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When it comes to choosing the best guitar players of all time, there are a few factors that come into play. You have to consider their influence, technical ability, and the overall impact theyâve had on the music industry.
There are countless great guitar players out there, but these are the 20 that have made the biggest impact.
You can also check guitar models they used here to generate a bigger picture how good they actually were, or to find a model your favorite rocker used!
1. Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was a legendary American guitar player who is widely considered to be one of the greatest musicians of all time. He was born in Seattle, Washington in 1942 and began playing guitar when he was just 15 years old. Hendrix was a master of the electric guitar and his unique style of playing influenced countless other guitarists.
He rose to fame in the late 1960s with his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and released a number of classic albums including âAre You Experiencedâ and âElectric Ladylandâ.
Hendrixâs career was cut tragically short when he died of an accidental drug overdose in 1970, but his legacy continues to live on through his music.
2. Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is a British guitar player who is also widely considered to be one of the greatest musicians of all time. He was born in Ripley, Surrey in 1945 and began playing guitar when he was just 13 years old. Claptonâs style of playing has been highly influential and he is often referred to as one of the most important guitarists of all time.
He has played with a number of different bands and artists throughout his career, including The Yardbirds, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos. Clapton has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform to this day.
3. Jimmy Page
JiJimmy Page is a British guitar player and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band Led Zeppelin. He was born in Heston, Middlesex in 1944 and began playing guitar when he was just 13 years old. Pageâs distinctive style of playing helped to make Led Zeppelin one of the most successful and popular rock bands of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âLed Zeppelin IVâ and âHouses of the Holyâ, and toured extensively throughout the 1970s. Led Zeppelin disbanded following the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980, but Page has continued to work as a solo artist and producer.
4. Keith Richards
Keith Richards is the iconic guitarist for The Rolling Stones. Heâsknown for his unique style of rhythm guitar playing. Richards is also a songwriter and has co-written some of the Stonesâ biggest hits, including âSatisfactionâ and âStart Me Keith Richards is a British guitar player and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band The Rolling Stones.
He was born in Dartford, Kent in 1943 and began playing guitar when he was just 15 years old. Richardsâ blues-influenced style of playing has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time. The Rolling Stones have released a number of classic albums including âExile on Main Streetâ and âSome Girlsâ, and continue to tour and perform to this day.
5. Chuck Berrry
Chuck Berry was an American guitar player and singer who is widely considered to be one of the pioneers of rock and roll. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1926 and began playing guitar when he was just 18 years old. Berryâs distinctive style of playing influenced a generation of musicians and helped to shape the sound of rock and roll.
He released a number of hit songs including âMaybelleneâ and âJohnny B. Goodeâ, and continued to perform and record music until his death in 2017.
6. B. B. King
B. B. King was an American guitar player and singer who was widely considered to be one of the greatest blues musicians of all time. He was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi in 1925 and began playing guitar when he was just 12 years old.
Kingâs distinctive style of playing influenced a generation of musicians and helped to shape the sound of modern blues. He released a number of hit songs including âThe Thrill Is Goneâ and âSweet Little Angelâ, and continued to perform and record music until his death in 2015.
7. Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck is a British guitar player who is considered to be one of the most influential musicians of all time. He was born in Wallington, Surrey in 1944 and began playing guitar when he was just 15 years old. Beckâs style of playing has been highly influential and he is often referred to as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
He has played with a number of different bands and artists throughout his career, including The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, and Beck, Bogert & Appice. Beck has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform to this day.
8. Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitar player and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band Van Halen. He was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands in 1955 and began playing guitar when he was just 11 years old. Van Halenâs distinctive style of playing has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âVan Halenâ, âWomen and Children Firstâ, and â1984â, and toured extensively throughout the 1980s. Van Halen continues to tour and perform to this day.
9. Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan was an American guitar player and singer who is considered to be one of the greatest blues musicians of all time. He was born in Dallas, Texas in 1954 and began playing guitar when he was just 11 years old. Vaughanâs style of playing was highly influential and helped to shape the sound of modern blues.
He released a number of hit songs including âPride and Joyâ, âTexas Floodâ, and âCrossfireâ, and continued to perform and record music until his death in 1990.
