Isn't Lindley also the guy who does the howling backing vocal on Zevon's "Wild Age"?

I would have to add to just about any list that didn't have him Michael Hedges. That guy did things . . . I have no idea how he did the things he did. What a shocking loss his death was.

I'd also offer up Steve Howe, but his solo material just doesn't measure up to his work with Yes. He does, however, elicit the same feelings in me that Bill Frisell does - a kind of "what's next" excitement in everything he plays. Like Frisell, he knows the power of playing very close to out of control, where his fret work is on the very edge of being completely incoherent, yet reigns it in just enough to maintain some sense of melody. Frisell is the master of this, but Howe was first . . .

Very cool Mark, a lot I agree with and some new guys I didn't really know (guy, and I haven't paid that much attention to Ribot). And man, put "Substitute" and "Can't Explain" (guess that's Page along on the BIG RIFF) together and nothing can piss me off. Really, all of Meaty Beaty is timeless mod rock and the group's peak.

Glad to see Bruce, too, he kicks the llama's ass on "Darkness"

That's not Steve Van Zandt playing guitar on "Darkness..."?

I have to agree this is a righteious list. I was surprized how many of the guitbox arteests I listed in a previous article made the RS list.

But I'm ashamed I didn't mention Marc Ribot.

And Rolling Stone, Robert Quine has done more than the Voidoids. One of the guitarists I didn't list was Lou Reed. But Reed is more important for hiriing better guitarists like Mike Rathke.

JR, Steve isn't on "Darkness" - it's all Bruce.

He's listed in the liner notes, both as production assistant and on guitar. I'm not up on Springsteen lore, what's the story here?

Sorry, Steve did come in on the production end and ended up playing some guitar, but Bruce played all the leads. He is listed as "lead guitar" - his electric lead style is not unlike Neil Young, furiously hard picking wringing the guitar neck like a doomed chicken, making vicious, almost unnatural noise.

I believe that's my cue to actually listen to the record...

wringing the guitar neck like a doomed chicken, making vicious, almost unnatural noise.

The Rolling Stone list unsurprisingly sucked in that faux controversial only Rolling Stone can do. I liked your observation about Bruce's playing on Darkness. When I was in high school, waaay back in the mid-80's, I had a friend who was a black sabbath/led zeppelin kind of guy and new of Bruce only as the commercial monster he became after Born in the USA. One lunch time I kidnapped him and we snuck off and I blasted a little Adam Raised a Cain and Candy's Room and set him straight. I broke in my 18th birthday present strat working out the solos on Darkness.

I was happy to see that Richard Thompson wasn't ignored. And I know I'll be ripped apart for saying this but, with all due respect to Hendrix, we all know that Keith Richards is rock-n-roll guitar.

I think the Rolling Stone's Magazine is full of lies. First of all, how do they dare to put Kurt Cobain in the TOP 100 guitarist?? I mean, thats the BIGEEST LIE I'VE EVER HEARD! There should be Mary Friedman, so i say that the rolling stones magazine sucks!!! they ahve to be informed before they make such a wrong thing!
Thanks a lot!

Springsteen is a vastly underrated guitarist, as shown once again on Zevon's "Disorder in the House"--but don't forget Zevon's playing. He's the only guitarist on Life'll Kill You. That's him sounding just like Peter Buck on "Porcelain Monkey", and him doing all the neat picking.

I think about Belew's stellar work on Frank Zappa's Sheik Yerbouti. That's the only Zappa album (I think) with only two guitarists. Of course.

Sure I agree that Jimi was great because nobody made those sounds back then come out of a guitar. But nowdays it seems that everyone is. Everything sounds the same in the mainstream. Honestly the list made me sick. Right when I saw Jack White of the white Stripes i almost fell over. That pathetic guy ovver someone like JOHN PETRUCCI!!!!! this is an outrage. and deaf person could tell that an amazing musician such as John Petrucci from Dream theater is 50 times the guitarist than half of the people on that list. I WANT TO KILL WHOEVER WROTE THAT LIST! ahhhhhhh

I've spent far too many hours over the last three decades listening to music and trying to determine which guitarist I considered the greatest - there are a whole bunch of 'em, guys who make your jaw drop listening to their licks the way Peter Forsberg does handling a hockey puck. How the heck did he do that??? Ah, what a wonderful argument Rolling Stone, in their infinite wisdom, has cooked up!

A few "How does he DO that?" moments:

Jorma Kaukonen's fingerpicking on Hesitation Blues, the first track of the first Hot Tuna album.

Page's fretwork on the live version of Dazed and Confused.

The first time hearing SRV's version of Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)

Jeff Beck's entire Blow By Blow album

John Butcher's At The Feet of the Master from Positively the Blues

Watermelon in Easter Hay, Joe's final imaginary guitar solo from Zappa's Joe's Garage

Then there's the ones that make your heart sing and your head spin, even if you actually understand what the guy's fingers are doing. A few:
Eric Johnson's Ah Via Musicom --> Cliffs of Dover

Santana's Samba Pa Ti and Europa

Hendrix's Captain Coconut and Peace in Mississippi

Kottke's Vaseline Machine Gun

Albatross by Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

No doubt everyone reading this has songs that do similar things to them - I'd like to hear which ones they are so I can download them illegally and listen to them. (Just kidding, sorta.)

thank you for the Kottke mention... that guy is madly underrated.

So Mark, where's that list of jazz players?

dat's a good question....i'll work on it.

Glad also tha the world is waking up to Richard Thompson....and David Lindley.Now,surely,some mention for the extraordinarily skilful and adaptable Albert Lee?

Addendum

Rory Gallagher???

I knew Albert Lee for a time when he hung out in the South Bay in the '80s, great player, nice guy.

I think that robert Johnson should be in the number one spot. That mans way of play blows my mind and no matter how many times i try i cant do it. Maybe he did sell his soul but it was worth it. He has inspiered so many artist and no one today really knows who he is

WHERE IS YNGWIE MALMSTEEN

wheres zakk wylde

ok. lets face it. the edge from u2 is the greatest guitarist ever. i mean just listen to him and you will see what im talking aboot.

I can't believe not only who was left off the list; but, as a couple of others have pointed out, it's the one's who were included that're killing me. Joni Mitchell? If you're gonna go there, how about Emmylou Harris? What about Joan Baez of Janis Ian? What about Chet Atkins? If you're gonna include Les Paul and Robert Johnson, you've gotta include the original double-lead-on-the-same-guitar man. Does anyone remember Tommy Bolin? How about Roy Clark, Steve Vai, Joe Walsh, Steve Wariner or Vince Gill? Has anyone seen Peter Frampton's Detroit concert DVD...he just keeps getting better. What about John Coltrane? or Neal Schon?

Jimbob

One More.....Jose' Feliciano. Acclaimed as the "Greatest Living Guitarist".

Jimbob

Yeah man.. this magazine is bullsh!t.... same as the top greatest 100 guitarist in GW (Guitar World) Magazine.. but this magazine kicks ass
the only part I really dislike is how they put Kurt Cobain.. I mean.. all Kurt does is.. drugs and stuff... I like his songs but just dont like his guitar.. and also.. do they have Gary Moore on the magazine?

I agree with some, the list doesnt impress me. I dont understand how you can leave off John Petrucci of Dream Theater and Steve Rothery of Marillion.Also, I would have to add to the list Nick Barrett of Pendragon,Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton of Queensryche. Quess not many prog fans out there-- G

First of all I'd like to say that Eddie Van Halen is underrated. How do you put him @ #70 in the top 100??? Listen to the best of Van Halen Vol.1 and then tell me he's still #70.
Secondly, Jack White!!! What has he contributed to the music industry...a bunch of crap?
Third of all, David Gilmour of PF deserves to be in the top #20 at least.
This list needs some serious revising.

