The 50 Greatest Guitarists... Ever!

Who will make number one?...

Monday, February 18, 2008
filed in: Rock Metal

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Picked by Gigwise staff, here’s our 50 favourite guitarists of all time…

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50. Angus Young of AC/DC - There are few more exhilarating sights in music than Angus Young tearing across the stage with a manic glint in his eye and a guitar in his hands. The Australian is famed for his ridiculous school uniform stage clothes, pretending to have fits while playing and general madcap behaviour. But his antics and simplistic style mask a more than competent musician. (wenn)

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um john squire?
~ by d 2/18/2008
- Wow, your're right, he was Guitar Magazines guitar player of the year for like 5 years running. Live the guy is unbelievable
  ~ by Stan O 2/10/2009
DON’T, Gigwise! Just don’t.
~ by the yak 2/18/2008
- No kidding! Stay out of Guitar Center to do the poles. The #1 pick is missing three zeros behind the 1...
  ~ by Abbott of Texas 2/20/2008
Billy Corgan, James Dean Bradfield, John Squire, John Frusciante, Bernard Butler where are you?!
~ by AlexPanic 2/18/2008
- B. Corgan and J. Frusciante play Fender Stratocasters. Gigwise isn’t going to bite the hand that feeds them.
  ~ by Alfred H. 3/13/2008
Where the fuck is Josh Homme?
~ by Daves 2/18/2008
- Josh should be on there easy.
  ~ by constantine 7/24/2008
”Dimebag” Darrell??? John Lee Hooker??? CHET ATKINS?!?!?!? Otherwise an impeccable list!!! Can’t argue with your number one choice either.. how about top vocalists?!?!
~ by Skeigh 2/18/2008
- These is the worst list I've ever seen!
  ~ by bob 10/19/2008
It’s Matthew Bellamy. not Matt. He totally rocks though!
~ by Moozze 2/18/2008
It’s Matthew Bellamy officially, not Matt. He totally rocks and is my hero!!!
~ by Moozze 2/18/2008
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH !!!
~ by mark 2/18/2008
Hendrix - so f**in right. The best guitarist ever. Without a doubt. Period. Nuff said. It’s been all downhill since. :-)
~ by Little ol guitar playing me 2/18/2008
- YOUR A RETARD. Don’t dread!!
  ~ by Abbott of Texas 2/20/2008
yeah what happened to John Frusciante? thought he would be at least somewhere in there
~ by ben.v.2.0 2/18/2008
Yeah and what about Noel fucking Gallagher! have you never heard his solo on Don’t Look Back In Anger...a telling omission....
~ by mike mc 2/18/2008
Not a terrible list if you are only looking at rock and blues, but it is supposedly from ”many musical spectrums.” If it is supposed to be that wide reaching, then there are two major ommissions, both of which should have been top ten. Where are Chet Atkins and Les Paul?
~ by Roger W 2/18/2008
errmmm... no
~ by FRANK 2/18/2008
Pretty uninspiring stuff. Is Kirk Hammett really deserving of a place that high up? He doesn’t even write his own solos.
~ by the goat 2/18/2008
Most amusing. No Diblo Dibala or Syran Mbenza? A bit early for April Fool, surely. Or don’t African guitar greats count?
~ by Ade Daramy 2/18/2008
I did not see Tom Verlaine or Richard Lloyd in there. And Clapton? Fuck Off.
~ by Rick 2/18/2008
Where the fuck is John Frusciante
~ by MML 2/18/2008
How about Peter Green, Mike Bloomfield, Dicky Betts, Billy Gibbons, John Mclaughlin, Al Dimeola, Ritchie Blackmore, Tommy Bolin ????? And the ones we really owe thanks to...Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker!!!!!
~ by Bonedaddy 2/18/2008
How about.. Freddie King, Albert King, Peter Green, Billy Gibbons, Mike Bloomfield, Ritchie Blackmore, John Mclaughlin, Al Dimeola, Tommy Bolin, and especially...Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker????????
~ by Bonedaddy 2/18/2008
- AMEN!
  ~ by ALBERT 3/5/2008
Get Matthew Bellamy off the list. And to put him ahead of Jonny Greenwood is nothing short of criminal.
