The Greatest Guitarists of All Time

Carlos Santana

You can just hear the sexy, moody, smooth guitar of Santana when you say his name. Born in Jalisco, Mexico in 1947, Carlos Santana is a must-have on our list. Moving to San Francisco as a young man, by the time the fabled “Summer of Love” came around, he was a name in the area. But it was when he played Woodstock that he truly gained fame and it was decided that he wasn’t going to be “not-so-well-known” for long.

He’s received high praise over the years for his extremely melodic sound, with musicians such as Prince acknowledging Santana as a greater influence on him than Jimi Hendrix because “Santana played prettier.” Sometimes musicians have to err on the side of caution when discovering their sound or voice, with the legendary guitarist attributing LSD to finding his voice: “You cannot take LSD and not find your voice.”

Joni Mitchell

This Canadian singer-songwriter was born in Alberta in the 40s and is our first female on the list. Mitchell's very singular tuning-style helped maximize the sounds in each and every chord. Drawing from a mixture of genres, she enjoyed folk, pop, rock, and jazz, and her songs often focused on social and environmental issues, as well as her personal take on love, confusion, disillusionment, and joy.

Towing nine Grammy awards and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she’s been hailed as “one of the greatest songwriters ever.” What makes Mitchell so unique is her ability to write songs with the same chords, but in different tunings – one song had 50 different variations! Would you believe that at 75 years of age she’s still performing? What a legend!

Slash

Born in London in 1965, next up is the legendary guitarist Saul Hudson – famously known as “Slash.” Considered one of the greatest guitarists in rock history, Slash made a name for himself by being Guns N’ Roses' lead guitarist. But like many great musicians, Slash struggled with drugs and alcohol for a number of years. Eventually, he left some of that behind and went on to pursue a very prolific solo career.

His talent is undeniable – have you heard the solo in “November Rain?” If you answered no, please excuse yourself to go and listen to it. While you’re there, add “Sweet Child O’ Mine” to your queue. He took his star power with him, starting Velvet Revolver, which was successful in their own right. But since 2016, Slash returned to Axl Rose, and the band continues to rock to this day.

Brian May

Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, has got quite an interesting back story. Born in London in 1947, Brian, like Tom Morello, is quite the Brainiac. He’s got a degree in Astrophysics! There are many jokes about how Queen took people into outer space with their music, but we’ll leave that for another time.

Musically, May gifted us with “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Stone Cold Crazy.” The guitar he used to play these epic tunes was actually built by him and his father! He used firewood to create his “Old Lady” or “The Red Special” – clearly, the guy is a genius. He’s also a multi-instrumentalist – check out his song “Doing All Right” to hear him tinker on the piano!

Eddie Van Halen

Dutch-American musician, songwriter, and producer Eddie Van Halen is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable guitarists of his time. The main songwriter and co-founder (alongside brother and drummer Alex Van Halen, Mark Stone and David Lee Roth) of American hard rock band, Van Halen. Born in Amsterdam in 1955, this pioneer of rock music was born to a father who was himself a clarinetist, saxophonist, and pianist. No wonder, it runs in his blood! His middle name, “Lodewijk” is the Dutch equivalent of “Ludwig” – and yep, you guessed it, he was named after the esteemed composer Ludwig van Beethoven.

As for his guitar playing style, well, it was anything but classical. His unique pick-holding style sees him gripping it with his middle finger and thumb (as opposed to the traditional index-thumb combination), which allows him to drag his fingers across the strings. Some artists have likened this to sounding like he’s added another instrument to the mix. Tracks like “Eruption,” “Ain’t Talking ‘Bout Love” and “Hot for Teacher”, not to mention “Jump”, really have made rock history. And apparently, only when played by Van Halen. Mike McCready of Pearl Jam once said of Van Halen “You can play the things he’s written, but there’s an ‘X-factor’ that you can’t get.” Well said!

Elmore James

“The King of the Slide Guitar”, music critics and guitarists all know that anyone who puts a slide on their guitar owes Elmore James a debt. His lick defined blues rock, with his stylistic, swooping, full-octave opening figure on the slide guitar becoming a signature move. The Mississippi-born guitarist practically invented blues-rock, and with unparalleled intensity, the multi-instrumentalist was set to become a star. He started with the “diddley bow” before progressing to the guitar.