Reply to Kenny Allday: 1. Listening to the extended version of "Eruption" by Van Halen.
2. Jimi Hendrix's freestyle of "Voodoo Chile" on the Woodstock cd
3. Pink Floyd's "Echoes" off of the Meddle album

The problem with these lists, is that everyone has their opinions about this guitarist being better than that guitarist. I think this rolling stone thing is total crap. I don't understand how Cobain, the guitarist from white stripes, what is up with that? You have guitarist like Petrucci, Vai, Wylde, Satriani, Malmstreem, Dimebag, all in which werent on the list (except for maybe dimebag, but i forget) that deserved a seat better than Cobaina and White Stripe, and yes Van Halen should of been ranked better so should Angus, but Rolling Stone is about publicity not music

obviously it's all opinion...and gets right to what you think is 'good'.

i'd rather listen to Keith Richards rhythm stuff and snarly leads than vai or satriani's note soup any day of the week.

does that mean one is 'better' than the other. dunnno.

Rolling Stone is a magazine who's publishers have one thing in mind-PROFIT. Reality, value, talent, none of those things have anything to do with any article ever written in that magazine. They want to drive the latest fashion down everyones throat until we throw up, then find something else to cram at us.
The Top-100 list reads like someone sat down and just threw out names to fill space-not really knowing anything about the topic they were writing about. Consider this-the person writing the article probably doesn't know a Fender from a Gibson, has no technical expertise whatsoever with the guitar or how it functions, and probably only knows it as a fashion statement. So, how does that qualify them to make judgements for such a list? For any legitimate purpose, it does not. What you are left with, then, is a valueless piece of writing designed solely to appeal to a mass of sheep who don't understand the topic any better than the person who wrote it(i.e. the Target Market). The White Stripes are the fashion of the day, in my opinion not worthy of the press they get, but that's how it is with fashion. I thought and still do think the same thing about Kurt Cobain. Way, way, WAY overrated by pop press.
Say what you want, but people don't read Rolling Stone because it is any kind of authority on anything of value, they read it because they exist in the target zone.
Sheep. Mindless sheep.

About the stupid man who's name is Rico, about Jack White, I don't think, if he knows what is a good guitarist.

hey guys....i hope you didnt forget about God. I eman you gotta admit out of the hundreds of top 100s lists i can find there all right when they put Jimi at number one. If you listen to his better songs like his hour long performance at woodstock (not the crappy library version) or little wing youd realize he wasnt jsut a fast player in fact he wasnt fats at all he was just Damn good and thats all there is to say. and then theres ry cooder hes also pretty good you cant kick out the real good guitarists jsut because there popular thats like when the Blink 182 fans broke up cause they were to popular....dumbasses....i hate blink 182 anyways. Yes im 16 and you all sound a bit older but when a 16 year old knows more about music than a bunch of old dudes who actually lived when there was good music it makes ou wonder why people are reading your posts right now.

Im not saying any that you listed arent good jsut that jimi is better and always will be you jsut gotta accept that fact. and please get kazza and download the 200+kb file woodstock full version - jimi hendrix and watch the whole thing then litsen to little wing and when you decide to chang you list, which you will, put ry cooder on there too jsut trust me i know my shit

someone said something about jimi being good only back when he was alive or something....well ive heard a lot of people try to sound like him and never has it been done. Im not tlaking about learning how to play voodoo chile and saying oh well this is easy jimi wasnt good. im talking about standing up on a stage after getting high and playing for and hour when at least 75 percent of what your playing is made up right on the spot. That is guitar. That is rock/blues/ whatever yea when you dont know what place to put someone it means something. Im refering to woodstock cause im like one of the only peoepl whos ever seen the real video

Ten Years After

Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters

Vaughn

Monte Montgomery (check his verison of litte wing)

etc etc etc

download every version of little wing you can find ive never heard a better song i really havent

the one song thats jsut as good as little wing...the live version of little wing in paris! ha

woodstock if it was all a big song would be number one so...sorry im rambling...jsut listen to those songs and tell me if im fucked up in the head or if im right.

the rollingstones list totally sucked: here is how it rolls
1.Hendrix(obviously)
2.Page
3.Clapton
4.Slash
5.Brian May(he also invented his own guitar)
6.Eddie Van Halen
7.Stevie Ray
8.David Gilmore
9.Randy Rhoads
10.Mark Knopfler
Dropped Out: Zakk Wylde, Kirk Hammett, Carlos Santana, Joe Perry, James Hatfeild, CC(maybe),and jeff beck
I would also like to recognize Flea(chili peppers) for his amazing bass riffs and solos

yes i also think this list is bogus do u realize where randy rhoads was a t like 70 or 80 cmon now has anyone hear heard any acoustic guitar playing how about tim reynolds (works with dave matthews a lot) that guy is sick listen to some of his solos and what the guy can do with a slide some of his solos stream, and the live at chicago liein our graves electric solo amazing i think tim reynolds is defintley in the top 5 guitarists of all time some of the best were in my opinion Hendrix,clapton, page,for top 3 and there is not anybody out there who can play better than hendrix there will never be. anyone who thinks anyone was better is nuts i mean solos arent what makes u the best of all time its writing kick ass music and being able to bust out them awesome solos anyways TIM REYNOLDS IS SICK LISTEN TO THAT GUY PLAY

Andres Segovia. Fluidity, speed, feeling, emotion, and class to boot.

-d3

When I was a youth i would have endless arguments about the greatest guitarist, it always came down to Hendrix (my pick) and Malmstien. How interesting it is that years later, Hendrix is still in the running (but absent from your list MARK!!!!) yet malmstein is a sidenote. I guess speed isnt everything.

yea, i do love hendrix...but i kindof came into this just a little after he was gone.

so maybe that's why i didn't think of him.

Angus young is undoubtably the best guitarist ive ever heard and seen.He is the most underated guitarist in the world and deffinataly deserves more credit that he already has.As a guitar player i can tell you it takes concentration to do a solo and many guitarists stay in the one spot while completing a solo from hendrix to page however not angus.He runs about the stage,hops,crawls etc and still pulls of the same sounds(if not better)than the best.please listen to ac dc's,live at donnington to see what i mean.

Funny nobody remembers another Hendrix disciple, Robin Trower. Seems he took up where Jimi left off. Licks and riffs to jack you up or put you in a trance.... Strange no one is aware of the great body of work that Blue Oyster Cult has put out from the early 70's. Donald (Buck Dharma) Roeser has run the gamut from folsky picking, fluid arrangements, boogie woogie, flashy, heavy metal, jazz, you name it! "ON YOUR FEET OR ON YOUR KNEES!" As to the Rolling Stone list: put Zappa and Angus Young closer to the top, drop George Harrison (unimaginative), Jack White (yawn), the dude from Living Color (clumsy), and anyone from Metallica (muddy in concert). Keith Richards IS #1!

Some good picks Mark, however I have to take issue on some omissions and one inclusion. When it comes to people as fab as Lyndley and Belew for example it's really just a matter of one's subjective taste but as great a songwriter as Bruce Springsteen is he's simply not on the level of a Leo Kottke or (in the why in the hell are they not included category) Richard Thompson, Wes Montgomery, Danny Gatton or Django Reinhardt. This to me is quite obvious. Springsteen rocks but he's nowhere near the guitar player that Andy Summers or Alex Lifeson is. For yays I say hooray for the inclusion of everyone else but Bruce: he's just not in the same league; Pete Townshend tramps Bruce in guitar heroics - and I'm a big Springsteen fan. If you want to discuss craftsmanship in songwriting, then Bruce is your man. If you want to discuss guitar playing virtuosity (and songwriting), you can't leave out Richard Thompson. Incidentaly it would be nice to see Richard Lloyd and Christopher Parkening listed in these things sometimes.

i bet ya Springsteen would agree that he's not half the guitar player that Kottke is...but pure virtuosity is not the point.

i leave off Lifeson because, for me, his playing just doesn't do as much for me as the others (and i do like Lifeson)

What about Gary Rossington and Allen Collins form Lynyrd skynyrd? Those dudes wail! And these guys learned to play by listening to blues musicians on their back porches playing late into the night. They couldnt even afford shoes until they became famous, and Freebird kicks more ass than anything by Satriani or Vai!!

