Everyone's opinion of who the top guitarists of all time are, is like a certain part of our anatomy that the sun doesn't shine on: everyone has one. All the major music and guitar magazines come out with their lists every year or so and we all sit back and argue as to why one artist was placed so low on the list and why someone who is not nearly as worthy was placed ahead of the first guy (Rolling Stone did this once and I have not read an issue of that rag since). Everyone has their favorites and they will not let go of them no matter how much you torture them by making them listen to Power Pop while tied to a cast iron bed frame. With that being said, here is my list of the top 20 rock guitarists of all time. I listed them in no particular order. So you will have to guess where they all actually stand on my list. Good luck and rock on!!!

Alex Lifeson

Alex Lifeson

• • •  
  • • • • • Born: August 27, 1953 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
          • Years Active: 1963 - Present
          • Associated Acts: Rush, Victor, Big Dirty Band

     Rush is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, power trio in the history of Rock Music. The awesome bass playing and unmistakeable vocals of Geddy Lee and the otherworldly  drumming and lyrical skills of Neil Peart puts them at the top of my list. But what really sets them apart from other trios is the breakneck speed, phrasing and style of Alex Lifeson on guitar. His riffs and solos are readily evident on every Rush song and go places that few guitarists fear to tread. The fluidity with which he plays seems as if his guitar is part of his body. By far the best guitar import from north of the border...

Brian May

Brian May

• • • • • • Born: July 19, 1947 Hamptom, Middlesex, England
          • Years Active: 1965 - Present
          • Associated Acts: Smile, Queen, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Robbie Williams, Queen + Adam Lambert, Kerry Ellis

     When they hear the name Queen most people immediately think of Freddie Mercury. But as awesome a vocalist as he was, like Michael Jordan, he couldn’t win it all without a team to support him. And the major player on that team was guitarist Brian May. If Freddie was the voice of Queen, Brian was the heart. His virtuoso performances were a combination of the tone he achieved through layering in the studio, playing a guitar (The Red Special) he built when he was 16 and his use of coins instead of picks to pluck the strings of his instrument. Combining that with his speed and technical skills oh the fretboard gave Queen their distinctive sound. On top of that he also has a PhD in Astrophysics. Not bad for a career or life...

George Harrison

George Harrison

• • • • • • Born: February 25, 1943 Liverpool, England 
          • Died: November 29, 2001 Los Angeles, California, USA
          • Years Active: 1958 - 2001
          • Associated Acts: The Quarrymen, The Beatles, Plastic Ono Band, Traveling Wilburys, Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, The Radha Krsna Temple

      If John Lennon was the head of the Beatles, Paul McCartney the heart and Ringo Starr the heartbeat, then George Harrison was the soul. His riffs and solos took fantastic songs and launched them into the stratosphere. His style, tone and sound were so unique that you can hear his influence in many songs (You Never Know by Wilco is a good example) by contemporary artists. As time went by he extended his skill set to include the sitar and slide guitar. And as of 2011 his triple album “All Things Must Pass” had sold more copies than John Lennon’s “Imagine” and Paul McCartney & Wings’ “Band on the Run” combined. Not too bad for the guy considered “the quiet Beatle”....

Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page

• • • • • • Born: January 9, 1944 Heston, Middlesex, England
          • Years Active: 1957 - Present 
          • Associated Acts: The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm, Coverdale-Page, Page and Plant, The Black Crowes

     Along with Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin were one of the founders of what has come to be known as Heavy Metal. As a matter of fact, the first time I heard the phrase "Heavy Metal" was in a 1975 magazine article on the band. The main reason for them being accorded this accolade was the guitar playing of Jimmy Page. Known primarily as a Blues player prior to Led Zeppelin, Page soon expanded his repetoire to include rock, reggae and country (does anyone remember Hot Dog?). It seemed that he changes styles from album to album but did it so fluidly that you still recognized it was him. It had his unique stamp on it.  One of the greates to ever strap on a 6-string. Or a 12-string for that matter...