His playing style influenced many musicians – one guitarist once said they practiced his signature slide until his fingers bled – it was at this point he realized that James, in fact, used a slide. Classics by way of James include the blues songs “Shake Your Money Maker,” “Talk to Me Baby,” “It Hurts Me Too” and “The Sky Is Crying.”

Bobby Krieger

Born Robert Alan, in L.A., in 1946, this man is none other than the lead guitarist of the rock band The Doors. He’s co-penned songs like “Light My Fire”, “Love Me Two Times”, “Touch Me” and “Love Her Madly.” Despite being a relative late-comer to the band, he certainly contributed to the band’s unique sound. Did you know he was schooled in jazz and flamenco?

A self-taught guitarist, Krieger was later taught by Asian American scholar Frank Chin to play the flamenco guitar. During a break over Christmas, Krieger had a chance to experiment with a number of genres, including flamenco, folk, blues, and jazz! His knowledge of these genres was crucial to his part in The Doors – when he joined them, they didn’t have a rhythm guitar or bassist.

Tom Petty

Born in Gainesville, Florida on October 20, 1950, the late lead singer of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers brought some experience to the band, having led Mudcrutch, and also being a member of the 1980s supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys. He sold over 80 million records worldwide, and his band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. And, they’ve got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

But while he led the band, we should definitely give a shout out to lead guitarist of the group, Mike Campbell. Known for his simple style, the guitarist is known for never using ten notes if only a couple could do the job just as well. Sure, Petty was good on the guitar, but when he released his first solo album, Full Moon Fever, he actually got Campbell to jump in and record the solos!

Tony Iommi

Anthony Frank Iommi is next up on our list, and he’s rock royalty. The English guitarist, songwriter, and producer was formerly the lead guitarist and one of the founding members of the heavy metal band, Black Sabbath. Here’s something we bet you didn’t know about Iommi: when he was seventeen he lost the tips of his middle and ring fingers in an accident, which would forever affect his playing style. But Iommi adapted, with this “handicap” in fact contributing to a style unique to him.

He was instrumental in bringing heavy metal to the world, but he also provided a twist on the genre. He wanted to add a little style, slowing the typically fast and rocked up style of music. Songs like “Iron Man”, “Children of the Grave”, “Paranoid” and “N.I.B.” are iconic.

David Gilmour

Born David Jon in Cambridge, England in 1946, Gilmour wasn’t actually the original guitarist for Pink Floyd. After Syd Barret's departure, Gilmour stepped in and became the band’s lead guitarist and frontman. A fan of distortions and effects, Gilmour’s twist on the electric guitar helped the band become one of the best-selling and most acclaimed acts in all of music history.

By 2012, Pink Floyd had sold over 250 million records worldwide! And honestly, we're not surprised– if you've ever listened to any of their songs, you'll understand why they were so mind-blowing. Gilmour eventually assumed the helm of the band, producing three more studio albums after Roger Waters’ departure in 1985, before the group disbanded in 2014.

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan was born with a name that basically guaranteed stardom. If that name's not rock 'n' roll, we don't know what is. Born in Dallas, Texas, this guitar acrobat was singular in his music and performance style. Departing the world too soon, Vaughan died in a helicopter crash outside East Troy, Wisconsin at 35 years of age. In a chilling recount, bandmates told the media how the day before he had relayed a disturbing dream where he attended his own funeral. Now, that's creepy.

Vaughan combined jazz with rockabilly, rock with country, soul, blues, you name it – but even still, he was influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Eric Clapton. During his lifetime, and posthumously, Vaughan received accolades and awards – in 1983, Guitar Player voted him Best New Talent and Best Electric Blues Guitar Player. He won six Grammys and ten Austin Music Awards. He was also inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2000.

