the usual suspects are there and a few surprise entrants. Obviously some very notable omissions – mine being Steve Cropper.
What do we think ? Agree / Disagree ?
The 21 greatest guitarists in rock history — ranked by our experts
From Jeff Beck to Joni Mitchell, our critics pick their favourite axemen — and axewomen. Who have they missed?
Sunday January 19 2025, 12.01am GMT, The Times
Who are the greatest rock guitar gods — and goddesses? Here our critics select the finest.
Credit was given for style and attitude, as well as technical ability, and the emphasis is on rock — we didn’t include people who rarely strayed from blues, folk, jazz or funk. So that means no BB King, Bert Jansch, Django Reinhardt or Eddie Hazel of Parliament-Funkadelic, as wonderful as they all were.
Who did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.
21. Vini Reilly
Vini who? Shame on you. A founding member of the Durutti Column, Reilly forged a unique, shimmering guitar style for the Manchester post-punk outfit that absorbed elements of folk, jazz and classical. A stroke in 2010 left him tragically unable to play as he had before.
20. Ritchie Blackmore
He was the first “shredder” — listen to the blistering hemidemisemiquavers on his live solos for Highway Star, Burn or Child in Time — his neoclassical Teutonic arpeggios for Deep Purple and Rainbow being more akin to Bach. Then he gave it up for medieval minstrel folk on the mandola. Still, thrilling at his peak.
19. Slash
Guns N’ Roses’ top-hatted guitar gonk is the LA heir to Aerosmith’s Joe Perry (who makes a case to be in this list). Cartoonish? Perhaps, but there’s a reason his riffs are so ubiquitous. With his casual virtuosity Slash is surely the epitome of the low-slung-axe hero.
18. Robert Smith
The Cure frontman, who had his first classical guitar lesson aged nine, is one of the most influential and underrated guitarists, creating his own sound by detuning his E string. He began in 1978 on Three Imaginary Boys with a Woolworths guitar and progressed to a Fender Jazzmaster (Elvis Costello’s favourite). Many a novice has tried to emulate his extended outro solo on A Forest.
17. St Vincent
The Texan singer-songwriter, real name Annie Clark, is a guitarist of imperious charisma. She plays the St Vincent HHH, an instrument of her own design that’s as stylish and angular as her music.
16. Keith Richards
Purists will say he’s no great shakes as a technician but Richards has few equals as a writer for the guitar, creating the instantly recognisable riffs of Satisfaction and Jumpin’ Jack Flash and the haunting introduction to Gimme Shelter.
15. Joni Mitchell
Come for the genius songwriting and vocals, stay for the innovative, expressive guitar playing. Mitchell made liberal use of open tuning — “Joni’s weird chords”, as she called them — and evolved her style from intricate finger-picking to percussive slapping.
14. Pete Townshend
He had little time for the Beatles’ guitars, once claiming their backing tracks were “lousy”. Instead, the Who guitarist was inspired by Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley and Hendrix, influences that you can hear in his playing, usually on a Stratocaster (although none of them lasted long thanks to his appreciation for Gustav Metzger and his auto-destructive art). As Marr has said: “He’s the best of the Sixties guitar players by miles.” Talking of miles, listen to his solos on I Can See for Miles and Slip Kid to get an idea of his brilliance.
13. Nile Rodgers
Armed with a 1960 Fender Stratocaster called “the Hitmaker”, Rodgers has sprinkled a funky chop-chord style that he dubs “chucking” on dozens of massive songs including Sister Sledge’s Lost in Music and Daft Punk’s Get Lucky plus oodles more by his own band, Chic.
12. Carlos Santana
Santana revitalised rock with a kaleidoscopic blend of blues, African and Latin American textures. The Woodstock festival was left reeling when his group, who had yet to release their debut album, unleashed an 11-minute instrumental jam called Soul Sacrifice, with Santana’s fluid guitar to the fore. Prince said he influenced him more than Hendrix did: “Santana played prettier.”
