The 20 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time (You Won’t Believe Who’s #1)

[@JamieSlays]

Did your favorite guitarist make the list? Who do YOU think is the greatest guitarist of all time? Let me know in the comments below!

[@poddyoff]

Why is John Petrucci not on the list?

[@devrimdemirel4139]

@@poddyoff Probably Jamie doesnt like progressive... Complex notes is difficult to understand!

[@SeanM375]

I would have included the combination of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith

[@poppabear4301]

Ok. . . The list is incredibly metal heavy. . . In terms of talented guitarists that are just flat disrespected. . .David Gilmore. . .Jimmy Page. . . Jimmie Hendix. . . Eric Clapton. . . The guitarist from Rush. . . Herman Li of dragonforce. . . Slash

[@JamieSlays]

@ Herman li is metal? :) I didn’t disrespect any one by simply adding them. It’s just the ones I like the most. I included so many non metal ones also

[@wombozombo]

Dime is my #1 🤘

[@taluckderriam5929]

Where’re Satriani and Petrucci. There’s literally no list without them

[@MrMazuala]

Jason Becker also. By the way Dime darell is overrated

[@awguitarroom8033]

Alexi is #1 for me

[@JamieSlays]

🙇‍♂️ he is indeed a legend!!

[@shad578]

Same

[@Smoakz]

Some I'd include (not in order) would be: Chuck Schuldiner Tosin Abasi Jimi Hendrix Dave Mustaine Head (KoRn) Petrucci

[@dustinteasdale6091]

Why would Jimi Hendrix be on a metal list?

[@Smoakz]

@dustinteasdale6091 influenced a lot of the rock that influenced metal. It's a loose fit, but without jimi, there'd likely be much less metal musicians, and I doubt we'd be where we are right now with metal without him too

[@dustinteasdale6091]

@ while I agree with your statement I wouldn’t include him on the list just due to it being genre specific. I do agree Jimi should be in the top 10 of the greatest guitar players, should top the list of the most influential guitar players.

[@manuelgodinez7591]

Chuck! What a monster 🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾

[@Rullplayz]

​​​@@Smoakz I think classical and jazz inspired metal musician more , especially in their riff, licks and solos, but on stage, they do inspired by rock guitarist in showmanship and to make liveshows more uplifting, for example Alexi Laiho and more

[@avengedstevenfoldA7X]

I would have Zakk Wylde, Synyster Gates, and Dimebag in my top 3

[@knutruther4964]

I would put two more women at the top, what Miyako and Midori from Lovebites perform with their guitars is world class. You can listen to Judgment Day live, the way they play the solos back and forth to end up playing together is out of this world. The good old metal from the 80s/90s is back with these girls. Maiden ,Metallica ,Megadeth ,Slayer and so on have Granddaughters

[@brade5874]

It's seems hard to put Hetfeild #2 when he's definitely behind Mustain in being the riff master of thrash.

[@Арсен-л2з]

I don't care what anybody think about my rate, but here it is 1) Dimebag 2) Eddie Van Halen 3) Kirk Hammett 4) Marty Friedman 5) John Petrucci

[@KingKull1971]

Remember everyone, this is his personal list.

[@jakemidkiff5720]

Quantifying who's "best" will always be an exercise in futility, but my favorite will always be EVH.

[@JamieSlays]

Yeh it’s hard! That’s why I made this the greatest guitarist list :) not specifically most talented or best

[@oliviervachez226]

SRV? Rory Gallagher? Michael Schenker? Brian Robertson? Oldies but goldies!

[@evanansot6335]

EVH will always be my favorite

[@fandresenaraharijaona9448]

You forgot the legendary Dave Mustaine 😬😬

[@Franztastic]

Your list or not, Jimi being left out is criminal..