Angus Young from AC/DC didnt deserve the a$$wipe spot he got.That made me want to throwup.Exactly,watch Live and Donington.Angus deserved to be in atleast the top 10,or 11-20.The man is amazing.Was Slash even on the list?!?!?!Randy Rhoads in the 80's?!?!?!? JACK WHITE AND KURT COBAIN?!?!?!?!!?WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THESE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!!!


*cough* Just my 2 cents...

I totally agree. Angus young is awesome. he is what made the band what is was and is. Can't you see? Rolling Stones is just fucked up. They shit in their pants and save it for later. I am a better guitar player than some of those dudes on the list. Jack White. lol. That's just funny. Kurt Cobain. Sad. Where the fuck is Alex Lifeson? Am I the only one that didnt notice him on the list? screw this list. Im making my own list. Here it goes

1. Eddie Van Halen
2. Stevie Ray Vaughn
3. Eric Clapton
4. Steve Vai
5. Jimi Hendrix
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Alex Lifeson of Rush
8. Lenny Kravitz
9. Carlos Santana
10. Slash
11. Chuck Berry
12. Angus young
13. Kerry King
14. Pete Townshend
15. Joe Satriani
16. Jimmy Page
17. Prince
18. Dave Mustaine
19. Rhandy Rhoads
20. ME! HA hA HA HA HA !

How could Prince have been left off the list. Other than Hendrix, he should have definitely been a consideration for the top spot. I can't believe he did not even make the top 100.

How can you ignore the guitar riffs in Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Lets Go Crazy, Joint 2 Joint, etc.

shocking that gilmour wasnt in 20's at least and clapton not being first, appauling!!! beck (absolute god!!) should be higher as should be toni iommi!!! he and butlers thumping riffs gave birth to the genre guitar music thrives on, heavy metal!!

I think Kirk Hammet doesn't get nearly the regognition he deserves....people, just listen to "One", "Fade to Black", "Orion" and so on....he's amazing. This is how the list should go in my opion....

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Dave Mustaine
3. Toni Iomi
4. Eric Clapton
5. Peter Frampton
6. Eddie Van Halen
7. Jimmy Page
8. Robbie Krieger (The Doors)
9. Jimi Hendrix
10. Joe Satriani
11. Angus Young
12. Joe Perry
13. John Fogerty
14. Ace Freeley
15. Randy Rhoades
16. Dimebag Darryl
17. Slash
18. Jerry Cantrell
19. Zakk Wylde
20. Stevie Ray Vaughn

And before anyone freaks out about Hendrix's place on my list...he's great...but he's over-rated....everyone always says hendrix just because thats what alot of people think.

Oh yeah, i was just wondering why nobody ever mentions Krieger or Frampton either....they are bad ass guitar players. You want to talk about creative, original.....Krieger is all of the obover...he hardly ever gets mentioned and it's sad. However, Hammet will always be the best guitar player!!!!!! Oh yeah and i forgot to mention Lifeson as well. I would also like to note a few bassists as well...

1. Les Claypool
2. Cliff Burton
3. Flea
4. Jason Newsted
5. Geddy Lee

I think dave matthews should have some spot amongst the top 100 guitarists,
listen to his acoustic stuff.
he's no soloist and he dosn't play a lot of electric but the way DMB blend together is great.

1.jimmy page
2.hedrix
3.david gilmour
4.Roy Buchanan
5.Clapton
6.Slash
7.bb king
8.santana
9.christian datsun
10.michael weir

OK first of all you all are way out of control.. you guys whine and say awww Kurt cobain shouldn't be on that list.. well it all depends on what kind of music u like.. for example whatever band you like your gonna think they should be on the list.. And i hear all these names you are saying and even i dont think they should be on the top 100...Kurt Cobain is a good gutarist, but i agree he shouldnt be in the top 100 and kurt cobain is one of my favorit singers..But everyone forgot to mention Slash from Guns N roses, and Eric Clapton, you people have to stop whinign and think that different people like different music. Jimmy was amazing he could do anything to that guitar in my opinion he is the best,then its eric clapton, then it is Slash from GNR, But that is just my opinion everyone has there own.. u cant let a magazine tell u what u think, cuz its what they think,just because they wrote it doesnt make it true, its just what they think so get off ur damn high horse and shut the fuck up..

WHERE THE HELL WAS SLASH!
this is my list.


1. Jimmy Page
2. Saul Hudson "Slash"
3. Hendrix
4. Eddie Van Halen
5. Eric Clapton
6. Joe Perry

Ok, here's my complaint. I must've read over thousands of top guitarist lists and not once did I ever see Trevor Rabin in any of those lists! How can he not be? He's awesome!!! He gave YES the biggest break in their career!! Obviously ppl who make up the lists don't know all the great guitarists out there. Next time look all of them up before making a list! It should be somebody who's a music-a-holic and knows about all the great ones out there!

yeah i think...jimi hendrix totally rulz....hes god when it comes to guitar....and so is JOHN FRUSCIANTE....ever heard scar tissue?????and slash is great....he shudve been there in the top ten of rollingstones list...

U know im really disappointed, yes kirk hammett is an excellent guitarist and he inspired me too, but sum AMAZING guitarists never get mentioned, like Alexi Laiho from Children of Bodom, Michael Romeo from symphony X, Yngwie Malmsteen. These are the best guitarist, fast like hell, and got great melody, and heavy too. no one ever talks abt them, its a real shame even though they have amazing music.

I think Cobain gets too much crap because they are too popular. He did all the guitar work himself, played well, and wrote good music.

Im not saying hes one of the best, but going so far as to say hes a crappy guitar player is rediculous.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE

HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD OF JOHN PETRUCCI FROM DREAM THEATER

IF ANYONE HE NEVER GETS THE RECOGNITION HE DESERVES

I guess every single person on here forgot about Mr. Paul Gilbert? One, if not the most credited guitar instructor at GIT. So I gotta say, Paul, you're on my list! It's hard to say whos number 1 and 2 and so on and so on. Were talking about guys who have spent time and effort and sacrafice to be the very best of their ability. Forget the numbers but I'll list some of my favorites, who have influenced if not my guitar playing, my ears!
*****NOT LISTED IN ANY ORDER***
Eric Johnson, Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Robert Fripp, Oz Fox(Stryper), Clapton, Hendrix, Al Dimeola, Rhoades, Wylde, PHIL KAEGGY(Heres a guy not many people know about, but you've gotta check him out.) Stevie Ray, Adrian Belew, Lukather(TOTO), Jeff Beck, Malmstein, Les Ming, Theres lots of great guitarists, guys like Vai and Hammit, some people think I;m crazy but they don't make me feel anything. But again great guitarists. I think if I had to pick an overall #1, and this is based off of overall talent, He can shred licks, Blues Virtuoso, Jazz Extremist, He can play Chet Atkins stuff without skipping a beat, and play it cleaner, He'll play Becks stuff and I swear You;ll think its Beck. I love this guy and he brings it all to the table. Mr. Eric Johnson My Vote's for you!

this is bloody bullshit it think that all u hosers should take off the only man better at guitaur than me is jimi hendrix and maybe jimmy page but hendrix is dead u bloody fools go to hell.

i dunno where all of u get off but im outragged that the almight EC, Clappas, The Immortal Eric Clapton has not rated 1st on all of ur lists. you should all be ashamed of ur selfs. i bet u all that eric clapton could play as well as if not 100 times better than anything hendrix or page or bbking or anyone for that matter, and even though u crazies out there who have hendrix and page and people of the like at the top of the list is because u people are too enthralled with the head waveing, drug taking, guitar smashing attitudes and that sucks. Its the top 100 GUITARISTS that mean good at guitar and Eric clapton takes it hands down...

