I think someone had a poll about the best guitar player for Ozzy, but I'd like to know who is the best ever? How far back can you go?

My picks: JAMES BURTON bar none!
Bobby Neal

Admittedly, I don't know the current ones, but James Burton played with the best, Rick Nelson and Elvis. He's on the right, slightly behind Rick in this pic.

I'd have to go with Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix
carlos santana

Brian May
Jimmy Hendrix

Carlos Santana and Slash was always my favorite. So I have to go with these two.:)

I choose Jimi Hendrix. He was not only a good guitar player but he was also innovative. As some people probably know, he was ambidextrous. He was able to strum the guitar both right-handed and left-handed. His father did not like him playing left-handed because he thought it was a sign of the Devil. So when his father wasn't in the room, he would switch from right to left. To put it simple, he was very innovative and I don't know if any guitarist can match him.

Hendrix inevitably always wins these. His guitar was an extension of the man himself. I have to put him as #1. The guy has been gone for over 30 years & he's still inspiring 15 year olds to pick up a guitar.

I was gonna do one of these threads for "best- singer, bassist, vocalist" but figured the pop fans outnumber the rockers here.

Anyway, under Jimi I'll list my other choices:


Stevie Ray Vaughn Even the old blues guys respect him.

Guy-Who-Played-For-Bill Haley ('Rock Around The Clock' solo is classic)

Dave Gilmour Pink Floyd

Richard Thompson Fairport Convention, etc. Acoustic genius.

Ani DiFranco another acoustic genius.

Steve Howe Yes, Asia. One of rock's Masters. Prog rock legend.

Jimmy Page ZEPPELIN! Common knowledge that he's a sloppy player, but among the most inventive ever. His influence on rock guitar is staggering to imagine. I think Les Pauls & double-necks were put on The Rock Map because of him.

Nancy Wilson Heart. Sadly underrated player. She can out-play *any* of the young current players on the dang radio.

Steve Hackett Genesis. Another prog rock legend.

Brian May Queen. The man *built* his own guitar, for cryin out loud. This guy is *so* damn good & deadly accurate, yet shows calm poise while playing fast & heavy. Makes it look easy. He isn't human! I only *wish*!...

Duane Allman Allman Bros. Few can touch him & his slide playing.

Joni Mitchell- If I could pick one person to take acoustic lessons from, it'd be her. A Master of open tunings.

Anyone Playing For Steely Dan- Just listen to the solo from "Reeling In The Years'.

John McLaughlin Mahavishnu Orchestra. 2 words: Speed/ Accuracy.

Chuck Berry "If rock'n'roll had another name, it would be Chuck Berry"- John Lennon.
Without Chuck's early playing & classic riffs, I doubt we'd be doing this list.
The foundation of all that is rock.

Elliot Easton/ Rick Nielsen The Cars & Cheap Trick repsectively. 2 underrated masters of the catchy hook.

Pete Townshend/ Angus Young The Who & AC/DC respectively. Both not really known for The Greatest playing but kings of showmanship. (kinda like Ace Frehley of Kiss, though Ace is probably a better overall player than both). Pete helped *invent* the "guitar hero" poses.

Clapton No guitar god list is complete w/o him. He can kick ass but many find him a little overrated.

Carlos Santana Watching this guy play is like watching a minister do the most soulful sermon of his life.

Eddie Van Halen Van Halen. No one can deny his influence on 80s rock guitar. He brought tapping to the masses before anyone else & has been imitated
ever since.

BB King Simplicity as an art.

Keith Richards The Stones. Master of the rhythm guitar.

Ledbelly/ Leo Kottke- The 2 Kings of 12-string guitar.

Alex Lifeson- Rush. Straight from the schools of Jimmy Page & Steve Hackett & evolved into one of rock's most respected players.

Then of course the Yngwies, Vais & Satrianis.
WAY too many to list here. I'll think of more soon.


Kinda sucks that lots of today's younger listeners & players don't seem to value learning scales & knowing chops/soloing. Today's aesthetic appears to be knowing 3 chords. There're far fewer 'guitar heroes' being made these days...

Originally posted by Rickenbacker
Hendrix inevitably always wins these. His guitar was an extension of the man himself. I have to put him as #1. The guy has been gone for over 30 years & he's still inspiring 15 year olds to pick up a guitar.


Brian May Queen. The man *built* his own guitar, for cryin out loud. This guy is *so* damn good & deadly accurate, yet shows calm poise while playing fast & heavy. Makes it look easy. He isn't human! I only *wish*!...



Out of WOOD!! I agree he is incredible, he hits amazing notes and doesn't even wince, keeps his unperturbable cool...even during the climax of the song when Freddie Mercury is jumping around the stage.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson :)

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
Carolyn Dawn Johnson :)

Yesssssssssssssssssss! :notworthy

Originally posted by DianeChambers87
Out of WOOD!! I agree he is incredible, he hits amazing notes and doesn't even wince, keeps his unperturbable cool...even during the climax of the song when Freddie Mercury is jumping around the stage.


Pretty much all guitars are wooden. But his sound is so unmistakable. When he plays, you can't miss that majestic "Queen" sound. Sounds like he's playing in 2 or 3-part harmony. Amazing.

Originally posted by Rickenbacker
Pretty much all guitars are wooden. But his sound is so unmistakable. When he plays, you can't miss that majestic "Queen" sound. Sounds like he's playing in 2 or 3-part harmony. Amazing.

No I meant that he carved and cut it himself out of his own wood, which is amazing, since the quality of the sound is immaculate. The guitar solos in Queen are definately what give the band it's edge and signature sound. if it's a Queen song, there will be a guitar solo somewhere in there.

Carlos Santana
Eric Clapton
Jimmy Paige
BB King
Pete Anderson
George Harrison
Robby Kreiger

Tony Iommi
Dave Murray
Adrian Smith
Janick Gers
Alex Lifeson
K.K. Downing
Glen Tipton
Michael Schenker
Randy Rhoads (of course)
Jake E. Lee
Zakk Wylde
George Lynch
Reb Beach
Joe Satriani
Steve Vai
Kirk Hammett
Marty Friedman
Dave Mustaine
James Hetfield
Dimebag Darryl
Jerry Cantrell

Jimi Hendrix is definately my pick. He literally amazes me.

Jimi Hendrix

Eddie Van Halen

Eric Clapton

Carlos Santana

Stevie Ray Vaughn

BB King

Oh my gosh! I can't believe I forgot Eddie Van Halen!:crazy:

No particular order:

Nancy Wilson
Eric Clapton
B.B. King
Jimi Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Stevie Ray Vaughn
George Harrison
George Benson
Wes Montgomery
Kenny Burrell
Carlos Santana
Peter Frampton
Brian May
Prince (not a big fan, but I think he handles the axe well)
Robert Cray
Slash
Chuck Berry
Bo Didley
Robert Johnson


:clap :clap

Here are mine, in order:

1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Eddie Van Halen
3) Eric Clapton
4) Jimmy Page
5) George Harrison
6) Keith Richards

I personally favor these...

Jimi Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Carlos Santana
Eric Clapton
Randy Rhoads
Joni Mitchell
Kirk Hammett
Chris Carrabba

this is a hard question!

Id say Jimi Hendrix is the greatest!

Jimmy Page & Santana are both great as well

but there are so many greats :D

ANGUS YOUNG!!!!!!!!!! :rock: