The 10 Greatest ROCK GUITAR GODS | Ranked

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Andy is a drummer, producer and educator. He has toured the world with rock legend Robert Plant and played on classic prog albums by Frost and IQ.
As a drum clinician he has played with Terry Bozzio, Kenny Aronoff, Thomas Lang, Marco Minneman and Mike Portnoy.
He also teaches drums privately and at Kidderminster College

[@mojobag01]

"I'm going off the subject now..." This is why I love this channel.

[@frankfriedlos3721]

Glad to see Richie Blackmore up there. Anyone remember Alvin Lee? Those rippling guitar runs were sweet.

[@LorraineHinchliffe-vg5cb]

I remember Albert Lee. He was a superb Welsh guitarist.

[@majorpayne8373]

I saw Ten Years After several times. Saw Alvin solo once. One of the greats.

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@majorpayne8373 Albert Lee and Alvin Lee. 2 different guitar players.

[@gillan5]

Ten Year After live: Help Me is hair raising. Alvin is not spoken about. He was songwriter , guitar hero, singer. Best performance in Woodstock. AC/DC would be a good band if they had a singer worth listening. Otherwise it is dreadfull. Michael Schencker: give me a break. Never ever Schencker - and I am German. Having Schencker and not Alvin Lee is beyond me. Gallagher is missing. Beck and van Halen: their music partly is really dreadful to listen to.

[@OkkiePepernoot]

Alvin Lee was an innovator. He should've been on the list.

[@michaelstrong4956]

Andy, you have inspired me and a few of my musician friends to start making and debating these "best of" lists! Thank you so much...cheers, mate!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Wonderful!...its just fun really...I plan to re do these lists as time goes by...

[@kevincorrigan7893]

Great list - glad you included Pete Townsend in this and Jeff Beck as high up as you did. Your idea of doing a video on 80s/90s experimental or underground guitarists (Thurston Moore, Tom Verlaine, even someone like John McGeogh) would be very interesting. Thanks for the great videos and don't let the trolls get to you!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I actually get a lot of inspiration from the trolls...

[@trajan6927]

Pete Townshend is a master blaster! Great guitar player, singer/songwriter and showman.

[@trajan6927]

​@@AndyEdwardsDrummeronly two legends can play every instrument at the professional level, sing great, harmonize, write hundreds of songs, dozens of hits, are movie stars, living legends, authors, businessmen, showmen, perfomers, been around for over 60 years, milestones, longevity, influence, radio play, tickets sold, producers, highly respected and they are Pete Townshend and Paul McCartneym

[@glenschwartz7244]

Love your list! Love the fact you rated Beck, Blackmore and Schenker as high as you did. Wondering what's your take on Lifeson. I think him and Satriani give you so many different moods and great but totally different songs that can give you 100 songs and they would all be great but totally different from each other. Lifeson gives you so many enjoyable rhythms be and a master on guitar effects.

[@ronmercer7766]

Alex Lifeson is the guitarist who often creates parts with a producer's ear. Filling space, creating space, using open strings and early modulation effects to support the tracks. One of the best players ever. A musician. Blowing over a blues rock jam just wasn't going to be his thing.

[@jmeakin4]

The video's great with excellent justifications for each entry; but, Alex Lifeson merits inclusion too - not only for the reasons you state in your comment, along with his expertise in both the lead and rhythm roles, but for his influence on concurrent and subsequent guitarists. As the saying goes, "If Rush isn't your favorite band, they're probably your favorite band's favorite band." A commonality among those in this list is that guitar 'gods' tend to establish a mystique around their persona. The reason Lerxst doesn't get the degree of credibility he merits, and perhaps a reason why he's not on this list, is that he doesn't take himself too seriously, having his class clown approach to life; while he makes complex technique seem easy because of the fun he evidently experiences while playing.

[@Nephilim-81]

You know who was really good. Terry Kath of Chicago. Wow. That guy could really play. Sad he died way too early.

[@tommonk7651]

Great call. Kath has largely been forgotten, and it's a damn shame. He was a monster!!

[@Nephilim-81]

@@tommonk7651 yeah!! I loved his playing on Chicago 2. :) I won’t forget him.