1.Eric Clapton
2.The rest

I cannot believed your offending even better guitarists such as (my list) :

1.Albert Lee (plays outstanding acoustic and electric)
2.Jimmy Page (brought Led Zeppelin to success)
3.Steve Howe (created masterpeices for "Yes")
4.Jorma Kaukonen (This guy can play anything-blues-rock-rag-jazz, he is outstanding)
5.Stevie Ray Vaughn (the best blues guitarist before Peter Green)
6.Peter Green (The greates philosopher of organising his blues music)
7.Gary Moore (Excellent slow blues)
*.Gary Rossington( This is the star who play the Free Bird solo from Lynyrd Skynyrd)
8.Eddie Van Halen
9.Slash
10.Paul Kossof (Magnificent solos in the band Free)

i dont know what all u guys are "thinking" but if you want to see a great list look at my top 10.

1. Jimi Hendrix (unreal finger action)
2. Jimmy Page (him and plant were unreal)
3. Eddie Van Halen (quickest hands)
4. Stevie Ray Vaughn (Best Blues)
5. Randy Rhoades (would have been #1 or #2 without the tragedy)
6. Slash (Guns n Roses are nuts)
7. Eric Clapton (A wizard)
8. Angus Young (ACDC one of best)
9. Ace Freeny (Kiss was great live)
10. BB King (have to have the father)

1.jimmy page
2.girl from heart
3.pete townshend
4.alex lifeson
5.caspian

1.Van Halen(wouldve been 2 w/o eruption)
2.Randy Rhoads
3.Henrix
4.Page
5.Zakk Wylde
6.Tony Iommi(for starting his own genre)
7. B.B.King
8.The guy from Rush

1.Hendrix
2.Stevie Ray Vaughn

Jimi hendrix is the best.......all of yall who said he is less than number 1 are retarded, he is best and will always be best

Eric clapton sucks! Stevie Ray Vaughn is better than him. and Hendrix is better than anyone by far

john frusciante!!!!!! cammon man this guy has to be on everyones mind, chili peppers man, hes wrote some great stuff, and for a long long long long time too.

Jimi Hendrix is the best, no1 will ever be better

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jimmy page rules!
Caspian (guy at my school) rules next to page
Pete townshend rules too
so does alex lifeson (RUSH)
GIRL FROM HEART (Listen to beginning of crazy on you)

Hey!!!!!!!
Read This!!!!

Jimi Hendrix is best, no1 next to him, he is the best u can say no one is better or u can compare NO1 to him

Jimi Hendrix

What?! No mention of Randy Bachman!!

Randy is great, all i'm saying is Jimi Hendrix is the best guitarist in history, and will always be best.

Hey AngusYoung.... i love ac/dc.. there 1 of my fav. bands of all time, theu kick a$$, but ac/dc, clapton......no1 is nearly as good as Jimi Hendrix.

I noticed that nobody has Djano Reinhardt on their lists and I was just wondering why the hell not. He was the greatest guitar player in the world in his day and lead the way for many of today's greats. If you haven't heard of him, do it. He is the most amazing gypsy jazz player ever. Not to mention that he only had 2 working fingers on miss left hand.

I just noticed that I spelled his name wrong. I am an idiot. It is Django Reinhardt.

yea true, one of the best...........but Hendrix is still the greatest of all time.

And for those of yall who said look at a "real list"......the list isnt even worth looking at without hendrix at #1, and for those of u who put punk rock ppl at the front, notice they play 1 chord the whole song. If u didnt have hendrix in the top 10 you need to stop posting forever, he deserves to be at #1 EASILY

umm come on now Hendrix is clearly a god on the guitar and shall always be but my personal favorite guitar player is Page, he had the best solos ever and just played the hell out of that thing

all i am sayin is Hendrix is # 1 of all time

you guys obviously dont listen to enough van halen or rock music to make a good top list:
1.Eddie Van halen
2.Jimmy Page
3.Eric Clapton
4.Stevie Ray Vaughn
5. Allman
6. Slash
7.Hendrix (good defintely not number 1)
8. Carlos Santana
9. Joe Satriana
10. Dave Gilmore

angus is the best hendrix sux all he does is unique shit no good rock bitches u should all die

my list
1 Angus
2 jim page
3 kirk hammet
4 zakk wylde
5 kurt cobain (got murdered didnt kill himself)

alex ... angus is ok, but it shows how stupid u r just saying that all he does is unique stuff, angus young wouldnt exist without hendrix ... all of the artists that u think are good wouldnt exist without him, if he sux..then why were there about over half a million fans waiting to see him preform at wood stock? acdc will never have that many fans,much less at a concert, so u r the 1 that needs to go to hell, u can take the highway to hell

and igor ... how dare u make a list without Hendrix, all the ppl on ur list could easily be out played by stevie ray vaughn

What kind of damnged pinko would come up with a list of the great guitarists that does not include Prince and Richard Thompson?

...and a happy new year to you too, mr. barger.

Right back atcha, buddy.

XOX

Also Mark, you may wish to note that decent patriotic Americans have lately taken a strong interest in the guitar kickassery of Jack White, particularly on his 2003 Elephant album, and just as much for his work on Loretta Lynn's 2004 Van Lear Rose album. I note particularly the outstanding introductory guitar statement from her "Portland Oregon."

Then again, there's the undeniable "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground."

i changed my list
1 micheal jackson
2 bon scott
3 page
4 tom petty
5 hendrix just kiddin he sux

watchtower is a fagot alex is right wit his comment and particually about the part where he says hendrix SUX pussy u have no idea no guitarist can out play my new list

um, ok

Top 3 are as follows
1. Jimmy Page
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Jeff Beck

haha, there you go cussing again. probably because u are frustrated....because you know hendrix is the best. and you are so clueless that half of the ppl on your list dont play guitar, u shouldnt be allowed to type for disrespecting the greatest of alll time, have a nice day(fag).......

bon scott dosent play guitar igor, watchtower and almost everyone here is right, u are gay and yes.. Jimi Hendrix is the greatest.

these are the true top ten guitarists

.jimmy page
.slash
.santana
.clapton
.hendrix
.jeff beck
.bb king
.mark knofler
.iommi
.john fruchainta

Whoever did not put Michael Angelo (not the painter or whatever motherfucker) is an idiot. Search for him on google and listen to him play he is good. What about fuckin Scott Ian hes the best damn rythym guitarist on the face of the fucking Earth. The Perfect list is:


1. Zakk Wylde
2. Dimebag Darrell
3. Eddie Van Halen
4. Steve Vai
5. Yngwie Malmsteen
6. Randy Rhoades
7. Ace Frehely
8. Joe Satriani
9. Michael Angelo
10. Kerry King
11. Stevie Ray Vaughan
12. Alex Laiho
13. Scott Ian
14. K.K. Downing (Of Judas Priest)
15. Slash
16. Ted Nugent
17. Mick Mars
18. Toni Iommi
19. Kirk Hammett
20. Mick #7 (Of Slipknot)

I have many of the lists and many people belive that john fruasantwhatshisname from the chillis is a great player. He is average his playing is average and as for his solo stuff if he weren't a chilli he'd be a noone. His solo stuff sounds like john mayer or ben harper which is crap. who do i think is better Jack White there is no bass or back up guitar for him yet he sounds like a band.

ho many times must i tell u, if hendrix isnt on ur list, leave, if he he should be at the very top (#1)

What pissed me off the most was that David Gilmour was put at 82. How the fuck is Kurt Cobain or Jack White better than David Gilmore. Like seriously...what the fuck? Rolling Stones list is a fucking joke. David Gilmours music has so much feeling and passion. I'm sure this has probably already been said but ill say it again anyway, rolling stones list was simply done to satisfy the public. There are some exceptions however, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaugn, ect.

