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Let's Talk Legends: Who Are the Greatest Guitarists of All Time? Share Your Opinion

Posted on 3/4/24 at 9:12 am
Posted by Uptown Man
Member since Jan 2024
7 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 9:12 am
Hey everyone!

I've been thinking a lot about the incredible talents that have shaped the world of music through their mastery of the guitar. From blues and rock to jazz and beyond, there are some names that just seem to resonate with the title of "legendary". But as we all know, music is incredibly diverse, and what resonates with one person might be different for another.

That's why I wanted to start this thread: to hear from you all about who you believe are the greatest guitarists of all time. Whether you're deep into the audiophile world or just someone who loves a good riff, your opinions and favorites matter here.

To kick things off, here's a safe list of guitarists who are often recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to music. This list is by no means exhaustive, and it's not meant to rank anyone. It's just a starting point for our conversation:

Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page
B.B. King
Jeff Beck
Eddie Van Halen
Stevie Ray Vaughan
David Gilmour
Robert Johnson
Chuck Berry
Who do you think should be on this list? Do you have a personal favorite who's not mentioned here? Maybe there's an underrated guitarist you feel deserves more recognition? Or perhaps there's someone whose style you just can't get enough of?

Share your thoughts, experiences, and even the stories behind your choices. Let's celebrate the art of guitar playing and perhaps discover some new music along the way. Feel free to include links to performances that blew your mind or pieces that hold a special place in your heart.

Remember, there's no right or wrong answer here. It's all about sharing our love for music and the incredible artists who create it. Looking forward to hearing from all of you!

Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81622 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 9:19 am to
quote:

Who Are the Greatest Guitarists of All Time?
I guess it depends on how this is defined. Someone can be a generational talent yet not make anything I like. As far as what great means to me, Lindsey Buckingham is going to be on my list every time.
Posted by MorbidTheClown
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2015
65890 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 9:49 am to
Roy Clark
Posted by Saint Alfonzo
Member since Jan 2019
22163 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 10:10 am to
Steve Vai should be on the list. And Tony Iommi.

ETA:

John Petrucci
Nuno Bettencourt
Alex Lifeson
This post was edited on 3/4/24 at 3:27 pm
Posted by SloaneRanger
Upper Hurstville
Member since Jan 2014
7696 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 10:11 am to
Johnny Marr should be on the list.
Posted by morganwadefan
TN
Member since May 2023
188 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 11:32 am to
quote:

As far as what great means to me, Lindsey Buckingham is going to be on my list every time.


Saw Fleetwood Mac in Atlanta and LB never left the stage. Over 3 hours of music and at different points a member or two would go off stage for a song. But Lindsey stayed out there the entire show and played several different guitars. I was blown away by his stamina and musicianship.
Posted by FredBear
Georgia
Member since Aug 2017
14989 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 12:55 pm to
quote:

Roy Clark



While I'm not a fan of that genre of music there is no doubt about it, that man could play
Posted by Brosef Stalin
Member since Dec 2011
39190 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 12:56 pm to
Eddie Van Halen
Dimebag
Dave Mustaine
Posted by canyon
Member since Dec 2003
18367 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 1:07 pm to
Tony Rice
Mark Farner
Billy Gibbons
Glen Campbell
Chet Atkins
Posted by 24nights
Louisiana
Member since Apr 2012
4778 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 1:17 pm to
George Lynch
Santana
Jeff Healy
Robert Cray
Randy Rhodes
Jason Becker
Brad Paisley
Steve Vai
Reb Beach
Posted by nobigdeal69
baton rouge
Member since Nov 2009
2174 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 2:37 pm to
Steve Howe
Posted by nobigdeal69
baton rouge
Member since Nov 2009
2174 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 2:37 pm to
Steve Howe

Double post, but he should be mentioned twice.
This post was edited on 3/4/24 at 2:39 pm
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
89518 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 3:33 pm to
quote:

Who do you think should be on this list?


Adding to your list (off the top of my head - probably another 20 just from session work in the 70s and 80s that are not, largely, household names):

Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
Eric Johnson
Luk
Frampton
Phil Collen (Def Leppard, not the cockney singer/drummer)
George Lynch
Roy Buchanan
Albert King
Chet Atkins
Les Paul
Scotty Moore
Lindsey Buckingham
Skunk Baxter
Terry Kath


(ETA: Certainly I should have said EVH and Steve Howe, for sure. Also, Mark Knopfler.)
This post was edited on 3/4/24 at 3:36 pm
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
89518 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 3:37 pm to
quote:

(Def Leppard, not the cockney singer/drummer)


frick it - Viv, too, Steve Clark AND Pete Willis - DL was never not absolutely loaded at guitar.
Posted by Red Boarman
Member since Oct 2023
323 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 3:54 pm to

Posted by jdd48
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2012
22079 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 4:04 pm to
Two guys not often talked about but were both absolute monsters in the 80's are John Sykes and Vito Bratta.

A guy I personally always mention anytime this topic comes up is Buckethead. The guy is just an absolute freakish musician (on both bass and guitar actually). I've always wondered if the lack of recognition is because he's such an enigmatic/eccentric guy with the mask and all or if he's just been pigeon holed as a shredder, but his catalog is extensive and varies widely. He certainly can shred well, but in my opinion his best work is some of the slower material he's put out over the years.

Posted by Saint Alfonzo
Member since Jan 2019
22163 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 4:05 pm to
Richie Kotzen
Bumblefoot
Marty Friedman
This post was edited on 3/4/24 at 4:08 pm
Posted by kingbob
Sorrento, LA
Member since Nov 2010
67079 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 4:05 pm to
There’s a lot that goes into being a “great” guitarist:
Speed
Technical ability
Musicality of solos
Song writing
Innovation with the instrument itself

Some of the best, imo, include:
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
Ritchie Blackmoore
Tony Iommi
Prince
Steve Vai
Paul Gilbert
Joe Satriani
Eddie Van Halen
Vito Bratta
Yngwei Malmstein
Tim Henson
Mark Tremonti
Misha Mansoor
Brad Paisley
Les Paul
Django Reinhardt
This post was edited on 3/4/24 at 4:07 pm
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora, Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
63989 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 4:32 pm to
quote:

Django Reinhardt


Came here to post this.

And Chet Atkins. His Christmas album is my favorite Christmas album.
Posted by Nutriaitch
Montegut
Member since Apr 2008
7520 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 5:02 pm to
Mark Knopfler
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