[@davidthrower1553]

Good call…I had forgotten terry Kath in my list

[@Ventoux10]

Well said! Couldn’t believe his playing on CTA, 2, 3.

[@symphonynut3291]

I like his solo on Liberation from Chicago Transit Authority. He could really stretch out.

[@GeofHolmes]

So glad you mentioned Fair Warning as a magnificent album.

[@ks4545]

I'm relatively new to your channel and our tastes in music often diverge, but I've loved every single video so far and this one is an all timer!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Fogeyspasm]

Nice to see Eddie Van Halen. People really need to listen to his rhythm work. He's like a metronome. His timing was exceptional.

[@spinozacelt]

spot on.It’s understandable his soloing gets all the attention but EVH was the complete package.

[@Mogwaithegreat]

Yep. I'm not actually fussed by his solos, ground breaking or not. It's that amazing rhythm playing that I love.

[@Frip36]

@@Mogwaithegreat You're no Joe Sixpack, am I right? You're not the shirtless sweaty trucker hat Van Halen fan, that's for sure. You separate yourself. You care not for surface flash solos. Your ears go deeper, man.

[@preservedmoose]

Yeah, that's what I noticed about him. A great player and very interesting. Maybe this was how he started? Jamming with his amazing drummer brother.

[@LorraineHinchliffe-vg5cb]

Eddie Van Halen was a game changer. As was Tony Iommi, and he had 2 fingers missing.

[@BronYrAur26]

Spot on! I usually go into a video like this expecting some glaring omissions or brutal rankings, but I found myself agreeing with you on every point. I might have flipped positions for Eddie and Jimmy only because Jimmy came first and influenced the guys of Eddie's generation, and his body of work is so complete whether it's playing on Sunshine Superman with Donivan or playing Rumble at the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Kudos for the honorable mention of Robin Trower too! Great video!

[@alexkorneyko6792]

Totally agree on Ritchie Blackmore. Very understated genius.

[@pindrop9536]

Technically great, very basic and uninspired writer.

[@garyh.238]

@@pindrop9536 For Blackmore's composition prowess, you might want to check out Stargazer and Gates of Babylon.

[@garyh.238]

An absolute genius and waaaaay underrated.

[@pedrohorta6266]

This is a perfect list, in terms of seminal influencers of iconic styles, past and future iterations... and by the end of your video, you're so right, guys like The Edge (and Andy Summers), innovators of the dotted 8th note delay, or Tom Morello, Thurston Moore, and Kevin Shields, i.e, pushing the limits of guitar sound effects, or even Robert Fripp and his dalliances in soundscapes and ambient tape looping deserve mention. Perhaps another video? Love your channel.

[@thaoandtony]

EVH had a happy pedal, his joy and love of the guitar came through in his playing. When he passed away , a proliferation of demos and bootleg stuff came out on youtube and confirmed to me that he was the best that ever played rock n roll.

[@markjohnson7572]

The thing that makes the guitarists on this list iconic is that the music they created with the groups they played with would simply not existed without them. I can't imagine a Led Zeppelin, Who or Jimi Hendrix Experience with some other blues influenced guitarist in the lead roll.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Exactly...and this is where they differ from monster techicians IMO

[@deansusec8745]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer RB once explained how Yngwie doesn't explore the guitar. He just plays it perfectly. Ritchie, it's true, really loves to improvise and innovate. I love how deep purple sounded much better live than in the studio, evidence of a real rock band. 4 minute songs ended up 12 minutes long!

[@Frip36]

Really? Jimi Hendrix wouldn't sound like Jimi Hendrix if he wasn't Jimi Hendrix? Deep man. Far out.

[@michaelfavreau7617]

Great episode. Jeff Beck would be my #1 though. It has been almost 60 years since the Yardbirds and Jeff has only improved as a player. He was fantastic in the Yardbirds and is so incredible and much more thoughtful now. Every album and every tour he does he plays better and better. And seems to be having so much fun while doing it. I love Hendrix. But he is # 2

[@ericblair54]

Agree. I'm 74 and have seen every guitarist on Andys list. Jeff Beck is fluid, unpredictable and can't be copied..

