From the full article at nydailynews.com:
In honor of the release of ‘Guitar Hero: Metallica’, the News shredded all conventions to name our list of the top ten rock guitarists ever. Did Hendrix, Clapton or Van Halen get the top spot? Did Slash get cut from the list? Did metal guitarists like Steve Vai and Randy Rhoads get their due?
Fans surely won’t agree with all of our choices, so feel free to rock out with our poll and make your own choice for the best axe-wielder of all time.
No. 10: Neil Young
No. 9: Kirk Hammett
No. 8: Carlos Santana
No. 7: Randy Rhoads
No. 6: Stevie Ray Vaughan
No. 5: Jeff Beck
No. 4: Eric Clapton
No. 3: Jimmy Page
No. 2: Eddie Van Halen
No. 1: Jimi Hendrix
Back in the days when Van Halen, a staple on the ’70s L.A. club scene, had yet to sign a record deal, Eddie Van Halen used to play his solos with his back to the audience – so they couldn’t see his trademark fret work. Even if they could see what he was doing, they would have trouble keeping up. His tapping, use of sound effects and long solos are still immediately recognizable – even though most ’80s metal guitarists have been influenced by his style.