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton

• • • • • • Born: March 30, 1945 Ripley, Surrey, England 
          • Years Active: 1962 - Present
          • Associated Acts: The Yardbirds, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Cream, George Harrison, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, Derek and the Dominos, JJ Cale, B.B. King

     One of the 3 godfathers of Blues Rock, Eric Clapton is the guitarist that many aspire to be. The only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 3 times (as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream, and as a solo artist), he is assured of a place in the annals of Classic Rock. He has recorded music across multiple musical genres such as Rock, Blues and Reggae, and, in the process, has made them his own. Over the years he fought his personal addictions, demons and sorrows and came out the other side better both as a musician and a person. Truly one of the greatest ever...

Ritchie Blackmore

• • • • • • Born : April 14, 1945 Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England
          • Years Active: 1960 - Present 
          • Associated Acts: Rainbow, Blackmore's Night, Deep Purple, The Outlaws, Glenda Collins, Heinz, Screaming Lord Stitch, Neil Christian, Rhett Forrester

          Without Ritchie Blackmore, Deep Purple has never sounded like a Deep Purple. His cross genre mix of Baroque and Heavy Metal styles is unparalelled and was an awesome compliment to Jon Lord’s organ playing. The trading back and forth of solos between the two caused my eyes to almost pop out of my head from the first time I ever heard them as a kid. Of course, he has gone on to leave the world of rock to wear funny costumes and perform folk music with his wife Candice Night. Ahhhh... Such is life. Thank God Ritchie’s legacy was established long ago...

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix

• • • • • • Born: November 27, 1942 Seattle, Washington, USA 
          • Died: September 18, 1970 Kensington, London, England, UK
          • Years Active: 1963 - 1970
          • Associated Acts: Curtis Knight and the Squires, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Band of Gypsys

     Jimi Hendrix tops many “Top Guitarists of all Time” list. And with good reason. In a career that lasted only 7 years, he established himself as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time. His influence is felt to this day in the music of Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Mayer and the late great Prince. With his 2 bands The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys, he conquered multiple genres including rock, blues, funk and R & B. Truly one of the immortals in the annals of rock music...

Keith Richards

Keith Richards

• • • • • • Born: December 18, 1943 Dartford, Kent, England 
          • Years Active: 1960 - Present
          • Associated Acts: The Rolling Stones, The X-Pensive Winos

     It’s hard to believe that Keith has lived long enough to make this list. His ability to defy death is almost as legendary as his guitar playing ability. The Stones would not be who they are without him and many of their songs are recognizable by hearing just a few notes of one of his riffs. Dubbed “rock’s greatest single body of riffs” by Rolling Stone magazine, 14 songs he co-wrote with band mate Mick Jagger made it onto that magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of all Time list. With the ability to play lead and rhythm within the same song and mix genres from song to song on a single album, Keith is truly an original...

Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen

• • • • • • Born: January 26, 1955 Nijmegen, Netherlands
          • Died: October 6, 2020
          • Years Active: 1964 - Present 
          • Van Halen, Michael Jackson, Sammy Hagar, Brian May, LL Cool J

     Although he was not the inventor of the guitar technique known as tapping, Eddie Van Halen is the person responsible for bringing it into the mainstream. Many contemporary Metal guitarists owe their career to him. Starting out by playing backyard shows in various band with his brother Alex, he soon became known as the best guitarist in the Pasadena, CA area. It wasn’t long before the solidified their lineup and got their first record contract. The rest, as they say, is history...

David Gilmour

David Gilmour

• • • • • • Born: March 6, 1946 Cambridge, England 
          • Years Active: 1963 - Present
          • Associated Acts: Jokers Wild, Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, Kate Bush, The Strat Pack, The Orb, Paul McCartney, Roy Harper

     Along with Roger Waters’ lyrics, David Gilmour’s guitar playing is one of the 2 elements that, more than anything, make up Pink Floyd’s sound. His mix of Blues and Rock is readily apparent and his style is one of the most unique in all of music. Taking over guitar and co-lead vocal duties after the unfortunate mental and emotional breakdown of original member Syed Barrett, Gilmour soon solidified his place in the band and eventually led it after the departure of Waters. Although the band has long since dissolved, Gilmour continues on, recording albums and doing concerts. Truly a treat for the ears...         

