Top fifty guitarists

Joe Bonamassa, the blues-rock prodigy was probably born 30 years too late and in the wrong country - in that he he should have been part of the 1960's UK 'Blues Boom'. That didn't stop him carrying on in that tradition adopting it as his musical landscape. He picked up the guitar at a tender age, played the blues and never looked back, mesmerizing audiences with his talent.

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Joanne Shaw Taylor, a contemporary blues-rock guitarist and singer, has made a significant impact on the blues scene with her soulful vocals and electrifying guitar playing

Keith Richards, the legendary guitarist and songwriter of The Rolling Stones, has carved his name into the annals of rock 'n' roll history with his gritty guitar riffs, rebellious spirit, and enduring influence. Born on December 18, 1943, in Dartford, Kent, England, Richards embarked on his musical journey that would span decades and shape the landscape of rock music.

Songs:

1. Paint it Black
2. Brown Sugar
3. Honky Tonk Woman

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Marshall Amplifier

Joe Satriani is a guitar virtuoso known for his extraordinary technique and melodic sensibility

Songs:

1. Surfing with the alien
2. Why
3. Sisters

Steve Cropper is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer, best known for his work with Booker T

Cory Wong is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer known for his work in the funk, jazz, and R&B genres. His energetic playing style, technical proficiency, and innovative approach have made him a prominent figure in contemporary music. Wong's career includes solo work, collaborations, and contributions to various bands, most notably Vulfpeck.

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Eddie Martinez is a renowned guitarist whose versatile playing has made significant contributions across multiple genres, including rock, funk, jazz, and hip-hop. Known for his distinctive style and innovative riffs, Martinez has left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Mark Lettieri is an acclaimed guitarist and composer known for his work with the Grammy-winning band Snarky Puppy and his solo projects. Born on October 14, 1983, in Arlington, Virginia, Lettieri has developed a reputation for his versatile playing style that spans genres from funk and jazz to rock and R&B. He has built a substantial following through his performances, recordings, and instructional content.

Paul Davids is a renowned guitarist and YouTube educator known for his comprehensive guitar tutorials and engaging content. Born on September 27, 1986, in the Netherlands, Davids has built a substantial following by sharing his expertise and passion for guitar with a global audience. His channel covers a wide range of topics, from basic techniques to advanced theory, making him a valuable resource for guitarists of all levels.

Mark Knopfler British guitarist and vocalist who perfected the "Pub Rock" sound and took it mainstream. He emerged from the smoky pubs of Newcastle to become one of the most distinctive voices in rock. Born on August 12, 1949, in Glasgow, Scotland, he spent his formative years honing his craft in the British music scene.

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Andy Summers is the British guitarist in the band The Police. Never renowned for playing solos or improvising he nevertheless didn't let that stop him becoming one of the most influential British guitarists of the 80's and beyond.!

Songs:

1. Every Breath You Take
2. Message in a Bottle

Gear:

• Fender Telecaster

Matteo Mancuso is an Italian guitarist and YouTuber known for his extraordinary technical skill and innovative approach to guitar playing. Born in 1996 in Palermo, Italy, Mancuso has gained international acclaim through his YouTube channel, where he shares performances that blend jazz, fusion, and classical music. His unique fingerstyle technique and musical versatility have captivated audiences worldwide.

With his eclectic style and unparalleled technical proficiency, Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter left an indelible mark on Steely Dan's discography during his tenure with the band in the 1970s.

Known for his mastery of both electric and pedal steel guitars, Baxter's contributions added layers of texture and complexity to the group's compositions.

