We have a Top 20 now, so just wondering what you think. Here’s the rankings so far, click on the names for more info or if you want to vote.
The Best Rock Guitarists Of All Time
| 1. Alex Lifeson | 84.87 % |
| 2. Brian May | 83.91 % |
| 3. Jimi Hendrix | 83.73 % |
| 4. Eddie Van Halen | 82.35 % |
| 5. Jimmy Page | 81.78% |
| 6. Gary Moore | 80.91% |
| 7. Angus Young | 80.90% |
| 8. Ritchie Blackmore | 77.75 % |
| 9. David Gilmour | 76.13% |
| 10. Jeff Beck | 76.06% |
| 11. Pete Townshend | 74.53% |
| 12. Michael Schenker | 74.32% |
| 13. Slash | 73.74% |
| 14. Mark Knopfler | 72.07 % |
| 15. Tony Iommi | 71.83% |
| 16.. Eric Clapton | 70.55% |
| 17. Chuck Berry | 69.06% |
| 18. Keith Richards | 61.11% |
| 19. Billy Gibbons | 60.75% |
| 20. The Edge | 44.29% |
I thought I’d crunch some numbers and give you a breakdown of the categories:
| Top 3 Soloists : | |
| 1. Eddie Van Halen | 23.50/25 |
| 2. David Gilmour | 23.10/25 |
| 3. Gary Moore | 22.69/25 |
| Last Place: The Edge | 10.29/25 |
| Top 3 Chords/Rhythm: | |
| 1. Alex Lifeson | 22.22/25 |
| 2. Brian May | 21.81/25 |
| 3. Tony Iommi | 21.37/25 |
| Last Place: The Edge | 13.42/25 |
| Top 3 Most Innovative | |
| 1. Chuck Berry | 9.18/10 |
| 1. Eddie Van Halen | 9.15/10 |
| 3. Alex Lifeson | 9.03/10 |
| Last Place: The Edge | 4.96/10 |
| Top 3 Most Versatile | |
| 1. Jeff Beck | 9.35/10 |
| 2. Alex Lifeson | 8.75/10 |
| 3. Brian May | 8.68/10 |
| Last Place: The Edge | 4.25/10 |
| Top 3 On Stage Charisma | |
| 1. Angus Young | 9.05/10 |
| 2. Pete Townshend | 8.76/10 |
| 3. Jimi Hendrix | 8.69/10 |
| Last Place: The Edge | 4.46/10 |
| Top 3 Off Stage Shinanigans | |
| 1. Pete Townshend | 8.41/10 |
| 2. Keith Richards | 7.78/10 |
| 3. Michael Schenker | 7.59/10 |
| Last Place: The Edge | 1.92/10 |
| Top 3 Skwiggles Popularity | |
| 1. Angus Young | 9.00/10 |
| 2. Brian May | 7.00/10 |
| 3. Alex Lifeson | 7.00/10 |
| Last Place: Billy Gibbons | 3.00/10 |
All I’ve got to say about this is – sorry The Edge. Keith Richards used to be the worst in quite a few categories, but The Edge has taken over
Let me know in the comments below what you think of the rankings and if you think they’re accurate. Or if you haven’t voted yet, feel free to click on whoever you want to vote for in the table at the top.
If your favourite isn’t on there, let me know in the comments below who should be next.
Have a great weekend.
Take care and all the best,
Ian
Best Guitarists Update – 4 July 2025
Steve Howe of Yes DEFINITELY needs to be on that list, Ian (I mean, come on…’Best Overall Guitarist’ FIVE times in ‘Guitar Player’ magazine in the late 1970s/early 1980s?!!)
But if you DO go with him, could you base your Skwiggle on Steve in his heyday (ie in the early 1970s), and NOT more latterly, when he’s seemed to be channelling Gollum/the Cryptkeeper/a mad professor? (sorry, Steve…getting older is not great, as we all know!)
Obviously MK is the best, you’re all wrong.
Interesting to see that Alex Lifeson never made the top 3 for off stage Shenanigan’s I remember reading an interview in Classic Rock Magazine a couple of years back in which they reported on him appearing in Court in Toronto after being arrested for being D&D. Forget what the actual charge was, but apparently he was “enjoying himself in a local bar in a very boisterous manner.” Wouldn’t behave when asked by the staff, nor would he apparently climb down off the table he’d been dancing on, so in the end, as is quite often the way, “The local Constabulary were summoned.” Can’t remember the full details but I THINK a scuffle broke out, and said artist ended up leaving the premises in handcuffs. From what I can still remember from the interview a while later, he reckons that the police overreacted, and were much more brutal than necessary.
THINK, he got off with a very large fine, and was left in no doubt that he should make sure that this is his last appearance in court
Bit late to the party!
Rory Gallagher?
And check out The Zac Schulze Gang. From Gillingham. Mid 20s. Great RnB and Zac is an unbelievably good guitarist