New list: Top Guitarists of All Time - Eddie Van Halen #3
From the Chop Shop radio show
Chop Shop Guitar Show Announces The Top 100 Most Complete Guitar Players
of All Time
Steve Black, host of The Chop Shop and The Chop Shop Classic, assembled a five member panel to rate and rank guitarists, resulting in The Chop Shop’s Top 100 Most Complete Guitarists Of All-Time. The list is a complete list, as each guitarist was ranked in the following categories: technical ability, soul and emotion, influence on the music and guitar industries, song writing, live experience, sales, signature sound and longevity. Steve and his panel very much enjoyed ranking the guitarists, and its with pride that The Chop Shop presents the results to you!
1st Place - Jimmy Page
2nd Place - Jimi Hendrix
3rd Place - Eddie Van Halen:
Place Guitarist Total
1 Jimmy Page 87.94
2 Jimi Hendrix 84.92
3 Eddie Van Halen 84.81
4 David Gilmour 82.72
5 Keith Richards 82.48
6 Pete Townshend 80.66
7 Steve Vai 79.74
8 Les Paul 78.61
9 Angus Young 78.56
10 Jeff Beck 77.77
11 Stevie Ray Vaughan 75.86
12 Tony Iommi 74.67
13 Eric Clapton 74.62
14 James Hetfield 73.62
15 Ritchie Blackmore 72.61
16 Slash 71.60
17 Frank Zappa 71.57
18 George Harrison 71.49
19 Randy Rhoads 70.89
20 Ted Nugent 70.83
21 Murray/Smith 70.72
22 Carlos Santana 70.44
23 Steve Lukather 70.41
24 Joe Satriani 69.71
25 Chuck Berry 69.53
26 Kirk Hammett 69.48
27 Zakk Wylde 68.73
28 Brian May 67.57
29 Alex Lifeson 67.51
30 Billy Gibbons 67.45
31 Malcom Young 66.56
32 Joe Perry 65.60
33 Joe Walsh 63.44
34 B.B. King 63.30
35 Kurt Cobain 63.17
36 Dimebag Darrell Abbott 62.55
37 Neal Schon 62.45
38 John Lennon 62.44
39 Mark Knopfler 62.43
40 Dickey Betts 60.47
41t Tom Scholz 60.42
41t Robby Krieger 60.42
43 Buddy Guy 60.38
44 Tom Morello 60.37
45 The Edge 60.34
46 Rossington/Collins 59.49
47 Tipton/Downing 58.64
48 Peter Frampton 58.59
49 Mick Mars 58.34
50 Steve Howe 57.36
51 John Frusciante 55.46
52 Brad Whitford 55.45
53 Scotty Moore 55.35
54 Rik Emmett 54.58
55 Yngwie Malmsteen 54.56
56 Leslie West 54.50
57 Dean DeLeo 54.46
58 Ace Frehley 54.38
59 Bo Diddley 54.37
60 Muddy Waters 54.36
61 John5 53.63
62 Gary Moore 53.55
63 Paul Gilbert 53.51
64 George Lynch 53.41
65 Adam Jones 53.20
66 Robin Trower 52.62
67t Michael Schenker 52.52
67t Johnny Winter 52.52
69 Michael Hedges 52.40
70 Robert Johnson 52.36
71 Dave Mustaine 52.34
72 Warren DiMartini 51.49
73 Dave Davies 51.36
74 Nuno Bettencourt 50.52
75 Mark Tremonti 50.40
76 Dan Donegan 50.39
77t Warren Haynes 50.36
77t Matthias Jabbs 50.36
79 Freddie King 50.33
80 DeGarmo/Wilton 50.28
81t Neil Young 50.23
81t Steve Cropper 50.23
83 Frank Marino 49.51
84 Ty Tabor 49.46
85 Eric Johnson 49.44
86 Mike McCready 49.34
87 Steve Miller 49.33
88 John Fogerty 49.26
89 John Sykes 49.20
90 Vivian Campbell 48.41
91t Dick Wagner 48.40
91t Kim Thayil 48.40
93 Jerry Cantrell 48.28
94 Glen Buxton 47.55
95 Rick Nielsen 47.44
96 Rod Price 47.41
97t Frank Hannon 47.38
97t Buckethead 47.38
99 Steve Stevens 47.36
100 Trevor Rabin 47.36
We welcome your comments and questions about the list…send them to:
black@chopshopradio.com
Filed under: Eddie Van Halen
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December 17th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Mick Mars (nothing against him) before Y. Malmsteen…no comments
December 17th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Page number 1? Top 10, yes.