JOE SATRIANI

Joe Satriani

• • • • • • BORN: JulY 15, 1956, Westbury, New York
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1978 - PRESENT
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: G3, CHICKENFOOT, DEEP PURPLE, THE GREG KIHN BAND, MICK JAGGER

     Over the years Joe has become recognized as a  guitar virtuoso and celebrated as one of the most influential instrumental rock musicians of all time. Much like Eric Clapton, he dedicated his life to the guitar after being Inspired by Jimi Hendrix at age 14. He later taught future stars like Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett before launching his own career. His breakthrough came with the 1987 album Surfing with the Alien, which propelled him into global fame and cemented his reputation as a technical innovator with melodic sensibility. Over the decades, Joe has earned 15 Grammy nominations, sold over ten million albums, and collaborated with icons through projects like G3 and the supergroup Chickenfoot, remaining a defining figure in modern rock guitar.

  JEFF BECK

Jeff Beck

• • • • • • BORN: JUNE 24, 1944, WALLINGTON, SURREY, ENGLAND
          • DIED: JANUARY 10, 2023
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1963 - 2023
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: THE YARDBIRS, THE JEFF BECK GROUP, BECK BOGART & APPICE, THE HONEYDRIPPERS

     Beck was long renowned for his innovative style and technical mastery. Rising to fame as a member of the Yardbirds in the mid-1960s, he later formed the Jeff Beck Group, pioneering a powerful blues-rock sound that influenced early heavy metal. His solo career showcased genre-defying explorations, from jazz fusion on Blow by Blow (1975) to electronic textures in later works, earning him eight Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice - as a member of The Yardbirds and later as a solo artist. Often hailed as a “guitarist’s guitarist” and "one of he most influential lead guitarists in rock," Beck’s artistry left an indelible mark on modern music, blending virtuosity with fearless creativity. 

 JOE BONAMASSA

Joe Bonamassa

• • • • • •  BORN: MAY 8, 1977, NEW HARTFORD, NEW YORK
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1989 - PRESENT
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: BET HART, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, ROCK CANDY FUNK PARTY, JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR

      Bonamassa is an acclaimed blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter celebrated for his virtuosic playing and dedication to the blues. He started playing guitar at age four and mentored by Danny Gatton at eleven, Bonamassa’s career took off when he opened for B.B. King at age twelve. Since his 2000 debut album A New Day Yesterday, he has released over fifteen solo albums with eleven topping the Billboard Blues chart earning him multiple Grammy nominations. Known for his soulful live performances, collaborations with artists like Beth Hart and Eric Clapton, and projects such as Black Country Communion, Bonamassa also founded Keeping the Blues Alive Records to support emerging talent, cementing his role as a modern ambassador of blues music. 

 RANDY RHOADS

Randy Rhoads

• • • • • • BORN: DECEMBER 6, 1956, SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
          • DIED: MRCH 19, 1982
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1972 - 1982
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT

     Randy was a guitar virtuoso whose brief but groundbreaking career reshaped heavy metal. Raised in a musical family, Rhoads blended classical technique with rock power, pioneering the neoclassical metal style. He co-founded Quiet Riot before joining Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band, where his dazzling work on Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981) produced iconic tracks like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.” Known for his technical brilliance and melodic sensibility, Rhoads tragically died in a plane crash at age 25, yet his influence endures, earning him posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and cementing his status as one of the most innovative guitarists in rock history. 

 KIRK HAMMETT

Kirk Hammett

• • • • • • BORN: NOVEMBER 18, 1962, 
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1979 - PRESENT
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: EXODUS, SPASTIK CHILDREN

      Kirk is  best known as the lead guitarist for Metallica since 1983. Before joining Metallica, Hammett co-founded the thrash metal band Exodus, helping shape the Bay Area metal scene. Influenced by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page, he began playing guitar at 15 and studied under virtuoso Joe Satriani. With Metallica, Hammett contributed to landmark albums such as Master of Puppets, …And Justice for All, and The Black Album, earning multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Renowned for his melodic solos and technical skill, Hammett also embraces his passion for horror culture, curating memorabilia and hosting events like Fear FestEvil, while continuing to innovate in heavy metal music.

