Eddie Van Halen #2 guitarist of all time, as voted by rock guitarists
330 GUITARISTS PICK THEIR TOP 50 FAVORITE GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME
Roadie Crew magazine (official site - www.roadiecrew.net) organized a poll in which 330 guitarists were asked about their favorite guitarists of all time. Among the participants in the poll, there were current-and-former musicians of such bands as Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, Machine Head, Nightwish, Genesis, Megadeth, Scorpions, Testament, Blue Cheer, Arch Enemy, King Diamond, Yes, Sepultura, Dio, Twisted Sister, Living Colour, Exodus, Toto, Helloween, Triumph, Behemoth, Gamma Ray, Nazareth, Manowar, Uriah Heep, Nile, Focus, Opeth, Angra, Marillion, Anthrax, Faith No More, King’s X, Mercyful Fate, Ten Years After, Carcass, Dr. Sin, Savatage, Blue Öyster Cult, At The Gates, Paradise Lost, Dark Tranquillity, Ayreon, Cacophony, Sebastian Bach, Halford, Fates Warning, Soulfly, Girlschool, Kreator, Ministry, Symphony X, Children Of Bodom, Heart, Celtic Frost, Stratovarius, Sir Lord Baltimore, Kamelot, Mick Jagger, Down.
The results of the poll, published in issue #112 of Roadie Crew, were as follows:
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Eddie Van Halen
3. Yngwie J. Malmsteen
4. Randy Rhoads
5. Ritchie Blackmore
6. Jimmy Page
7. Tony Iommi
8. Steve Vai
9. Jeff Beck
10. Michael Schenker
11. David Gilmour
12. Dimebag Darrell
13. Allan Holdsworth
14. Uli Jon Roth
15. Angus Young
16. James Hetfield
17. Brian May
18. Marty Friedman
19. Joe Satriani
20. Jason Becker
21. Gary Moore
22. Paul Gilbert
23. Eric Clapton
24. Al Di Meola
25. Zakk Wylde
26. John McLaughlin
27. John Petrucci
28. Adrian Smith
29. Steve Morse
30. Stevie Ray Vaughan
31. Slash
32. Kirk Hammett
33. Robert Fripp
34. Alex Lifeson
35. Chuck Schuldiner
36. Ace Frehley
37. George Lynch
38. Dave Murray
39. Glenn Tipton
40. Neal Schon
41. Eric Johnson
42. Trey Azagthoth
43. K.K. Downing
44. Andy LaRocque
45. Malcolm Young
46. Django Reinhardt
47. Jeff Loomis
48. Steve Lukather
49. John Sykes
50. Denis ‘Piggy’ D’Amour.
Filed under: Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen
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August 2nd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Joe Satriani only #19? I don’t know about that.
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:45 am
I agree with the first and second. Jimi and Eddie are the most important guitarists for the sound and playing of today.
But James Hetfield 16 and Kirk Hammet 32, i think that is false.
Who from the Top 50 will win the drinking contest ?
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:30 am
Wow! No Mick Mars or Lita Ford?
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I’m wondering if this list was compiled from Roadie Crew On Drugs magazine. I’m not going bore everyone with a run down of my Top 50 pick. But I can’t resist pointing out a few inaccuracies: Stevie Ray Vaughn is at #30, way, way below Tony Iommi, Zakk Wylde and Yngwie J. Malmsteen. Since when did those guys trump Stevie Ray Vaughn?! And how the hell did Ace Frehley and George Lynch even make the list? Remember, this is the Top 50 guitarist on the planet Earth! I could go on and on, but it’ll just make me want to drink all day to forget about this list. This list was compiled from Roadie Crew magazine. Let’s put that in perspective for a moment. When I worked for The Inside magazine 10 years ago, I remember sitting backstage before a Van Halen show and watching two roadies in a dark corner go through a trunk of hardcore porn magazines. The were disagreeing over which magazine was better, the one with the lesbian midgets or the one titled “Pee on Me.” Not all roadies are cut from the same cloth, true; but there are enough oddballs out there to skew the results of what would otherwise be an interesting compilation list. Ace Frehley is better than Eric Johnson? Geez, how come I didn’t make the list? I can play one-string lead solos like Ace! By the way, where is C.C. Deville? He’s lame enough to make the list, isn’t he? On a serious note, it’s nice to know that EVH’s talent is so rare that it makes the top of almost every list, legit or otherwise. Like Hendrix, he’ll hover around the top of every list for decades to come.