No clapton? No SRV?
This list is suspect.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:32 am
These lists are always debatable, so I’m not gonna complain….too much. But c,mon. Is there really 54 guitarists better than Yngwie? Pete Townshend and David Gilmour are better than Steve Vai??? I dare someone to name me one song by Les Paul.Using the info that they discussed, Steve is every bit as qualified as the top three. And technically, he’s by far the most complete. I always think there’s too much emphasis on popularity. David Gilmour, Pete Townshend and Keith Richards are all fine guitarists with long music backgrounds, but they are not, in my opinion even in the same league as Jimi, Jimmy, Eddie or Steve.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Jimmy Page @ #1? I don’t agree with THAT! Michael said it best, these lists are always debatable and there are ALWAYS players missing.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Thought Sammy would make it at least in the 90’s!!
December 17th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Ok for TOP4. But Richards is complete out of being ‘complete’. And where is Petrucci ??? Some will say: “Oh no, Petrucci is totaly technical, where is the feeling”. And I should answer: “Do you want a ‘complete’ guitar player (including composer) or a pentatonic one ???”
Greeting from Brazil!
December 17th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I don’t see the point of lists like these. I love a whole bunch of the guitar players on this list, yet it never crossed my mind to rank them. 1,000 people, 1,000 different lists and so far there hasn’t been one list that made me reconsider my own taste in guitar playing and sounds.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:42 am
the list is bs.
where is satriani. i am a big evh fan, but satriani is arguably the best guitar player on the planet.
where is neal schon?
SRV?
KWS?
December 17th, 2008 at 10:10 am
No discussion about it.
All of us have our own preferences, but, there’s no doubt about the following:
Number 1 - Mr. Edward Van Halen; (He on heaven and Vai on earth)
Number 2 - Mr. Vai.
The other, only bad copies.
That’s all folks.
Greetings from São Paulo, Brasil.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:30 am
EVERYONES GOT AN OPINION.THE NEWS DESK NEEDS TO DO SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THAT SUPPOSED LIVE DVD OF THE LAST TOUR.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Page. No Quarter live. Nuff said.
December 17th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
By these criteria E Van Halen beats Jimmy Page.
Technical ability - Van Halen. Jimmy could never do the two handed playing Eddie does.
Soul and emotion - Page - Toss up, both have it, but Page’s songs are more “emotional”. Page
Influence on the music and guitar industries – Van Halen – Hands down Eddie Van Halen has done more than ANY guitarist in terms of influencing the guitar industry. His striped, homemade guitar is an icon. He single handedly popularized the single humbucking pickup with a Floyd rose setup. And with the production of his own guitars.
Song writing _ Jimmy Page
Live experience - Eddie Van Halen is a more dynamic performer on stage.
Sales- Jimmy Page. Zeps sales are staggering.
Signature sound- HANDS DOWN Eddie Van Halen, probably the most coveted and unattainable sound. Early “brown sound”. Pages sound is easily recreated.
Longevity = Eddie Van Halen has put out more albums and toured longer than Page has. Page has had many years with no output or touring.
Tech Ability – Van Halen
Soul/Emotion – Page
Influence – Van Halen
Song Writing – Page
Live Experience – Van Halen
Sales - Page
Longevity – Van Halen
Van Halen wins 4-3
December 17th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Who cares about these BS lists anyways??!! HAHAHAHA….You know who’s number one on my list? ME !!! And anyone who isn’t current or not recording and putting out product is a has been…..Today is today and yesterday is but a memory….Right here right now there is NO GOOD ROCK MUSIC
December 17th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Mick Mars better than Ace Frehley??!?!
Have you not heard Kiss Alive?? Ace Frehley is a rock guitar icon.
Ace is also better than Nugent.
Joe Perry is better than Nugent too.
December 17th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Ace Frehley and Joe Perry are both better than James Hetfield.
December 17th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Steve Vai is ranked higher than Eric Clapton? Steve Vai is ranked at all?