10. David Gilmour
David Gilmour is a British guitar player, singer, and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band Pink Floyd. He was born in Cambridge, England in 1946 and began playing guitar when he was just 15 years old. Gilmourâs distinctive style of playing has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âThe Dark Side of the Moonâ, âWish You Were Hereâ, and âThe Wallâ, and continue to tour and perform to this day. Gilmour has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform as a solo artist.
11. Freddy King
Freddy King was an American guitar player and singer who was highly influential in the development of electric blues. He was born in Gilmer, Texas in 1934 and began playing guitar when he was just 12 years old. Kingâs style of playing was unique and helped to pioneer the sound of modern electric blues.
He released a number of hit songs including âHide Awayâ, âSan-Ho-Zayâ, and âGoing Downâ, and continued to perform and record music until his death in 1976.
12. Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana is a Mexican-American guitar player and singer who is best known for his work with the rock band Santana. He was born in AutlĂĄn de Navarro, Mexico in 1947 and began playing guitar when he was just eight years old. Santanaâs distinctive style of playing has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âAbraxasâ, âSantanaâ, and âSupernaturalâ, and continue to tour and perform to this day. Santana has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform as a solo artist.
13. Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa was an American musician, composer, and bandleader who was highly influential in the development of experimental rock. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1940 and began playing guitar when he was just 14 years old. Zappaâs distinctive style of playing and composition was highly influential and helped to pioneer the sound of modern experimental rock.
He released a number of hit songs and albums including âFreak Out!â, âWeâre Only in It for the Moneyâ, and âHot Ratsâ, and continued to perform and record music until his death in 1993.
14. Angus Young
Angus Young is a Scottish-born Australian guitar player and singer who is best known for his work with the rock band AC/DC. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1955 and moved to Australia with his family when he was just 10 years old. Angus Youngâs distinctive style of playing has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âHigh Voltageâ, âBack in Blackâ, and âFor Those About to Rock We Salute Youâ, and continue to tour and perform to this day.
15. Toni Iommi
Toni Iommi is an English guitar player and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band Black Sabbath. He was born in Birmingham, England in 1948 and began playing guitar when he was just 16 years old. Iommiâs distinctive style of playing, which makes use of heavy metal techniques, has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âParanoidâ, âMaster of Realityâ, and âVol. 4â, and continue to tour and perform to this day. Iommi has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform as a solo artist.
16. Brian May
Brian May is an English guitar player, singer, and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band Queen. He was born in London, England in 1947 and began playing guitar when he was just 13 years old. Mayâs distinctive style of playing, which makes use of a home-made electric guitar, has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âQueenâ, âA Night at the Operaâ, and âJazzâ, and continue to tour and perform to this day. May has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform as a solo artist.
17. Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler is an English guitar player, singer, and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band Dire Straits. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1949 and began playing guitar when he was just 15 years old. Knopflerâs distinctive style of playing, which makes use of a bottleneck slide technique, has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âDire Straitsâ, âMaking Moviesâ, and âBrothers in Armsâ, and continue to tour and perform to this day. Knopfler has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform as a solo artist.
18. Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore is an English guitar player and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band Deep Purple. He was born in Weston-super-Mare, England in 1945 and began playing guitar when he was just 17 years old. Blackmoreâs distinctive style of playing, which makes use of a mixture of classical and rock techniques, has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âDeep Purple in Rockâ, âMachine Headâ, and âBurnâ, and continue to tour and perform to this day. Blackmore has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform as a solo artist.
19. Yngwie Malmsteen
Yngwie Malmsteen is a Swedish guitar player and songwriter who is best known for his work with the heavy metal band Alcatrazz. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1963 and began playing guitar when he was just 11 years old. Malmsteenâs distinctive style of playing, which makes use of a lot of finger tapping and sweep picking techniques, has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âNo Parole from Rock ânâ Rollâ, âDisturbing the Peaceâ, and â Dangerous Gamesâ, and continue to tour and perform to this day. Malmsteen has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform as a solo artist.
20. Slash
Slash is an American guitar player and songwriter who is best known for his work with the rock band Guns Nâ Roses. He was born in London, England in 1965 and began playing guitar when he was just 15 years old. Slashâs distinctive style of playing, which makes use of a lot of distortion and feedback, has been highly influential and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The band released a number of classic albums including âAppetite for Destructionâ, âUse Your Illusion I & IIâ, and âThe Spaghetti Incident?â, and continue to tour and perform to this day. Slash has also released a number of solo albums and continues to tour and perform as a solo artist.