[@KingKull1971]

Here's my list of who I think are the best as of right now, however it's subject to change depending on my mood: 1: Jimi Hendrix 2: Joyce Cooling 3: Buddy Guy 4: Robert Cray 5: Roy Buchanan 6: George Benson 7: Estas Tonne 8: Sister Rosetta Tharpe 9: Ana Vidovic 10: Wes Montgomery 11: Vernon Reid 12: Rocky George 13: Jake E Lee 14: George Lynch 15: Otis Rush 16: Elmore James 17: Dr Know 18: Reeves Gabrels 19: Tony "Bruno" Rey 20: Michelle Meldrum 21: Eric Clapton 22: Reb Beach 23: Yngwie Malmsteen 24: Lita Ford 25: Jackie Venson 26: Michael Burke 27: Ana Popovic 28: Johnny Copeland 29: Peter Woods 30: Robbie Krieger

[@paulcarter105]

Mark tremonti and Adam jones are underrated as well as Jim root

[@systemuser8701]

1. Bonamassa 2. Hatfield 3. SRV 4. Malmsteen 5. Walsh 6. Zappa . .

[@jelleepit]

I'm assuming it was a joke about Lita Ford working with Michael Jackson. That was Jennifer Baton right.

[@JamieSlays]

Yeh I made the mistake and got them mixed up

[@Thetenmaumau]

Brian May, Satriani and Nuno Bettencourt sadly forgotten.

[@petercrisp-i5z]

My faves not listed Paul Kossoff, Robin Trower, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush

[@samdandrea1507]

Michael Schenker.

[@francismichaud7880]

Rory Gallagher Alan Holdsworth Robert Fripp Jimi Hendrix Jimmy Page is not so bad too... Lita Ford?

[@mp-kq5pk]

Chuck Schuldiner

[@sadiriabenojar6704]

Great list. Shawn Lane(RIP), Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, and George Lynch are great guitarists as well.

[@aatefnazar6185]

Chuck schuldiner. Can't have any guitarist list without him . Just my opinion

[@Am_1Demon]

Some guys not on your list that are on mine: Tony Iommi Jerry Cantrell John Christ Tosin Abasi Chuck Schuldiner Rob Flynn Brandon Ellis

[@JamieSlays]

@@Am_1Demon thank you!

[@bethboorose]

Jamie Slays for number 1 🎉🤘🏻🖤✨️

[@JamieSlays]

@@bethboorose 🙇‍♂️ ❤️

[@o_gpotterhead]

I would include Dave Murray and Tony Iommi

[@dasninjastix]

It's a fun list, always cool to get someone's insight into their influences and preferences. If you approach this stuff with an open mind or just relaxed, you can actually come away appreciating stuff you previously overlooked, took for granted, or discounted. I'm more a simple b*tch than you metal folk, the first two guitarists I cared about were Jerry Cantrell and Billy Corgan, but came to love and appreciate King Edward, Jimi, Tony Iommi, Page, Gilmour, and of course Dime. Nothing like a guitarist who can have charisma but it also feel 100% real and not like a character. Awesome list, appreciate the video 🤘

[@Rullplayz]

Alexi Laiho and Muhammed Suiçmez for me, both have classical influences in their compositions/song writings. Alexi classical or melodic licks usually in his leads or during chorus part, while Muhammed Suiçmez in his melodic technical solos, Fermented Offal Discharge, Advanced Corpse Tumour ,Culinary Hyperversity and Diminished to B is my fav solos from Necrophagist

[@davidbutterfield7718]

Love this video! I first of all learned a lot of names (old, stuck-in-the-mud fart that I am), but loved the demonstrations and the "whys" behind them. Thanks for including Joe Walsh... Incredible how he is not in everybody's top 20. Brian May at Sevilla '92 (?) called him "a guitar hero for all us guitar heroes". And Brian has a PhD...no thickie, he!

[@MikeLowe-q5z]

Top 5… #1 EVH #2 Vai #3 Hendrix #4 RR #5 Malmsteen …Honorable Mention- Friedman, Blackmore, Page , Clapton ,Gilbert and modern - Strauss

[@bang1102]

I will put Michael Amott, Tony Iommi, Michael Weikath on that list.

[@srt8rocketship241]

I can't understand why anyone can deny Dime. Some call him sloppy. Haters just hate to get attention. I like Marty being up there but I'm old and still hold Randy and Eddie as my Hero's. They woke folks up way back when. Like , what was that. Late 70's early 80's.