December 17th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
David Alexander…are you serious???!! Being on this site, you obviously have appreciation for good music and musicians. Do you really thing Steve Vai is not even talented, much less one of the best there is? I’m interested to hear your reply and reasons behind it.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Not David Alexander….Mark Johnson…my apologies.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
David Alexander lol i came to comment on the exact same thing before i read that you already did. Also in terms of longevity, Eddie is almost perfect compared to what he used to be; his skill is diminished about 0.1%. When i saw them in 2007, he was absolutely FLAWLESS. Whereas the Led Zep O2 Show, did you listen to the solo in Stairway to Heaven? Totally butchered. Nothing against Jimmy Page, though, he’s fantastic. But yeah EVH all the way.
December 17th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
KURT COBAIN on the top 100 guitar players????
What the hell is this?? Are you kidding???
Eddie is my favorite…But the real BIG ONES (in influence to ALL guitar players) is 1. Hendrix, 2. Eddie Van Halen, 3. Jimmy Page, 4. Eric Clapton. …
I like Vai, Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Malmsteen, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Zakk Wilde, Dimebag Darrel…,but this guys don´t “exist” without EVH, Hendrix, Clapton, Blackmore, Page, Iommi…
C´mon!!??? Kurt Cobain?? Mike McCready??? NO, NO, NO, NO !!!!! This guys are not guitarists!! Ok, BAD guitar players…
Trevor Rabin (a HUGE guitar player!!) on 100º????
December 17th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
YAAAAWWWN….another top ten list…
So 5 guys put this together? Well, any combination of 5 different guys would have a totally different list, although not many people I know would place Dave Gilmour, and Keith Richards in the top 20, much less put them before Eric Clapton (#13-HUH?), Joe Walsh (#33), Stevie Ray Vaughn (#11-WTF?), Leslie West (#56), or even the highly underrated Steve Stevens (#99) on this list…I know, I know, this is a list compiled with certain categories and criteria taken into account…yada, yada, yada…
December 17th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
eddie van halen s the greatest guitarist to ever walk the planet earth and the most copied enough said
December 17th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
THERE IS NO GOOD ROCK MUSIC TODAY. PERIOD.
December 17th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
SORRY. A C / D C IS THE EXCEPTION.
December 17th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Eddie Van Halen made history playng Beat it on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, besides all great music he made with his band. For me he is the number one!!
December 17th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
If you can’t name a Les Paul song…..you need to go listen to him and not look ignorant on a blog.
Les Paul is the Daddy of all of us…92 years old and still plays a gig every Monday night in New York. The whole list aside - Les Paul is the man!!
December 17th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
So..how is this list compiled?….Lets see…on how good a guitarist is Live?…How good he is in the studio?…how many hit records he has had?…how current he is?…how good his technique is?…how innovative he is?…how many arenas he has sold out?…how he learned?…how influential he is?…There are way too many things to base this on in order for it to be a valid list…I knew plenty of GREAT guitarists when i was growing up in the late seventy’s and early to mid eighty’s and most of them are either dead , happily married or incarcerated …and none of the are in this so called “list”….This is a popularity contest …no more no less.
December 17th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
wait! 3?
Really!
He WAS 2!
I dont get it, he is one or two.
NOT THREE.
thats bs.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
A lot of that list is suspect. Zappa should’ve rated muuuuch higher. I’d personally like to kill the guy that thinks Angus Young is a better guitarist than Zappa.
Whatev, as long as Page rates higher than Ed. Love ya Ed, but tough shit, Page has always been and will always be better.
These lists are such moronic garbage anyway, it’s all subjective. So why am I responding to this? Because I’m that bored, that’s why.
December 17th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
81t Neil Young 38 John Lennon
December 18th, 2008 at 4:41 am
what the hell?
this is just another shit list. james hetfield going before kirk? what the fuck is that? this list just doesn’t make sense for one.
for two, i don’t need a god damn list to tell me who’s the best guitarist, for fuck’s sake people, the best guitarist isn’t debatable. or listable. it’s YOU’RE OWN opinion, so stick to your own mind.
December 18th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Again Alex Skolnik is missing!
December 18th, 2008 at 7:31 am
This list is ridiculous. It’s mostly shred players.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Richards, Young in the top 10?