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Where in the hell is Brad Gillis?
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
this is actualy one of the more realistic polls ive seen. they are a couple i would’nt agree with, but fo the most part they got it right. as for the drinking game i think i would give them a run for there money escpeialy the dead ones!!! long live the king!!!!!!!!!!! EVH
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I’m surprised Dave Mustaine is not on the list. Although I love Pink Floyd, I don’t think David Gilmour should of been ranked so high
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Jimmy Page needs to be higher. He just about invented the hard rock sound.
Let me get this straight 2 guitarists from Metallica,the guy from Journey and no Joe Perry. That makes this list crap.
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Im a huge van halen fan but c’mon….Brian Setzer wasnt even there and Brian May was 17?…I think they should just say here’s a list of influential guitarists because a great guitarist is one who makes even One person feel something and they belong to each fan as much as our own memories belong to each of us
August 4th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Yes… Yngwie was a surprise at number three. However..I am thrilled to see Edward at number two where he should be.
There has not been a more exciting guitar player since van halen. Edward is still the king. He is the Michael Jordan of our time on Guitar. Good luck to all the rest who are really cool to listen to…but not nearly as fun and as original as Edward.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:25 am
Steve Vai in 8th? Ouch!
August 4th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Who the hell is Yngwie Malmsteen? And whys isn’t Elton John on this list?
August 4th, 2008 at 8:08 am
WTF - Joe Satriani #19? With all due respect to all involved, and even though EVH has always had a special place in my heart, Joe is the #1 guitar player alive today, followed by EVH. And what about Neal Schon? Number 40? He should be in the top 10.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:36 am
I think Ed should be in the #1 spot. Jimmy droped some jaws but Ed re-invented the guitar. Also, Steve Howe should be on the list.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
let me remind everyone that this list is “TOP 50 FAVORITE GUITARISTS”, not “TOP 50 GUITARISTS RANKED BY TECHNICAL ABILITY”. This is how you end up with Ace Frehley and David Gilmour. These guys were great songwriters and inspiring performers. They are not the top of the technical heap. I find the list to be fairly accurate as far as popular music legacy.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Where’s the Nuge? Beaten out by a guy in clown make up who’s talent most guitar players could equal by age 11, and Malcolm Young, a guy who’s plugged away on the same four chords for 35 years? Blasphemy, shear blasphemy I tell you!
August 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
long live the king EVH he should and always will be no 1
August 4th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
What about Rik Emmett? He should be in the top 50 for sure.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Nothing against Angus and Hetfield, but them over Satch and Paul Gilbert? Ummm…..no. The top 2 are on the money, but you need to flip-flop #3 and #4. Wow, there are too many other problems with this list to mention. Where is Ty Tabor?
August 5th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Uhh…isn’t Yngwie’s middle initial “F” -as in “I AM YNGWIE F!@#ing MALMSTEEN!!”.
and I have no idea who half of the people are on the list - but gilmour over satch and Clapton is a bit of a stretch even for my bourbon addled brain.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
In a century’s time, Edward may very well take over that #1 position. Think about it.
SRV should, most definitely be in the top 10. Brian Setzer has got to be the most underrated guitarist ever.
August 5th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Here’s my top 10:
Clapton
EVH
SRV
Hendrix
Eric johnson
page
Vai
vince gill
Satriani
Slash
Thoughts? Be nice.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:43 am
jmd,
To me Clapton is just another blues guitarist, he didn’t bring anything new to the table.
EVH
Hendrix
Page
Slash
Clapton
SRV
The rest have not made much of an impact.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Ok.
I guess this begs the questions what is the best guitarist criteria? Technical skill? Influence/Impact? Album sales? Style of guitar playing? What else am i missing?
Maybe i strecthed it a little by putting Clapton #1, but I have to believe he’s more than just another blues guitarist.
His techincal skill and his influence on guys like King Edward should put automatically put him in the top 5.
Thanks for the reply.
August 6th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I completely agree with the poster above in regards to Clapton. Placing him outside the top-ten is pure lunacy. He’s arguably the best all-around musician on this entire list as well, and even though we are strictly speaking of their potency on the six string that HAS to count for something, doesn’t it?
Also, and I’m sure I’ll take some flack for this, but Jerry Garcia anyone? His technical prowess may not be as high as many of the gunslingers on this list, but COME ON, the guy practically created his own genre of music and playing and his legacy overshadows almost everyone.