[@christopher9152]

YES. He is a true artist with wide-ranging musical interests and top-notch skills.

[@sealisa1398]

Agree...one of his best albums not with attendant commercial success is Rough and Ready. It's all in there - no R&R no Blow by Blow....

[@jjvermeer]

You are one of the few that agree with me. Rough and Ready is such a great, funky album. That second iteration of the Jeff Beck Group, in my opinion, is better than the first with Rod Stewart and the Truth album​. Sadly, Beck didn't think too much of it and went the fusion route, which ultimately worked out for him.@@sealisa1398

[@Frip36]

Just think how much more relevant Jeff Beck would be if he could write songs.

[@TheJohnmb46]

In the late '80s we had a heavy metal covers band and needed another guitarist! We got a few guys to audition then this guy (Frankie) just walked in, plugged in and nailed Eruption then dropped into You Really Got Me, we all got in - played it and he was hired!

[@richardjames7905]

It should also be about composition and with that in mind I prefer Richard Thompson who is this country’s best singer songwriter who can play acoustic gigs as well as electric. He is regarded as one of the best electric guitarists in the world and when he does decide to play a solo the construction is well considered and epic. Try the live version of Living On Borrowed Time from the deluxe release of Shoot Out The Lights.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

Always left off and so much better

[@wayneelliott7011]

Richard Thompson should be on every Top 10 List.

[@willemmoller6736]

Great list! I agree with you about Eric Clapton - as a young teen I was inspired to take up the guitar after hearing Cream and I became fascinated with the blues as a result. The Bluesbreakers album and Layla are great as well, but as you say, after that EC became a fairly boring middle of the road artist. He did pioneering stuff with Cream but he's basically musically conservative. Cream were true innovators and they could make the hairs on neck your stand up; you could feel them going out on a tightrope; it felt dangerous. But his music after Layla has been 'safe' - like you say, he doesn't make mistakes. Boring

[@steffenbrix]

I'm so tired of these stupid ideas...middle-of-the-road is worth nothing...innovation above everything. Music comes out of love. Who needs to re-invent love? (Mike Stern quote) Clapton's best stuff is all the way through the 90s. Especially the 24 Nights era. Cream is just mostly pointless crazy jams that lead nowhere. And Jack Bruce's playing in Cream is so annoying and unmusical...

[@nazznate]

I'm happy to see Jeff Beck so high on the list. And for all the right reasons

[@colsmusic]

Totally agree with the Clapton comments, Always very safe in my option unlike the entire 10 you picked, next Video I guess will be 10 more that nearly made it ! Great engaging video once again.

[@chrisberger4633]

It's the ranks that make this channel a cut above. Keep it up, man! =)

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks, will do!

[@peterr1001]

I don't know if you could include him as Rock Guitarist, although his band certainly played Rock, amongst many other things, but I would include Brian May who is just simply amazing

[@ursula3438]

Nice list, Andy, I completely agree on your top 2, but now I'm curious about your opinions on John Frusciante, Prince and Mick Ronson.

[@othgmark1]

Mick Ronson so overlooked

[@papalazzzaru]

Live Evil, I'm so happy you mentioned (and revere) it, it was my very first ever LP and to this day I still think Ronnie gives one of the best all-round vocal performances of his recorded career.

[@wisardofw]

Good list. One that is always overlooked and I'm not sure he should be on that list but he's the most under-rated rock guitarist and that is Frank Marino.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I absolutely loved Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush when I was growing up...what a great band and a great guitarist.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Another few names who are underrated/overlooked: Robin Trower, Alvin Lee, Rory Gallagher. Another 70s one who is bluesy like Clapton but a better version is Gary Moore.

[@Frip36]

@@jimmycampbell78 Gary was always in blast mode, seems to me. Could have used a bit more taste.

[@tomhenninger4153]

I love the list... I love the insights and I agree with you almost exactly. Well done! I was just going over the great guitarists with my uncle. He didnt understand why Hendrix was known as the greatest rock guitarist. I'm happy to as, my analysis is very similar to your comment (just not as good) haha! No nastiness. Come on, talking about music is like what I did with my high school and college buddies. And ever since. Thanks Andy!