I would never question their “commercial success” but to be considered a top 10 “greatest” guitarist is a stretch to say the least…
Most of these polls are really based on personal preference.
I don’t like Yngwie or his music but he should have ranked significantly higher. The reason he wasn’t is because those voting aren’t familiar with his music.
Adding someone to the list ends up being “the right thing to do”… We’ve gotta drop Yngwie in here somewhere?
I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall when they talked about Prince and his place on the chart?
I’d say those “right ones” end up starting at 20 back.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I don’t know who deserve to be from place number two to the last one, but i’m sure “who” must be and stay on the first one! Mr Eddie VAN HALEN ladies and gentlemen. A huge fan from Italy
December 18th, 2008 at 9:59 am
what about steve morse, albert lee. eric johnson plays circles around just about everybody. is this list on album sales?
December 18th, 2008 at 10:38 am
…And what about Tony MacAlpine and Vinnie Moore? I think these are two great guitar players….
December 18th, 2008 at 10:51 am
I think most of you have contributed some really good comments. But let me contribute as well. I think that the top three names listed is is arguably correct - not the ordering, but I think that it’s safe to say that the top three do belong there. I’ll even go as far as to say that Hendrix appropriately belongs in the top ten, but not the top three. But again, as many of you have said, this list seems to be suspect: there are a hand full of names on this whole list that have no business being anywhere around the top 25. I need not say anything more specific on that, in part because enough of you have already elaborated on those particular guitarists. But let’s get some things straight here, and I apologize if I come off rude, but I feel very strongly about this. Although Ed Van Halen is quite popular, he nevertheless, and ironically, is still under rated. Much of this has to do with the soap opera that has taken place with the band, but I also think that it has to do with the mainstream type of mind that really has difficulty digesting the absolute genious of this guy. As David Alexander said above, “Signature sound- HANDS DOWN Eddie Van Halen, probably the most coveted and unattainable sound. Early “brown sound”. Pages sound is easily recreated.” People in the West love the Blues and they should because it is great. However, I think that Ed Van Halen combined his classical and blues roots with an amazing innovation that has yet to be surpassed. The blues will always be loved, but Ed’s innovation and work, and thus those who trully understand his sound, will be marveled and jaw dropping to generations way ahead of us.
Sorry so long here, but I usually don’t have folks to talk with about this stuff.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Good point about Prince…..he’s probably one of the most underrated guitarits.
December 18th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I was surprised to see clapton out of the top 10…..eddie and jimi were a virtual tie……a few misplacements throughout but one of the best lists ive seen in awhile….hopefully eddie will create some of his magic for all of us to hear real soon…..
December 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Nothing worng with that list - top three are without a doubt the Kings. I’m glad to see Neal Shcon on the list; there’s a cat that doesn’t get enough credit. A very melodic player, doesn’t overplay all the time, can definaltey shred, and I think his sound is one of the best in the buisness.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
As has already been said…list is subjective…lot of good talent…must admit I too was surprised that Mr. Hagar did not place somewhere low on the list…some of you may think I’m whacked in the head… but, I think Brian Setzer deserves to be on the list also
December 18th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Alright where the hell is Synyster Gates
December 18th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I agree with everyone about the ultimate comment - this list is incorrect! You could rotate the top 3 in those positions and you’d be right. EVH is my #1 mostly because he invented and mainstreamed all of it. However, there is a guy that is also talented and plays cleaner than EVH - SATRIANI! Steve Vai over Satriani??? Hetfield over Satriani??? Iommi over Satriani?? Malcolm Young? (he’s a rythm guitarist) Come on! I agree that Sammy should be in the top 100.
December 18th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I agree with the top 10, except for one thing….SCORCH RIDDLIN from The Gods Of Rock should be at least top 3. He bleeds Rock.
Otherwise, great job.
December 19th, 2008 at 12:35 am
At least this list makes more sense than the “SHIT” list Rolling Stone Magazine came up with.
Anyone who thinks RS is a credible mag is a F*cking Moron.
They are retarded and should have there eyes gouged out, ears stabbed with an ice pick and tongue pulled out with a fork.
Can you tell I “LOATHE” Rolling Stone Magazine?
December 19th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Opinions are like assholes…….everybody’s got one!
Ranking lists are pointless.
