10 Best Guitar Players in Rock History

The only criteria I used for this list is that the guitar players had to be from the genre of rock. Blues, Jazz and Classical guitar players were omitted although a lot of these guitar players display these tendencies they would never be considered anything but Rock. The following guitar players were not chosen for their place in history or for pioneering anything. Without disrespect, I think of guitarist like Curt Kobain or Keith Richards who are often included in popular lists, but therir talent level was average at best. The guitar players on this list were chosen based on their technical and emotional prowess along with my personal taste. I limited it to 10 There were a ton of folks I couldn’t include so don’t be mad if you don’t see Eric Clapton on here and you’re abashed with Jerry Garcia as my number one choice

1. Jerry Garcia: The Grateful Dead are like scotch, an acquired taste, so the general population may laugh at this selection at the number one spot. However, People who know me know I LOVE scotch almost as much as I love Jerry Garcia. He was the perfect combination of of technical precision and raw emotion. There was simply nothing that was beyond his talent level: Jazz, Bluegrass, Fusion, Blues, and Latin. You name it he could not only play it, but imprint it with is trademark style. He was a remarkable man and the greatest talent to ever pick up an axe.

2. Jimi Hendrix: A career that was cut way way too short, but the body of work we have remaining is enough. Hendrix wasn’t nearly as versatile as Garcia, but every bit as visceral. I grieve when I try to imagine what he would have done had he lived another 20 years.

3. Jimmy Page: He could be here just for what he has meant to rock as a pioneer, but instead he is here because he deserves to be. You just can’t go wrong with him and many of his greatest solos are out there to be heard

4. Carlos Santana: A passionate, beautiful wonderful human being and that passion comes through in his guitar playing. His guitar work is Joyful and uplifting and always with a Latino feel.

5. Frank Zappa— He is known more for his mastery of composition and twisted sense of humor than his guitar playing but FZ could flat shred as well. Slow or fast it didn’t matter his genius wasn’t limited to arrangement and composition

6. Duane Allman: He had it all and left us way too soon. Listen to The Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore East if you don’t believe me.

7. Trey Anastasio—The only guitar player to make this list that is actually still in his prime and still actively touring in the USA. You’ll never be overwhelmed with Trey’s work in the studio and Phish is a “niche” band, albeit a big one, but Trey himself is a wonder. His passion and genius stems from a deep understanding of music and how it works. He has more technical talent and ability then everyone on this list with the exception of Fripp and can still make your heart soar by hitting one note.

8. Steve Howe: Howe was a wondrous guitar player and the importance of his work with Yes (the most underrated band in rock music) can’t be understated. His studio work is a where you’ll hear his best

9. Stevie Ray Vaughn—Not the most versatile of guitar players and his being branded a rock guitar player is almost a misnomer as Vaughn was more of a traditional blues guitar player than any other on this list, but I won’t argue. He was as visceral as they come and had enough technical acumen to make this list

10. Robert Fripp—The King Crimson lead guitar player will leave most of these guys in the dust if technical precision is your thing. There is hardly a better technical guitar player this list, but he won’t ever make you weep. The type of guy who would prefer you don’t talk while he’s playing, that doesn’t change the fact that he can go up and down the fret board leaving nothing but vapor trails.