[@rodhester2166]

Stevie Ray, Is an honorable mention. As far as playing in the moment. No one could naturally flow like Stevie. That being said, I understand he leans more towards blues than rock.

[@davidmontgomery5047]

Too Derivative tho .

[@rodhester2166]

@@davidmontgomery5047 Derivative = having parts that originate from another source , couldn't you say this about every rock guitarist? They all use parts and pieces from previous musicians. Some use these parts better than others, Stevie is one that used them better than most were even capable of.

[@johnjackson3735]

Richie Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Alex Lifeson, Mick Taylor, Brian May, Pete Townsend, Michael Schenker, Steve Howe, David Gilmour, Steve Hackett, Duane Allman

[@GravyDaveNewson]

Great list, totally agree about Clapton.

[@thomasnilsson729]

I think you are right. Iommi and angus and page etc.

[@irena7777777]

Hendrix. The only player who is rated so highly on what he could have done. If Holdsworth had taken up swimming , he could have been Duncan Goodhew

[@markcapofari8419]

Andy - good show & note that when mentioned Jim Marshall had his shop and Pete Townshend tried out amps John McLaughlin was a sales person then!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

OH WOW....I have a sneaking suspician JM secretly invented rock music...He seems to be the Zelig of the 60s British Rock scene

[@markcapofari8419]

From Andrew Hickey Podcast a History of Rock Music in 500 Songs an excellent and well researched documentary-at 1967 or so now

[@alanmatthew5713]

A great list but I would've included Brian May.

[@Frip36]

Brian may not.

[@mattf9076]

Regarding losing the feel, the same argument is brought up about music theory. "If I learn music theory, my magical creativity will go away". I know Frank Gambale commented on this once, saying something among the lines of "Just an excuse for not having to learn theory and a load of Biff Tannen's worst enemy, Manure"

[@normt6226]

Well to each his own...Cause i tend to agree that music are not mathematics...and inspiration and emotions have nothing to do with rationnality...If you think Gambale is more creative than Page or Hendrix...well...good for you...I really think balance is the key word here...

[@mainzergirl9610]

Great list! It inspired me to relisten to Whole Lotta Rosie. That outro!!

[@zilefn9212]

Top 10 lists are always impossible, but if you include creativity, charisma and influence, as Andy does, for me the absolute top ones are Hendrix, Pagey and Keith Richards. The inclusion of Keith may sound nuts as he was no virtuoso, but think about it.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

Hell yeah Bubba! Keef is the ultimate! Guitar does not require virtuosity it requires heart and soul. Monkey Man! Show me on Sabbath tune that gets your heart and blood flowing like that tune!? Or Live With Me. Or Bitch, ah man the list is endless

[@tonyfanfarone]

@@edwardyazinski3858always enjoyed Keith’s rude and dirty playing. He could bring the raunch a la honky to keep woman, can’t you hear me knocking.

[@Frip36]

Angus covers for Keith. Two birds, one stone.

[@elasmojones]

Ritchie was always the best for me. Stargazer.

[@garyh.238]

Agreed.

[@Frip36]

my eyes are bleeeeeeedennnn

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

Looks like you've made it to 5K subscribers! Congrats! (or is KZbin rounding-up the number?)

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

No I did...now as I write 5004...perhaps one of those is Eric???

[@kennethdias9988]

Nils Lofgren quietly great. A deep dive into Steely Dan . I enjoyed your Zappa deep dive . Steely Dan was a 70s band with timeless music. Glen Campbell , Gary More great guitar players

[@MarkFinney1964]

Great list, and given the premise of innovation and debt owed by rock music to these guys, I would not argue with any of the choices. That said, if I were compiling such a list, I would have found a way of squeezing Alex Lifeson into it, though I don't know which of the team you picked I would drop.