Measure these guyz by their album sales, ticket sales, grammy awards, whatever - you might get a ranking, but would you really “change” your favourite guitar player ‘cos another guy sold 1000 records more???
So, fellas…….what do we care, anyway?
Let’s get back to work!
December 19th, 2008 at 6:45 am
who would I rather hear live? THAT`S how I grade a guitar player!…..Keith Richards would be the first, second would be Clapton, third would be Chuck Berry…then Van Halen, Alex Lifeson,……there is no one after Alex
December 19th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Ok, Steve Vai. Is he technical? Yes but his stuff is not memerable at all. Being able to play fast and stuff doesn’t make a great guitarist. IT’s what you do with what you know, THAT’S what makes a great guitarist. What has Vai done for music? Nothing, that’s what. Can anyone name one song of his not being a fan? I don’t think so.
December 19th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Brain May at 28. This is a joke. Top 5. Keith Richards sucks.
December 19th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Wondering where Jeff Healey is? Jeff Healey was an amazing talent. I’m not convinced that Page deserves the nod - he’s one of the greats, no-doubt - perhaps more for the band’s contributions of their music than Page’s actual abilities - also Chet Atkins was a great - eventhough much different and not a rocker, certainly a great guitarist.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Nobody diss Malcolm Young. He has had one of the greatest jobs in rock music. Plus he stayed out of the way so Angus could rule. That kind of restraint deserves credit.
December 19th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I’m a HUGE EVH fan…of course…that’s why I’m even here. He’s always been #1 in my book. Where’s Monte Montgomery?? I guess sales really kills him on this list. Hell…Brad Paisley is better than probably 1/3 of these guys!!
December 19th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
the only reason i think hendrix and page would be before eddie would be because they were around before eddie. but eddie should be #1. eddie is the best, no doubt.
December 19th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Sorry - While the top 10 - 25 are reasonable, any top 100 list that even includes Mick Mars is baloney. But to put him and Don Donegan ahead of Eric Johnson and Ty Tabor. Somebody was asleep at the wheel here . . . . .
December 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Some on this list like Satriani, Vai, and others who are very proficient in the technical areas of guitar playing are not as special in terms of WHAT they have written/played.
I would argue, John Lennon, Kurt Kobain, Pete Townsend are not virtuosos, but have done more with their guitars MUSICALLY than Vai or Satriani have done.
There is music, and there is noise. Just blazing up and down the fretboard does not a great song make.
Eddie Van Halen is one of the few who can rip, but yet also says something fantastic in the music he creates.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
I agree totally with almost everyone. There are guitarists that have the far reaching technical ability. There are guitarists that have the far reaching song writing ability. There are guitarists that have the emotion and chops that can’t be duplicated. The one Guitarist that has the highest combination of ALL of these is EDDIE VAN HALEN.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Oh and BTW. What guitarist has done all of those things but also built his own guitar, tuned and calibrated the thing, on his own with spare parts- EDDIE VAN HALEN!
December 20th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Where is Paul Stanley at ??? Furthermore, Matthias Jabs is spelled woth one ‘b’ in his last name… Get it right oR don’t put out lists…. Ya damn nerdds !!!!!!!!
December 20th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Great list, how about at least an honorable mention for John Petrucci- amzazing technical abilities,creative, emotional, precise…etc.and insane tone. Also Ty Tabor of Kings X- most musicians respect them as an incredible band even if they’re not the most commercial. Tune up and play!!
December 20th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Yes michael, these lists are debateable. And YES, David Gilmour is better than Steve Vai.
Phil, Angus is 10 times the guitarist Zappa ever would’ve been. And Eddie completely owns Page. Pagey has more feel and better songwriting, but in terms of Technical Ability no one can come even close to Eddie Van Halen.
Lol its funny how they ranked Hetfield above Hammett
December 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Hiw can you put Scotty Moore and not put James Burton? Where’s Bo Diddly? Gary Richrath? Always gets the shaft because of Kevin Cronin’s ballads.
December 20th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
How about Phil Collen/Steve Clark of Def Leppard. Although they had different styles, they were great together. Collen is still a great technical player. R.I.P. Steve Clark. Also an honorable mention to Frank Hannon of Tesla.
December 20th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I hate these lists. They’re always a load of crap. No way Page is better than VH.
