The Greatest Rock Guitarists (by Echoes)

Main criteria: Originality, Influence, Creativity, Skill (technique, versatility)

***(for clarification of criteria, see bottom of this post)

Last Updated: January 2012.

This list is intended for those guitarists who exhibited a clear 'Rock' thread
throughout their careers.


1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Eric Clapton
3. Jimmy Page
4. Chuck Berry
5. Jeff Beck
6. George Harrison, John Lennon & Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
7. Pete Townshend
8. Keith Richards
9. Eddie Van Halen
10. Duane Allman
11. Richie Blackmore
12. Tony Iommi
13. Scotty Moore
14. Stevie Ray Vaughan
15. Carlos Santana
16. David Gilmour
17. Brian May
18. Robert Fripp
19. Steve Howe
20. Steve Cropper
21. Peter Green
22. Mike Bloomfield
23. Frank Zappa
24. Randy Rhoads
25. Mark Knopfler
26. Jerry Garcia
27. Bo Diddley
28. Curtis Mayfield
29. Link Wray
30. James Burton
31. Cliff Gallup
32. Dick Dale
33. Eddie Hazel
34. Steve Vai
35. Yngwie Malmsteen
36. Joe Satriani
37. Michael Schenker
38. Steve Hackett
39. Alex Lifeson
40. Dickey Betts
41. Angus Young & Malcolm Young (AC/DC)
42. James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
43. Dave Murray & Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
44. Glenn Tipton & K.K. Downing (Judas Priest)
45. Dave Davies
46. Thurston Moore & Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)
47. The Edge
48. Joe Perry & Brad Whitford (Aerosmith)
49. Kurt Cobain
50. John Frusciante
51. Jonny Greenwood & Ed O'Brien (Radiohead)
52. Slash
53. Mike McCready & Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam)
54. Derek Trucks
55. Terry Kath
56. Roger McGuinn
57. Rory Gallagher
58. Leslie West
59. John Fogerty
60. Stephen Stills
61. Jan Akkerman
62. Marty Friedman
63. Jerry Cantrell
64. Alvin Lee
65. Mick Taylor
66. Gary Moore
67. Tom Morello
68. John Petrucci
69. Neal Schon
70. Johnny Marr
71. Billy Gibbons
72. Martin Barre
73. Neil Young
74. Robin Trower
75. Johnny Ramone
76. Jorma Kaukonen
77. John Cipollina
78. Tom Verlaine
79. Mick Ronson
80. Dimebag Darrell
81. Matt Bellamy
82. Jack White
83. Allen Collins & Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
84. Andy Summers
85. Trey Anastasio
86. Robbie Krieger
87. Paul Kossoff
88. Ace Frehley
89. Syd Barrett
90. Ted Nugent
91. Glen Buxton
92. Hank Marvin
93. Adrian Belew
94. Duane Eddy
95. Carl Perkins
96. Warren Haynes
97. Buckethead
98. Robbie Robertson
99. Josh Homme
100. Ron Asheton

***Clarification of Criteria:
Originality refers to a guitarist having a unique sound, pioneering a stylistic movement, or being an important link in the chain of rock guitar evolution.
Influence refers to a guitarist's impact on the musical community, on mainstream music, and especially on the guitar community. Guitarist's inspiration for beginners is also considered.
Creativity refers to how prolific one is - longevity is considered, as are the number and quality of albums and collaborations, as well as the guitarist's songwriting/composition as it pertains to guitar (riffs, solos, improvisation, arrangements, etc.).
Skill contains Technique and Versatility. Technique has to do with a guitarist's physical mastery of the instrument. Versatility has to do with the ability to play various guitaristic styles and musical genres, particularly those within the rock umbrella.

Originality and Influence are weighed most heavily, then Creativity, then Skill. Other criteria, such as Iconic Status, are considered and applied in exceptional cases.

I preferred the idea that was hinted at on the other thread, that you should focus on a list of modern guitarists, call them 'alternative' if you like. This is only an alternative in the sense that it's a different opinion about the same thing, which doesn't serve any real purpose.

I want to make a legit list (not a list about my favorite guitarists).

I will borrow George´s criteria:

Criteria: These guitarists were picked for their importance to the rock guitar world, including: innovation, respect from other guitarists, influence on both other players as well as on styles of playing, legendary status, and overall importance in shaping the world of rock guitar. And, for their playing abilities, including: creativity, versatility, musical depth and expression both in composing and performing, live presence and improvisational skills, technique and last, but certainly not least, originality and uniqueness

Any particular reason you bold out rock in the criteria when you state you use the same criteria as the other list?

Is the same criteria that the one George uses on his all genre list, but in this case is just focus on Rock Guitar.

Oh, so the 100 greatest rock guitarists is focused on rock guitar? Thanks for making that clear.

Another clarification, for this list, the harder the guitarist rocks, the higher he will be placed.



And by rock I mean guys smashing their guitars, not guys with beautiful and perfect long hair.

But what if those guys with beautiful long hair rock really hard too?

To be fair, that hair is not that beatiful.

Seriously though, am I the only one who finds the "Rock" thing vague? I think it's very subjective, it doesn't work as a criteria.

I sincerely hope you're not the only one.

Good luck with the list...