Hendrix Rules!:)

All you guys need to Stfu out there because you are all just ranking your favorite bands. I'm sorry, i like Blink 182, but do i think they have the best guitar work in the world...no!
It is very hard to make a list of the top guitar players because no one person is the best at every single aspect of guitar (tone, speed, rhythm playing, rhythmic ability, creativeness, etc...) You can like certain music and certain bands better than others but that does not mean that they are more technically skilled than others. So here a just a few great guitar players that are both technically very skilled and good composers. Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johson, John Petrucci, Robert Fripp, All of the "Allman Brothers" band guitarists, Steve Morse, Mark Knopfler, Dave Weiner, Tony MacAlpine, Zakk Wylde, Randy Rhoads, Dimebag Darrell, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and many others that i cant think of at the moment but you get the idea. SO everyone just realize that people have different opinions but when it comes to technical ability one has to be objective

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Jimmy page
3. Ritchie Blackmore
4. Eddie Van Halen
5. David Gilmour

Does anyone have Jimi Hendrix's email address?

My List
1 Zakk Wylde
2 Randy Rhoads
3 Van Halen
4 Slash
5 Hammett
6 Dimebag
7 Hendrix
8 Page
9 Vaughan
10 Iommi
11 Angus Young
12 Gilmour
13 Cobain
14 Richards
15 Clapton
16 Lifeson
17 Kerry King
18 Mick Thomson (#7 Slipknot)
19 Alexi Laiho
20 Nancy Wilson

What did zakk wylde do besides those catchy ozzie songs?

wow. noone will ever find the best guitarist because it is all opinion. some people hear a song or solo from one artist and say " that is the best guitarist ever" and some say it for a differnt artist.
and let me say to bryan that just because theyre the fastest, doesnt mean theyre the best. good guitarists need to be good at song writing and music theory as well.
And as for Hendrix, even if he wasnt as fast as other guitarists, he looked at the guitar in a way noone else can. He OWNED the fretboard.

1.Vai
2.satriani
3.michael angleo
4.Malmsteen
5.hammet
6.Gimore
7.Clapton
8.Petruci
9.Vinnie Moore
10.Tom Morrello

1. Kirk Hammett
2. John Fruschiante
3. Santana
4. Tom Morello
5. Toni Iommi
6. Van Halen
7.Dave Evans
8. Randy Rhoads

im stunned, so few of u have mentioned John Frusciante, i cant belive u have missed him. I would compare him to a genius, once on the verge of going insane but he didnt. When he compile a song, everything just...goes with the flow :).

my top 5
1.Jimi Hendrix
2.Santana
3.Hammett
4.Van Halen
5.John Frusciante

There are alot of good guitarr players out there, lets quit argue about who is the best, i really dont think they care wheter they are the best in the world or not, they wont stop. Might make me sound a bit double minded, but since everyone else is giving their thoughts, i want to join in ^^.

What About Yngwie Malmsteen, did u forget about him?

You guys are idiots. If you don't have buckethead on your list, you're a dummy.

Here's my list:
1.Eric Clapton
2.Jimmy Page
3.Buckethead
4.Doug Hopkins
5.Jack White

You guys are idiots. If you don't have buckethead on your list, you're a dummy.

Here's my list:
1.Eric Clapton
2.Jimmy Page
3.Buckethead
4.Doug Hopkins
5.Oz Fox

MY LIST

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Jimmy Page
3. Jeff Beck
4. Eric Clapton
5. Jerry Garcia
6. Frank Zappa
7. Carlos Santana
8. Chuck Berry
9. Stevie Ray Vaughn
10.Duane Allman
11.Ritchie Blackmore
12.George Harrison
13.Keith Richards
14.Kurt Cobain
15.Johnny Ramone
16.Pete Townshend
17.John Fogerty
18.Robin Trower
19.David Gilmour
20.Jerry Cantrell

1. Hendrix
2. Wai
3. Steve Ray
4. Alexi laiho
5. Santana

[ if u dunno alexi laiho thenlisten children of bodom and those amazing solos.. btw he's the lead guitar]

fuck hendrix haha please he only was good because he could use a friggin pedal, ANGUS YOUNG IS NUMBER 1 AND HES STILL ALIVE, ROCK ON!

whys hendrix so overrated i mean he was good but not that good heres my list....

10=wourst
1=best

10.kirk hammett
9.dimebag darrel
9.paul gibert
8.ynwgie malmsteen
7.stevie ray vaughn
6.hendrix
5.angus younge
4.tony Iommi
3.joe satriani
2.steve vai
1.van halen

that the real list baby i know some people like Iommi are plent crappier then malmsteen but these are just who i think are the best

jimi hendrix would always be the greatest guitarist af all time because it is he who started the style of rock soloing, he was the first to do it and jimmy page and others wouldn't be able to solo that great if it wasn't for him. Music moves on and what is happening is that soloists are just building on his style, the style of rock soloing. And remember, speed doesn't matter, it is melody and sound

hey just about everyone in that whole long ass comment list kept talking about all the classic gods of guitar but what about the new gods 2? no more than one or twice in that whole comment list did i see Alexi Leiho who is insane i think the top 10 list should b

1. jimi hendrix
2. yngwie malmsteen
3. alexi leiho
4. carlos santana
5. randy rhoades
6. jimmy page
7. eddie van halen
8. zakk wylde
9. Lee Richards (godsmack's original guitarist he's not "the best" but his solos are incredible listen to the songs on godsmack's first cd and ull c what i mean)
10. jerry garcia

some of those could easily b switched around to a different order but in general that should b the top 10 list and ya i kno my spelling's fucked up but im used to typing for aim n even for skool work some times i put in shit like that instead of the full or rightly spelled word lol. btw to the ppl that put steve vai on their top 10 lists yes steve vai is incredible and there is no1 like him but i just dont think he's on the top 10 if i had the time id do top 20 n he'd b in the top 15 but for now this is all im doing so fuck off lol

THE TOP FIVE BEST GUITARISTS ARE IN MY LIST
HENDRIX
PAGE
BECK
CLAPTON
GARCIA

IN MY TOP 25 A FEW POSTS ABOVE I FORGOT TO MENTION TONY IOMMI AND ANGUS YOUNG, I WOULD HAVE PUT THEM IN AT LEAST TOP 15 IF IC OULD FIND ROOM FOR THEM, THEY ARE KICK ASS GUITAR PLAYERS !

devin...the one thats 16 the one that said u no more about music than the ppl here...u r soooooo full of shit and as much as i dont like him im not sayin hendrix isnt a great player an he probably did mroe to the music world than any1 else did an its also true like one of the other guy said that some people wundt exist witout hendrixes contribution but that still doesnt mean urnot full of shit wen u say ppl that actualy no music dont no wut therye talkin about from all ive read on ur post is a hack of shit that jus shows u dont no wut ur talkin bout ...liek wtf r u thinkin sayin u no morea bout music than ppl out here an im 14 an i am not even guna say wut i wud say if u were in my face right now

this is my personal oppinion of my favourites, not who i feel are the greatest.