December 20th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hahaha…..Eric Johnson, #85. WTF ever. Again I say. A load of crap.
December 21st, 2008 at 6:46 pm
You have to put Hendrix in the top 2 because before him, the electric guitar sounded like Les Paul and Chet Atkins played it (both awesome guitarists). He “electrified” the guitar but I didn’t like his songs. Eddie should also be in the top 2 because he “electrified” the guitar even further and wrote songs that made it popular and mainstream. Come on, Paul Stanley? Another second banana. Ace was the guitarist there. Satriani does more than blaze up and down the fretboard. He has many top selling albums. Wait for Chickenfoot! Vai as well as some others on this list actually took lessons from Satriani! Look it up!
December 21st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
What!!!!! No John Petrucci!!!!!!! Probably the best guitar player on the planet right now. Unlike 80% of the people on this list he can actually play in odd meters and time signatures not just 4/4 easy crap. Like others above have mentioned where is Jeff Healey, Prince, Chet Atkins. Who are these numbnuts that come up with these list
December 21st, 2008 at 9:01 pm
You know…if they were trying to put out an article to see how many frustrated guitarists ( I:E - Unsigned ) would respond ….I would have to say they succeeded . To quote a famous rock singer ” Look at all the frustrated guitar players here toniight!!! “
December 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Where is Brian May (Queen)??
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:54 am
Here’s an idea; ask the guys at the Chop Shop if you could publish the score cards and the songs they used to determine their rankings. Once you publish the score card and songs, allow your readers to have a week to score the guitarists and you publish the results. By the way, Neil Schon and Curt Cobain, ahead of Yngwie and Paul Gilbert, what’s up with that?
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:46 am
I dont even know the name of the guitar player who took Don Felder place in the Eagles but that guy plays a mean guitar
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 am
i wonder how many people on the panel play the guitar? Eddies the best!!!!! Vito Bratta should be on there. Look up a guy named Phil Keaggy i think that is how you spell it. He should be in the top 5!
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Kurt Cobain is ranked ahead of the likes of Dimebag, Eric Johnson, Gary Moore, Neal Schon and more!!!!
People forget about Andres Segovia, the man basically invented the guitar. And what about the guy that Steve Vai says is the greatest guitarist alive, Tommy Emmanuel??
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Eddie Van Halen #1 guitarist of all time. Just listen to Unchained and Atomic Punk- that is some of the baddest S@#T in the world!
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 am
randy rhodes
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I know that any list is subject to argument but I do agree that there are a few folks missing. One that I really missed was Mark Farner especially since EVH has cited him as an influence. Just one opinion, and yes, we all have one.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
where is Marty Friedman?
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
The greatest guitarist in the world is the one you’re watching with your Bros or with your girl on a Saturday night at the local concert hall on your way to a great all night party……
December 25th, 2008 at 11:09 am
eddie is number one, no one else has changed the face of guitar like eddie has, i dont see guys playing with bows but i see millions finger taping, dive bomming, all the other bought and played there guitars as best as they can, eddie re-invented the guitar and no one has ever been able to recreate what he has done, with his style, sound, flare the list goes on, this has to be a joke list? mick mars made it but no eric johnston? obviously a joke
December 27th, 2008 at 8:51 am
this list is bullsh!t, all the best are at the bottom of the list in an order that is unheard of, I hope these guys who made this list do not consider themselves rock historians or even professionals, my god they even put cobain on the list in the top 50 are you shitting me. he shouldnt even be on this list I heard cats f*ck with more harmony than his fender belted out and all these awesome guitar players at the bottom. Kiss my ass whoever made this list….
December 27th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Hey guy’s look I know we are all VH fans but get off Eddie’s jock. Him and Rhandy Rhoads should own the top spots along with Iommi, Hammett, Malmsteen, and even Schenker they forgot about him. Back in them day’s the difference between Ed and Rhandy was unothodox and technical both great guitarist Eddie was flash and Rhandy was classical with flash. these chop shop guy’s must listen to Rap because they no nothing about guitar players, and yes I agree, Paul Gilbert deserves a better spot on this list, and give Mick Mars a break he deserved a better spot too.
December 27th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Steve Howe at 50th, you’re joking? Please consider music outside of time signature 4 and you’ll see the light.
