SAEDNEWS: Who is currently recognized as the greatest guitarist in history? Answering this is no easy task, but many have tried. Over the past decade, numerous lists have attempted to rank guitar legends, drawing on both expert opinions and public polls—often yielding very different results.
Today, many legendary guitarists and musicians have entered the field of guitar performance and education. In this article, we aim to introduce some of the top guitarists across various styles who are widely recognized worldwide. However, this does not mean that other musicians and guitarists are any less skilled or unknown.
Jimi Hendrix, recognized as one of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century, pioneered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar. His innovative style, combining fuzz, feedback, and controlled distortion, created a new musical language. Interestingly, because Hendrix could neither read nor write music, his meteoric rise occurred in just four years. His musical language continues to influence countless modern musicians—from George Clinton to Miles Davis, and from Steve Vai to Johnny Lang.
Born Johnny Allen Hendrix at 10:15 a.m. on November 27, 1942, at Seattle King County Hospital, he was later renamed James Marshall by his father, James “Al” Hendrix. Young Jimi (as he was known at the time) developed a passion for music, influenced by artists such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Buddy Holly, and Robert Johnson. Largely self-taught, his inability to read music pushed him to focus intensely on listening. In the summer of 1958, Al bought Jimi a second-hand $5 acoustic guitar, shortly after which Jimi joined his first band, The Velvetones. After three months, he left to pursue his own musical interests. The following summer, Al bought Jimi his first electric guitar.
After recovering from a parachute injury, Jimi worked as a session guitarist under the name Jimi James. By the end of 1965, he had played with artists including Ike and Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, The Isley Brothers, and Little Richard. Leaving Little Richard to form his own band, Jimi James and the Blue Flames, Hendrix became the focal guitarist for his own projects. Although he initially found success in England, it was not until June 1967, when he returned to the U.S. and performed the incendiary “Wild Thing” at the Monterey International Pop Festival, that he became an overnight sensation. By 1970, he had formed a trio with drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Billy Cox, recording several tracks for what would later be posthumously released as First Rays of the New Rising Sun. Unfortunately, Hendrix’s busy touring schedule—and his tragic death on September 18, 1970—prevented him from realizing this vision.
From demos to finished masterpieces, Hendrix produced an extraordinary body of work in his short life. His music, influenced by blues, composition, rock, R&B, and jazz, cemented his place as one of the most iconic figures in rock history.
James Patrick Page was born in Heston, a suburb of London, and moved with his family to Epsom at the age of eight. In his new home, he discovered an abandoned acoustic guitar left by the previous tenant. Inspired by the English popularity of Elvis Presley, Lonnie Donegan, and other artists, young Jimmy began mastering the instrument with the help of a school friend, skillfully imitating Scotty Moore, James Burton, and blues musicians like Elmore James and B.B. King.
At 13, Page performed on the BBC program All Your Own with a group he formed, playing skiffle-style music. Soon, music became his primary focus, and he performed on streets, in social clubs, and anywhere he could find an audience. After leaving school, he joined a touring band, Neil Christian and the Crusaders, making his first commercial recording at 18 with the single “The Road of Love.”
Abandoning formal education and live performance commitments, Page became a full-time studio musician, playing up to six sessions per week. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: in 1992 with The Yardbirds and in 1995 with Led Zeppelin. In 2005, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his charitable work. Even after over half a century in music, Page continues to cherish Led Zeppelin’s legacy, inspiring new generations of musicians.
Eric Patrick Clapton was born on March 30, 1945, in his grandparents’ home in England. The son of 16-year-old Patricia Molly Clapton and 24-year-old Canadian soldier Edward Walter Fryer, Eric grew up in a musically rich household—his grandmother played piano, and both his mother and uncle enjoyed listening to big bands. Clapton’s father was reportedly a talented pianist who played in several dance bands in Surrey.
After family difficulties, Clapton became depressed and stopped attending school. He spent his early days immersed in Richmond and Kingston’s music scene and later in London’s West End. At 17, he joined his first band, The Roosters, before moving on to the Casey Jones Pop Group. Prior to committing to music full-time, Clapton worked in construction and learned bricklaying and plastering from his grandfather. In October 2007, his biography was published, translated into twelve languages, and became an international bestseller.
Robert Johnson is considered one of the greatest blues performers of all time, with songs like I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom and Sweet Home Chicago becoming blues standards. He died at 27, suspected of deliberate poisoning. Born on May 8, 1911, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Johnson traveled extensively during his brief career, recording 29 songs between 1936 and 1937 in Dallas and San Antonio. His works influenced Muddy Waters, Elmore James, The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton.
Much of Johnson’s life remains shrouded in mystery. Legend tells that he gained his extraordinary guitar skills through a Faustian bargain at the crossroads of Highways 49 and 61 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Regardless of myth, Johnson returned with remarkable technique and became a blues master, leaving a lasting legacy despite his early death on August 16, 1938.
Ritchie Blackmore is best known for the legendary riff in Smoke on the Water. By blending classical music with blues rock, he helped shape modern heavy metal. He played both rhythm and solo guitar in Deep Purple and briefly with Rainbow, solidifying his influence on rock music.
Mark Knopfler, a legendary guitarist, is renowned for his melodic solos, such as in Sultans of Swing. Known for playing electric guitar without a pick, his unique technique has made him a sought-after collaborator with Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan.
Tom Morello, leader of Rage Against the Machine, revived rock in the 1990s alongside the rise of rap. His use of multiple effects created a distinct, captivating guitar sound, exemplified in hits like Guerilla Radio and Killing in the Name.
Despite a tragically short life, Randy Rhoads was one of heavy metal’s greatest guitarists. Known for iconic solos in Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley with Ozzy Osbourne, his work remains celebrated worldwide.
Brian May of Queen is famed for creating some of rock’s most memorable riffs. As the band’s lead guitarist and primary songwriter, his contributions to songs like Keep Yourself Alive, Brighton Rock, and the solo in Bohemian Rhapsody cemented his legendary status.
AC/DC’s Angus Young is often cited as the greatest blues-rock guitarist by musicians like Jerry Cantrell. His distorted, energetic guitar work and stage antics make him one of the most legendary and memorable performers in rock history. Iconic riffs include Back in Black and Highway to Hell.
Pete Townshend of The Who is renowned for his powerful rhythm guitar playing. He helped define the band’s sound with complex chord work and was among the first guitarists to use power chords—a technique later popularized by Led Zeppelin.
Duane Allman, history’s most famous slide guitarist, imitated the human voice on guitar more effectively than anyone else. He played with the Allman Brothers Band and famously collaborated with Eric Clapton on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Despite dying at 25, his style continues to inspire young guitarists.
Eddie Van Halen was renowned for intricate riffs and innovative guitar techniques. Using finger-tapping and other methods, he transformed rock guitar, blending technical mastery with deep musicality.
Chuck Berry revolutionized blues and rock with simple yet subtly complex songs. Keith Richards once said, “Chuck was younger than most blues musicians of his era. His music was popular, but never pop. Everyone can play rock, but Chuck had roll.”
B.B. King, one of the most important guitarists in history, grew up in Mississippi, influenced by farm life and blues legends like Robert Johnson. Known for simple yet skillful techniques such as shimmering vibrato and string bending, his style inspired countless blues guitarists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards.