[@FernandoCoto-gx1zi]

My Top 10 of favorite guitarists are mostly of Jazz/Rock Fusion and Prog in no particular order: John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Al Di Meola, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Larry Coryell, Pat Metheny Jan Akkerman, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck. In the Rock genre I would list Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore, Alvin Lee, Jimi Hendrix, Toy Caldwell, Billy Gibbons, Mick Taylor, Danny Kirwan, Dickey Bettd, Johnny Winter, Robin Trower, Mike Bloomfield, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Peter Green, Frank Marino, Duane Allman, Kim Simmonds, Paul Kossoff, Tommy Bolin, Rory Gallagher, Randy Bachman, Ted Turner, Steve Miller, Joe Walsh, Carlos Santana, Tom Scholz, Uli Jo Roth, Eric Johnson, Leslie West, Michael Schenker, Tony Iommi, Eddie Van Halen, Terry Kath, Stephen Stills, Tommy Bolin, Randy California, Lindsay Buckingham, Rod Price, Angus Young, Brian May, Buck Dharma, Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia, Randy Rhoads, Ronnie Montrose, Ted Nugent, John Cipollina, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Clapton, Randy Bachman, Roy Buchanan, and many more.

[@Stpaulus101]

Brian may

[@DexterDexter123]

11 Brian May all day. writer of history making tunes, innovator re fx and his self built guitar straddles genres but playing isn’t easily pigeon holed, early years he brought super heavy guitar but lyrical playing - Death on two legs is a masterclass in tone. unique, inimitable, irreplaceable.

[@yrlic]

Well, you’re not wrong

[@hybrydsanity5857]

cool list honorable mentions Alex Lifeson , joe Perry I'd personally swap Tony Iommi ahead of angus but that that can go either way to taste. Ritchie Blackmore's Lazy was the game changer for me when i was a kid, but I'm not saying he is number 1. just like the guy below me said Dave Gilmour. Brian May should definitely be in here .I might swap Van Halen and jeff beck although I ironically prefer Jeff beck lol.just bc I see Eddie like the next Jimi.as far as influencing generations. Beck is like the bridge of the 2 i guess. last to come to mind is Randy Rhoads Frank Morino ,oh you just said randy ! .Malmsteen .yes there's the shredders Vai could be on a different list although he's in my top 5 all time. the experimental, Belew ,Edge ,Morello goes on and on .

[@syn707]

Where’s Nick Lucas?!! He was………. Enjoyed this very much Mr. Edwards. Looking forward to the next vid! 👍

[@pedrohorta6266]

Just noticed your "AE" Illuminati-style logo in the corner... very slick!

[@Sennrsup]

Great to see Michael Schenker on your list. He was my guitar god growing up.

[@car-or-ock616]

Fascinating take on Clapton. I revere him for his work with Delaney & Bonnie and the first two LPs. For the honourable mentions list: Duane Allman. Is it a bit 'colonial' to relegate Neil Young to a showman? Though I get what you are saying and I totally agree: One thing to be wildly popular. Quite another to 'innovate', invent, take it to the next level (or 'to the beyond' with Hendrix). What about Keith Richards? To point to the obvious: the riff on Start Me Up. Even the Edge never quite got one like that. I am curious, from the Canadian west coast (Jimi's grandma lived in Vancovuer, the building is still there... though maybe not for long), what is your take on US east coasters: Dylan, Paul Simon, and Springsteen. There seems to be an implicit bias in the presentation away from folk/classical guitar-and the Jersey street scene-towards straight-ahead screaming sounds. Which is good. However, Day in the Life matches all the criteria fro Prog (except perhaps decibel levels), yet it's not hard edge.

[@MarkHodgettsWriter]

Excellent list. I fully agree with your assessment of Clapton. I see lots of lists put together by people who aren't musicians and Clapton is always close to the top. Often Blackmore and Beck aren't included - probably because the list maker has never heard of them. These lists are as subjective as hell. I could argue forever that Blackmore deserves to be even higher - but it's academic when we're talking about all these players. One name I'd offer for consideration is Rory Gallagher - he probably doesn't meet your criteria for this list but man, could he play

[@JohnJarpe]

I always have heard that John Entwistle had helped Jim Marshall invent the Marshall amplifier he recognizes the role played by Pete Townshend but again I have always heard and read that John was in the shop helping Marshall experiment with different types of sounds. I do know for a fact that it was Townshend who invent the Marshall stack.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Yes...these stories are always a bit clouded in myth.