Along those lines, I see Trey Azagthoth on the list, but I think Trey Anastasio deserves a top-50 placement as well…he’s an amazing jammer.
August 6th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
What about Ritchie Sambora? Sorry Ace (#36), but Ritchie is a much better guitarist in my opinion.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:53 am
no Tom Scholz?
August 7th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I personally would not, nor could not, rank guitarists by “who’s the best”. For me, it’s who catches my ears attention the most These players I have never once became bored with listening to ( By rights, I should be bored with them for the amount of times I have listened to them). They sound as fresh now as when I first heard them many moons ago. As for the published list, all are a great listen, and all should be on some guitar playing list at some point in time. As for my “who catches my ears attention the most” list. You most certainly may disagree, but you most certainly will not be able to change the way I hear guitar players.
1. Edward Van Halen
2. Jimmy Page
Jimi Hendrix
Ace Frehley
Robin Trower
3. All the rest
August 9th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
What happened to the three Steve’s?
- Steve Lukather, only #48, should be top 20
- Steve Howe (Yes, Asia, GTR), not on the list, should be in the top 5
- Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis, GTR), not on the list, should be in the top 20
As well, Joe Satriani is a top 5 guy (if not #1).
Wouldn’t argue with Hendrix and EVH being in the top 5.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Dave Mustaine was the 51st, according to information of the own magazine Roadie Crew
August 12th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
No Frank Zappa?!
No Frank Zappa?!
I mean…..
….NO FRANK ZAPPA????!!!!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
You guys are forgetting the fastest guitarist on the planet . . . Michael Angelo! Granted he can’t do a whole lot else, but does he need to? He should have made the list just for that.
August 28th, 2008 at 3:18 am
Remember this is guitarists rating guitarists…what makes one a favorite and another not. To me it has to be what makes your heart race and make you glad you’re alive.
EVH certianly makes #1 with me for more than one reason and if the list were based on who has made the bigest impact on rock music then your guitar trinity has to be, EVH, Jimi and Jimi Page.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
As with all lists, this is very subjective. As with all list comments, there are always gripes and complaints. Alot of it has to do with age, styles and differences among peers as well as exposure. As stated earlier, this is favorite guitarists and not just technical shredders. I’m just glad there are no “new” guitarists on this list(Dragonforce, Alexi Laiho and any other emo guitarists)
By the way:
EVH
Satch
Petrucci
Lynch
Nuno
Jimi
Vai
Eric Johnson
Warren DeMartini
Obvious omissions:
Ty Tabor
Nuno
Warren DeMartini
Billy Gibbons
Joe Perry
Shawn Lane
Blues Saraceno
Nigel Tufnel
and on and on and on…….
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 am
Three GIGANTIC omissions, in my opinion, which just makes this list yet another popularity contest…
Lindsey Buckingham (who could very well be in the top 10)
Mike Campbell
Joe Perry
September 8th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Obviously, the “guitarists” surveyed had never heard Frank Zappa. I noticed a prior post agrees that Zappa should be on the list. His catalogue is much bigger than anyone else on the list, and his guitar playing was much more diverse than any of the above.
If you don’t know yet, guitarists, FIND OUT! Surely anyone would agree.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Good list… but where is Alvin Lee? Carlos Santana, Philip Catherine, Larry Coryell and Ben Granfelt!!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Stevie Salas….??
September 12th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
and of course Robin trower and Rory Gallagher and do not forget the portugues Mr. Bettencourt! Tuomas Väinölä….
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
luke at 48??? gotta be kiddin’! when i see angus at 15 and slash at 31 it makes me wanna puke! morons!!! why didn’t they just make sarah palin number one?!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Where is Richie Kotzen..?? Seriously???
SRV is way too low, but I still can’t believe no Kotzen. He’s in my top 10, easily. Is it b/c he also sings so well & is not just a guitarist?
November 4th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Where is Tom Morello? I am well aware that he is not technicaly anywhere near the top of this list, but he invented so many sounds, is in a popular band, and practicaly revolutionized the world of elctric guitars with some of his songs! By the way, I would also put Satch at No. 1.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
The first three are the absolute best. Couldn’t have said it better myself but Eric Johnson deserved top 10 in my mind. How do you guys not know who Yngwie Malmsteen is? He’s insanely talented.