In this edition, we take a look at the Top 10 Rock Guitarists of all time. This top 10 list has been based on many different polls and opinions that have been researched both on & offline.

There are sure to be many different views of opinion, but it would be hard to argue the fact that all of these guys have proved their ability as masters of the fretboard are some of the very best guitarists to have ever walked the planet.

#10 -Kirk Hammett

Kirk Hammet has been impressing fans with his awesome speed, aggression and mesmerising guitar solos for the heavy metal band “Metallica” since 1983. Kirk first picked up a guitar when he was 15 years of age, and was heavily influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppellin.

Hammett was initially brought into Metallica after lead guitarist Dave Mustaine was sacked from the band in 1983, at the time, Kirk was getting guitar lessons from the now famous Joe Satriani. Hammett is well known for his use of the “Wah-Wah” pedal in his solos, and is quoted as saying “They’ll have to cut off my leg if they want me to stop using the wah-wah pedal.”

#9 – Keith Richards

Keith Richards is considered by many people, to be the greatest rhythm guitarist of all time. Richards is the founding member of one of the greatest rock bands in history – The Rolling Stones.

Richards sometimes gets overlooked as one of the guitar greats, as he predominantly plays rhythm guitar and not so much lead, but his rhythm guitar work has been a major influence to the songwriting, style and live performances of the Stones throughout their star studded career.

#8 – Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana became famous in the late 60’s after forming his band “Santana”. Carlos Santana is known for mixing many styles of music into one….namely blues, jazz & rock, combined with a wide array of percussion instruments that made his style one of a kind in the music world.

Later in his career, Carlos teamed up as lead guitarist with some of the era’s big music names such as, Eric Clapton, Rob Thomas, Everlast and Dave Matthews to record his 1999 album – “Supernatural” of which one song that featured Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas – “Smooth” went on to spend 12 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was also the last #1 hit of the 1990’s. Supernatural went on to win 9 grammy awards, including, album, song and record of the year.

#7 – Stevie Ray Vaughan

Number 7 on our list of Top 10 Rock Guitarists of all time is Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie learned the guitar and started playing in rock bands when he was 12 years of age. Vaughan was known for his warm blues rock tones, and used very heavy strings on his guitar ranging from 13-58 gauge. He named one of his Fender guitars “Lenny” after his wife Lenora, this guitar was later sold in 2004 to Guitar Centre for $629,500.

Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed in a helicopter crash in 1990 while on tour with Eric Clapton. Thousands of people attended Stevie’s funeral including ZZ Top, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, and Jackson Browne. His music has become more & more popular since his death, and many upcoming guitarists worldwide, look at Stevie Ray Vaughan as an influencial figure. He was inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in 2000, and more recently – the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2008.

#6 – Jeff Beck

Geoffrey Arnold Beck is one of 3 guitarists who started out with the band “The Yardbirds”…the other 2 guys were Jimmy Page & Eric Clapton. Beck has won 4 grammy awards for Best Rock Instrumental Performance and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2009.

Beck has a wide range of guitar styles such as blues rock, heavy metal and jazz fusion. Although Jeff Beck is regarded as one of the great guitarists of all time, he has not been able to establish the commercial success of some of his bandmates.

#5 – Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page started out in the guitar world as a highly talented session guitarist, before he joined a band called the Yardbirds. After his Yardbirds gig, he co-founded English supergroup – Led Zeppellin.

Page has been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame twice…once for his stint in the Yardbirds and once as a member of Led Zeppellin. Jimmy Page has been described as “unquestionably one of the all-time most influential, important, and versatile guitarists and songwriters in rock history”.

#4 – Duane Allman

Duane Allman a.k.a “Skydog” was one of the most influential rock guitarists of his generation. He started playing guitar when he was 13 and immediately became infatuated with it.

Duane is best known for his awesome guitar licks & slide guitar while playing in his family band – The Allman Brothers. Duane passed away just before his 25th birthday in a horrific motorcycle accident.

#3 – Eddie Van Halen

In the 70’s when Eddie Van Halen took to the stage, he used to play guitar solos with his back to the audience so that budding guitarists could not steal his trademark fretwork.

There are few guitarists in history who can even come close to the lighting speed, raw power and flawless fretwork of the Van Halen lead guitarist. He was named by the all music guide as “undoubtedly one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of the 20th century”.

#2 – Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton is known for his “bluesy” slowhand style of guitaring and has played for many supergroups, such as: Yardbirds, Cream, Derrick & The Dominos and Blind Faith. Clapton established himself as a well known guitarist in the 60’s by entwining the blues with hard rock.

Clapton is the only person in rock and roll history that has been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 3 times.

#1 Rock Guitarist Of All Time – Mr. Jimi Hendrix

Topping the list of Top 10 Rock Guitarists is the flamboyant showman Jimi Hendrix. There is no doubt that Jimi has been the major influence for many of todays top guitarists. Hendrix was a left handed guitarist who mostly played a right handed Fender Stratocaster upside down.

Jimi was also known to woo crowds by playing lead breaks behind his back, with his teeth, and while his guitar was on fire! Jimi Hendrix died when he was a young 28 years old, but his music will always be alive in the world of rock.

Until next time…Rock On
Scotty Smith ©2008-2009