Top 10 Greatest Rhythm Guitar Players

In this video I'm running through my top 10 rhythm guitarists of all time.
I have been involved in putting together similar things for Guitar Techniques magazine in the past. That was decided by a readers a poll so it's fun to have a chance to do my own top 10. If you have any extra players you feel should feature then please do leave them in the comments.
All music by @JonBishopGuitar ​

[@Strat642001]

I think for 80's pop/punk Andy Summers deserves a huge shoutout. His chord voicings in a rock/pop/punk era were groundbreaking and highly influential to later players like Johnny Marr.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Good choice 👍

[@TommySG1]

Malcolm Young was fantastic, together w/ his brother Angus their timing was second to none. Human metronomes for sure.

[@catlikemeew]

Yeah, though I think there are other songs which better demonstrates his skill.

[@martinrhodes8247]

Great video Jon. Just love the smile on your face as you play.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Cheers Martin, I like to play! 😂

[@martinheath5947]

I knew you'd leave out Pete Townshend of The Who! What a phenomenal rhythm player (go back and listen)

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah, I put him in the follow up list !! 10 More Legendary Rhythm Guitarists You Should Know kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqmllKivaLt0i5Y

[@martinheath5947]

@@JonBishopGuitar Cool Thanks!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah, I put him in the follow up list !! 10 More Legendary Rhythm Guitarists You Should Know kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqmllKivaLt0i5Y

[@aldeveron9498]

Great choice of rhythm guitar players, and nicely presented. Subscribed.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for tuning in!

[@adamkrauss303]

Cant argue with the list. All solid candidates. What is the Niles Rogers song you were playing? Some other candidates: 1) David Lowery (Cracker) - solid rhythm like a metronome 2) Colin Meloy (Decemberists) 3) John Mayer 4) Mark & Dave Knopfler (First Dire Straits Album - a desert island Disc for me) 5) Tommy Emmanuel 6) Steve Cropper 7) Pete Townsend 8) Cory Wong!!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for the feedback Adam! The NR part is something I put together for Guitar Techniques Magazine. It’s sort of a cross between, Sister Sledge and Daft Punk. Totally agree with those extras and Cropper & Townsend both feature in my follow up vid! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqmllKivaLt0i5Ysi=ZwvyRWJBQewgj-Pm

[@relic2860]

Subjective of course, but I think you picked a strong set of candidates. BTW, this was the first vid of yours I'd seen. Looks like you have a fun and useful channel, so I just subscribed.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for the support!

[@TomEllistonMusic]

Waiting for Bob Weir ... did I miss it?

[@stevecochrane5376]

Nice playing. Good choice man.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for tuning in Steve !

[@saltyfellow]

Great videos john. I follow you on your skate channel. But you are great also in music. Thanks for those pearls. I play double bass so hope you come to Belgium for a skate park tour and some jam together!!!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Great stuff !!

[@garyhalliday2140]

One concert I'll always remember is Credence Clearwater Revival (as it was known at the time) because of Tom Fogerty's perfect timing.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Great stuff !

[@williamhiles7404]

Tom Fogerty has always been one of my favorite rhythm guitar players. I always listen to all Creedence albums that Tom played on with my headphones, so I can hear all Tom played. That guy was sublime. LedHed Pb 207.20 🎶 🎸 🎹

[@soulsurfer5531]

For punk, you should have Stephen Egerton from the descendants and all. He’s tight, intense, and really has his own style.

[@rev.sanjaydan7598]

Very nice video.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for tuning in!

[@RonGallagher]

Nice presentation. Well done.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for tuning in!

[@brianbeckman4982]

Santana's Rhythm parts under Rolie's organ solos in Soul Sacrifice. He throws away more stuff than many rhythm guitarists have in a lifetime. Ditto Hendrix's rhythm while singing in All Along the Watchtower. Forget the solos; the rhythm parts are bone-chilling.

[@paullevine1813]

I would add the late Mr. George McCorkle to this list as the Rhythm Player in the Marshall Tucker Band. He was always tight as a drum & melodic as an angel. Very underrated player till you hear his work. One of the most creative & hard working rhythm guitarists in rock.

[@KP11520]

ABSOLUTELY! Anybody would sound good with George behind them! An absolute background SUPERSTAR!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Here’s a link to part two. it’s got John Lennon and Prince in it !! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqmllKivaLt0i5Y

[@jamieleivers7345]

Yep, it's all about Stevie! His timing was always impeccable , especially in his 'Instep' era. Catch you down Concrete waves soon, I need to relic my new setup to look like Stevie's no.1 strat 😂

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Crikey, That’s a heavy relic job, pool coping grind ?? 😂

[@JoyriderTV]

This was a real Bobby Dazzler. Curtis all the way for me, and Zakk Wylde, and Frusciante, and Prince, and Jim Root and Jimmy Page. Great video.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Thanks Joe, I’ll put those on the list for part 2. Picking 10 was a bit tight, so part two is in the pipeline!!