[@ck2352]

Joe Satriani, Dave Mustaine, Zakk Wylde, Chuck Schuldiner, Mark Knopfler, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

[@T.Ryan5150]

This is one of the BEST top 20 lists I have seen. I also know this is your opinion. I'm just not sure why Steve Vai can be on the list but not Joe Satriani. The fact you included Steve Lukather and Eric Johnson is fantastic, but no Joe is odd to me. Some IMO are too high and some to low, but bravo, what a list.

[@renxomedia2427]

Subjectivity is a beautiful part of music Your 17 is my 1 and some others on your list aren’t on mine and neither are right

[@JamieSlays]

@@renxomedia2427 thank you!

[@8scrivo2]

jamie slays is the best guitarist, learnt me more than any on the list lol 🤘🏼🎸

[@nihilist92]

Jim Root James Het Devin Townsend Matt Tuck Zakk Wylde For me 🙌🏻

[@Raspberryfanta72]

Jimmy page must play the flute then

[@Ravenstorm163]

What is the criteria cause not having Jeff Beck for any reason is objectively wrong

[@dwayneharms8336]

SRV, Randy Rhoads and Dimebag are my top three ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[@johnhallman5533]

Love lists - so no negative take on yours. Mine would have had Petrucci, Jake E Lee, Warren DeMartini, Stevie Stevens

[@scottmcmurtray4998]

Dime definitely deserves this top pick. Pantera definitely revived the metal scene.

[@florentperez8258]

RIP Alexis! We got Jason Becker, Michael Romeo and Jason Richardson too !

[@dwightpadgett606]

SRV and Jeff Loomis

[@70metalchylde]

you forgot 3 criss olive Ritchie Blackmore tony ipmmi

[@carsonpeterson758]

That’s a nice list

[@alexjohnston8889]

I would definitely put Dave Murry in there somewhere and Richie Sambora his dry county solo is awesome, glad you mentioned Gary moore, for me he'd be number 1, I'd also put Richie Blackmore in there also Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

[@N3dra]

You completely missed Mattias IA Eklundh!

[@BRO77TX]

How can you not include a guitarist that Paul Gilbert described as the "most terrifying guy of all time"?? Of course Im referring to Shawn Lane!! Check out his albums with Jeff Sipe, Jonas Hellborg and himself; "Personae", "Time Is The Enemy", and "Temporal Analogues Of Paradise". You will NOT be disappointed, only MESMERIZED!!

[@Tracer_James]

Although no I don’t think Kirk Hammett is the best nor most creative but I definitely think he needs more credit. I think a main reason people don’t see it is because of the lack of creative freeness in Metallica. His Portal album is absolutely amazing and has so much raw emotion.

[@TuneTwist5]

I clicked & came here only for Alexi on Thumbnail.

[@JamieSlays]

Yayyy

[@AJoylessEon]

No josh middleton.. super underrated

[@JamieSlays]

If it was my favourite metal guitarists of all time. Him Brandon Ellis and many more would be on here

[@samueletizianodallari1277]

Forgot about jason becker!

[@djcflash]

To Each His Own, I'm Not Into Dimebag Jeff Beck Is And Was The Best,

[@f93278]

Where is John Petrucchi😢

[@raise_your_axe27]

Great list.🤘🙂 I have so many favourite guitarists, and a lot of them you mentioned in the video, but for me personally, my top 5 are: 1) Slash I picked up the guitar because of him, and that's why he's my number 1😁 2) Jimi Hendrix When I saw the video of him playing Hey Joe and he played the 1st solo with his teeth and 2nd solo behind his head and set his guitar on fire, I was amazed and I watched more of his performances and became a fan🙂 3) Dimebag Darrell The greatest metal guitarist of all time🤘 4) James Hetfield and 5) Kirk Hammett because I am a big Metallica fan🙂

[@GaryRaub74]

Nice list

[@JamieSlays]

Thank you!!