1.Angus Young (awesome in ac/dc)
2.Jimmy Page (Kickass solos)
3.Jimi Hendrix (Ruled the fretboard)
4.Zakk Wylde (Again kickass solos)
5.Kurt Cobain (Best songwriter ever)
6.Eric Clapton
7.Steve Vai
8.Dimebag Darrel
9.Mick Thompson
10.Slash
11.Eddie Van Halen
12.Randy Rhoades
13.Tony Iommi
14.Joey/Johnny? Ramone
15.Joe Satriani

Steve Vai rules all!!!!!!!!

YOU GUYS DONT KNOW $HIT

JIMMY PAGE IS THE GOD OF GUITARISTS
AND ANGUS YOUNG IS OVER RATED HE SUCKS HES ALL SHOW. JIMI HENDRIX ISENT THE BEST EITHER HE WAS JUST A REVALUTION BUT DONT GET ME WRONG HE STILL WAS GREAT. DIMEBAG DARRELL WAS THE KING FROM HES PANTERA DIES TILL THE DAY HE DIED AND RANDY RHOADS IS THE MOST UNDER RATED GUITARIST EVER HE WAS YOUNG AND HE WAS GREAT HE SHOULD BE ON THE TOP 5 LIST EVERY WHERE

1. JIMMY PAGE
2. DIMEBAG DARRELL
3. RANDY RHOADS
4. ZAKK WYLDE
5. JOE SATRIANI
6. KIRK MAMMETT
7. JIMI HENDRIX

THEY SHOULD BE IN THE TOP TEN IN EVERYONES LIST IF PEOPLE KNEW WHAT WAS GOOD.

BUCKETHEAD IS THE WORST PIECE EVER HE JUST MAKES NOISE ANYONE COULD DO THAT

The Edge is the greatest and most inventive guitarist of our generation.
Alex Lifeson is underrated.

OK ANGUS BLOWS HES IS ALL SHOW AS SOMEONE COMMENTED THE TOP TEN IS

1 Hendrix - when he played he dint have anyone to copy from hes thee original

2 Dimebag Darrrel - he could play any solo in thw world i highly believe that i bet he would rip kirks apart

3 Kirk Hammett - I herd a Solo In Almost Every Song Exept After The Black Album

4 Eddy Van Halen - Eruption(even tho angus young thought of tapping before eddy)

5 Zakk Wylde - Godly Guitar Solos

6 Dave Mustaine - FUCK JIMMY PAIGE I FORGOT ABOUT DAVE FOR A SECOND

7 Randy Rhoades - I Thinks Hes Pretty Overrated aswell But Meh All Ppl Ever say About Him Is OHH CRAZY TRAIN!!! STFU

8 Joe Satriani - I Dont Listen To Him But In A Couple Biographys Ive Read He Tought Some Of The Best Making Him Their Mentor(he tought kirk hammet and dime i think and a bunch of others)

9 Slash - I Think The Heroin Wrote His Tabs To Play But Meh Hes Very Good (Like How In Sweet Child Of Mine The Ending of the solo he does hammer on pulls offs a load of times and everyone thinks its uber fast and i smack them)

10 Toni Iommi - LISTEN TO BLACK SABBATH AND U WILL KNOW Y

dont bitch at me i have their reason for being on there

these in my opnioin are the top nine greatest guitarists

1. Slash
2. Eddie Van Halen
3. Zakk Wyld
4. Carlos Santana
5. Jimmi Hendrix
6. Jimmi Page
7. Steve Vai
8. Eric Clapton
9. Jason Becker

i think the best choosing is choosing of eric clapton and david gilmore but my choices are:
1.jimi hendrix
2.michael angelo
3.yngwie malmsteen
4.stevie ray vaughn
5.paul gilbert
6.david gilmore
7.eddie van halen
8.randy rhoads
9.slash(Saul Hudson)
10.dave morrey
11.joe satriani
12.eric clapton
13.jimi page
14.carlos santana
15.mark knofler
16.steve vai
17.kk downing
18.joe perry
19.jason becker
20.angus young
21.zakk wylde
22.gary more
23.al pittreli
24.bb king
25.christopher oliva
26.dave mustaine
27.brian may
28.adrian smith
29.marty friedman
30.def lefonzo
31.janick gers
...
ENJOY IT

hei jimi hendrix is the best ,than bb king,than mark knopfler pleaseeeee.jimi page sucks

god damnt half of yaull have a clue what yaull are talking about heres my top 10.

1. Hendrix(he was on a whole other level
2. Jerry Garcia(personally he is the person who i look up to the most. he has pesuaded so many people in so many ways. he and the grateful dead even created there own genre. even the rappers give tribute to him because of his drive and motive to music. no he didnt care how much money he was bringing in or how many tickets he sold. he just wanted to have fun and see the smiles on all the peoples faces. people the grateful dead is by far one of the greatest bands of all time w/out them we wouldnt even have the word hippys. w/out this band and a few others i may mention but mostly the grateful dead we wouldnt know what the 60s were all about-thank you jerry we miss you

Yes, we all know Rolling Stone Magazine is the opposit of talent and integrity. Sad that many people take it as the "Bible of Music". There is a great guitarist who could became mainstram soon (not like "mainstream" means quality) but he is making big waves in the music industry. His name is Cesar(www.cesarmusic.com) and he played with the Masters like Paco de Lucia and Al Dimeola, also w/ Sinatra when he was 18 yrs old. His site is www.cesarmusic.com
Thank you.

As if alot of you guys have not mentioned John Frusciante....he's absolutely amazing, especially in Give It Away. Besides the Chilis kick ass. Some of his songs solo our good to (when he wasn't doped on heroin)and in a weird way kind of remind me of a couple of Led Zeppelin's songs.
Hendrix, Page, and Cobain are amazing as well, even if they're overated.

you tell em kaitlyn!!!
JOHN FRUSCIANTE!!! WOOOOHOOO!!

I agree. Frusciante baby, all the way!! In the words of Anthony Kiedis "he's a genius, and a musical wizard". For the person who thought that if it wern't for the Red Hot Chili Peppers he wouldn't have made it, thats a laugh. He was only 18 when they discovered him, and almost missed him at that. Thelonius Monster had signed him to play, before the Peppers heard his talent and asked him to come play for them (which was his favourite band)and agreed. He was the key to the Chili Pepper's success. He made, and broke, and re-made the band (after his drug trip). There best, and most famous songs were made while he was in the band. LISTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hendrix rules no matter what anyone says heres my list
1.hendrix
2.jimmy page
3.slash
4.jeff beck
5.pete townsend
6.george harrison
7.ace frehley
8.joe satriani
9.angus young

QUOTE!!!!!!Comment 108 posted by Bryan on April 24, 2005 05:46 PM:
My List
1 Zakk Wylde
2 Randy Rhoads
3 Van Halen
4 Slash
5 Hammett
6 Dimebag
7 Hendrix
8 Page
9 Vaughan
10 Iommi
11 Angus Young
12 Gilmour
13 Cobain
14 Richards
15 Clapton
16 Lifeson
17 Kerry King
18 Mick Thomson (#7 Slipknot)
19 Alexi Laiho

WHY THE FUCK DID COBAIN COME BEFORE ALEXI YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE????

i cant pick a top 10 guitarists, as all in the lists ive seen are gr8 and when u get as gd as hendrix, beck, rhodes, may, clapton, wylde ect. then u can start judging, but until then sit bak listen to these guys play and enjoy instead of critizing

i dont give a crap about your opinions Angus Young is the worlds greatest guitarest no doubt about that!!! his talent is amazing who else can dance while playing a fricken insain solo no one was evere or ever will be better than Angus Young all you who read this review listen or watch the concert video of let there be rock and listen to his solos Angus Young will always be number 1 at guitar no one was or will ever be better than Angus EVER!!!