Songs:

1. Rikki Don't Lose That Number
2. My Old School
3. Midnight Cruiser

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Duane Eddy is an American guitarist known for his pioneering work in rock and roll and instrumental music. With his twangy guitar sound and innovative use of techniques like tremolo and echo, Eddy helped define the "surf rock" genre in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Songs:

1. Peter Gunn
2. Rebel Rouser

Gear:

• Fender amplifier
• Gretsch 6120

Jay Graydon is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and arranger known for his impeccable guitar skills and work in the pop, jazz, and rock genres

Gary Moore, the Irish guitar virtuoso with a soulful voice and blistering solos, left an indelible mark on the world of rock and blues. Born on April 4, 1952, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Moore's musical journey began in the 1960s when he joined the band Skid Row as a teenager, rubbing shoulders with future Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott.

Songs:

1. Red House
2. Quadrant 4

Gear:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Marshall Amplifier

Rory Gallagher was an Irish blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter celebrated for his electrifying live performances and soulful guitar playing

Songs:

1. On the Boards
2. Shadow Play
3. What's Going On
4. Bulfrog Blues

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Marshall Amplifier

Pat Metheny is a groundbreaking jazz guitarist and composer whose expansive body of work has earned him widespread recognition and acclaim.

Songs:

1. Phase Dance
2. Are you doing with me
3. From the Mountains

John McLaughlin, born on January 4, 1942, in Doncaster, England, is a highly influential jazz fusion guitarist and composer

Songs:

1. Right Off
2. Inner Mounting Flame

Gear:

• Gibson SG

Mike Stern always reminds me of a jagged tone with his signature FX? He is a jazz guitarist known for his dynamic playing style and inventive approach to improvisation.

Songs:

1. Chromazone
2. Little Shoes
3. Riding Giants

Gear:

• Fender Telecaster

Ritchie Blackmore is a British guitarist best known for his work with the legendary rock bands Deep Purple and Rainbow

Songs:

1. Smoke On The Water
2. Burn
3. Stargazer

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Bruce Springsteen, often AKA "The Boss," is an iconic American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his work with the E Street Band. Born on September 23, 1949, in Long Branch, New Jersey, Springsteen's music is characterized by its poetic lyrics, working-class themes, and Americana sound. His career, spanning over five decades, has made a significant impact on rock music and American culture.

Songs:

1. Born in the USA
2. Born to Run
3. River

He of the big hat and big hair is a British-American musician and poseur who was the lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses , whose heyday was the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Songs:

1. Sweet Child o’ Mine
2. November Rain
3. Welcome to the Jungle

Gear:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Marshall Amplifier

Glen Campbell was an American singer, songwriter, and musician whose smooth voice and guitar prowess earned him fame as both a solo artist and a session musician

Paul Kossoff was the lead guitarist for the British rock band Free. Known for his soulful playing style and emotive guitar solos, Kossoff was regarded as one of the finest guitarists of his generation.

Songs:

1. Alright Now
2. The Hunter
3. My Brother Jake

Gear:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Marshall Amplifier

Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist known for his unparalleled technical skill and innovative approach to the instrument.

With his lightning-fast shredding and mind-bending compositions, Vai has pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the guitar, inspiring countless musicians around the world.

Songs:

1. For the love of god
2. Tender surrender

Gear:

• Three neck guitar

Tommy Tedesco was a highly sought-after session guitarist known for his incredible versatility and prolific career in the music industry. With over 10,000 recording sessions to his name, Tedesco played on countless hit records spanning multiple genres, including rock, pop, jazz, and film scores.

Songs:

1. Be My Baby (Ronnettes)
2. Guantanamera
3. McArthur Park

Lee Ritenour is an acclaimed American jazz guitarist known for his versatile playing style and contributions to contemporary jazz, smooth jazz, and fusion genres. Born on January 11, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, Ritenour began his professional career at a young age and has collaborated with numerous prominent musicians throughout his extensive career. He is recognized for his technical skill, musicality, and prolific output, including numerous solo albums and contributions to other artists' works.

Songs:

1. Is It You
2. Captain Fingers
3. Night Rhythm

Gear:

• Ibanez LGB30

I’m Ben. This is my website. Built by a Muso, for Muso’s. I know what you want. Like you, I am seeking the Zen of music - in my case through my main instrument, the guitar. I hope you find part of the breadcrumb trail to musical enlightenment here!

