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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
81759 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
66426 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 9:49 am to
Roy Clark
Posted by Saint Alfonzo
Member since Jan 2019
22318 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
7909 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 10:11 am to
Johnny Marr should be on the list.
Posted by Brosef Stalin
Member since Dec 2011
39298 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 12:56 pm to
Eddie Van Halen
Dimebag
Dave Mustaine
Posted by canyon
Member since Dec 2003
18517 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
4802 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
2180 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 2:37 pm to
Steve Howe
Posted by nobigdeal69
baton rouge
Member since Nov 2009
2180 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
89639 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 Red Boarman
Member since Oct 2023
333 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 3:54 pm to

Posted by kingbob
Sorrento, LA
Member since Nov 2010
67218 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 Nutriaitch
Montegut
Member since Apr 2008
7676 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 5:02 pm to
Mark Knopfler
Posted by dukke v
PLUTO
Member since Jul 2006
203588 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 5:20 pm to
Well for starters. You don’t have Alex liefson , slash, Gary richrath, or Neal Schoen.
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora, Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
64283 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 5:47 pm to
I think Trey Anastasio is better than all but two people on OP's list.
Posted by SUB
Member since Jan 2001
Member since Jan 2009
20974 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 5:48 pm to
John Frusciante
Posted by dchog
Pea ridge
Member since Nov 2012
21396 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 9:08 pm to
Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell.
Posted by UKWildcats
Lexington, KY
Member since Mar 2015
17264 posts
Posted on 3/4/24 at 10:49 pm to
For me...my favorites are probably guys like Duane Allman, Jerry Reed, Grant Green.
Posted by Hooligan's Ghost
Member since Jul 2013
5197 posts
Posted on 3/5/24 at 5:19 am to
Paco De Lucia
Thomas Zwijsen
This post was edited on 3/5/24 at 7:34 am
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