11. Chuck Berry
The man who is, for many, where it all began. “Chuck had the swing,” Richards wrote of him in Rolling Stone. “There’s rock, but it’s the roll that counts.”
10. Eric Clapton
The only guitarist to date to be dubbed “God” for his blow-the-others-away playing. That was in the 1960s when his playing in Cream left jaws hanging open, but his smooth, “woman-toned” playing remains unmistakeable and still wonderful (tonight).
9. Mick Taylor
Who’s the most talented guitarist the Rolling Stones have had? That would be Taylor, in the line-up from 1969 to 1974, who gave the band its most melodic solos, offsetting Keith Richards’ rock’n’roll licks with so much fluency and soul. He continues to be underrated.
8. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
A big influence on Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton and more, Tharpe joined the dots between gospel, blues and early rock’n’roll. Born in Arkansas and raised in Chicago, she beat a sacrilegious path from the church to clubs and was one of the first players to use heavy distortion on the electric guitar. We all know where that led.
7. Johnny Marr
The jangly counterpoint to Morrissey’s miserabilism, Marr’s chiming chords helped to define the indie sound. Since the demise of the Smiths those clamouring for his fretboard fairy dust have included Bryan Ferry, the Pretenders, the The, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads and Hans Zimmer.
6. David Gilmour
In an era of showboating, Gilmour sounded like no one else: his playing was all about tone, texture and a kind of languid grandeur. The solos he pulled out for Pink Floyd’s Time, Money, Shine On You Crazy Diamond et al are, in a word, timeless.
5. Eddie Van Halen
In 1971 a young Eddie witnessed Page’s one-handed solo for Heartbreaker, “took the idea and ran with it”. And then some. Seven years later the finger-tapping, face-melting cascades of Van Halen’s Eruption arrived and he had revolutionised rock guitar playing overnight.
4. Prince
His axe-wielding ability is underrated given how fine a singer, songwriter and keyboard player he was. Watch him reduce Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne to gawping onlookers during a blistering rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, however, and it’s clear he was a guitar god.
3. Jeff Beck
He wasn’t dubbed the “guitarist’s guitarist” for no reason: if his choice of noise in his 1960s Yardbirds days was more about feedback, even then his willingness to experiment was clear: from his use of sitar on an early version of Heart Full of Soul to the magisterial Beck’s Bolero, with its warmer but no less commanding tone. Subsequently, there were rule-breaking forays into funk, jazz-fusion, straight blues — always far more adventurous, more interesting than mere shredding.
2. Jimmy Page
Years as a star session player, then as Jeff Beck’s fellow Yardbird, were mere groundwork for the guitar sorcery of Led Zeppelin. Master of an exotic breadth of styles in the studio, Page was also, at his peak, an astonishing live performer: search on YouTube for the band’s 1973 concerts for proof.
1. Jimi Hendrix
Listen to the nonchalant genius of Little Wing, the scorching wah-wah on Voodoo Child, the cosmic improvisations on Machine Gun and the case becomes inarguable: Hendrix is the greatest rock guitarist of them all.
No Rory Gallagher, no Frank Zappa, no John McLaughlin, no Robert Fripp, no Peter Green. For starters.
I diskard your list, Sunday Times.
Jimmy Page should be at least 6 places further down and Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck’s places should be swapped.
Agree.
Good: they included Vini Reilly. Bad: they didn’t include Lyndsey Buckingham.
Or Peter Green or Danny Kirwan
There are more than 21 great guitarists so any list is going to miss some out. But that’s a pretty good list.
A tad underwhelming thought the eminent Times might be more adventurous. At least it says it’s rock guitarists but then includes Joni and Sister Rosetta Tharp? No Fripp, Akkerman, Thompson,Neil Young, Latimer that’s without giving too much thought
I’m glad they included Robert Smith. I’d regard him as very original, versatile and influential. He doesn’t appear on many lists.
