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[r_pinnington]

330 GUITARISTS PICK THEIR TOP 50 FAVORITE GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME

Roadie Crew magazine (official site - www.roadiecrew.net) organized a poll in which 330 guitarists were asked about their favorite guitarists of all time. Among the participants in the poll, there were current-and-former musicians of such bands as Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, Machine Head, Nightwish, Genesis, Megadeth, Scorpions, Testament, Blue Cheer, Arch Enemy, King Diamond, Yes, Sepultura, Dio, Twisted Sister, Living Colour, Exodus, Toto, Helloween, Triumph, Behemoth, Gamma Ray, Nazareth, Manowar, Uriah Heep, Nile, Focus, Opeth, Angra, Marillion, Anthrax, Faith No More, King’s X, Mercyful Fate, Ten Years After, Carcass, Dr. Sin, Savatage, Blue Öyster Cult, At The Gates, Paradise Lost, Dark Tranquillity, Ayreon, Cacophony, Sebastian Bach, Halford, Fates Warning, Soulfly, Girlschool, Kreator, Ministry, Symphony X, Children Of Bodom, Heart, Celtic Frost, Stratovarius, Sir Lord Baltimore, Kamelot, Mick Jagger, Down.

The results of the poll, published in issue #112 of Roadie Crew, were as follows:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Eddie Van Halen
3. Yngwie J. Malmsteen
4. Randy Rhoads
5. Ritchie Blackmore
6. Jimmy Page
7. Tony Iommi
8. Steve Vai
9. Jeff Beck
10. Michael Schenker
11. David Gilmour
12. Dimebag Darrell
13. Allan Holdsworth
14. Uli Jon Roth
15. Angus Young
16. James Hetfield
17. Brian May
18. Marty Friedman
19. Joe Satriani
20. Jason Becker
21. Gary Moore
22. Paul Gilbert
23. Eric Clapton
24. Al Di Meola
25. Zakk Wylde
26. John McLaughlin
27. John Petrucci
28. Adrian Smith
29. Steve Morse
30. Stevie Ray Vaughan
31. Slash
32. Kirk Hammett
33. Robert Fripp
34. Alex Lifeson
35. Chuck Schuldiner
36. Ace Frehley
37. George Lynch
38. Dave Murray
39. Glenn Tipton
40. Neal Schon
41. Eric Johnson
42. Trey Azagthoth
43. K.K. Downing
44. Andy LaRocque
45. Malcolm Young
46. Django Reinhardt
47. Jeff Loomis
48. Steve Lukather
49. John Sykes
50. Denis ‘Piggy’ D’Amour.

[VHDrummer]

I would say this list is closest to being definitive compared to the lists compiled by writers. Having actual players vote gives meaning.

[mikevinyl]

nice to see Sykes make the list, to bad its so far down....

MikeyV

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[guitard]

Quote: 16. James Hetfield
Huh?

He's a lead singer who plays a little guitar...and he's #16? I've got nothing against him and I like Metallica...but this one stands out as being selected for his popularity and not his guitar playing.

Just my 2 cent's worth.

[oryo]

guitard wrote: Quote: 16. James Hetfield
Huh?

He's a lead singer who plays a little guitar...and he's #16? I've got nothing against him and I like Metallica...but this one stands out as being selected for his popularity and not his guitar playing.

Just my 2 cent's worth.

I agree with you on this Randy.

[gatomike26]

guitard wrote: Quote: 16. James Hetfield
Huh?

He's a lead singer who plays a little guitar...and he's #16? I've got nothing against him and I like Metallica...but this one stands out as being selected for his popularity and not his guitar playing.

Just my 2 cent's worth.

He writes most of Metallicas songs and his guitar parts are more complicated then most rythm guitarist.But I agree he does not do many solos.Malcom Young is on the list also though.

I'm suprised there is no Dave Mustaine,I guess he has pissed enough people off they don't wana vote for him.

[Reddutchie]

Seeing Steve Lukather at #48 only confirms that he's one of the most under-estimated guitar players of all! I would have him in the top ten, but then again, who am I? ;)

[mr_mojo_halen]

I think they accidentally switched #3 & #23. :D

[voxwah0]

Reddutchie wrote: Seeing Steve Lukather at #48 only confirms that he's one of the most under-estimated guitar players of all! I would have him in the top ten, but then again, who am I? ;)

I would like to see Lukather get more recognition. He and the other guys from Toto may as well have been the only band in the 80's because they sessioned a helluva lot of recordings. I know Lukather did a lot of work for Michael Jackson and Jeff Porcarro was all over the place. My favourite Lukather moment though was the work he did on Niacin's Deep album on the song "Things Ain't Like They Used To Be". Just killer work.

[suebndave]

Quote: I think they accidentally switched #3 & #23
Yeah I was surprised Malmsteem was so high and Clapton was so low too. Also surprised at Becker and Schenker rating so high, and was just really happy that a lot of great guitarists making this list that you never see on any other list. Who the heck is Denis ‘Piggy’ D’Amour?? I wouldn't say Hetfield plays "a little" guitar - his rhythm parts are such a big part of Metallica songs and those songs were very influential. Great list, thanks for sharing.

[rhoadsfanz5150]

Eric Johnson deserves to be higher than 41. He has: tone, feeling, melody, technical ability and he can tell what batteries are being used, with just his ear. He should be top 20 for sure. He's the full package, and some would say that his covers of Hendrix are unparalleled.

[guitard]

suebndave wrote: I wouldn't say Hetfield plays "a little" guitar - his rhythm parts are such a big part of Metallica songs
I just figure if you're going to be #16 on the greatest guitarists of all time list, you should also be known for your lead guitar playing ~ and that was the reference I was making when I said he plays a little guitar - I meant he only plays a little lead guitar.

[vhaddict5150]

in my opinion both clapton and srv should be in the top 5. but aside from that the list is alright, nice to see ed high up on the list

[Dutchie]

Reddutchie wrote: Seeing Steve Lukather at #48 only confirms that he's one of the most under-estimated guitar players of all! I would have him in the top ten, but then again, who am I? ;)

Same goes for Nuno. Oozes massive amounts of talent, but is rarely recognized.... Shame...

Good to see David Gilmour up there. He is usually on the list somewhere, but its usually down near the bottom.

[Ford Fairlane]

voxwah0 wrote: My favourite Lukather moment though was the work he did on Niacin's Deep album on the song "Things Ain't Like They Used To Be". Just killer work.
Or how about the extended outro solo on Lionel Richie's Running With The Night? Very underrated guitarist...

And speaking of great guitarists and Lukather, have you guys seen Andy McKee? Search for his version of Africa on youtube...not a ripping rock guitarist, but still pretty damn good.