[@footwearisoptional8766]

sooo... I need to absorb this. Ritchie Blackmore made your top five Ritchie Blackmore who usually doesn't even make the top 50 when people are listing off the 100 greatest. Ritchie Blackmore whose solos wrap themselves 'round my brain, slither down my spine and run a finger up the inside of my leg.... Made your top five. I love you, man.

[@Innerspace100]

Blackmore rarely gets the credit he deserves. Especially when people in America do such lists, for some reason. I think Purple made more of a mark here in Europe than they did over there.

[@garyh.238]

@@Innerspace100 Exactly! We have chatted recently somewhere else about Ritchie. It's an American rock music media thing, the dissing of Blackmore. He, along with Deep Purple (after 1974) and his band Rainbow were almost virtually ignored in America. A number of reasons for it, but certainly a large part of it falls at the feet of rock journalists and poor management / marketing.

[@garyh.238]

Yes indeed, finally Ritchie gets some love! Waaay overdue. A stellar guitarist who gets overlooked.

[@cbr9914]

i always liked tony's solos, but it wasn't until i saw him for the first time on the heaven and hell reunion tour with dio (before the album came out) that i realized just how awesome he really is. he absolutely floored me. angus is iconic, but it's malcom who really drove that band. every thrash guy will name check malcome right out of the gate.

[@colinburroughs9871]

tough to pin it down.. lot's of room between influence, technique and what one likes to listen to and the era. Some guys certainly get the benefit of being first and some get the benefit of all of accumulated knowledge of who came before. And Steve Howe, Guthrie Govan, Alex Lifeson, Joe Satriani (honestly, Joe is on the list, he's been asked to replace Keith for Mic Jagger, Van Halen for Sammy and Ritchie Blackmore for DP, he's taught Vai and Larry LaLonde and his own classic stuff and newer stuff all holds up) and many others could just as easily be correct answers.

[@RicoMnc]

Angus' playing on You Shook Me All Night Long is the mic drop of rock guitar.

[@74900kdw]

I'm just discovering your channel and I love your rants. I also agree with your 10 greatest rock guitar Gods although not in the same order. Growing up in southern California in the 70's Led Zeppelin was the band and Jimmy Page was the guitar God and still is for me. Hendrix was fantastic and I love what he did for music and the same with Jeff Beck. When you use the term Rock Guitar Gods there is no question in my mind that it's Page. One guitarist on your list is responsible for the greatest number of iconic and legendary rock albums and that is Jimmy Page. Nobody on your list comes close to having anything close to Led Zeppelin 1, Led Zeppelin 2, Led Zeppelin 3, Led Zeppelin 4, Houses Of The Holy, Physical Graffiti and Presence. If you want to keep all those others on the list I agree with almost all of them. No rock guitarist on your list did more Rock God recordings than Jimmy Page. I won't go on for four paragraphs although I could. I also have a tendency to rant. Subbed.

[@visionlandmusic]

Independent musicians get very few subs unless they are backed by a record label. I support your channel, content is great for musicians outside of ‘the machine’.

[@DaveKraft1]

I was both surprised and elated that you put Jeff Beck on this list, and give him his well-earned and deserved due. At first I thought he would NOT make the list, because his evolution was so broad, multi-dimensional and rapid. He certainly didn't stick with "rock" per se. But after you explained it, I have to agree. So thanks for this inclusion. Sadly, my comments come after his death, while this vid came before. I hope he got a chance to hear it. Be well...

[@wm-nu1yf]

Vai is by far my favorite guitarist. Glad he got a place on the list. I can't really argue with anyone on the list. Satriani may have only really done solo albums, but he did teach and influence a lot of others, notably Vai and Kirk Hammett. Leaving him off the list is fair since I can't really think of who I'd boot off the list to put him on.

[@themetallian2112]

Will there be a video on the best straight Jazz guitarists, since you've mentioned Django?

[@danmayberry1185]

It has me rethinking world order. Like setting the "market price," an anomaly emerges occasionally and ups the stakes. Them, Stones, Animals, Yardbirds, all vying for 2nd place to The Beatles ... FF a few years, who will be the next best thing to The Police?

[@phillarsson8253]

Jeff Beck rules in his own way. He's so amazing.