Songs:

1. Jimi Meets Miles
2. My Funky Valentine

Gear:

• Ovation Breadwinner
• Ibanez LGB30
• Blackstar amplifier

Tony Iommi the Brummie (Birmingham UK) guitarist who didn't let the small annoyance of having two fingers on his left hand chopped off stop him changing the course of music and becoming the father of Heavy Metal!

Songs:

1. Paranoid
2. War Pigs
3. Black Sabbath

Gear:

• Gibson SG
• Marshall Amplifier

Robert Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy and mysterious life, combined with his exceptional musical abilities, have led to him being known as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time.

Robben Ford, born on December 16, 1951, in Woodlake, California, is an acclaimed American blues, jazz, and rock guitarist. Known for his sophisticated playing style and blending of various genres, Ford has had a significant impact on contemporary guitar music and has collaborated with numerous legendary artists.

Songs:

1. Freedom
2. Cannonball Shuffle
3. Talk to Your Daughter

Gear:

• Fender Telecaster
• Dumble amplifier

Jimmy Page is the British guitarist consistently rated for one of the top 10 ever solos - on "Stairway to Heaven”. It's ironic his best solo was on the track that he was sued over for plagiarism (which he won). Doubly ironic is that it's also the one song you CANNOT PLAY in a music store. I don't know why, it's some unwritten law that will get you ejected!

Songs:

1. Stairway
2. Whole lotta Love
3. Rock and Roll

Gear:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Marshall Amplifier

Derek Trucks, a virtuoso guitarist known for his soulful playing and improvisational prowess, has left an indelible mark on the blues and jam band scenes. Here's a concise profile capturing the essence of his influential career

Brian May is best known as the lead guitarist with the wall of Vox AC30’s giving a distinctive tone, who plays for the legendary UK rock band Queen. He is also a mild-mannered Astrophysicist by day as well as a Rock God by night!

Songs:

1. We are the Champions
2. Killer Queen
3. Bohemian Rhapsody
4. Somebody to Love

Gear:

• BMG Guitar
• Vox amplifier

Who is the guitarist Rick Beato calls 1 of 1. Jeff Beck. He is indeed unique. Never makes a mistake. Lyrical, melodic, Bluesy. His judicious use of the tremolo arm gives him his trademark style that I haven't heard anyone successfully imitate. A musician's musician he played with everyone who was anyone, they all wanted to play with him.

Songs:

1. A brush with the Blues
2. Hi Ho Silver lining

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Marshall Amplifier

George Harrison, often referred to as "the quiet Beatle," was a legendary musician, singer, and songwriter best known for his role as the lead guitarist of the Beatles.

Songs:

1. All the Beatles
2. Here comes the sun

Gear:

• Rickenbacker Guitar
• Vox amplifier

Walter Becker, the unsung hero behind the smooth grooves of Steely Dan, brought a unique blend of wit and musical prowess to the forefront of rock and jazz fusion. Born in 1950, Becker formed Steely Dan with Donald Fagen in the early '70s, crafting a sound that defied categorization.

Songs:

1. Peg
2. Josie
3. Reelin' in the years

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Carlos Santana is a rare animal, solely an instrumentalist, a guitarist front man. Carlos is a pioneering guitarist whose fusion of rock, blues, and most of all Latin music has made him one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. With his soulful guitar playing and distinctive tone, Santana has created some of the most enduring and beloved songs in rock history. His Appeal is wide, not just with other guitarists!

Songs:

1. Oye Cómo Va
2. Mamacita
3. Black Magic Woman

Peter Allen Greenbaum, known professionally as Peter Green, was born on October 29, 1946, in Bethnal Green, London. As a founding member of Fleetwood Mac, Green is celebrated as one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time. His soulful playing, emotive songwriting, and innovative approach to the blues earned him a revered place in music history. Despite his struggles with mental health, Green's legacy endures through his timeless contributions to rock and blues.