Duane Allman

Howard Duane Allman was an incredible guitarist, session muso and founder and leader of the Allman Brothers Band. Nicknamed “Skydog”, the Nashville Tennessee native is well remembered for his tenure in the band and for his uniquely expressive slide guitar playing and inventive improv skills. Rolling Stone magazine in fact ranked him as number two in their list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time, second to the legend Jimi Hendrix.

Like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Allman definitely left this world way too soon, passing away at just 24 years of age. Killed in a motorcycle accident shortly after the release and success of At Fillmore East, it was a true tragedy. Hard-hitter record producer Jerry Wexler gave the eulogy, praising his musicality and dedication to Southern gospel, country and blues music. Of Allman’s death, Robert Randolph said: “Duane died young, and it’s just one of those things. You could tell he was going to get 50 times better.”

Freddie King

The Gilmer, Texas-born blues guitarist and singer was particularly prolific during the 60s and 70s. His voice was soulful and powerful, and when combined with his distinctive guitar style, it was a winning combo. Earning himself the nickname “The Texas Cannonball” (due to his large build), he was known for his “incendiary” live performances. His style has been described as “intuitive”, with an open-string sound creating a fusion of Texan blues with the rawer tones of Chicago blues.

It made him contemporary for his time and has gone on to influence guitarists such as Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In an interview in 1985, Eric Clapton said that Freddie King’s 1961 “I Love the Woman,” is “what started me on my path.” “Hide Away,” “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” and “The Stumble,” best demonstrate his unique, pioneering style.

Johnny Ramone

John William Cummings, or Johnny Ramone, as we know him, was an awesome American rock guitarist and songwriter, best known of course for being the guitarist for the punk rock band, the Ramones! Sadly he was gone pretty young, passing away of cancer at just 55 years of age. The Queens-born guitarist may not have had that many solos, but he makes it on our list due to his influence in pioneering music, particularly when it came down to how he played his Mosrite guitar.

Fellow songwriter and musician Henry Rollins once said of Johnny that “(he) was the first guitar player I ever saw play like he was really mad. And I was like, ‘Damn. That’s cool.’ This unique style was down to the fact that the Ramones in fact played heavy music up-tempo. His rocking skills are best showcased in tracks like “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “What I Like About You” and “I Wanna Be Sedated.”

Joe Walsh

With a middle name like “Fidler”, we’re not surprised that Walsh has a knack for string instruments. Born in Wichita, Kansas in 1947, Joe Walsh is a man of many talents and has had success in a number of bands. However, the most famous by far (and one of the most successful of all time) was, of course, The Eagles.

His rhythm-and-bass style with edginess and a touch of the blues has won him fans all over the world. Despite being a later addition to the famous band, he definitely joined at a peak time: their greatest hit, “Hotel California” was made in 1975, the very same year he joined. The solo in the song is one of the most instantly recognizable and iconic solos of all time. Now that’s definitely something to be remembered by!

Jimmy Page

Led Zeppelin is the epitome of rock and roll, and Jimmy Page was their guitarist. Born in Middlesex England 1944, this double-necked Gibson, guitar-wielding guitar fiend was a man with truly talented fingers. If you check out the image below, you see Page with two guitars and one arm. No, he wasn’t an amputee, he was just ridiculously fast and meticulous with that one hand. But with this guitar, Page created the Led Zeppelin Experience, birthing rhythm and some of the best guitar solos ever written.

With a dark, prophetic, even mythical folkloric sound, Page’s guitar has captivated and will continue to captivate generations of fans. Here's a bit of trivia for you: did you know that Led Zeppelin’s music and sound were partly inspired by J.R.R Tolkien’s works?! As Led Zeppelin’s lead guitarist, Page wrote music and recorded with a work ethic that was incomparable. He was constantly searching for the perfect sound, the perfect combination of notes and chords. A true perfectionist, he nailed it pretty much every time: just look at “Dazed and Confused”, “Heartbreaker” and “Kashmir.” Epic.

Angus Young

Angus Young is the guitarist of one of the biggest rock bands in the world, AC/DC. While he’s renowned for his blues-rock style, it’s his duck walk - which is a nod to the great Chuck Berry, and the outrageous schoolboy outfits that make him look like a private school kid skipping class! But boy, can the man handle a guitar.