~ by Elmis 2/19/2008
- To be fair, Radiohead have got two other guitarists to back Jonny up. He’s a much more talented person and can play a wide variety of instruments, but the fact that Bellamy is Muse’s sole guitarist and creates such a noise is impressive
  ~ by Hmmmmm 2/19/2008
les paul?
~ by cj 2/19/2008
errr....no Alex Lifeson, Johnny Winter or Stanley Clarke ?!? Cobain was nothing more than average unless you are talking about influence, but then that’s a different list altogether.
~ by Meldrew 2/19/2008
dimebag isnt even in the list, re-think needed.
~ by DANMAC 2/19/2008
There will never be a list to satisfy all, but just consider who influenced who, or a domino effect...could use some more pickers and less shredders - Steve Howe, Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Joe Pass, Jango Reihnardt, ..but missing some of the G3 boys, like Ywingie ?
~ by liv4hcky 2/19/2008
This is a dreadful, ill informed compilation clearly assembled on the grounds of poor judgment. There is not a single entrant here in their correct place, it’s a total mish mash. Hendrix no longer justifies the top spot, he’s been completely overtaken by other guitarists who have enjoyed a longer life and have contributed more. Jimi checked out early, he’s number one on the basis that his talent by the time he passed away probably will be without equal.
~ by Wigi 2/19/2008
dimebag? ace frehley? zakk wylde, randy rhodes?! come on guys!
~ by keith 2/19/2008
you put the metallica guitarist before god himself? no one messes with slowhand
~ by clapton is god 2/19/2008
how could you leave out LES PAUL?? Others who should have made it are Albert Lee (not Alvin) and Kim Simmonds
~ by Jim from Florida 2/19/2008
- I forgot about Albert...you are correct sir!
  ~ by rog 4/4/2009
Whaaaaaat?!?!? Jerry Garcia in front of Eddie Van Halen? You guys must have had one spliff too many... Kirk Hammett ahead of Beck, Satriani and Vai? WTF??? Can’t argue with the blues-heavy top ten though, that’s where it all started!
~ by Rod 2/19/2008
where the bloody hell is steve howe-yes, steve hackett-genesis,steve rothery-marillion? not to mention: jan ackerman-focus,robert fripp-king crimson and john lees-barclay james harvest! otherwise it’s all good.
~ by michael quarterman 2/19/2008
Tool guitarist outranks Angus friggin’ Young??? Yeah....right. Idiots.
~ by IfYouWantBlood 2/19/2008
Just how did Kurt Cobain even make this list? These must be the some guys that work at ”Rolling Stone”. They’re Cobain-queer over there anyway.
~ by goose129 2/19/2008
- Kurt Cobain did inspire many to pick up a guitar!!
  ~ by The gospel truth 2/19/2008
- That can be said for nearly every picker ever to pick from Les Paul to Glenn Campbell to Mark Knopfler...... that doesn’t give him a place in ”The Best”.
  ~ by goose129 2/19/2008
John Squire?
~ by steve 2/20/2008
Buddy Guy..who Hendrix copied..and Clapton says best guitarist in the world.
~ by Dennis 2/20/2008
bollocks...guitarists...not just electric...Segovia?
~ by Tony 2/20/2008
Utter bollox if you don’t ask me.
~ by Bob 2/20/2008
No John McGeoch????????!!!!!!! No Bert Jansch?????????!!!!!!! So many of the guitarists featured shouldn’t have beaten Nick Drake -I’m not saying he should be no1, but.....
~ by Chiz 2/20/2008
SLASH SHOULD HAVE FUCKING BEEN NR 1!!!!
~ by Satan 2/20/2008
Derek Trucks? Warren Haynes? John Frusciante? Chuck Berry?
~ by matt 2/20/2008
Jimmy Page is a terrible guitarist. Just listen to The Song Remains the Same - he couldn’t even move his fretting hand in time with his picking hand, and constantly tried to play faster than he is able to. I don’t get how somebody who plays so many bum notes can be #2 on any list. Where are Manuel Gottsching, Pete Cosey and Michael Rother?
~ by 3 2/20/2008
gotta say, Allen Collins and Gary Rossington??
~ by What?? 2/20/2008
WHERE THE HELL IS MIKE MCREADY AND STONE GOSSARD OF PEARL JAM!!!!!