[@davidbrannon7619]

NIle Rogers! Dude you are pretty fly for a white guy (from Australia who says "Day-vid Bow-wow-wow-eee") nice comping on the Nile Rogers funk voicings! Wow! I stole some (hope ya don't mind!)

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for tuning in !

[@davegambill824]

Ray Davies, Chuck Berry, Bob Weir, and most importantly PRINCE.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yes indeed, I feel a second top ten coming on !

[@frasergalloway641]

J lennon

[@JonBishopGuitar]

@@frasergalloway641 a fine choice !

[@psa10hunter94]

Pete Townshend, Tony Iommi, brad Whitford

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Good choices !

[@scottbrady2301]

Ha! Your the skateboard guy...awesome

[@JonBishopGuitar]

😂👍

[@MultiDannyboy89]

My Top 3: 1) Tony Iommi 2) Glenn Tipton/KK Downing 3) Keith Richards/Brian Jones/Mick Taylor

[@danielpalmersofficial]

Rhythm guitar is amazing, even though I’m a bassist I still enjoy listening to the rhythm guitar parts in songs. ✌️😙

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah dude, lead for show, rhythm for dough !!

[@danielpalmersofficial]

@@JonBishopGuitar The choices on this list were very wise, I like them a lot. ✌️😙

[@sneekinaboutom9450]

Fair play for Eddie Van Halen being on the list.. I'd have added George Harrison, John Frusciante (Chilli Peppers) and Izzy Stradlin 🎸

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah dude! Good shout on those three !!

[@herbcanter2114]

Eddie is an out of this world rhythm guitarist.

[@theboi5411]

George Harrison was lead tho

[@Gorilla.Guitar]

​@@herbcanter2114& he encompassed all the great attributes some great rhythm players only had a few of. his strumming clarity, timing, soul & swing were all evident. the thing that always impressed about his overall playing was his ability to play in tune like no other guitar player ive heard..

[@carlsylvester425]

Quite a few in the comments that "also ran" that I agree with. I'd also like to add Mike Hall from Killer Dwarfs. I practically have the album Dirty Weapons on repeat. Check that album out, and REALLY pay attention to his use of double stops in his fill shuffles... quite amazing, really...

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for the input !

[@russschofield94]

Rick Parfitt Pete Townshend and Malcom Young are my too 3

[@daleduke1315]

John Lennon

[@JonBishopGuitar]

A popular addition for sure !!

[@anthonyclegg1511]

All my loving, John lennon,s guitar, brilliant.

[@Gorilla.Guitar]

@@anthonyclegg1511 none of the instruments in those early mixes is prominent so you have to listen & know whos playing what. but his playing was brilliant on a lot of those early records, odd time signature changes all in the same verse, he knew where the holes were and he filled them brilliantly. ISHST, SLY, IWTHYH, FMTY, all great examples as well as AML.

[@LostMyMojo100]

You all want to hear some amazing rhythm guitar playing? Listen to Hendrix playing on Valleys of Neptune or the ISO track from Wait Until Tomorrow.... Mind boggling!!!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Very true !

[@plasticrap4577]

Very good list! The only change I would make is to take out Marr and add my favorite guitarist, Danny Gatton! If you don’t know Danny Gatton then you just don’t know! A documentary film, The Humbler, will be released soon and I pray that it elevates Gatton to where he rightly belongs! Go check him out!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah, Danny Gatton is a good shout for sure !!

[@brianbeckman4982]

David Gilmour for a few seconds of wall-of-sound at the end of Echoes on the Meddle album. Ditto somewhere in Sheep on Animals. Just few seconds each, but mind-blowing.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I believe you should have not limited this to 10, one thousand and ten might have been a better idea, I grew up with rock and blues, but you should check out Jimmy Capps. Kenny Vaughan highly recommends him, which is good enough for me.

[@user-gk7ff1pv6h]

Steve Miller. Awesome right hand.

[@williamhiles7404]

James Patrick Page : The Crunge. Lot a great picks. My other favorites are Malcolm, Tom Fogerty, Hetfield, Mustaine & all who played with him, and let's not forget Hubert Sumlin, John Lee Hooker, and Mississippi Fred Hurt. Smokin'!!! And James Brown's rythym guitarists. LedHed Pb 207.20 🎶 🎸 🎹 Edit : That's the one thing I did like about EVH, his rythym playing. And your right, Jimi Hendrix was a Great rythym player. Enjoyed your take on Rythym Guitarists. 🎸 🎶 🎵 🎸 LedHed Pb 207.20 🎶 🎸 🎹 Who's my other favorite rythym player.....why me, of course!!! LOL.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Hubert Sumlin is a good shout !!