I think it’s a good list. Of course I’d prefer to see my favourites included – Roddy Frame or the O’Neill brothers but could I argue that they’re “better”, than those on the list? Personally I’ve always been baffled by the reverence for Clapton. I’ve yet to hear anything he’s done that connects with me in any way. Just boring to my ears. Fripp probably deserves to be included.
A mix of the obvious and the odd, given the supposed reference points offered. It’s as if they asked both nerds who know and pub quiz populists at the same time and asked AI to decide.
I think they may have done it in a different order to that because the ChatGPT list is pretty similar.
ChatGPT says
Here’s a list of 21 of the greatest rock guitarists, along with the reasons why they are considered top-tier musicians:
### 1. **Jimi Hendrix**
– **Why Great**: Widely considered the greatest guitarist of all time, Hendrix revolutionized the electric guitar with his innovative use of distortion, feedback, and whammy bar techniques. His expressive style, coupled with technical mastery, made his music boundary-pushing.
### 2. **Eric Clapton**
– **Why Great**: Known as “Slowhand,” Clapton’s ability to blend blues with rock music is unmatched. His emotional playing, precise phrasing, and mastery of both electric and acoustic guitars have cemented his status as one of the greats.
### 3. **Jimmy Page**
– **Why Great**: As the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin’s sound, Page blended blues, folk, and heavy rock, creating some of the most iconic guitar riffs in history. His fingerpicking, innovative use of the guitar, and stage presence are legendary.
### 4. **Eddie Van Halen**
– **Why Great**: Known for his groundbreaking finger-tapping technique and virtuosic playing, Van Halen pushed rock guitar into new, technical realms. His influence on shredding and speed is still felt today.
### 5. **Chuck Berry**
– **Why Great**: One of the founding fathers of rock ‘n’ roll, Berry’s riffs, playing style, and charismatic stage presence helped define the genre. His pioneering guitar solos and use of the “duck walk” set the standard for generations of rock musicians.
### 6. **B.B. King**
– **Why Great**: B.B. King was the king of blues guitar and had a huge impact on rock with his expressive string bending and vibrato. His smooth, emotive playing has influenced countless rock guitarists.
### 7. **Keith Richards**
– **Why Great**: As the guitarist for The Rolling Stones, Richards’ raw, rhythmic style and iconic riffs are integral to rock music. His ability to write timeless songs, along with his unique tuning and rhythm guitar techniques, made him a true legend.
### 8. **David Gilmour**
– **Why Great**: The voice of Pink Floyd’s guitar sound, Gilmour’s tone, phrasing, and emotional solos are key to the band’s success. His use of space and melody over speed made him one of the most expressive players in rock.
### 9. **Stevie Ray Vaughan**
– **Why Great**: Vaughan brought Texas blues to the masses with his ferocious playing, combining blues with rock in an electrifying way. His tone and fast, fluid playing became highly influential in both blues and rock circles.
### 10. **Carlos Santana**
– **Why Great**: Santana’s fusion of Latin rhythms with rock and blues guitar has created an instantly recognizable sound. His smooth, soulful playing, emotional intensity, and improvisational style have made him a rock icon.
### 11. **Slash**
– **Why Great**: Known for his work with Guns N’ Roses, Slash’s distinctive top-hat and hard-edged guitar style have made him a rock legend. His ability to create iconic solos and memorable riffs has kept him a fixture in the rock scene.
### 12. **Pete Townshend**
– **Why Great**: As The Who’s primary guitarist, Townshend pioneered the use of power chords and was known for his energetic live performances and revolutionary rhythm guitar playing. His windmill strumming and technical proficiency set him apart.
### 13. **Jeff Beck**
– **Why Great**: Known for his improvisational style and technical brilliance, Jeff Beck is one of the most versatile guitarists in rock history. His work spans genres from blues to jazz fusion to hard rock, influencing countless players.
### 14. **Randy Rhoads**
– **Why Great**: Rhoads’ technical precision and neo-classical influence helped define the sound of Ozzy Osbourne’s early solo career. His intricate solos and innovative use of harmonic minor scales set him apart in the heavy metal scene.