~ by Name: 2/20/2008
Where the fuck is John Frusciante, Chet Atkins and other REAL guitarists and why the fuck is the Edge on there? why the fuck is Johnny Ramone why the fuck is half the other douche bag guitarists on here this isnt a list of the greatest just the list of the most well known popular and as usual Hendrix is at the top, he is in the top 10 but not number 1 anymore
~ by Rick 2/20/2008
These lists are always subjective but a top 50 list without Richie Blackmore? Come on!
~ by Skevington 2/20/2008
UM,GARY MOORE?
~ by MARK 2/21/2008
What about Link Wray??? and deffo John Lee Hooker and John Squire. Also Mark Knofler? uncool I know, but you could replace Brian May or Edge with him!
~ by Robin 2/22/2008
couldnt exactly get no.s 1 and 2 wrong now could you? as for the oder of the rest of it, angus young at 50?, with some of the people you got after him? and where is Zakk Wylde or Dimebag indeed? there are people here who arent even top 100, and youre missing some who are top ten- pete is there, but really, who the fuck are you?
~ by slash is better than thou 2/22/2008
No Rhandy Roads!!!?!?!?!?!
~ by A 2/23/2008
Clarence White and Roger McGuinn are also not on here. Like most of these lists they privilege newer players over older ones, rock over every other style and popular over talented.
~ by Terp 2/23/2008
where is Roy Buchanan on your 50 top ?
~ by jeb 2/23/2008
where s ted
~ by kevin 2/24/2008
Bit cliche having Hendrix as one, it depends what the poll is rating, skill, technique, inovation etc. dissapointed to see j. white at 29, should be a higher, nick valensi of the strokes? Johnny winter? roy buchanan? albert king? eric bibb? just to name a few who should be on there rather than whatever that kid from modest mouse does on guitar.
~ by hj 2/25/2008
How the fcuk is Jack White 29 and Angus Young 50??? What moron compiled this list?
~ by a guitarist 2/25/2008
where’s Petrucci????I want him to be within the first 10!!
~ by me 2/25/2008
Who were the metal freaks who pitched for all the tuneless thrash monkeys clustering near the top of the list? Eric Clapton for chrissakes? The man’s never played an original note in his life. And the only time SRV ever came up with something that wasn’t derivative or Blues Licks 101 was when David Bowie told him what to play. That tattooed freak from Slayer ahead of Gilmour? Fuck me! At least Page and Hendrix are where they belong. I guess there’s no accounting for taste.
~ by Boggers 2/28/2008
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN? Lots of names missing, but this one is unbelievable...
~ by Gravepisser 2/28/2008
Where is John McLaughlin in the list? Kirk Hammett is a wank merchant and shouldn’t be so high in the ratings. Every kid in a guitar shop can bang out crap like him, lots of distortion and unrefined twiddling. As much as I like Jimmy Page he’s lazy and hasn’t done anything since ’Outrider’ in 1988.
~ by Sim-X 3/1/2008
where the hell is Joe satriani on this list. hes better than everyone on this list. the ones who i think should be up there are guys like satriani, vai, Friedman, Hendrix.
~ by Marc 3/1/2008
Has anyone ever heard of Johnny Winter?
~ by JV 3/3/2008
A great guitarist.. Matthew Bellamy!!!
~ by Jazzassin 3/3/2008
JIMMY PAGE OR ERIC CLAPTON SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHOSEN #1. JIMI WAS VERY,VERY,GOOD BUT A LOT OF HIS STUFF WAS JUST NOISE, SONIC PABLUM.
~ by ALBERT 3/5/2008
Matt Bellamy, Zárate, Clapton and Hendrix (the f*cking guitarr rulezz) ever ;)
~ by Eul3r 3/5/2008
Dimebag has to be in the top 10 of any list. How about Brad Paisley, Joe Walsh, Sully Erna, or Kenny Wayne Sheppard?
~ by Robert 3/12/2008
Springsteen? Nils Lofgren?
~ by anon 3/15/2008
Randy Rhoads?? Dave Mustaine??
~ by urf 4/3/2008
Who are these fucking people???
~ by Nohope 4/10/2008
Since Hendrix rated Zappa why is frank languishing underneath the ”Edge”!!???? come on people the Edge is a pedal dependant plank spanker in the veritable swamps of musical ability whilst Frank soars in the stratosphere, how dare you place Frank Zappa below so many talentless non entities!! there are so many excelent guitarists missing too. :(
~ by Stinkfoot 5/10/2008
How in the hell is EVH #26??? Are you kidding me? Kurt Cobain ahead of Eddie. This is hilarious....