[@toddruizguitar]

King Dime

[@JamieSlays]

🙇‍♂️

[@donatskorday1222]

Great list.....but where Gilmour?🤔

[@B.EDWARD319]

TONY IOMMI

[@petriseppala2145]

Varg vikernes! Or count grishnack.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Michael Romeo is #1.

[@declanbyrne3065]

Garry Moore was outstanding

[@anthopapa6760]

What about Wolf Hoffman or Jeff Beck or Kirk Hammett?

[@joebuckle-redmondrealty2024]

Great video 👍in the metal id put George Lynch on my list.

[@kennethwatson4489]

Without Tony Iommi would heavy metal even exist???

[@c0lorless]

petrucci and synyster gates listed on #0 and #-1 I guess

[@kevinmaillet4712]

When mentioning EVH, I'm shocked you didn't say "and let's not forget his contribution to Michael Jackson." Lol

[@JamieSlays]

@@kevinmaillet4712 I almost did haha keep it going

[@WadeEades]

Not sure if it was just heavy metal, but I thought it was the 20 best guitarists of all time and I get that everyone has their own opinion but there wasn't any Jeff Beck or David Gilmour but Lita Ford made the list and I don't think she played with Michael Jackson but maybe I'm wrong

[@JamieSlays]

@@WadeEades she didn’t. It was a mistake. But Gary Moore is on there? And Steve vai. Marco sfogli. Joe Walsh. They’re not metal?

[@lylesommers5018]

How can you have a greatest guitarist list without Jason Becker, Derek trucks, Eddy shaver, Jeff beck , Ace Frehley, just to name a few.

[@JamieSlays]

I tried to keep it varied. Next time I’m doing 50!

[@dwightpadgett606]

Also Tim Henson from Polyphia and Sarah Longfield

[@undivine666]

Dimebag Darrel is my #1 and Brandon Ellis is my #2.

[@matthewhouse5245]

Dime will always be #1

[@mikaelvuorinen3143]

Hello from sweden dimebag darrell is the best metal rhythmic and lead guitar of all time rip dimebag and vinne Paul

[@kingdiamondfan4032]

Love everyone you have listed here was surprised no Jason Becker Schenker or Tony Macalpine I watched your video to see if Gary Moore got a shout out he is my all time biggest influence as a player I owe a lot of my playing style including my left hand vibrato to him .

[@kellywilson8440]

Brian Patrick Carroll aka Buckethead could easily be on this list imo !

[@maratb2684]

If u knew anything about guitar playing , there would be Dave Mustaine and Jeff Waters

[@JamieSlays]

I absolutely love Jeff waters. I don’t have enough room on this list. Next time I’m doing 30!

[@manuelgodinez7591]

Jason Becker, Kirk Hammett, Tipton/Downing, Jeff Hanneman, Trey Azagthoth, Robert Fripp, Timmo Tolki, Kiko Loureiro, Alvin Lee, Joe Satriani, Tosin Abasi, John Petrucci, Alex Lifeson, Mark Knopfler, Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, and the list con go forever

[@Danisapema]

Kirk hammet😂😂😂😂

[@NetleKiss]

Whatever you said! Jimmy Hendrix is above all!

[@kennethkleespie2579]

I noticed most of your favorites are metal guitarist with a few old school guitarist thrown in which is fine but you left out all the other great genres and styles. But it’s your favorites and that is ok,and it’s still a good list

[@JamieSlays]

Thank you! What would your list look like

[@kennethkleespie2579]

17 Dickie Betts , 16 Joe Walsh, 15 Chet Atkins, 14 Zak Wilde ,13 Gary Moore, 12 Steve Vai , 11 Prince, 10 Jimmy Page, 9 Derek Trucks, 8 Glen Campbell, 7 Joe Satriani, 6 Alvin Lee , 5 Randy Rhodes, 4 Eddie VanHalen, 3 Stevie Ray Vaughn, 2 Jeff Beck, 1 Roy Clark. Sorry I could only come up with 17.