Songs:

1. Green Manalishi
2. Albatross
3. Man of the World

Gear:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Marshall Amplifier

Chuck Berry was an early Rock 'n' Roll legend with the famous duck-walk! Chuck was a trailblazing guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose pioneering contributions to rock and roll music laid the foundation for the genre as we know it today.

Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode is the quintessential guitarists musical piece, a song by a guitarist, about a guitarist who could 'play like the ring of a bell'. It starts with an iconic guitar motif, a classic that every self-respecting guitarist should learn. Famously covered by Jimi Hendrix.

Songs:

1. My Dingle ling
2. Maybelline
3. Hail hail Rock and roll

Gear:

• Gibson ES-335
• Fender amplifier

George Benson's smooth jazz guitar playing, and soulful vocals have captivated audiences worldwide for decades. Renowned for his impeccable technique and innate sense of groove, Benson has achieved remarkable success both as a solo artist and as a collaborator with some of the biggest names in jazz and R&B.

Songs:

1. Give me the night
2. This Masquerade

Gear:

• Ibanez Guitar
• Fender amplifier

Eddie Van Halen was a Dutch-American guitarist and primary songwriter of the rock band Van Halen. He popularized two handed tapping, although he did not invent the technique he was the most notable exponent. Famously sessions for Michael Jackson and played THAT solo "Beat It.". He played a guitar of his own creation, the Frankenstat.

Songs:

1. Beat It
2. Jump
3. Eruption

Gear:

• FrankenStrat
• Fender Stratocaster

Steve Lukather, born on October 21, 1957, in San Fernando Valley, California, is a renowned American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Best known as a founding member of the rock band Toto, Lukather's career spans over four decades and includes numerous collaborations with top artists across various genres.

Songs:

1. Rosanna
2. Beat It
3. Africa

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Stevie Ray Vaughan, Texas bluesman so revered he had his own title AKA "SRV". He blazed a trail through the music world before his untimely departure. Born on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, Vaughan's love affair with the blues began at an early age, inspired by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Albert King.

Songs:

1. Scuttl Buttin'
2. Texas FLood

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Dumble amplifier

Larry Carlton, AKA "Mr 335" born on March 2, 1948, in Torrance, California, is a renowned American guitarist whose work spans a variety of genres including jazz, blues, pop, and rock

Songs:

1. Room 335
2. Don't Take Me Alive
3. The Royal Scam
4. Kid Charlemange

Gear:

• Gibson ES-335
• Fender amplifier
• Dumble amplifier

David Gilmour is the long standing Pink Floyd guitarist known for stacking compressors to get that distinctive tone. He is truly one of the GGG’s – Great Guitar GOAT’s. With his emotive melodic lead work, soulful vocals, and atmospheric soundscapes, Gilmour helped shape the band's distinctive sound and became one of the most revered guitarists in the history of rock music.

Songs:

1. Dark side of the moon
2. Money
3. Comfortably Numb

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr., born on September 19, 1952, in New York City, is an American musician, composer, arranger, and producer. As the co-founder of Chic, Rodgers' pioneering work in the late 1970s helped shape the sound of disco, funk, and pop music. Known for his distinctive "chucking" guitar style, Rodgers has left an indelible mark on the music industry through his extensive collaborations and production work with a wide array of artists.

Songs:

1. Le Freak
2. Good Times
3. Everybody Dance

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Eric Clapton, born on March 30, 1945, in Ripley, Surrey, England, is one of the most influential and celebrated guitarists of all time

Songs:

1. Layla
2. Sunshine of your love
3. I shot the Sherrif

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Gibson ES335
• Gibson SG
• Marshall Amplifier

Jimi Hendrix, born James Marshall Hendrix on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock music (he's my Main Man!)

Songs:

1. Purple Haze
2. Foxy Lady
3. Voodoo Chile

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Gibson Flying V
• Gibson SG
• Marshall Amplifier