[@normt6226]

Almost the same list as mind...except i swapped Page and Beck...Cause Page is SO iconic and way more influential than Beck at large...As for Hendrix...well He's a one-of-a-kind...

[@Terry-zl1cs]

Andy, I suppose you've heard this Jam. Good stuff! Jimi Hendrix John McLaughlin Record Plant NY 25 March 69

[@metalski64]

I agree about what you say about Eric Clapton.

[@nicholasgargano7396]

It's excitement with rock n roll players.

[@ccujohn]

When we’re quantifying music and performance, someone’s always going to get left out.

[@luizjose778]

Jan Akkerman,gilmour,jeff beck,stevie hacket,stevie howe,eric johnson,hendrix,John mac loughlin Andy latimer saudo desde brasil❤

[@TheJohnmb46]

BTW - I totally understand why Zappa is not in there!

[@Thrak360]

Solid list, Andy, nothing I blatantly would argue against. Tough to pick 10. But my personal list I’d lose Vai and add Santana.

[@jeffhadland3705]

Thanks again 😊. #1 Jimmy Page #2 Michael Schenker #3 Eddie Van Halen #4 Steve Morse #5 Gary Moore #6 Alex Lifeson #7 Rik Emett #8 Jerry Cantrell #9 Robbie Blunt #10 Uli Von Roth.😊

[@Frip36]

Robbie Blunt? It's Uli John Roth Lifeson, Emett? LOL. We got a Canuk in the house. Schenker ahead of Eddie? How many good songs after Phenomenon way back in '74? 5? 7? Maybe 9? Jerry Cantrell. Where do you get off man? The only thing you got right was Page at #1.

[@f.k.3762]

When I listend to your definition at the beginning I actually had Bruce Springsteen in mind but surely that is not how you meant it ;) Although I agree with almost everyone on this list.

[@richeaton7436]

Rory Gallagher? Duane Allman? Alvin Lee? ... ??? ... lol

[@uberbeast113]

13:55 The answer to your question is...no. Look to solo stuff by Jack Bruce instead. And certain random albums feat. Ginger Baker on drums eg Hawkwind "Levitation"

[@jeffsparey9585]

"The attack of the mad axeman " MSG nuf said

[@mainzergirl9610]

BTW, agreed on Clapton: I'd kill to play like him but in no way is he as interesting as the 10 you've cited.

[@donotresussitate]

I was 15 and I heard on the radio that there was gonna be a concert with Jeff Beck and Santana, summer ‘94. I begged and got to go. The concert was amazing. After Santana opened, thousands left the park. They missed an incredible performance, and it was then that I realized my taste was somewhat niche, but that Jeff Beck was the best I would ever see play, and most underrated player of all time.

[@peterbajgar5727]

Best rock performance? hmm, that is impossible to say. probably most iconic performances is easier to find. For me it is Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner. American national anthem turned into the great protest song. And the second most iconic performance: the Ten Years After - I'm going home also at Woodstock. Alvin was a guitar magician on his own - just guitar plugged into an amp, nothing else. I don't think I have ever heard him using even a wah-wah pedal. Just crystal clean notes. And he could play very fast, couldn't he? I too agree with description of Clapton after the Cream: middle of the road.

[@nicksundby]

Stupendous video

[@justgimmesometruth1136]

Every once in a while the world is blessed with an individual or group of artists who transcend all traditional boundaries. This would include The Beatles, John McLaughlin and MO and of course, Jimi Hendrix. To accurately asses the impact of their greatness requires a different set of rules. In this case I propose the following -- two separate top ten lists. The first list would be called: The 10 Greatest Rock Guitar Gods not named Jimi Hendrix. The second list would be called: The 10 Greatest Rock Guitar Gods named Jimi Hendrix. This second list would of course have only one entry. I know that doesn't make sense but then again, it does.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

That's why I said Beck is the greatest...I'm putting together a top ten greatest shredders. John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola and Holdsworth aren't in the list because they are beyond category...Jimi is the same for me...

[@Rick-jg8vx]

I don’t disagree with you about Eric Clapton at all. In fact, I think that’s a pretty good assessment that said he wasn’t 17 when Bluesbreakers was made he was 20 years old. What did you think he was 15 years old when he was in the Yardbirds?