Hits like “Back in Black”, “It’s a Long Way to the Top” and “Highway to Hell” have inspired generations to headbang in their cars. But they also set a foundation for rock, especially in the 70s. His thundering power-chords sent a shockwave through rockers around the world – and as such, AC/DC has made history. Did you know that Young has been with the band since he was 18?

B. B. King

Riley B. King, known professionally as B.B. King, was a blues maestro – singer, electric guitarist, songwriter and record producer. With an almost incomparable career, King introduced a style of soloing that was based on fluidity, involving a variety of string bending and vibrato techniques. As such, these influenced many later electric blues guitarists, setting a tone for what blues and rock and roll were to become.

Born on a cotton plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi in 1925, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and widely recognized as one of the most influential blues musicians ever, earning the prestigious moniker “The King of the Blues.” Being born in the 20s, King was exposed to perhaps the purest form of the blues style of music, truly being able to express feeling and soul through both his singing and his guitar-playing. A workhouse and showman, in 1956 alone, it’s estimated that he performed a staggering 342 shows! By the 70s, he was performing 200 shows a year. Incredible.

Tom Morello

Thomas Baptist Morello was born in Harlem on May 30, 1964, making waves in the music industry, as the lead guitarist for Rage Against the Machine. In the photo below, he’s actually leading an “Occupy Wall Street” event back in 2011. A strong advocate for social change, he also graduated from Harvard University. Morello has also been part of Audioslave, and more recently, the band Prophets of Rage.

He also toured with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He’s also got his own solo act, the Nightwatchman and Street Sweeper Social Club. He’s very active in the music world and extremely passionate! His distinctive style comes by the way of different sounds he creates with his guitar, through the use of effect pedals. Making that sound was a crucial turning point in Rage’s almost hip-hop/heavy metal fusion (what you might know as Nu Metal).

Jimi Hendrix

And last but not least, is none other than the iconic, the legendary, the mythical-man-creature, Jimi Hendrix. It’s undoubted that he had a way with a guitar which was unlike any other before him (or after him!) Born in 1942 in Seattle, this godly guitar player is one who has gone down in history (and will forever be remembered) as the greatest guitar player of all time. In a sad twist, however, his career was cut remarkably short – despite his immense talent, he had barely scratched the surface when it came to unlocking his potential. If he were alive today, he would’ve been turning 77 this year.

His instantly recognizable riffs and his otherworldly sound were both produced by his ability to perfect feedback, as well as his knack for combining notes and chords that hadn’t been experimented with before. It’s no wonder that his crazed fans believed him to be an extra-terrestrial! But Jimi was far from awkward or alien-like, he was a smooth man full of soul and a great vision for music and the world. His hits “All Along the Watchtower”, “Purple Haze” and “Foxy Lady” go down as some of the most memorable songs for guitarists ever. Not to mention his singularly unique interpretation of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Well deserved, Jimi.

Albert King

With a stage name like Albert King, you’d be expecting this top guitarist to have a stage presence to match. Born Albert Nelson in Indianola, Mississippi in 1923, he’s well remembered for saying that he had no influences for his playing style. According to King, he couldn’t relate to any past guitarist, saying “everything I do is wrong.” His nickname, “The Velvet Bulldozer” comes from the fact that he was smooth, but also of large stature, weighing in at 110kg and standing at 6ft 7.

Also, fun fact: he was left-handed but taught himself to play on a right-handed guitar. This tall drink of water managed to master this type of guitar because he played it upside down! Best known for his songs “Born Under a Bad Sign”, and “As the Years Go Passing By”, this legendary guitarist even stopped Jimi Hendrix in his tracks when he opened for him in 1967.

John Lennon

The rhythm guitarist of the one and only, The Beatles, Lennon is the first of two Beatles to be included among the likes of Hendrix and Clapton. Lennon had a unique talent in that he could take a couple of simple notes and string them together in an incredibly beautiful way that was so catchy you couldn't help but get it stuck in your head. Now that’s talent. To this day, the Beatles are the best-selling band in history, having sold 1.6 billion records. While he was a talented guitarist, John Lennon’s reach and influence went much further.

