Here is a curated list of ten exceptional guitar players who have profoundly inspired and shaped the landscape of guitar music. These individuals, presented in no particular order, represent a spectrum of styles and innovations. Compiling this list was a challenging endeavor, as countless guitarists have contributed significantly to the art form. Indeed, the tapestry of guitar playing is woven with threads of inspiration drawn from hundreds, if not thousands, of remarkable musicians.
This selection highlights ten truly awesome “axe slingers” for your listening pleasure. Each guitarist on this list is not only a master soloist but also a distinguished songwriter, contributing to the rich canon of guitar-driven music.
We invite you to consider your own top ten. Who makes your list of essential guitar players? Share your personal favorites in the comments below.
1. Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen iconic striped guitar, pioneering tapping technique
Eddie Van Halen reigned supreme as a primary influence for many aspiring guitarists, including myself, during the formative years of learning the instrument. The pursuit of emulating his groundbreaking techniques and sound led to an immersive exploration of his discography and gear. Eddie consistently pushed the boundaries of guitar innovation, notably through his pioneering use of finger-tapping techniques and the adoption of Floyd Rose tremolo systems. The release of Van Halen’s debut album was a seismic event, fundamentally altering the guitar landscape and sending legions of players into intensive practice sessions to dissect every note. The ongoing saga of Van Halen, marked by periods of both brilliance and internal strife, leaves one to wonder what further innovations Eddie might still unleash. (full bio)
2. Billy Gibbons
Billy Gibbons signature beard and bluesy guitar style
It’s almost impossible to imagine the trajectory of rock guitar without the indelible contribution of Billy Gibbons. For many, the essence of rock guitar, even amidst the flash of shred licks and sweep arpeggios, still resonates with the fundamental style of Billy Gibbons. He took the bedrock of traditional blues guitar and amplified it with a raw, powerful edge. Even Jimi Hendrix recognized Gibbons’ burgeoning talent, hailing him as the next major figure in guitar music. The enduring appeal of ZZ Top’s music underscores the profound influence and inherent quality of their sound, largely shaped by Gibbons’ distinctive guitar work. In the 1980s, ZZ Top audaciously fused blues progressions with disco rhythms, creating a unique sonic backdrop for Gibbons’ signature solos, often punctuated with artificial harmonics. He is undeniably a formidable musician, and by all accounts, a skilled culinary enthusiast as well. (full bio)
3. David Gilmour
David Gilmour stands as a paragon of tasteful guitar playing. While not necessarily known for blistering speed, Gilmour’s melodic phrasing and emotionally resonant solos are instantly recognizable and deeply ingrained in popular culture. If a Pink Floyd song graces the airwaves, many listeners could likely hum along to his iconic guitar solos. Gilmour stepped into the guitar role for Pink Floyd following Syd Barrett’s departure, and his distinctive playing and soulful vocals became integral to the band’s identity. His approach to crafting solos involves recording multiple takes and meticulously selecting and assembling the most compelling segments. If pressed to choose a definitive Gilmour solo, the first solo from “Comfortably Numb” would be a strong contender. (full bio)
4. Steve Vai
Steve Vai virtuoso guitarist with Ibanez Jem guitar
Steve Vai is a true polymath of the guitar world – an innovator, a virtuoso technician, a composer of remarkable breadth, and an individual of singular vision. His career began as a sought-after session guitarist for some of rock’s most prominent figures. Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake all benefited from Vai’s boundary-pushing guitar playing and compositional talents. Initially, there was skepticism about anyone stepping into Eddie Van Halen’s role when David Lee Roth formed his solo band. However, Vai not only filled those shoes but brought his own unique and extraordinary style to the forefront. The supergroup formed for “Eat ’em and Smile” produced two landmark rock albums. Vai further solidified his reputation with his critically acclaimed instrumental album “Passion & Warfare,” which he famously described as “Jimi Hendrix meets Jesus Christ at a party that Ben Hur threw for Mel Blanc.” This quote encapsulates Vai’s unique and often surreal creative perspective. (full bio)
5. Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani is another transformative figure who has profoundly influenced the landscape of rock guitar. Early in his career, Satriani was a highly respected guitar instructor, and his student roster reads like a who’s who of guitar luminaries. His pupils include Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, David Bryson of Counting Crows, Kevin Cadogan from Third Eye Blind, Larry LaLonde of Primus/Possessed, Alex Skolnick of Testament, and Charlie Hunter. Satriani’s own solo career is equally impressive; he has received 15 Grammy Award nominations and founded the influential G3 tour, featuring a rotating lineup of guitar virtuosos. To call him a driving force in the guitar community is an understatement. Satriani’s signature playing style blends catchy melodies with searing blues licks, rapid legato runs, finger-tapping techniques, and a strong thematic influence from science fiction. Much like Hendrix, science fiction themes permeate many of Satriani’s songs and albums. A personal favorite Satriani track is “Always With You, Always With Me.” Motivated by this song at a young age, I made a deal with my mother: mastering it would earn me a new guitar. Achieving a passable rendition at age 14 resulted in a prized nuclear yellow Kramer guitar – a debt of gratitude owed to Joe Satriani. (full bio)
6. Vernon Reid
Vernon Reid innovative guitarist of Living Colour
