According to Rolling Stone magazine, here are the greatest guitar players & their rankings: Feel free to agree or disagree!

Mar 20, 2005
1,142
867
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album of the year grammy winners GIF by Recording Academy / GRAMMYs
 

LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
7,663
10,365
113
That’s one hell of a list. My current favorite is Gary Clark Jr. Johnny Lang is a favorite of mine also. Not saying they belong on this list, just very talented guitarists in modern times.
 

Connorpozlee

All-American
Aug 29, 2013
2,621
5,022
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…….. you would


:oops:


:ROFLMAO:
Tastes obviously vary but it seems to me that he was pretty groundbreaking with his style. Of course, I’m sure somebody in here will show me somebody that did Morello before Morello did Morello. And then somebody will name somebody that guy took from, and so music goes….
 

91Joe95

All-Conference
Aug 15, 2003
2,843
4,070
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Best? Favorite? I can’t really evaluate best but I can tell you that David Gilmore is my favorite. I also really enjoy Tom Morello.


Big, big fan of Morello. I like guitarists that have a unique style that is easily recognizable, and he definitely has it. I'll add Alex Lifeson and Brian May to that list, among others.
 

WSTLion87

All-Conference
Oct 10, 2021
750
1,595
93
Their #3 is my #1 ( I love Led Zeppelin!)
Their #1 is definitely top five.
Their #4 is good but way too highly ranked. (Joe Perry unranked is better.)
Their #9 made his entire career on one good solo in the Layla intro.
What no Kenny Wayne Shepard? Come on!
I am very surprised that they don't have any Metallica or Nirvana members in there since RS loves those two bands.
Prince should be on there just for his "Let's go Crazy" solo.
 

wolve1972

Junior
Sep 3, 2018
779
279
18
Gary Richrath of REO should be close to making that list. One of the most underrated guitarists of all time. He was the driving force behind REO
 

Sif

Sophomore
Oct 12, 2021
62
113
33
Page is my #1, Zep was my favorite band growing up. Responsible for some of the best riffs of all time! Love George Harrison, but no way he is better guitarist than SRV.
 
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LB99

Heisman
Oct 27, 2021
7,663
10,365
113
Their #3 is my #1 ( I love Led Zeppelin!)
Their #1 is definitely top five.
Their #4 is good but way too highly ranked. (Joe Perry unranked is better.)
Their #9 made his entire career on one good solo in the Layla intro.
What no Kenny Wayne Shepard? Come on!
I am very surprised that they don't have any Metallica or Nirvana members in there since RS loves those two bands.
Prince should be on there just for his "Let's go Crazy" solo.
I saw Kenny Wayne Shepard a few years back in a very small venue. It was a great show.
 
Jun 19, 2001
343
882
93
I can see if this if this list is limited to the "classic rock" era (however, no Billy Gibbons, or even Slash??), but if it's supposed to be all inclusive, how can you leave out Joe Bonamassa?

 
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fairgambit

All-American
Aug 20, 2010
2,188
6,457
113
Ritchie Blackmore should be in the top 10. Clapton is my favorite.
Personal note: I started playing guitar 3 years ago (February, 2019) and have played at least a half hour every day since. I am getting pretty decent. 🎸
 
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psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
8,666
18,805
113
No argument with Hendrix #1. He was light years ahead of his generation.

After that it falls into personal preference/tastes.
I have long had SRV #2 But you could put Page Clapton EVH in any order and be ok.

Townshend is a great guitar player but his skill as a lyricist storyteller and arranger probably overshadows his raw guitar talent.

One glaring omission-Prince. Dude coukd shred.
 
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Shep

Junior
Nov 8, 2010
106
220
43
Their #3 is my #1 ( I love Led Zeppelin!)
Their #1 is definitely top five.
Their #4 is good but way too highly ranked. (Joe Perry unranked is better.)
Their #9 made his entire career on one good solo in the Layla intro.
What no Kenny Wayne Shepard? Come on!
I am very surprised that they don't have any Metallica or Nirvana members in there since RS loves those two bands.
Prince should be on there just for his "Let's go Crazy" solo.
#9 made his career on the Layla solo? Oh my. You might want to listen to Live at the Fillmore East just once before making that statement, or perhaps know that he was the driving force behind one of the best bands in American music history, Btw, Clapton gives him credit for the genius behind most of the Layla album. #9 is known as the best slide guitar player of all time. One good solo, omg. Prince is a great call.
 

Tgar

Heisman
Nov 14, 2001
5,302
11,677
113
Brian May and Frank Zappa belong on that list and I know a lot of people don't like The Grateful Dead but I would add Jerry Garcia.
These lists become silly.

Had the great pleasure of seeing Zappa in 89 or 90 at the Warner Theater in DC. ( I have seen twelve on the aforementioned list multiple times ) The experience was all that and then some. Truly remarkable surrounded by a bunch of jazz and rock talents that just ripped the roof off.

Zappa totally belongs in the conversation along with Garcia. Heck, I could even add in at this point numerous other Jam Band guitarists, Billy Strings, multiple blues guitarists since the list includes a few among others.

Too many for 20 and personal preference ( Van Halen, no ) is different for everyone.
 

ODShowtime

All-American
Aug 17, 2017
3,030
6,043
113
These lists become silly.

Had the great pleasure of seeing Zappa in 89 or 90 at the Warner Theater in DC. ( I have seen twelve on the aforementioned list multiple times ) The experience was all that and then some. Truly remarkable surrounded by a bunch of jazz and rock talents that just ripped the roof off.

Zappa totally belongs in the conversation along with Garcia. Heck, I could even add in at this point numerous other Jam Band guitarists, Billy Strings, multiple blues guitarists since the list includes a few among others.

Too many for 20 and personal preference ( Van Halen, no ) is different for everyone.

It's all opinions.

I agree Zappa and Garcia both pushed the rock very far up the mountain for others, but not that commercial unfortunately. I cherish them both.

I also think Van Halen is easily top five. He changed the world and brought us 6 multiplatinum smash albums. He wrote hits showcasing his jaw-dropping talent. Destroyed the world on tour. He's royalty. IMO