He was also a staunch peace activist, well known for his criticism of the Vietnam War. The Nixon administration even attempted to deport him from the U.S. Unfortunately, as it often happens with musical geniuses, they leave us far too soon. Murdered by an avid fan, Lennon was tragically taken from the world. In the weeks following his murder, Double Fantasy topped the charts in both the UK and the U.S., and “Imagine” hit number one in the UK in January 1981. Fans were devastated but honored his memory by playing his music. RIP Lennon.

George Harrison

One of the most widely recognized and famous guitarists on our list, next up is Beatles guitarist George Harrison. Born in Liverpool, England in 1943, this internationally worshipped musician was in fact often referred to as “the quiet Beatle.” He was a mystic of sorts, embracing Indian culture and using it to broaden his influence and scope in popular music – he actually incorporated Indian style instruments and rhythms in the Beatles’ work.

Many considered Harrison as the “third-best” behind his two famous bandmates, McCartney and Lennon, but ironically, Harrison, upon launching a solo career, in fact surpassed both of them in their solo attempts for a period of time. Famous Beatles songs like “Taxman” and the widely known “Here Comes the Sun” were penned by Harrison. Every album after 1965 actually featured at least two songs written by George.

Bo Diddley

Born Ellas Otha Bates, this Chicago-born American singer and guitarist wrote and produced all of his own music. More importantly, Diddley helped usher in rock and roll from blues. It’s noted that he influenced artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and The Clash! With a nickname like “The Originator”, it’s fitting that his use of African rhythms and signature beat (five-accent hambone rhythm) is now a cornerstone of hip-hop, rock, and pop music today.

He’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame and has received a Grammy! His groovy tunes include titles such as “Bo Diddley,” “Road Runner” and “Who Do You Love?” It’s said that his songs “unleashed a West African groove” because they were catchy and stayed with you. Did you know that his music went on to inspire Keith Richards and Buddy Holly, among others, to pick up the guitar?

Dick Dale

Dick Dale was actually a stage name for the man born Richard Monsour. Of Lebanese and Polish-Belarusian descent, he was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1937. The man we know today as the force behind “surf rock” was ironically born on the East Coast. His family, however, did make the move to Southern California, where he learned to surf in his later teenage years. Music was in his blood from a young age – he learned the piano at age nine, was given a trumpet in seventh grade, and later won a ukulele.

His uncle helped him along with his musical education, teaching him how to play the tarabaki (a Middle Eastern drum) and the oud. His knowledge of all these instruments influenced the sound he produced. He regularly used Middle Eastern music scales and experimented heavily with reverb. During his career, he even worked with Fender to produce custom amplifiers – including the first 100-watt guitar amplifier! Now go on and have a listen to “Misirlou” and you’ll be transported to the beach.

Jerry Garcia

Jerome John Garcia, known to Deadheads as “Jerry,” is none other than the lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead, which rose to fame during the counterculture era in the swinging 1960s. While he wasn’t one for the spotlight, Garcia was seen as the “spokesman” for the group. Garcia was born in San Francisco in 1942 and enjoyed a 30-year-career with Grateful Dead, even playing Woodstock in August 1969! Did you know he was almost electrocuted during their set because of the heavy rain?

Over the course of his career, Garcia experimented with sounds, fusing Spanish guitar with bluegrass, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll in his guitar playing. His sound is unique and recognizable to many. But it was his influence on the cultural scene in SF at the time throughout the “Summer of Love” which brings him into our top 43. Sadly, Garcia had some health issues and substance addictions, which accumulated and eventually led to a heart attack in 1995. He was just 53-years old.

Eric Clapton

As soon as we read his name, we can just hear the opening notes to “Tears in Heaven”, can’t you? Born in Surrey, England in 1945, the next man on our list is the famed rock and blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, Eric Patrick Clapton. He’s the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – for being a solo artist, as a member of the Yardbirds, and as a member of Cream. The 74-year-old, over the years, has created stunningly simple melodies out of base notes and chord progressions.