~ by Wolfie 5/13/2008
- yes...it is. Eddie should be in the top 5.
  ~ by rog 4/4/2009
Jimmy Paige is da best. Dang cmon use your ears he’ s better than slash.
~ by short stuff 5/28/2008
I love Hendrix but I’d give Jimmy Page the edge overall.
~ by bobby 5/30/2008
Jimi Hendrix at number 1..No, just no. He was a good song writer, just overrated as a guitarist.
~ by LedSpener 6/5/2008
Mick Taylor???
~ by Willy Wanka 6/9/2008
No Billy Corgan? This is a big laugh.
~ by Zeek 6/11/2008
No Steve Harris? I’m glad to see Adrian Smith...but Harris isn’’t on the top 10...not even the top 50? WTF! This list doesn’’t know greatness from worthless!
~ by SJ 6/14/2008
where in fuck is JOE PERRY U MOTHA FUCKERS?
~ by aslk 6/17/2008
...buckethead
~ by thunderpussy 6/20/2008
The lack of Alex Lifeson makes this list a complete joke.
~ by gowings 6/23/2008
The most glaring error of all is the omitting of Les Paul. Not only an amazing guitarists, but every one of today’s artists owe him for the innovations in guitar design and studio effects.
~ by Roger 8/2/2008
WHERE THE HELL IS RITCHIE BLACKMORE??????????????
~ by halloweengod1 8/3/2008
- I 100% AGREE MY FRIEND!!!!!!
  ~ by halloweengod1 8/3/2008
ALIVE, NOT DEAD! JIMMY FUCKIN PAGE RULES!!!! GREATEST GUITARIST ALIVE TODAY !!!!!!!!
~ by halloweengod1 8/3/2008
YOU FUCKERS ARE GONNA RUN WHEN JIMMY COMES BACK WITH ZEPPELIN IN 09. HE IS THEE ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF!!!!!! THERE’S JIMMY AND EVERYONE ELSE!!!!! YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST.
~ by halloweengod1 8/3/2008
Where is Lonnie Mack?........
~ by gsg47 8/5/2008
So Kurt Cobain is better guitarrist than Mike McCready, Joe Perry, John Frusciante, Dimebag Darrel, Dave Murray and Ace Frehely?
~ by Mau 8/6/2008
Some ridiculous entries....(Kirk Hammett better than Eric Clapton? Bollox)....and in the name of god where is Rory Gallagher. Hendrix was asked, how does it feel to be the greatest guitarist in the world?, he responded "i don’’t know, ask Rory Gallagher".
~ by Area 8/9/2008
This is rediculous! John Petrucci, the man that many call the God of guitar isn’t even on the freaking list! Django Reinhardt? Yngwie Malmsteen? Zakk Wylde? Michael Angelo Batio? Dimbag Darrell? George Benson? Charlie Christian? Tommy Emanuel? Where are they? And how’’d that Nirvana guy get on the list? He’’s only famous coz he killed himself. Hendrix the greatest guitarist ever? Sure maybe he’’s a legend and influenced a lot
~ by Shifter 8/20/2008
Kirk Hammett ahead of Eric Clapton and Duane Allman? Is this a joke?
~ by Hud 8/23/2008
Eddie Van Halen should be No. 1, but other than that, I can’t dispute your choices. I’’m particularly impressed that this list includes several generations and the complete spectrum of the pop-rock-metal-blues genre.
~ by Reid Fleming 9/8/2008
Hendrix, Page, BB King, and Clapton. Damn straight.
~ by thenextgreatjimmy 9/9/2008
Why the fuck was Kerry King on that list? Also where was Mustaine?
~ by Chris 9/16/2008
this list is awful, where is frank zappa, randy rhoads, jeff beck, robert fripp, jan ackerman, come on people wtf
~ by ark 9/17/2008
jimmy page hands down the best, and where is joe perry or richie sambora, or even mick mars the most underrated guiatarist ever
~ by slash 9/23/2008
Terry Kath??? come on, now, where is he?
~ by mick 9/26/2008
Where's buckethead? or eric johnson?