READ REVIEW 143

1.Stevie Ray Vaughn
2.Jimmi Hendrix
3.Dave Mustaine
4.Marty Friedman
5.Janick Gers

i agree, angus young is definately up there with the best of all time. How many great riffs can 1 guy have

Glad to see one person has some sense..

1. Steve Vai...

A more accomplished guitarist at the age of 16 than half these other people! He is undoubtedly the most skillful in every aspect of guitar playing...

2. Micheal Angelo Batio

(P.S The less said about Angus Young the better!)

you have not heard the G3? JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI AND YNGWIE MALMSTEEN! PAUL GILBERT! JOHN PETRUCCI! MICHAEL ANGELO! THASE ARE THE BEST GUITAR PLAYER! SLASH, KIRK HAMMET AND DIMEBAG DARREL ARE JUST STUDENTS OF JOE!!!!! ERIC JOHNSON IS GOOD. JIMMY PAGE. JIMI HENDRIX/

hendrix was good the best guitar player in the world is sittin at home playin coz he cant get a break
here is my top 5
1 hendrix
2 gary moore
3 rory gallaher
4 slash
5 jimi page

Angus Young is an insane guitarist, along with Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page.

heres the best without a doubt check out my top 5.


1.eddie van halen "DUH"
2.jimi hendrix
3.angus young
4.slash
5.last but certainly not least Clapton

In my opinion faster is better. Shredding is something that a lot of guitarists get badly treated for, when in fact, it is technically awesome and is why most people even pick up the guitar in the first place. Here is my fave 2.
1. Zakk Wylde (aggressive riffs and frightening solos with no bullshit)
2. Kirk Hammett (the man who puts the construction mans hat on and delivers the perfect building. He can turn on the flash when he wants but can also create the right melody thus resulting in the perfect solo)

Listen to the facing hell solo by Zakk Wylde with ozzy osbourne and the forever down solo by Zakk Wylde with black label society. Also listen to fade to black by kirk hammett with metallica.

adrian smith for no.1

Yo Guys stop yelling at this list anyway let them put what they want and however we cant fucking dot a top 100 cause everyone has a top ''thing'' in his mind so why try to rank when the criteria for everyone are different but you can disagree the list but you can't say they didn't put the best in it except Jack WHITE and John Petrucci is missing .... Anyways we can't change the list what is done IS done they made it !!! its there problem not ours .... and if you'd like a good list look this one !!!
1. Hendrix
2.Clapton
3.Page
4.Beck
5.Van Halen
6.Stevie Ray Vaughan
7.Steve Vai
8.Joe Satriani
9.John Petrucci
10.Slash or Kirk Hammet (Im a Fan of Metallica :S)

1. michael angelo
2. Satch
3. Vai/ Malmsteem
4. Rusty Cooley
5. Paul Gilbert

The list is that simple my fellow shredders!

why isnt jerry garcia in there.....somebody might be missing him on their list....please comment back i went to hear what yaull have to say about jerry..........we love you

Hendrix is the GREATEST guitarist of ALL-TIME!!! He pulled AMAZING solos out of his head as if it were nothing. And if that wernt enough, he was stoned out of his mind when he played. He was on acid and shit, and all those drugs slow your reaction speed and shit, and he could still play the fastest solos I have ever heard. He was only 27 when he died, so i cant even imagine what he would've come up with if he lived longer.

1 Yngwie Malmsteen
2 stevie ray vaugn
3 joe satriani
4 micheal angelo batio
5 chris impelitteri
6 randy rhoads
7 zakk wylde
8 alexi laiho
9 vivian campbell
10 david gilmour

here is mu list
angus young
eddie van halen
slash
jimi hendrix
jimi page
stevie ray vaughn
kirk hammet
eric clapton
kurt cobain

ok here it is: hendrix was good for his time, but now his stuff isnt better than anyone else.
i think
eddie van halen
slash
Angus
carlos santana
and jimi page

1.adrian smith
2.paul gilbert
3.michael romeo
4.steve vai
5.marty friedman
6.jeff loomis
7.david valdes
8.randy rhoads
9.alex skolnick
10.chuck schuldiner
11.Yngwie Malmsteen

im telling you ..there is no way that Jimi hendrix was the best guitar player in the world ,,, he's solos didn't work .. there are now 100 players that are much better than he ever was ... but he was the one of them who ever started to play rock music so i respect him;)

i think the best is slash and kurt cobain. they all rock. billie joe of green day isn't that bad

my friend thinks that jimmi page rocks. he is good but not the best

chris benoit is the best!

Pretty good list. Can't agree with Bruce Springsteen EVER. He just plain sucks in my opinion. You're dead-on with having Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp in there. True innovators, Fripp especially. I think you should consider Reeves Gabrelle as well, Earl Slick and virtually any guitarist Bowie used or worked with. Jerry Garcia's a joke. I'll give him some credit for playing with one less finger than everyone else, but that's about it. I'm GREATFUL Jerry's Dead! And where's the Hendrix? No Hendrix? Unthinkable! Otherwise, way better than Rolling Stone.

i like Gabrells, but as you can sort of see by my list, i'm not really using chops as a criterion.

and your comment about Jerry says a lot about you.

Ignoring certain other portions of all this... I happened to be listening to Bowie's "Hours" CD today and thinking about how I like some of Gabrel's playing on that particular album ("Survive" comes to mind) even though I would not consider him a favorite guitar player of mine. Small world.

Follow -Up: In reference to Gabrells, my comment for inclusion was not in relation to "chops", rather, it's more about what David Bowie said of him, that he has an IRONIC style of playing (plays WAY over-the-top, but knows he's playing WAY over the top), which, beyond his obvious virtuosity, makes him unique in the same way that Belew, Fripp, Hendrix are all distinctly unique. There is nothing particularly unique about Garcia (beyong the missing digit). My comment about being glad he is dead is somewhat of a pun, but for someone who grew up around lots of Deadheads (as friends), I must admit I'm greatful he's passed on. Really tired of the whole Deadhead thing. But hey, I got a response out of you! FYI - my list would be in order: Hendrix, Fripp, Belew, Jimmy Page, Earl Slick, Mick Ronson, Reeves Gabrells. Like Townshend a lot, but thought he only was brilliant (as a guitarist) only occasionally. Love the windmill. Unfamiliar with some of your picks, but will check 'em out.

There is nothing particularly unique about Garcia (beyong the missing digit)

as i mentioned before, this says a lot. mostly about you.

I'll stick by my comment. Lots of musicians borrow from other sources and mix it up. Nothing new about that. The only thing he "invented" is what deadheads call "a space", but really, this is just a trippier version of jazz. Robert Fripp's experimants in "Radiophonics" are far trippier and psychedelic than anything Jerry Garcia could do in a million years, on top of being TRULY original. And hey, this is your site. Let's not beat around the bush. "Says a lot about me" is inadequate. What does it say? Don't mince your words, say it man! Reading through this there are some othe great guitarists that I would agree with. Django Reinhard should be on there for sure, Greg Sage of The Wipers, Christopher Parkening, Andy Summers and one hugely neglected guitarist: Roy Buchanan. Saw him live once and not only did my jaw drop, I got shivers down my spine. Incredible axe man. He's someone I miss for sure.

fuck you all


1.Jimi Hendrix
2.Eric Clapton
3.Jimmy Page
4.Eddie van Halen
5.Kirk Hammet
6.Mark Knopfler
7.Agnus Young
8.Steve Vai
9.Slash
10.Kurt Cobain

For Balkan The Best Is 1. Vlado Stefanovski
2. Johny B. Stulic
3. Goran Bregovic
4. KOJA

Eric Clapton blows. Too static, too white. Too prissy. No edge. Steve Vai Blows. All Heavy Metal dudes BLOW. Slash? get real. Angus Young? What're you smokin'? -3 chord wonder. All his stuff is basic and sounds the same. Knopfler? Good, but not top ten good. Kobain? Not very original or talented guitarwise. Hendrix, Van Halen, Page, YES.