 BILLY F. GIBBONS

Billy F. Gibbons

• • • • • • BORN: DECEMBER 16, 1949, HOUSTON, TEXAS
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1967 - PRESENT
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: MOVING SIDEWALKS

     Billy F. Gibbons is a rock & blues musician best known as the guitarist, lead vocalist, and founding member of ZZ Top. Before forming the band in 1969, Gibbons led the psychedelic band Moving Sidewalks, which opened for Jimi Hendrix and released the album Flash. With ZZ Top, he helped craft a signature blend of blues-rock and boogie, producing classics like “La Grange,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs,” and earning worldwide acclaim through decades of touring and chart-topping albums. Recognized for his distinctive guitar tone, long beard, and charismatic stage presence, Gibbons has also pursued solo projects, appeared on TV shows such as Bones, authored books, and was ranked among Rolling Stone’s greatest guitarists of all time, cementing his legacy as a Texas blues-rock icon.

   MARK KNOPFLER

Mark Knopfler

• • • • • • BORN: AUGUST 12, 1949. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1965 - PRESENT
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: EMYLOU HARRIS

      Mark Knopfler is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, and record producer best known as the co-founder and frontman of Dire Straits. Renowned for his distinctive fingerstyle technique and evocative storytelling, Knopfler led the band to global success with hits like “Sultans of Swing” and the album Brothers in Arms, selling over 100 million records before disbanding in 1995. He then launched a prolific solo career, releasing ten albums and composing acclaimed film scores for movies such as Local Hero and The Princess Bride. A four-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Knopfler remains celebrated as one of rock’s most influential guitarists, blending roots, folk, and blues into a signature sound that continues to inspire musicians worldwide.

DUANE ALLMAN

Duane Allman

• • • • • • BORN: NOVEMBER 20, 1946, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
          • DIED: OCTOBER 29, 1971
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1961 - 1971
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, HOUR GLASS, THE ALLMAN JOYS, DEREK & THE DOMINOS

     Duane was a guitarist and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band and widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians in rock history. Known for his soulful slide guitar and improvisational brilliance, Allman helped define Southern rock and contributed to classics like At Fillmore East, Eat a Peach and Brothers and Sisters . Before forming the band with his brother Gregg in 1969, he was a sought-after session musician, recording with legends such as Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, and famously collaborated with Eric Clapton on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Ranked among Rolling Stone’s greatest guitarists of all time, Allman’s life was tragically cut short at age 24 in a motorcycle accident, but his legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians.

PETE TOWNSHEND

Pete Townshend

• • • • • • BORN: MAY 19, 1945, CHISWICK, ENGLAND
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1960 - PRESENT
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS: DEEP END

     Pete Townshend is an English musician, songwriter, and author best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and principal songwriter of The Who, one of rock’s most influential bands. Renowned for his windmill guitar technique and groundbreaking compositions, Townshend wrote iconic works such as the rock operas Tommy (1969) and Quadrophenia (1973), along with classics like “My Generation” and Who’s Next. Beyond his role in The Who, he has released acclaimed solo albums, composed for theater and film, and authored books and essays. A multi-instrumentalist and innovator, Townshend has earned numerous honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1990), Grammy and Brit Lifetime Achievement Awards, and Kennedy Center Honors, cementing his legacy as one of rock’s most visionary artists.

STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN

Stevie Ray Vaughan

• • • • • • BORN: OCTOBER 3, 1954, DALLAS, TEXAS
          • DIED:  AUGUST 27, 1990
          • YEARS ACTIVE: 1965 - 1990
          • ASSOCIATED ACTS:  DOUBLE TROUBLE. THE VAUGHAN BROTHERS

     Stevie was a blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose fiery style and technical mastery sparked a major blues revival in the 1980s. Inspired by his older brother Jimmie, Vaughan began playing guitar at age seven and eventually formed his iconic band Double Trouble, releasing acclaimed albums such as Texas Flood and In Step. His electrifying performances and collaborations with artists such as David Bowie elevated him to international fame, earning multiple Grammy Awards and widespread recognition as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Tragically, Vaughan’s life was cut short at age 35 in a helicopter crash, but his legacy endures as a defining force in modern blues and rock music.

 Conclusion

     We all have our favorites and hold them close as if they were a part of us. We love them for bringing back a forgotten moment in our past, a feeling their playing evokes or just because they rock! Although you may not agree with all of the musicians listed here, the case has most definitely been made for the inclusion of many of them on most peoples’ list of the top guitarists of all time. Give all of them another listen and see what I mean. Rock on my friends!!!