~ by cam 10/9/2008
just how the hell did kirk hammett got a higher rank? yeah yeah he's good but... dimebag and holdsworth is not even on the list.. sheez!
~ by lapangz 10/14/2008
WHERE THE FUCK IS JOE PERRY????
~ by D 11/7/2008
I will plainly describe the list as fucking bullshit. Whatever uncultural swine made this list needs to pull his head out of his ass. where the hell is Mustaine
~ by Person 11/23/2008
Peter Griffen Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~ by dgfdg 11/23/2008
why the hell ain't angus no. 1
~ by asda 12/27/2008
How about Yngwie J. Malmsteen??? And I think Angus Young and Brian May should go upper in the list....also Kurt Cobain isn't that great....
~ by Sofi 12/27/2008
JOE PERRY?????????????????????????
~ by Snake 1/4/2009
lol whers jack white idiots
~ by Quoin 1/7/2009
bernard sumner?
~ by jason 1/13/2009
How can you talk guitars and leave out Mark Knopfler, Roy Clark, and Chet Atkins. Matt Murphy should be in here too.
~ by TheRealStubot 1/15/2009
Since when was Queen pop music?
~ by Zach 1/16/2009
John frusciante
~ by eh 1/20/2009
wow the worst 50 ive seen personally...... umm Rhandy Rhoads? umm eddie van halen only #25? lets see no michael angelo wow......
~ by Shaneismad 1/20/2009
if you look above the picture, you will see that who ever made this list picked their FAVORITE guitarists and the greatest in their OPINION. jeez.
~ by LesPaulGuy 1/24/2009
Paul Gilbert? John Petrucci? Zakk Wylde? Randy Rhoads? Dimebag? Malmsteen? And I want to get this off my chest, but why the hell does Hendrix automatically get the top spot in all these polls? There are myriad better players than him now!
~ by Stu 2/19/2009
- Dude...Get the "Band of Gypsys" disc. I think you will change your mind. There is no one to this day that compares to Hendrix!
  ~ by Rog 4/5/2009
FRUSCIANTE
~ by thizzordie 3/3/2009
evh anyone where?
~ by ron 3/26/2009
Eddie Van Halen 26th??? Are u stupid?
~ by rog 4/4/2009
Jimi Hendrix is #1, without a doubt. Page #2, no problem. But where are the likes of Steve Howe, Ritchie Blackmore, Randy Rhodes (ask Ozzy who was better, Iommie or Rhodes as if we need to ask) and none of the Skynyrd guys were there??? Steve Gaines should be in the top ten! And Eddie Van Halen should be in the top 5!
~ by rog 4/4/2009
no chet atkins? django reinhardt? he played with 2 fingers!!
~ by david 4/27/2009
Where the hell is Dave Mustaine and Michael Angelo Batio?
~ by Jesus 5/8/2009
Erm...John Squire, Steve Howe, John Petrucci????Alex Lifeston
~ by Jonny 5/28/2009
no no no im sorry this top 50 is completely wong firstly you would definately have Mark Knopfler in the mix the man's a musical genius!, yes this top 50 is complete bullshit.
~ by Jon 6/2/2009
Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, Donald 'Buck Dharma' Roesberg, Alex Lifeson....where the fuck are all of them?!
~ by Serge 6/9/2009
This list is a total abortion. Hendrix #1 again - YAAWWWWWNNNNN
~ by listsuck 6/10/2009
Dave Murray?? Jimmy Page 2nd?? HAHA Keith Richards? HAHA Johnny Ramone is better than Adrian Smith, Angus Young and OOOOTHERS?? shi* the worst ranking!!!
~ by german 6/17/2009
wheres billie joe from Green Day ??"""/!!
~ by DANNY 7/22/2009
this list sucks were is the old good music
~ by kk 8/30/2009
I wonder these douchebag ranking specialists have ever heard some names like Mark Knopfler, Dave Mustaine, or Dimebag.
~ by Sayid 9/17/2009
this list is a shit
~ by rene 10/10/2009
Yngwie Malmsteen? No Yngwie Malmsteen? No Jason Becker? This list blows. Jimi Hendrix was good. But simply not the number one... Corey Beaulieu is missing, Matt Heafy is missing, Muhammed Suicmez is missing....and many more.
~ by The DUDE 4 days 15 hours ago

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