Greatest Guitarists of All Times

Jimi made the art of playing guitar beautiful.

Allan Holdsworth (born 6 August 1946) is an English guitarist and composer. He has released twelve studio albums as a solo artist and played many different styles of music over a period of four decades, but first drew attention for his work in jazz fusion. A player noted for his advanced knowledge of the fretboard and innovative playing, he is cited as an influence by such renowned rock and instrumental guitarists as Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Greg Howe, Shawn Lane, Richie Kotzen and John Petrucci. Frank Zappa once called Holdsworth "one of the most interesting guys on guitar on the planet". (from wikipedia)

Appeared on the first G3 Tour, and won the won the 1991 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "Cliffs Of Dover".

The best jazz guitarist ever. There were 89 names already on this list by the time I added him (including 2 guitarists from the band Sonic Youth). Words can't describe how disappointing that is. Go listen to Wes Montgomery NOW!

After Wes Montgomery and possibly Alan Holdsworth, Metheny is probably the best jazz guitarist ever. His technique, tone, and interesting lines/phrasing are all exceptional. I'm not a big fan of his World Music type stuff but check out his straight jazz recordings.

one awsome guitarist with unbeliveable solo like eruption the most eye catching guitar ever the frankenstrat

One of the best jazz, bebop, r&b guitarists ever. He was blazing with his bluesy and interesting lines.

Great jazz guitarist. Brilliant melodicism and unrivaled at solo jazz guitar.

Another great jazz/fusion guitarist. He got his start with Miles Davis. But don't expect a quiet, timid sound. He cranks up the distortion and rips his solos.

(Quintette du Hot Club de France) Wrote many songs now seen as Jazz Standards, possibly the most influential musician on any list.

Wonderful jazz/fusion guitarist. He has a quirky sound and approach but once you acquire a taste for it, you can clearly see his brilliance.

Great jazz guitarist. Super fast and tasteful.

Arguably the greatest classical guitarist ever, a style that is woefully underrepresented on this list so far.

Great jazz/fusion guitarist. Almost as good as Alan Holdsworth but not quite. And that's not meant as a dig. I would love for someone to say that about me!

Brilliant guitarist whose style crossed many boundaries (jazz, country, classical, flamenco).

This Aussie is one of the best jazz/fusion guitarists ever. He's best know for his work with the Chick Corea Elektric Band. He improvises sweep arpeggios like nobody else on this planet.

Easily one of the top few guitarists to emerge in the last 20 years. Guthrie can play anything ... I mean ANYTHING!

Rock/jazz fusion guitarist. His technique was other-worldly.

his giutar is so epic he doesnt even need vocals... nuff said

Along with Alex Skolnick, Friedman is one of the best metal lead guitarists ever. He infused his solos with an Eastern quality. His style is truly original.

Originally a thrash metal lead guitarist for the band Testament. He infused many of his solos with ideas he got from studying jazz. He left Testament for a while to pursue pure jazz music. He's back with Testament now but still plays with his jazz trio part-time. His technique, originality, tone, phrasing, and (most of all) versatility are all top-notch.

Wow, what an amazing player. He created many of his own songs which meant he would have probably also created the music. He had such a way with making you come into tune with his playing of the guitar.

Glen Travis Campbell (born April 22, 1936) is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television. Campbell has released more than 70 albums. He has sold 45 million records and racked up 12 RIAA Gold albums, 4 Platinum albums and 1 Double-Platinum album. Of his 74 trips up the country charts, 27 landed in the Top 10. Campbell's hits include John Hartford's "Gentle on My Mind", Jimmy Webb's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman" and "Galveston", Larry Weiss's "Rhinestone Cowboy" and Allen Toussaint's "Southern Nights". (from wikipedia)

Known for putting the "twang" in music with his guitar. He was the father of that revolution.

Steve "Luke" Lukather (born October 21, 1957, San Fernando Valley, California) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band TOTO. Lukather has played with many artists, released several solo albums, and worked as a composer, arranger, and session guitarist on more than 1,500 albums.

Larry Carlton (born March 2, 1948, Torrance, California) is an American jazz, smooth jazz, jazz fusion, pop, and rock guitarist and singer. He has divided his recording time between solo recordings and session appearances with various well-known bands. Over his career, Carlton has won four Grammy Awards for his performances and compositions, including performing on the theme song for the hit television series, Hill Street Blues (1981).

A wonderful classical guitarist.

EPIC, huge influence on so many great guitarists

smooth one

Guitarist of Black Sabbath

Yngwie malmsteen is one of the fastest guitarists ever putting classical with heavy metal it's just outstaning he is ten times better than slash or hendrix

William Thomas "Tommy" Emmanuel AM (born 31 May 1955) is an Australian guitarist, best known for his complex fingerpicking style, energetic performances and the use of percussive effects on the guitar. In the May 2008 and 2010 issues of Guitar Player Magazine, he was named as "Best Acoustic Guitarist" in their readers' poll. In June 2010 Emmanuel was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Classical guitarist extraordinaire

Brian Setzer (born April 10, 1959) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He first found widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s-style rockabilly revival group The Stray Cats, and revitalized his career in the late 1990s with a jazz-oriented big band.

Great jazz guitarist.

Metal guitarist known for work with Racer X, Mr. Big, and his many solo albums. He's also known for his instructional videos and for being a member of the faculty at the Guitar Institute for Technology. Gilbert has spectacular technique, particularly his alternate picking.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD

skill & passion; that's what it takes

Phenomenal metal guitarist whose playing career was cut short by Lou Gehrig's Disease. In 1996, Becker eventually lost the ability to speak and now communicates with his eyes via a system developed by his father. Despite his disability, he continues composing by using a computer and has since released Collection, a "best of" album of his favorite songs and three new songs. Jason Becker is one of the most inspirational people you'll ever learn about.

Great early jazz/blues guitarist

Hendrix once said he is one of the best young guitarists in America - Hendrix can't be wrong.

Jazz

Jazz guitarist

Jazz

Impressive guitarist for the band Extreme.

one of the best of all time

Rock/jazz fusion guitarist, Musicians Institute guitar instructor, and legato and hybrid picking master.

B.B. King, the ambassador of blues, knew how to work the guitar on stage.

Lead guitarist for Megadeth (2008-present).

Great jazz/bop guitarist from the 60s.

Best known for being the Tonight Show band leader. But Eubanks is an amazing jazz acoustic guitarist.

he has amazing song writing ability and solos that cant be matched by any other guitarists

The best!!!

Can play 37 instruments- By ear!!!!

RUSH

Listen to "Bridge of sighs" album

(Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Listen to his latest albums. Too many haters.

Very precise rythm and gret soloing all while singing at the same time. A metal legend.

one of the best