### 15. **Frank Zappa**
– **Why Great**: A virtuoso in every sense, Zappa fused rock, jazz, and avant-garde music into a style all his own. His complex compositions and lightning-fast solos are revered by musicians and fans alike.
### 16. **Angus Young**
– **Why Great**: As the lead guitarist of AC/DC, Young’s high-voltage performances, simple yet effective riffs, and iconic stage presence made him one of the most recognizable faces in rock music.
### 17. **Tom Morello**
– **Why Great**: Morello’s inventive approach to the guitar, using unconventional techniques and effects, has made him a groundbreaking figure in modern rock and nu-metal. His work with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave is both politically charged and musically innovative.
### 18. **Al Di Meola**
– **Why Great**: Known for his virtuosic technique, Di Meola’s blend of jazz fusion and rock has been highly influential. His speed, precision, and ability to blend complex patterns with melodic sensibilities set him apart as a rock virtuoso.
### 19. **John Frusciante**
– **Why Great**: As the guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Frusciante is known for his unique blend of funk, rock, and experimental elements. His innovative playing and emotionally raw solos have made him a fan favorite.
### 20. **Lindsey Buckingham**
– **Why Great**: Known for his work with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham’s fingerpicking technique, intricate melodies, and creative use of loops and effects helped shape the band’s distinctive sound. His contribution to pop rock is undeniable.
### 21. **George Harrison**
– **Why Great**: As The Beatles’ lead guitarist, Harrison brought a melodic, thoughtful approach to rock guitar that influenced a generation of players. His incorporation of Eastern influences and pioneering use of the slide guitar set him apart from his contemporaries.
These guitarists stand out not just for their technical prowess but also for their ability to shape the sound of rock music and inspire generations of players to come. Their influence is woven deeply into the fabric of the genre, making them timeless figures in rock history.
AI generated stuff has a weird flat feel to it, no character at all. Like an A-Z of London rather than a history of it. @leffe-gin was saying how freelance writers have been badly impacted by AI but surely there’s still a market for well written stuff with some personality? I feel for those impacted of course.
Well it wouldn’t be my list and there are a few laughable inclusions/omissions but hey.
No Ollie Halsall, for shame!
—–——-
Patto and Timebox drummer John Halsey once said, “Ollie may not have been the best guitarist in the world, but he was certainly among the top two.”
In my list, which is the right one, I would have included Robert Fripp (for Bowie), Jan Akkerman, Keith Levine, John McGeogh, and Phil Manazanera. Possibly.
I bet they have never heard of Nels Cline
All three guitarists in Wilco are tremendous players, and a rare example of such a lineup that actually works.
Just like The Beatles. 😉
No Alex Lifeson.
Shocking omission.
As with all these lists, I find myself wondering who makes up the panel & what their age and musical skills/ knowledge are. It fills a few pages & will get the usual “How could you miss…” but it’s still the same old names at the top.
Maybe it was AI? Maybe retro was on to something…
21 names and no Eddie Van Halen? Be off with you….
He’s there at number 5!
Oops….. how about
21 names and Eddie Van Halen is only 5th?
A mate of mine who is a superb professional guitarist was asked to do a radio slot last year on his 10 favourite guitarists the caveat being that he had to put Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the top five, so I’m always suspicious when I see her name on these lists.
So what is a ‘greatest’ guitarist? If it was technical skill it would be a bunch of YouTubers you’ve never heard of. Songwriting? Influence? Originality? All are completely different. I can say, as a guitarist, that the one person who has consistently stopped me in my tracks with his playing is Jeff Beck. Exquisite phrasing, note selection etc. But he was a crap songwriter.
I also roll my eyes whenever I see Prince and mention of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. He’s a fine funk guitarist but honestly, that solo sounds like any 14-year old in their bedroom six months after they learned the blues scale. There is considerable bafflement in the guitar world as to why this particular performance gained public traction.