Vernon Reid is a commanding guitar player, in-demand studio musician, producer, songwriter, and music supervisor. The first encounter with the guitar solos in “Cult of Personality” remains a vivid memory – they were simply mind-blowing. Reid’s playing would ascend to stratospheric heights before returning to earth with the track’s powerful central riff. The raw energy of Living Colour’s sound was immediately captivating, but it’s the band’s stylistic range and deep soulfulness that have sustained their appeal over the years. Reid’s solos are always integral to the song, showcasing his remarkable versatility across genres. Heavy metal, funk, jazz, and R&B are all within Reid’s expansive musical vocabulary. Around my thirtieth birthday, I had the privilege of seeing Living Colour perform at the Paradise in Boston and meeting the band afterwards. They were all incredibly gracious. More recently, I saw them again at the Experience Hendrix show in Boston’s Orpheum Theatre. Among a lineup of exceptional guitarists (including Vai and Eric Johnson), Vernon Reid stood out as a highlight. If forced to pick a favorite track, “Love Rears Up its Ugly Head” might be it, featuring three distinct guitar solos, each in a different style. Vernon Reid is truly a master guitarist. (full bio)
7. Blues Saraceno
“Plaid” by Blues Saraceno holds a special place as one of my favorite guitar albums. His playing style is a captivating blend of quirky inventiveness, traditional foundations, virtuosic skill, and pure originality. This is perhaps unsurprising from a guitarist who, as a teenager, was tapped to fill Eric Clapton’s shoes for a Cream reunion tour. Like many on this list, Saraceno has an extensive resume of studio work for major artists, but his core strength lies in his songwriting. After releasing three critically acclaimed albums, Saraceno leveraged a connection at Fox Television to transition into a successful career in film scoring. If you’ve watched television or played video games in recent years, it’s highly likely you’ve encountered Saraceno’s musical work. I once owned a Blues Saraceno signature Yamaha guitar, similar to the model pictured. In a moment of regrettable impulsivity, I decided to strip and repaint it, a decision I’ve long lamented as it was never quite the same afterwards. Perhaps one day, a replacement will surface on eBay, allowing for a happy reunion. (full bio)
8. Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist playing Gibson Les Paul
Jimmy Page embodies the very essence of a rock and roll guitar player. He is the enigmatic guitar wizard at the heart of an epic band renowned for its groundbreaking musicianship. Led Zeppelin’s music could be both powerfully heavy and delicately nuanced – a dynamic Page described as incorporating “light and shade.” Early in his career, Page was a highly sought-after session guitarist, contributing to recordings by The Rolling Stones, The Who, Joe Cocker, and Van Morrison, among others. He then joined The Yardbirds with friend Jeff Beck, recording several albums. Following The Yardbirds’ dissolution, Page was determined to assemble a group of exceptional musicians who could create a cohesive and powerful sound. He recruited Robert Plant and Plant’s childhood friend John Bonham in Ireland, along with his studio associate John Paul Jones, initially forming “The New Yardbirds.” They soon adopted the name Led Zeppelin and proceeded to forge rock and roll history, remaining a dominant force until their disbandment in 1980. Page continues to be active in music, but it’s his era with Led Zeppelin that serves as a constant source of inspiration, pushing me to strive for greater musicality every time I hear their music. (full bio)
9. Jimi Hendrix
If not for Jimi Hendrix, the electric guitar as we know it today might be radically different. It was as if Hendrix unlocked the instrument’s true potential, revealing sounds and techniques previously unimagined. He unleashed a torrent of guitar brilliance upon the world, deeply rooted in the blues but perpetually pushing towards the future. It’s almost certain that every other guitarist on this list, and countless more, drew inspiration from Hendrix. His early musical explorations involved playing a broom as a makeshift guitar in Seattle, later progressing to a one-string ukulele. Upon receiving his first acoustic guitar at 15, he immediately set about learning the theme song from “Peter Gunn.” While it might seem that Hendrix was born with innate guitar mastery, he honed his skills through years of touring and performing in backup bands for prominent R&B artists. Initially, his revolutionary music was not fully embraced in the United States. It was a move to London that ignited widespread appreciation for his groundbreaking approach, paving the way for Hendrix’s triumphant return to America as a major star. Hendrix could play with explosive power or with delicate fluidity, always imbued with sincerity and unparalleled style. (full bio)
10. Angus Young
Angus Young iconic schoolboy outfit and energetic stage presence
It’s been famously said that “Listening to Steve Vai makes me want to practice, but listening to Angus Young makes me want to party!” This sentiment resonates deeply. There’s perhaps nothing more quintessentially rock and roll than Angus Young, the sneering schoolboy from the academy of hard rock, tearing across the stage and delivering high-voltage guitar riffs. AC/DC often faces criticism for their perceived simplicity and formulaic song structures, but their enduring popularity over decades speaks volumes about their enduring appeal. They’ve distilled rock and roll to its purest essence, creating anthem after anthem of unadulterated rock energy. Angus’s solos are particularly captivating, notable for their dynamic build-up, often starting in a lower register and ascending the fretboard to a thrilling climax. Together with his older brother Malcolm Young, Angus continues to champion authentic rock guitar for generations of musicians worldwide with every powerful open chord they unleash. (full bio)
Honorable Mentions:
Dimebag Darrell, Elliot Easton, Guthrie Govan, John Scofield, Brad Barr, Jose Gonzales, Randy Rhodes, Eric Johnson, Reb Beach, CC Deville, Chuck Berry, Danny Gatton, Steve Howe, Jeff Beck, Slash