[@AngusRobins]

the srv tracks that come to mind when talking rhythm has to be either rude mood or pride and joy 😉 Malcolm (metronome) young 🙌🏻

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah dude, I sneaked in a bit of Pride and Joy in the background, couldn’t resist, also referenced Couldn’t Stand The Weather (funky) I need to devote a whole video to the many faces of SRV’s rhythm !

[@AngusRobins]

@@JonBishopGuitar man, I really should fully listen to everything before commenting eh? Just squeezed a wee shufti in between getting home, dinner and sending out the day's invoices. Top channel dude, excellent content and editing 🙌🏻😎

[@JonBishopGuitar]

@@AngusRobins many thanks dude! More is more !!

[@Girka9011]

Hey! what's the song in Malcolm's part?

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Hey dude, many thanks for tuning in! it’s a piece I put together for Guitar Techniques Magazine, ‘in the style’ of Malcolm, so not an AC/DC song per se.

[@Girka9011]

@@JonBishopGuitar Oh! I see. It sounds really nice anyway. Thank you!

[@johnlemon1863]

Great Nile Rodgers bit.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks!

[@user-tg3bt9li9q]

Wilko Johnson!

[@jacobarnard1469]

Steve Cropper, Peter Buck, Nile Rodgers, Nile Rodgers, Nile Rogers....

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Ha ha, yep Nile is in there and Cropper is defo in the follow up video !!

[@jacobarnard1469]

Not that there were anything wrong with the first 10….

[@petergromlich6529]

I think Jimmy Page is a really great rhythm player.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Your not wrong, he wrote a riff or two !!

[@theboi5411]

I'd definitely put John Lennon there. His rhythm playing is amazing

[@JonBishopGuitar]

💯!!

[@mikec3777]

He should be way up there. Listen to All My Loving and you'll see.

[@mikec3777]

John McNally of the Searchers had a great crisp rhythm style.

[@theboi5411]

@@mikec3777 Oh I have. He is amazing.

[@colineaton6748]

Bruce Welch of the shadows!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yes 👍

[@22julip]

You took the conventional wisdom template, although you I agree with half or so of your picks , one major player who’s mostly associated with lead playing is Jimmy Page he’s arguably better at rhythm, his chord structures his progressions , and as you know being the only guitar player in the band , he needed to put down a solid rhythm , he actually got some input from John McLaughlin, when they were both in the studio as session players , give it a listen . IMHO. Cheers

[@johncooke4549]

When he died Rick Parfitt of Status Quo was reckoned to be one of the best rhythm guitarist of the last 30 years, for sheer power and energy I vote for Rick, Caroline does not sound the same anymore Richie Malone does a good job but he`s no Rick Parfitt.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Agreed, Parfitt is right up there! That groove is really hard to do well. I was lucky to be in the band that supported Quo on their UK 2022 tour and it was ace to see and hear them up close every night !!

[@wingchun-simplekungfu7584]

Rick Parfitt . Absolutely. 👍🏻❤️

[@strollingjamesbeano2181]

Steve Cropper???? A big miss for me!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

A glaring oversight for sure, but only 10 spots, should’ve popped him in the notable mentions at least, many thanks for the input !

[@williamandrews3648]

???

[@stuartbarker9373]

Bo Diddley and Buddy Holly were hugely influential on most of the rhythm guitarists you list. Chuck Berry seems to be an odd omission as well.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for the comment. Yes Chuck has come up a few times, he’s on the part two list !

[@lascellesferguson2167]

Steve Cropper

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Good shout, he’s in part two !

[@scott83074]

Bob Weir!!

[@Gregorypeckory]

Bob is an awesome rhythm player! I recall many years ago reading an interview with Jerry Garcia addressing the idea that Bob is the lesser player, hence Jerry took the role of soloist, and Jerry put The idea to sleep pretty quickly; "Bob plays rhythm guitar because we (the band) just think he's about the best rhythm guitar player there is!"

[@Voxguitarsrock]

Id have to send a shoutout to Johnny Cashs mother in law. Maybelle Carter was a hell of a good player and according to her " im not really a guitar player ". Lol!

[@skullduggery3377]

Bob Weir Juliana Hatfield They both use hundreds of chords.

[@graemeadamson7272]

Ohhhh I'd have had something to say if Malcolm wasn't in there , just listen to The Girl's Got Rhythm -just sublime .

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah, Malcolm was a must !!

[@foley15136]

EVH

[@JonBishopGuitar]

All day long !!

