Top 25 Guitar Players of All Time

1) Eric Clapton (Cream, The Yardbirds) – Most guitar players would be satisfied with being great in two genres, but Clapton has mastered both rock and blues guitar for well over 40 years. After bursting on to the scene with the supergroups Cream and the Yardbirds, Clapton mellowed by indulging in the blues – including an album of Robert Johnson covers. Clapton has also recorded memorable collaborations with some of the true greats of rock ‘n roll, including The Beatles, Santana, B.B. King, and Steve Winwood.

2) B.B. King – A master craftsman, King’s fluid style helped usher in a new era of blues guitar. Even though he first charted a #1 single in 1951, he still remains popular in 2009, thanks in part to nonstop touring with his “Lucille.”

3) Chuck Berry – Influenced virtually everyone on this list with classic songs such as Johnny B. Goode, Tulane, and Route 66.

4) Angus Young (AC/DC) – Young is one of the wildest and most intense energetic performers in rock – not to mention the creative genius of one of the greatest hard bands ever and one of the best selling albums of all-time: Back in Black. With the release of Black Ice in 2008, Young proved that AC/DC still is a force 33 years after their debut album – High Voltage.

5) Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds) – When you can claim masterpieces like Stairway to Heaven and Whole Lotta Love, it is impossible not to rank Page in the Top Five.

6) Jimi Hendrix – Powerful live performer who did everything from lighting a guitar on fire to playing a guitar with his teeth. Voodoo Child and Purple Haze remain staples in the annals of rock.

7) Pete Townshend (The Who) - The driving force of the greatest live band ever, Townshend’s windmills and on-stage antics are legendary - sometimes overshadowing how truly great the bands studio album’s like Who’s Next are.

8) Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) – The greatest guitar player of the 1990’s and 2000’s, McCready’s lengthy solo in the Alive stands out as his best work (although it’s hard to miss other hits like Evenflow and Yellow Ledbetter). McCready’s pairing with rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard gives Pearl Jam one of the best duos in rock.

9) David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) – Key member of psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd and played a vital role in the creation of the legendary albums Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.

10) Slash (Guns ‘N Roses, Velvet Revolver ) – The force behind Guns ‘N Roses and Velvet Revolver, Slash shredded some of the greatest guitar solos ever – November Rain, Sweet Child O’ Mine, and Welcome to the Jungle.

11) Carlos Santana – Santana’s playing is so smooth, fluid, and timeless that he was able to capture a record-tying nine Grammy Awards in 2000 – 31 years after his epic performance at Woodstock. Decades after churning out Oye Como Va and Black Magic Woman, Santana came back with Supernatural in 1999 - which included collaborations with Wyclef Jean, Dave Matthews, and Eric Clapton.

12) The Edge (U2) – “The Edge. The Edge. The Edge. The Edge. He is a rare and true guitar original and one of the subtlest guitar heroes of all time. He's dedicated to ensemble playing and he subsumes his guitar ego in the group. But do not be fooled. Take Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Neil Young, Pete Townshend -- guitarists who defined the sound of their band and their times.” – Bruce Springsteen, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

13) Buddy Guy – Amazing Chicago blues-style player who puts on powerful live performances that Jeff Beck once described as “transcending blues.”

14) Eddie Van Halen – One of truly unique guitar players on this list, Van Halen might be the fastest guitar player of all time.

15) Bo Diddley - Created some of the most influential rifts in both rock and blues music. Countless bands, ranging from the Rolling Stones to George Thorogood, used Diddley’s beat in their songs.

16) Stevie Ray Vaughan (Double Trouble) – Vaughan’s hands were so strong that he once cracked the neck of his guitar.

17) Joe Walsh (The Eagles) – A former presidential candidate and bagpiper, Walsh also played lead guitar for The Eagles. While with The Eagles, Walsh played on four number one albums and five number one singles – including the brilliant solo on Hotel California.

18) Brian May (Queen) – The only person on this list with a Ph.D in astrophysics, May played guitar on seven number one albums for the legendary band Queen. May recorded those albums with his signature “Red Special” without the aid of a guitar pick, but with a sixpence.

19) Jeff Beck (The Yardbirds) – The second of three legends to play with the Yardbirds, following Clapton and preceding Page.

20) Jack White (The White Stripes, The Racounters, The Dead Weather) – Of all the guitar players on this list White has the best chance to move up, as his career is still very young. Only an artist like White can make a band with only two members sound like a traditional four-member group.

21) Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ) – An extremely underrated guitarist who has powered the Heartbreakers for more than 30 years, Campbell’s contributions to songs like Refugee, Runnin’ Down a Dream, Mary Jane’s Last Dance, Learning to Fly, etc. is impressive. Campbell has also recorded with Johnny Cash, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, and the Wallflowers.

22) Robert Johnson – A founding father of the guitar world, Johnson’s work influenced generations of blues and rock guitar players.

23) Kirk Hammett (Metallica) – Powerful play highlights heavy metal’s biggest group.

24) Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) – Like the rest of his band, Sambora understands what it takes to put together a great live show. His work in Slippery When Wet helped launch the band to a level of superstardom that has lasted for three decades.

25) Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) – Brought a unique blend of grunge, rap, alt. rock, and heavy metal to two bands which registered #1 albums.