The list is “Greatest Guitarists”. Songwriting isn’t necessarily a factor, though it is important. Keef would get a higher rating from me as a songwriter than as a guitarist. Ditto Townshend and Harrison.
Their influence on other players and on music in general comes into the equation too.
Plenty in the original list who I woudn’t rate particularly highly as writers or as guitarists, though the writing aspect is skewed by my taste, no doubt. With some I also find the extent of their influence debatable.
At the end of the day it’s just a list to fill a space in a paper and provoke comment.
Possibly AI-generated initially and fleshed-out for subsequent publication. If I was commissioning it I’d generate a list of 50 and get the journo/journos to whittle it down, being sure to leave some left-fielders in but keeping the top ten fairly safe.
Completely agree on that solo. Its inclusion says a lot about the compilers.
That Prince solo is lauded because of its spectacular showmanship that stunned the crowd. Its technical proficiency is besides the point.
This list will have absolutely no-one who isn’t rawk.
Nile Rogers who played with Sister Sledge and Daft Punk
Nile is on the list…?
I would have the following in my list somewhere….
Hank Marvin
Albert Lee
Gary Moore
Peter Green
Mark Knopfler
I think the list is harmless enough and has mostly good players on it. Very happy to see Vini on there.
I like a lot of guitarists who sort of plow their own furrow, like Fripp, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Adrian Belew, etc. I also like the totally non-showy ones like Mike Campbell and Steve Cropper. Or the daft ones like Billy Gibbons. And even though I don’t really like U2 (caveat: haven’t listened to much) I think The Edge belongs on any such list. Johnny Greenwood. Al Di Meola. etc. etc.
However, I would never presume that just because I like Omar Rodriguez Lopez (check out his burning guitar playing on Amputecture by The Mars Volta, in tandem with John Frusciante), that this means everyone else should.
edit: Steve Howe as well, he plays completely differently to everyone else really. That early 70s live film of Yes convinced me of his talent.
edit 2: I saw Maria Barbieri play with Big Big Train, and she is just poise, grace and power. Plays totally for the song too. Stunning player.
The Edge? No!
For me David Lindley would be on the list.
Absolutely!
Agreed @twang.
Also: Val McCallum, Greg Leisz, Scott Thurston and Mark Goldenberg – my bias is showing!
But it’s just a list. There are / were 14, 624 brilliant rock guitarists in the world (plus maybe one or two jazz & folk players) but this particular list only lets 21 of them feature, so . . .
Val:
Greg:
Scott & Mark:
There’s an excellent JB DVD with lots of great live stuff and in depth interview.
https://amzn.eu/d/8SfQMPk
A few that no-one has mentioned:
Robbie Krieger
Jorma Kaukonen
Vernon Reid
It occurs to me that one could have big ‘greatest’ list for blues guitarists alone. Here’s a couple:
Albert King
Albert Collins
Clarence Gatemouth Brown
That’s before we even get onto jazz. I’d start there with Charlie Christian and probably follow through to Sonny Sharrock.
Different lists I think.
This thread’s getting a bit long to check thoroughly, but I don’t think the late Danny Gatton has had a mention yet.
Or, oddly, maestro Les Paul.
A mainly-jazz guitarist who started out in rock and has also ventured into the realm of funk is the amazing Jim Mullen.
The metal guitarist John 5 would certainly endorse Les Paul’s inclusion
I love this!
I would have included Bill Nelson, Walter Becker and Phil Manzanera and excluded St Vincent, Mick Taylor and Nile Rodgers to make way for them.
I’d much rather Mick than Keef. Many think of Nile as just a rhythm guitarist. He is much more than that. Saviour Faire is an instrumental with his guitar as lead. It’s rather beautiful.
Mick Taylor is a wonderful guitarist. Even when he was really young with John Mayall he was excellent. Lyrical and melodic.
Bit too much noodling in a live setting for me.