[@jimparker7778]

don't forget Steve Lukather. A hot hand on leads with Toto, but played the rhythm on MJ's biggest hits.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Nice one Jim, he’s gonna be in the part 2 video for sure !!

[@jonathanhorne6503]

I would add John Lennon. Listen to his rhythm playing on All My Loving from their 1964 With the Beatles or in the US Meet the Beatles LPs.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yes definitely, I just uploaded a follow-up video and John Lennon is in there. Many thanks for the input !

[@Gorilla.Guitar]

what rhythm guitar player list doesnt include John Lennon?..

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yes, a top choice and John is included in my follow up video with a view to bringing balance to the force!

[@Gorilla.Guitar]

@@JonBishopGuitar one has to think outside the "guitar hero box" to appreciate John's right hand & what he contributed to those early records. you've also gotta listen.. he drove those early songs & i would venture to say his is the one instrument that would affect those songs the most if substituted with a different player.. Ringo being a basic beat player, & in the pocket, left a lot of space to fill w the spirited right hand of JWL... his contributions dont recieve nearly enough credit. & moreover, he not only played those parts he created them as well.

[@wesfort2822]

Uh... Bob Weir?

[@raallah9091]

Buddy Guy you left off Prince

[@shots-shots-shotseverybody2707]

What about one of the guitarists in the eagles. Each one of them can play lead good and each one of them can play rhythm good

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah dude!!

[@marksmith-hs9li]

The late great Rick Parfitt.

[@dcasson1443]

Rick parfitt

[@JonBishopGuitar]

👍

[@derekclacton]

Big shout-out to the rhythm kings! No arguments with any of your choices but here are four more from me: Rick Parfitt - a dedicated turbo-charged rhythm machine … anyone who doubts his ability should try playing any of Quo’s fast numbers ‘back-to-back’ (!) and as accurately as he did! Eric Clapton - rather like Eddie Van Halen, Slowhand is so well known as a lead guitarist his rhythm playing is often overlooked - anyone who doubts his rhythm ability should try playing and singing as well as he does ;) Scott Gorham - Thin Lizzy’s rock! His partnership with Brian Robertson best displays his rhythm talent, imho - while Robbo was focused on power chords and lead fills, the canny Californian was adding subtlety and spice in a way rarely seen in heavy rock :) Michael Schenker - another stellar lead guitarist with a superb, largely overlooked, rhythm technique … speed and precision!

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Great suggestions!! I’m putting together another 10 as there have been so many great comments!!

[@derekclacton]

@@JonBishopGuitar Thanks :) I’ll look forward to Part 2!

[@rodney19821982]

Pete Townshend??

[@JonBishopGuitar]

A fine choice, and a front runner for the follow up video !!

[@philheath9854]

You put Bob Marley in before the Edge......wtf

[@sitinurbaya4004]

So where is nuno bettencourt 😆

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yes, A top choice indeed !!

[@KMD2X]

What Metallica song is this?

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for tuning in. The Metallica jam is a non copyright track I put together for Guitar Techniques magazine issue 289. It’s inspired by tracks like ‘Kill Em All’ and ‘Enter Sandman’

[@Capt_Krappy]

Considering that Malcom is the one that came up with over 90 percent of acdc'S SONGS,,,, HOW he isn't talked about MORE , forget about "honorable mentions", is beyond me.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah dude, Malcolm is firmly in my top ten!

[@TTTT-oc4eb]

Rudolf Schenker and Johnny Ramone - very influental, and hardly ever played a guitar solo.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Quite right !!

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

You forgot the greatest rhythm guitar player ever: Pete Townshend

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Yeah, good shout, he’s in the follow up video !

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

@@JonBishopGuitar thanks for the response. Follow-up? Pete? No sir, you are mistaken. Be a man, recognize your error, and adjust your first list accordingly.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

I can’t adjust a video once it’s recorded so I took in all the feedback from the first video and recorded a follow up! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqmllKivaLt0i5Ysi=_2SqK4Wup85jXDR-

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

@@JonBishopGuitar dude I'm just messing with you. Again, thanks for the response. Keep it up

[@davidbrannon7619]

You can skip the Edge. Keep featuring TALENTED guitarists, not people who use banks of effects to be great.

[@Gregorypeckory]

Forgive me if he's on the list and I'm being redundant because I haven't finished the video yet, but I would be flabbergasted (and delighted) to see someone else recognize that Bob Brozeman is the greatest rhythm guitar player that ever lived! Probably most people reading this have no idea who I'm talking about, but trust me; Bob was the funkiest, coolest and most syncopated mofo ever to snap those strings.

[@JonBishopGuitar]

Many thanks for the input !