As we’ve researched our list, we’ve found that the very best guitarists have trained in blues or adopted a bluesy style in rock ‘n’ roll. Clapton fuses both styles effortlessly, creating music for the ages. Funnily enough, when Clapton was part of Cream, playing alongside two jazz guitarists, he recognized that he was “just trying to keep up.” Now, that's saying something! Having a lifelong odyssey discovering the guitar, Clapton is a true guitar god.

Joe Perry

Anthony Joseph Pereira, or better known by his stage name Joe Perry, was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1950. Who would’ve thought he’d go on to found and play lead guitar for the American rock band, Aerosmith? Well, not many, but the “Bad Boys from Boston” sure rocked the charts, not to mention the world! Being part of such an iconic band from the 70s is no mean feat – did you know that Aerosmith has sold over 150 million albums worldwide?

With the iconic pipes of Steven Tyler by his side, it was undoubtedly going to end in success for them both. Rolling Stone magazine once said that Perry’s riffs are like “blues-on-steroids.” His sound has that Jeff Beck familiarity, combined with his own unique spin on playing the guitar. All in all, the guy is rock royalty. As for his hit songs with the band, well- you can’t go past “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”, “Dream On”, “Walk This Way” and “Janie’s Got a Gun.”

Muddy Waters

McKinley Morganfield, better known as “Muddy Waters,” was an outstanding American blues singer-songwriter and musician, who’s earned the title of “father of modern Chicago blues”, born in Issaquena County, Mississippi on April 4, 1913. At 17 he was a whiz with the harmonica and guitar, looking up to local artists Son House and Robert Johnson. In 1943 he made the move to Chicago and recorded his first records for Columbia Records.

Fun fact: The Rolling Stones actually named themselves after Waters’ 1950s song, “Rollin’ Stone.” Now that’s a useful bit of trivia. It’s also said that his style influenced Jimi Hendrix. While he had a career dip in the 60s, his popularity peaked again in the early 70s, a wave which he rode until his death. Muddy Waters, you will never be forgotten!

Pete Townshend

Born in Middlesex, England on May 19, 1945, Pete Townshend is undoubtedly one of the greatest guitarists of all time. A Pat McEnroe of the music world, it’s said that he was the first guitarist ever to smash his guitar onstage. Seems he set a bit of a trend – we find smashed guitars all over the place after rock concerts. The poor guitars! His controversial ways make him a “bad-boy” type who always seems to wind up on these great guitarist lists.

Best known for being a part of The Who, it is somewhat ironic that despite his successful solo career later on, while he was a part of the band, he never actually had a solo. The Who’s sound was heavier with drums and bass as opposed to guitars – almost as though Townshend was on a leash. And what creative genius wants to be restricted? But hey, songs like “My Generation,” “I Can See for Miles” and a cover of “Summertime Blues” are all a part of his discography.

Frank Zappa

Self-taught composer and performer Frank Zappa was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1940. A talented multi-instrumentalist, his work was characterized by nonconformity, and his style was difficult to categorize. In high school he wrote classical music while simultaneously playing drums in an R&B band. He then moved on to the electric guitar.

His experience led to his 1966 album with the Mothers of Invention, titled Freak Out!, which combined conventional rock with improvisation and studio-generated sounds. Zappa's rejection of structure and established social norms led him to be described as the “godfather” of comedy rock. He really sought the upper limits of what a guitar can do, showcased in “Shut Up ‘n’ Play Yer Guitar,” a 1981 solo album. Sadly, Zappa died of cancer, at just 53 years of age.

Buddy Holly

Charles Hardin Holley, better known as Buddy Holly, was born in Lubbock, Texas on September 7, 1936. An American musician and singer-songwriter, Holly is widely recognized as a central, pioneering figure in the mid-1950s rock and roll. Growing up in a musical family during the Great Depression, the “Peggy Sue” singer learned the guitar and to sing alongside his siblings. Gospel, country and rhythm and blues all heavily influenced his style, and even opened for Elvis Presley!

