The 25 Best Rock Guitarists Of All-Time
New Arena Entertainment by Jeff Mezydl
I can think of some that are missing, including Rick James and Ernie Isley, but still #1 and three of the top ten aint too bad. The whole list from the beginning.
1. Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
From the standpoint of pure playing, ability and creativity, there is none better than Hendrix. More amazing, the world enjoyed his remarkable talent for only a few short years. However, the legend has served as inspiration on some level to just about any rocker who picked up a guitar after his 1970 death. Whether it was the iconic “Purple Haze” or the beautiful “The Wind Cries Mary,” Hendrix’s innovative style that took blues and jazz guitar playing to another level will never die.
4. Chuck Berry (Chuck Berry)
The 24 others included on this list, and pretty much anybody who ever intended to be a serious rock guitarist, can draw some inspiration from this icon. “Rock and Roll Music,” “Johnny B. Goode,” and “Roll Over Beethoven” are proof that Berry is Rock 101. He turned the music world on to solos, and mixed jazz and blues to form a sound that seemed unearthly in the 1950s. A great showman, Berry is an innovator in every sense of the word.
10. Prince (Prince)
It’s a wonder why the late superstar wasn’t remembered more for his exemplary guitar playing. A good chunk of his radio hits didn’t feature his work on the strings, but Prince’s playing on “Purple Rain,” is as emotional as it gets – and remains one of pop-rock’s true great moments. Prince also shines on the severely underrated “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man.”
New Arena Entertainment by Jeff Mezydl
I can think of some that are missing, including Rick James and Ernie Isley, but still #1 and three of the top ten aint too bad. The whole list from the beginning.
1. Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
From the standpoint of pure playing, ability and creativity, there is none better than Hendrix. More amazing, the world enjoyed his remarkable talent for only a few short years. However, the legend has served as inspiration on some level to just about any rocker who picked up a guitar after his 1970 death. Whether it was the iconic “Purple Haze” or the beautiful “The Wind Cries Mary,” Hendrix’s innovative style that took blues and jazz guitar playing to another level will never die.
4. Chuck Berry (Chuck Berry)
The 24 others included on this list, and pretty much anybody who ever intended to be a serious rock guitarist, can draw some inspiration from this icon. “Rock and Roll Music,” “Johnny B. Goode,” and “Roll Over Beethoven” are proof that Berry is Rock 101. He turned the music world on to solos, and mixed jazz and blues to form a sound that seemed unearthly in the 1950s. A great showman, Berry is an innovator in every sense of the word.
10. Prince (Prince)
It’s a wonder why the late superstar wasn’t remembered more for his exemplary guitar playing. A good chunk of his radio hits didn’t feature his work on the strings, but Prince’s playing on “Purple Rain,” is as emotional as it gets – and remains one of pop-rock’s true great moments. Prince also shines on the severely underrated “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man.”
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