December 28th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I like your list, but Stone Gossard should be on there somewhere. Stone Gossard did more to define the Seattle “grunge” sound (even though I hate that term) than Kurt Cobain. Gossard was behind both Green River and Mother Love Bone before Pearl Jam and certain ahead of Nirvana.
I see Mike McCready at number 86. Pearl Jam are often lumped into the “grunge” scene which is somehow blamed for killing the guitar solo. Well, never mind their albums (although all great guitar rock - especially the last one), pick up one of their live boots and prepare to be amazed. No one in the bands kids listen to these days plays solos like that anymore. Loud, fast and with a lot of wah. It is a lost art and I am glad someone like McCready can still belt out a blistering 10 minute solo here and there. Pearl Jam’s respect for 70’s and 80’s classic rock often goes unnoticed and McCready and Gossard are consistently overlooked and underrated. You guys are wrong about Pearl Jam. They are one of the last great rock bands out there and McCready can wail with the best of them. 17 years later and still going strong so they must be doing something right.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Steve Vai (#7) is ranked higher than Joe Satriani (#24). The pupil before the master; I don’t think so.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Jimmy Page is the most over rated guitar player in history
December 31st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
the boys in pearl jam did kick out some bad ass solo’s when grunge was kicking new wave ramone riffs, how ever johnny ramone was missing off the list. he is like the Iommi of punk rock.
December 31st, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Jimmy Page, c’mon him and Hendrix have been trading the number 1 guitarist spot for over thirty years. Give someone else a fair chance Yngwie Malmsteen or Shenker, Kerry King, Danny Spitz, the guy from Weezer… someone else for crying out loud I dont want to be talking about the same guitarist in thirty years. When I think of J.Page I think about how I always fast forward through Stairway to the jam part.
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Where the hell is Lita Ford? Jennifer Batten? An all male guitar list? C’mon, there are a few killer women players out there mates.
January 5th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Guys,
Let me first say great job. I’m so tired of Rolling Stone and their top picks. The only bands they care for are Television and the Smiths. I know it was probably difficult to comb through all of these players and put one over another. Thank God Kurt Cobain was not in the top 25.
So here’s my beef. How did you conclude that Frank Zappa was a bigger influence than George Harrison and Randy Rhodes? Now Frank was a great player. He could cover a wide range of music styles. For that alone I admire him. His musicianship was just amazing.But Randy Rhodes work is simply more well known. And George Harrison….come on! He was a Beatle for Pete’s sake! Frank Zappa had more impact than a Beatle? For that matter Ringo had more influence than Zappa(and he doesn’t play guitar).Gotta rethink that one fellas.
One more thing. Warren DeMartini and George Lynch should have been higher on the list in my opinion.
Otherwise great job.
Kelly -Sherwood, Ar.
January 11th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Your list was better than most, but, you made one glaring mistake in my opinion, One of the best guitarists of all time and one of the most influential was not even mentioned, and I’m talking about Duane Allman. Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmy Vaughn should have been ranked higher as well. Who did Jimmy Vaughn influence? His brother for one, who influenced scores of others, so, I think you all should rethink your list.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Four names not included that are a mystery.
1. Duane Allman
2. Jerry Garcia
3. Al Schnier of moe.
4. Chuck Garvey of moe.
All four are better players than half your list.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
What about Richard Thompson?
January 26th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Bottom line is Eddie Van Halen is the #1 guitarist of all time. There really is no debate on this. He is simply the most well rounded guitar player in the history of Rock.
These lists can be debated back and forth and top to bottom. Eddie should always remain on top.
Also Kurt Cobain NEVER belongs in any best of categories for anything. His sloppy ass guitar playing on the first cd along with his aweful voice, began the end of great music. It allowed people to believe that you don’t actually need to be talented to be in music. The following ten years gave us some of the worst shit ever recorded. The last 4 or 5 years has gotten better but nothing will compare to the musicianship, writing, feeling and integrity of the music of the 70’s and 80’s.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Not bad, but where are Duane Allman and Jerry Garcia?
March 27th, 2009 at 5:59 am
who cares about this stupid list, we all know eddie is the best anyways.
October 4th, 2009 at 11:02 am
you forgot Phil Keaggy.top five.
Neal schon should be higher then you all have him.