[@_Peremalfait]

I read a biography of Hendrix. Before he died he had gained an interest in jazz, so I think that’s the direction he would’ve gone.

[@emilberbakov3817]

I once read something to the effect "Everyone knows that guitar playing is not a competition, but Jeff Beck is better than everyone."

[@ryanmaxwelll2730]

11:51 - The original Marshall circuit was based on an American amp circuit - The Fender 5F6A. Not to be that guy, but I guess I'll be that guy.

[@brianjacob8728]

finally a more balanced appraisal of Eric Clapton. Always overrated imo.

[@Frip36]

Clapton's seventies albums were good. Ain't nothing wrong with mellow. Despite what Andy "Always be Groundbreaking!" Edwards says.

[@brianjacob8728]

@@Frip36 Didn't say he wasn't talented or didn't put out some good music. Hell, I even bought one of his albums back in the day. But he is overrated.

[@Frip36]

@@brianjacob8728 He used to be overrated. But now that Lefties hate him, he's underrated and undiscussed.

[@wisardofw]

I agree with you about Eric Clapton

[@narosgmbh5916]

MOST IMPORTANT: Someone unlooked the door: 5000 welcome

[@LorraineHinchliffe-vg5cb]

Theres only one, THE one and only Tony Iommi! And he did it with 2 fingers missing!! Angus Youngs energy was incredible, especially in the 70s. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I just wish I was old enough to have seen Hendrix live!

[@kevindohn6776]

not bad, I guessed 7 out of 10, not who i pick, but who i thought you would pick

[@DwainDwight]

Not in any order. Iomi, Hendrix, Alvin Lee, Uli Jon Roth, EVH, Rory, SRV, Blackmore, Page & Ace

[@earlgrey691]

Page-Blackmore-Eddie Van Halen.The holy trinity.

[@rockadrome7235]

Schenker is my #1

[@croydonmassive]

Have you ever covered Stevie Ray Vaughan?

[@billdubilier]

Eddie Phillips- the first to bow a guitar and was asked to join The Who. Richard Thompson-the only guitarist who can play lead and sing at the same time. Frank Zappa-composer, bandleader and great guitarist discovered Vai. Phil Manzanera-Roxy Music guitarist led his own bands Quiet Sun and 801. Marc Ribot- played with the greatest Tom Waits, John Zorn, Lounge Lizards, etc Buckethead- the most prolific guitarist alive.

[@billdubilier]

HR-John McLaughlin played with Miles, started Mahavishnu and Shakti

[@billdubilier]

Jeff Beck- my gateway to everything fusion and jazz

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

All great but, with the exception of Zappa and Buckethead, not guitar Gods.....

[@billdubilier]

They are my guitar heroes

[@davidbennett2339]

@@billdubilier Richard Thompson is definitely a guitar god in my pantheon.

[@MochaDaisy8645]

My list would include Alex Lifeson but to each his own. Most lists would include Clapton but I was never impressed with his post-Blind Faith career

[@TheJohnmb46]

No nasty comments here! I would rather sit down and discuss than argue!

[@scottstruif3939]

Bravo! Eric Clapton is now the most underrated guitarist! 😀

[@bjornagaintobywilde]

Just starting to listen and i assume Blackmore is at or near the top

[@edwardyazinski3858]

Layla! Brilliant! Simply brilliant! Even if that was it you have to credit him maybe not on the list but. Certainly one of the best songs of the 20th century and every bit the equal of any singular jazz fusion bit.

[@ZillianZilch]

I’ve been binge watching your videos, particularly the ones about 70s heavy rock. I’m 56 (a couple of years older than you I think) and like you it was those 70s rock bands and guitarists that were my gateway into music. I agree with so much of what you say. In particular with how overrated Eric Clapton is. I’ve always thought of him as highly professional but uninspiring. Great up until Cream but totally bland thereafter. Also that Ritchie Blackmore is criminally underrated and that Angus Young is one of the all time great blues guitarists. Love this list. You’ve pretty much nailed it as far as I’m concerned. And of course Jimi is number one. The only Rock God who actually might have been a God!

[@jeffhenderson9957]

Great list Andy thank you for sharing.👍

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it