He’s one of the first-ever to form what we know now as a “rock band” – his high school band featured bass and drums while Holly sang vocals and played guitar. Sadly, however, this musical genius lost his life too soon. In early 1959, Holly rustled up some troops – a new band – and they were scheduled to fly to Minnesota. Soon after takeoff, the plane crashed, taking his life and three others. This tragedy in fact featured in Don McLean’s “American Pie”, referring to it as “The Day the Music Died.” Now that’s a tribute.

Kurt Cobain

Born in Aberdeen, Washington in 1967, it seemed like it was destiny for Cobain to pick up the guitar. On his 14th birthday, his uncle offered him a bike or a used guitar. We’re sure you can guess what he chose. Fun fact: Elvis was given a similar choice, albeit the fact he was offered a rifle over a bike! The 20-year-old Cobain, alongside Krist Novoselic and Aaron Burckhard, formed the band Nirvana.

Success was found in the 90s anthem “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on their album Nevermind. Nirvana was known for their sense of balance in music, playing songs that were loud and heavy-metal-esque, as well as others which were quieter and more melodic. The band was and still is considered a pioneering force in grunge music. Sadly, this "Generation X" icon's life was cut too short; he took his own life in 1994, at the young age of 27.

Prince

Born in Minneapolis in 1958, Prince was an absolute guitar extraordinaire. At age seven he was writing songs, and his very first was titled “Funk Machine.” Sure, critics love to compare artists, trying to look for similarities or maybe just to tell them they’re copycats.

In Prince’s case, music reviewers have said they hear the sounds of Hendrix in his music, but Prince disagreed with these claims, saying: “If they really listened to my stuff, they’d hear more of a Santana influence than Jimi Hendrix.” Indeed, Prince is known for his melodic riffs. If you’ve not heard Prince in a while, go on, treat your Spotify followers to “When Doves Cry,” or maybe even to his solo in “Purple Rain.” Timeless.

Scotty Moore

Now, not many can say they’ve jammed with “The King”, Elvis Presley. Scotty Moore, however, is one of the very few exceptions. Born in Gadsden, Tennessee, Moore had been with Elvis since they were teens. The two, alongside bassist Bill Black, would form a trio that would change music forever. The trio didn’t actually have a designated drummer, which put more pressure on Moore to deliver and add some rhythm and foundation.

One night in June 1954, when the three were just jamming and mucking around, they came across a sound that would define them. It was the “slapback” echo effect, which led to the song “That’s All Right.” It was the beginning of a new chapter and the making of history. Moore was there for Elvis during his highs and lows, helping him during his comeback in 1968.

Neil Young

Neil Young is a legend. And a legendary Canadian. He decided that music was his passion, moving to Los Angeles in the 60s. Subsequently, he formed Buffalo Springfield. His tenor voice, guitar skills and hard-hitting, personal lyrics created a musical assault of sorts – and won him millions of fans worldwide. Some trivia for you: did you know that during his early days with Buffalo Springfield, he was diagnosed with epilepsy? So really, are there any excuses to not learn the guitar?

Young was a musical prodigy from an early age and was exposed to the likes of his idol Elvis Presley, as well as Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison. He taught himself to play on a plastic ukulele, which progressed to everything BUT a guitar! Following success with Buffalo, he went solo for a year before reuniting with former bandmate Stephen Stills. He went between being in a band and performing solo but was successful in every endeavor.

Keith Richards

Keith Richards is perhaps one of the most recognizable guitarists in the world; he's the guitarist, secondary vocalist and co-principal songwriter of The Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine wrote of Richards as the creator of “rock’s greatest single body of riffs” on the guitar. This guitar legend was born in Kent, England in 1943, and it seems music was in his blood: his maternal grandfather, Augustus Theodore “Gus” Dupree actually toured Britain with a big jazz band – and it was Dupree who gave Richards his first guitar. In a funny childhood story, Dupree had a guitar on a shelf that Richards couldn’t reach, and bet him that if he could reach it, he could have it. Over time, Richards devised methods in retrieving the guitar, until finally getting hold of it.

