From blues-rooted playing to unparalleled virtuosity – these guitarists each took the instrument to a higher level in their own way. These are the names mentioned time and again as the best ever.
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Jimi Hendrix
With his revolutionary technique and use of feedback and distortion, Jimi Hendrix redefined what was possible with an electric guitar. Many consider him the best guitarist of all time.
Eric Clapton
With his blues-rooted playing, developed in bands like Cream and The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton is regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.
Completely carried by their image and marketing rather than actual songwriting. fr
Jimmy Page
As Led Zeppelin's guitarist and producer, Jimmy Page combined blues influences with heavy riffs and helped build the foundation of hard rock.
True originals.
Eddie Van Halen
With his groundbreaking two-handed tapping technique, Eddie Van Halen changed forever how rock guitarists played.
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David Gilmour
Famous for his melodic, emotional solos with Pink Floyd, David Gilmour is known as one of the most soulful guitarists ever.
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Slash
With his recognizable top hat and bluesy, melodic solos, Slash became the face of the guitar in Guns N' Roses.
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B.B. King
As one of the founders of modern blues, with his signature guitar 'Lucille', B.B. King influenced generations of guitarists after him.
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Carlos Santana
With his unique mix of rock, blues and Latin American influences, Carlos Santana developed one of the most recognizable guitar sounds in the world.
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Chuck Berry
As one of the founders of rock 'n' roll, Chuck Berry laid the foundation for the rock guitar as we know it today with his signature riffs.
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Mark Knopfler
With his distinctive fingerpicking technique (without a pick), Mark Knopfler built a recognizable, melodic guitar style in Dire Straits.
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Still mind-blowing to think about: with his revolutionary technique and use of feedback and distortion, Jimi Hendrix redefined what was possible with an electric guitar.
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