Snappy title aside, of course there can never really be 10 definitive best guitarists of all time. Music taste, preferences and personal bias' are far too varied and unique to come down on 10 greats when there are so many fantastic guitarists out there! But that's okay, that is what makes the musical landscape so brilliantly unique. Everyone's tastes are valid and correct for that individual! But with that said, here are the 10 guitarists I personally feel, are the greatest to ever play the instrument - in no particular order, this was a hard enough task!
10. Robert Johnson
No list of greatest guitarists would truly be accurate without the man who started modern guitar playing as we know it. So rooted in the history of blues guitar, Robert Johnston has become synonymous in both the culture and folklore. Some say, he was a struggling musician who went down to the crossroads and made a deal with the devil himself to gain his guitar playing abilities! Locals at the time however have confirmed that he did in fact go back to his home town and get guitar lessons! But they always say, never let the truth get in the way of a great tale! Johnson was a massive name in his day, popularising a sound known as the delta blues and recorded a great amount of songs in his short but incredible career.
9. Tony Iommi
Tony Iommi almost singlehandedly created heavy metal and doom metal as we know it, started the iconic heavy metal band Black Sabbath and has written some of the most timeless riffs in the genre, I couldn't not include him.
In the 1960's Iommi formed Black Sabbath with what nowadays may sound like a super group, with singer Ozzy Osborne, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. His use of thick sounding power chords played on the lower strings of the guitar were his defining trait alongside his blues influenced melodies screaming through gain and distortion. You would be hard pressed to find a guitarist in rock and metal in the world that isn't influenced by Tony in some capacity.
8. Yvette Young
Moving forward to more recent times now, Yvette Young is a talent so rare, not only being highly unique in her approach yo guitar playing with a combination of fingers style, double handed tapping and unique chord voicings, but on top of that she is an incredible singer, pianist and violin player.
Playing both solo and with her math rock band Covet, Young has become a rising start in the guitar sphere playing across the world despite playing a rather niche style of music! So notable in her playing she has received signature guitars from both Strandberg and Ibanez.
7. B.B. King
There is not much that can be said about B.B. King in regards to his contributions to music that hasn't been said across the internet countless times but that is for good reason! Gaining notoriety in the 1950's for his playing, King has gone on to become an undoubted legend in the world of rock and blues guitar. The trait of his most often pointed out is his note choice, never one for shredding and complex melodies, King could always grab your ear with three or four notes, in just the right place in the groove.
Rarely if ever seen without his beloved Gibson ES-355 'Lucille', King has become an icon of the instrument and blues music as a result of his soulful playing and striking voice, and this will (hopefully) never change.
6. Stevie Ray Vaughn
Continuing in the vein of brilliant blues guitarists, we have SRV himself, Stevie Ray Vaughn! Taking blues rock to another level back in 80s, SRV brought a level of dynamics, speed and fluidity to the style that had been unheard of in prior generations, while still staying true to the roots of blues overall. Sadly, his reign of speed and musical prowess was cut short not even 10 years into his solo career at the age of 35. Despite this, he left an undeniable mark on music and guitar history!
5. Lari Basilio
Lari Basilio is a guitarist I have only recently become aware of but in that very short frame of time, I have been utterly blown away by her playing, particularly her guitar solos as they show such an extreme level of skill with the instrument while still being played incredibly tastefully. Since starting her career in 2011 she has built an incredible career not just as a solo artist but as a musical educator. In that time she has also received her own signature Ibanez guitar, the Ibanez LB1! (Yes, I really want one...)
4. Ichika Nito
Ichika Nito is perhaps one of the most well known new guitar heroes out there right now, gaining fame and notoriety through YouTube videos displaying his incredible playing ability. Best known for using double handed tapping and finger picking techniques while displaying an incredible amount of variation in his playing, from heavy progressive metal tracks with groove and shredding guitars, to atmospheric and mesmerising math rock tracks. Yet another Ibanez signature artist (I'm seeing a theme here...) Nito has his very self speced guitar, the Ibanez ICHI10! Ibanez really are gathering some top players!
3. Eddie Van Halen
We all knew it was coming right? EVH was a true pioneer in several ways! Not only do we have him to thank for countless classic 80s rock anthems such as Eruption and Hot For Teacher, but for popularising two handed tapping as a technique overall! While he did not invent the technique, I feel confident in saying that it would not be where it is as a style of playing today without the inspiration Eddie provided for countless aspiring guitar players! Then, just to really cement himself in rock history, he partnered with Peavey to create the 5150 amplifier, a high gain rock and metal machine that is still in heavy use today decades later!
2. Jimi Hendrix
It may seem somewhat predictable but Hendrix really changed everything when he blasted on to the rock scene in 1960's delivering a fusion of rock, blues and psychedelia previously unheard of. There is again, not much that can be said that hasn't already been said about his contributions to music, so it only feels appropriate to quote guitar legend Eric Clapton. "He asked if he could play a couple of numbers. I said, 'Of course', but I had a funny feeling about him. He played just about every style you could think of, and not in a flashy way. I mean he did a few of his tricks, like playing with his teeth and behind his back, but it wasn't in an upstaging sense at all, and that was it ... He walked off, and my life was never the same again".
1. Guthrie Govan
Last but not least we have Guthrie Govan, who might be one of my all time favourite guitar players. His sense of groove and melody is unbelievable, and has inspired me more than I can express. Outside of my own personal bias, it says a lot when some notable points of your career include being composer Hans Zimmer's go to guitar player as well as being in a band with musical powerhouses Bryan Beller and Marco Minnemann. With masterful control speed, melody, groove and a balance of shred and tasteful playing, the man can do it all!
And there we have it, 10 of who I would consider some of the greatest guitarists of all time! A few others I would like to give honourable mention to include; Jason Richardson, Tim Henson, Scott LePage, Steve Via, Paul Gilbert, Django Reinhard, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Brian May, Angus Young, Orianthi and John Frusciante.
I hope you enjoyed this blog, why not let me know who you're favcourite guitarists are? I'd love to know! In the meantime, play loud and stay safe!
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