1. jimi hendrinx
2.eric clapton
3.slash
4.jimi page
5.kurt cobain
6.angus young
7.eddie van helen
8.braine may

1.Slash
2.Jimmy Hendrix
3.Jimmy Page
4.Kurt Cobain
5.Ritchie Blackmore
6.Eddie Van Helen
7.Angus Young
8.Carlos Santana
9.Eric Clapton
10.Giovanni Fortini

Hendrix is the best without a doubt.

What about Ritchie Blackmore?

Kurt Kobain is shit i have never heard him play anything decent besides crappy chords

You guys have it all wrong #1 should of course be Angus Young.Please watch AC/DC Family Jewels on dvd and find out how really good Angus Young is. Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaase!


Peace out dogs, Waldo

family jewels isnt the best acdc dvd good music but not the best quality i think that live at donnington was AC/DC'S best concert dvd it was wicked i would definetly recomend it to any AC/DC fan or any rock hound but i think angus young has an incredible talent slash had talent to but he was defenitly to stoned to do anything i got to give him his props for him being able to run on his 2 brain cells and still playing awsome music

Alexi laiho would tear hendrix apart,no one hear knows who that is cause you all live in the past

most "top guitarists" lists r bullcrap. thats hell true Alexi laiho would rip shit over hendrix. people only put hendrix, gilmore etc in there lists because they were influencal not because they are good guitarists

You guys have to listen to more blues....I said before it don't matter how fast someone is. That doesnt make them good. Music has to be unique and emotional...I don't get emotional hearing people play fast...also you should read about all these guitarists to know where there coming from in there music...check out Robert Johnson/Jimi Hendrix/Freddie King

Also, I read 3 books on Hendrix, if yous would do the same, or just 1, when you listen to his music, you would feel what he was feeling when playing those songs of his, and also the solos..

dude the maroon 5 guitar platyer is the best...who is jimi hendrix anyway theres no way hes better than maroon 5

1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Stevie Ray Vaughan
3) Joe Bonamassa (I can't believe he is not on anyone's list.)
4) Eric Clapton
5) Jeff Beck
6) Mato Nanji (Indigenous)
7) Eddie Van Halen
8) Carlos Santana
9) Jimmy Page
10) B.B. King

Can´t believe thoses who hasen´t got Dave Mustaine in theire top twenty...the guy is in my opinion better than Kirk

this list is crap ive got two words for you:
Dimebag Darrel
Don't get me wrong others are good also but name one who played as well as he did or as fast he must be rolling over in his grave to this list

1. zakk wyld 2.Kurt Cobain 3. Eddie Van Halen 4.Dime Bag 5.Slash thats my top 5

Zakk Wylde is better than dimebag but don't get me wrong dimebags is badass

slash should be considered in the top 10

With solos like novmeber rain, sweet child o' mine paradise city and civil war, how can slash be anything but amazing

heres my top 10 list
jimmy page
david gilmore
slash
van halen
eric clapton
angus young
keith richards
dimebag darrell
Kirk Hammlett
NOT JIMMY HENDRIX

whoever thinks to be the best you have to play a million notes an hour is wrong, besides if you think shred is so great listen to paco de lucia, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Andres Segovia, these guitarists would tear any shredder up any day and they all play on acoustics

Ok one thing is for sure is that Kurt Cobain is not the 12th best guitarist of all time. Nor should he even be on the top 100. That is not to say that he is in any way a bad guitarist, but simply put there are better guitarists that would qualify for the list in far greater preference than him. Now that is coming from somebody who thinks Nirvana is there favourite band, so that comment is not in any way a biased opinion. Secondly Slash deserves to be on the list as is already said. It is even a poor publicity move on behalf of Rolling Stone, however there is no way that he is rated no.1 or even in the top 5 with high names such as Jimmy Hendrix(no explaining needed), Jimmy Page(Watch the entirety of the Song Remains the same), Eric Clapton, Beck, Vaughan, Van Halen(Slash borrowed technique from him) or Randy Rhoads(Slash borrowed from him as well, listen to the Blizzard of Ozz). Yes also Guns N Roses would be one of my favourite bands as well. But some of you people need to not just say for example Kirk Hammett is the best guitarist of all time becuase Mettalica's their favourite band. Yes he is good but not the BEST. Some of you need to recognise the skill of other guitarists whether it is your style of music or not. Buckethead is not even on the list, and sure he is a strange character but that guy can shred like lighting and yet 3 chord Johnny Ramone is placed higher. Johnny Ramone is not even an influential guitarists! His whole songs consist of power chords. And they all sound the same.
Anyway thanks for the time just had to put in my bit.

iknow they say hendrix is the best but that is a matter of opinnion hres what i think:

1.jimmy page
2.slash
3.steve ray vaughn
4.malmsteen

andre sigovia
VAN HALEN
Van halen is number one
he is the most creative

Jimmy Paige is awesome and so is Kirk Hammett, have you heard the stuff they play? It sounds f**king sick!!!
This is my list:

1. Jimmy Paige (Led Zepplin)
2. Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
3. Slash (Guns 'n' Roses')
4. Angus Young (Ac/Dc)
5. Eric Clapton

here is my top 10..
1.jimmy page
2.david gilmour
3.jimmy hendrix

heres my list

1. jimmy page
2. jimi hendrix
3. tony iommi
4. gary moore
5. randy rhodes
6. warren haynes
7. david gilmore
8. richie blackmore
9. eddie van halen
10. stevie ray vaughn
11. zakk wylde
12. angus young
13. jerry cantrell
14. roy z
15. chris degarmo

Someone said to but Cobain before Alexi Laiho that's just wrong... Cobain wasn't good player he only was know cos he's great lyrics. Everyone who have listen music even little knows that

Zakk Wylde is pretty kick ass but im stickin to my guns with Dimebag of all the guitarests i have heard and seen in my life Dimebag Darrell Abott was by far the best

my list
1.Dimbag Darrell
2.Zakk Wylde
3.Jimmy Page
4.Kerry King
5.Slash
6.Angus Young
7.Kirk Hammett
8.Eddie Van Halen
9.my buddie Vaughn who can play pretty much any song out there
10.Joe Satriani

What ever ur case, Randy Rhoads at #80 still makes me angry.

Just saw this list...three years later and still going strong. Pitchfork gets skewered all the time for coming up with lists for everything, but they know what the hell they're doing by saturating us with those things.

Nice selections, Mark. I do take issue with Kottke, though. Yeah, he's a fine player and all but why does his freakin' guitar always have to be out of tune? I have a hard time listening to him because of that.

-P

yea, funny how most of the comments are directed at the wrong post!

Kottke's guitar out of tune? hmmm, he conciously pulls notes out of tune sometimes but i've never heard it in general as out of tune.

Ha, that is amusing that there appears to be more comments about Rolling Stones' list than yours. I may have to write an article about the top 10 pan flute players and list only Zamfir. Then watch the "Where's Jimi?" and "How could you exclude Kurt Cobain?" comments ensue ;&)

BTW, since that list was your top 10 was three years ago, would you change it at all today?

-P