From that point on, Richards’s lessons began. But while his grandfather encouraged his musical discovery, his father was against his son’s musicality. We’ve heard this story before, right? Regardless, fast forward a few years and Richards is one of the most extraordinary guitarists ever, creating his own unique style via tuning of his guitar. Similar to Van Halen, Richards’s music is imitated and copied, but just doesn’t sound the same when it isn’t his fingers plucking and strumming. Songs like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Gimme Shelter”, and “Paint it Black” are all testaments to his work and craft.

Jeff Beck

Born in the 40s, this 75-year-old rocker is one of the three notable guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds (the others include Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton). But Beck moved on from The Yardbirds to form The Jeff Beck Group, then Beck, Bogert & Appice. Beck has always had more of a focus on instrumental output, particularly on creating innovative sounds: he’s covered lots of bases, with genres from blues-rock and hard rock over to electronica.

Despite his huge talent and hit albums, Beck didn’t quite reach the sustained commercial success of many of his ex-bandmates and contemporaries. But in saying that, he’s definitely collaborated with lots of great musicians, including Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Roger Waters, Brian May, ZZ Top, and the list goes on. When you’re next on Spotify or surfing Youtube, look up Jeff Beck’s hits:  “A Day in the Life,” “I Ain’t Superstitious” and “Heart Full of Soul. ” You’ll be in awe of this innovative soul’s way with mixing sounds and creating something unique.

Billy Gibbons

ZZ Top was one of those all-American bad-boy type rock bands that wrote about women, booze and rock and roll. Born in Houston, Texas, “The Reverend Billy F. Gibbons” is, of course, best known as both the lead guitarist and singer of the band ZZ Top. He started off in Moving Sidewalks and actually opened for the Jimi Hendrix Experience (as well as enjoying a brief friendship with the legend). Sure, sounds impressive – but this kid had a father who was a maestro.

His parents encouraged his musical side, taking him to see Elvis in concert, as well as B.B. King in the studio. With these experiences under his belt, he had the ideas and insider-knowledge to form ZZ Top by the age of 20. “Tush”, “Legs” and “Gimme All Your Lovin’” are some of the stand-out tracks. Guitar-wise, well, you can’t go past his steady guitar in “La Grange.”

Willie Nelson

With a stellar career, 86-year-old Willie Nelson is a singer, songwriter, musician, actor, producer, author, poet, and activist. Born in Texas in 1933, Nelson sure has come a long way from his cotton-picking and bible-selling days. Critical and commercial success was won for Nelson with his albums Shotgun Willie, Red Headed Stranger, and Stardust. A bit of a “country outlaw” due to his rebellion against the conventions of the Nashville sound, his music style is pretty unique.

Not to mention he’s been in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and been an adamant activist for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana. One thing has stayed constant, however, over the past 60 years – his guitar, “Trigger,” pictured above! Sure, “Trigger” has had a few stints in guitar hospital over the years, but she’s stuck it out with Nelson.

The Edge

David Howell Evens, better known as The Edge, was born in Essex, England on August 8, 1961. An Irish musician, he’s also the lead guitarist for the legendary rock band, U2. Like many great musicians and guitarists, Evens is self-taught. Many recognize the fact that this private journey with the guitar contributed greatly to his unique sound and style. Given the nickname “The Edge” from a young age, he’s definitely imparted a few pearls of wisdom since joining U2 in the late 1970s.

One of our favorites is his reflection on the classic hit “With or Without You”: “I don't like to be inefficient if I can get away with it. Like at the end of ‘With or Without You.’ My instinct was to go with something very simple... there's this power to it which I think is even more potent because it's held back". He definitely knows how to play his guitar.

Buddy Guy

George “Buddy” Guy, born in Louisiana in 1936, is an American blues guitarist and singer. A true advocate of Chicago blues, his influence on many musicians and guitarists is undeniable. Artists who have cited him as an influence include the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jeff Beck – and all of those artists went on to be a part of a group we know as “the greatest guitarists of all time.”

For the young George, it wasn’t long before he was kicked out of his home – this was owing to the fact that all he did was make a lot of noise! This reputation seemed to precede him, with many record executives early on saying his style was “just a bunch of noise.” But over time, his style became more refined and his bluesy music became all the rage! If you’re curious, definitely have a listen to “Stone Crazy” and “First Time I Met the Blues.”