[@jelsandim2260]

love your n 1 bro 🤩

[@JamieSlays]

He’s the greatest ever 🔥

[@jelsandim2260]

@@JamieSlays absolutely agree hi is 🤩

[@RuffinSmith-jx6du]

R to the 2nd power Richie Blackmore and Ronnie Montrose thats Rock and Roll

[@j0hnn13K]

Great list but my personal list would be a bit different obviously, as lists like this are of personal choice and taste :) On my list most certainly would have several of the guitarists you've listed, but i'd also have Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tony Iommi, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa, Brian May, Johnny Marr, Paco de Lucia, Jimmy Page, Albert King, and why not.. Emppu Vuorinen, on my personal list. :)

[@JamieSlays]

That’s a great list! I’ll have to check out those people

[@j0hnn13K]

@@JamieSlays ty, i think you'll enjoy some of these, be it for the sheer skill or by being big inspirations to others. I also just realized i left out Jan Akkerman (he's an example of both).

[@richardpierce7819]

Ok so you obviously only ranked shredders but you missed out on some of the greatest. Duane Allman , Dickey Betts with the ABB created a new genra , Rory Gallagher the irish guitarist who kicked the door open for bands like Thin Lizzy and U - 2 not to mention guitarist like Brian May , Eric Clapton , Jimmy Page , Jimi Hendrix looked up to Rory and stole from him. Then theres Paul Kossif , Robert Johnson , Buddy Guy , John Lee Hooker should I continue ......

[@JamieSlays]

That’s a great list. I actually haven’t heard of most of these people haha thank you. I’ll check them out. As you can see my journey with guitar mostly started out metal and I’ve now found out about a lot of them 20 years into my journey! Thank you

[@repsol5082]

Lita Ford played with MJ? Jennifer Batten played with him

[@JamieSlays]

Yeh I realised I was wrong. She was asked to be in the band but I think they said no?

[@AmericanNationalist852]

Yngwie's name is pronounced "Ing-vay".... though we all try to play the Yng-way from time to time

[@JamieSlays]

Thank you

[@SurfSari]

Alexi ❤️‍🔥

[@Perbrill]

Where’s Joe Satriani who taught Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett and Alek Skolnick ?

[@pyre13]

Jennifer Batten played w/MJ not Lita Ford, Lita couldn't hold a candle to Jennifer 😀

[@JamieSlays]

Yeh I realised I made that mistake after 🤦‍♂️ thank you

[@MikeLowe-q5z]

Or Nita Strauss

[@jamesaston410]

I know music is totally subjective, but surprised you didn’t have the likes of Alan Holdsworth, Zappa or Jeff Beck on your list. Guitar virtuosity isn’t just measured by how fast you can run up and down the fretboard, imho.

[@JamieSlays]

Exactly a lot of people on this list are great all round players. Not just blistering speed but I appreciate your point

[@jamesaston410]

No criticism intended, you have some fine players on your list. If I had a list of great shredders, I think I’d have to have Michael Schenker on my list :)

[@ashirdaniel3115]

Where's Satriani?

[@RyanMoore-f5m]

Happy to see Lukether and Moore on here .. missed alot when alot of ppl make their greatest ever!! Missed a couple but still great list.... And ya Lita Ford was a great replacement guitarist on Jackson's Dangerous tour in '93

[@parsaershadmanesh3767]

Mick ammot. Or synstergates

[@HAR100LEY]

Sitriani Abasi Petrucci are missing, the first ones that came to mind. Well, Hetfield and Dimebag are clearly not top guitarists, but purely a shift in emphasis towards their groups

[@JamieSlays]

Just my favourites I guess

[@iedie1125]

Why is no one talking about jason becker? Number 1 greatest guitarist ever for me

[@JamieSlays]

Yeah he is great. Such a shame

[@zeroveda]

Jimmy Hendrix, Chuck Shuldiner, Dave Mustaine, Mike Ammot. Any of them can kick James H. out of the list easily . IMO.

[@JamieSlays]

Oh really? Why’s that

[@plamenpenkov2865]

Dave's fanboys are tired of being made fun of so they have devised a cunning plan, they always mix his name with a bunch of other guitarists so that it doesn't seem so obvious 😂😂😂 It's hilarious.

[@kennethwatson4489]

Steve Morse...Kansas.