Guitar World Magazine: Eddie Van Halen Named #1 Guitarist of All Time (Top 100 List)

Guitar World Magazine ^ | 10/11/12

[My Favorite Headache]

1. Edward Van Halen - Van Halen
2. Brian May - Queen
3. Alex Lifeson - Rush
4. Jimi Hendrix
5. Joe Satriani
6. Jimmy Page - Led Zeppelin
7. Tony Iommi - Black Sabbath
8. Stevie Ray Vaughn
9. Dimebag Darrell - Pantera
10. Steve Vai
11. Randy Rhoads - Ozzy Osbourne/Quiet Riot
12. Dave Mustaine - Megadeth
13. David Gilmour - Pink Floyd
14. Les Paul
15. Duane Allman
16. Robert Johnson
17. John Petrucci - Dream Theater
18. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne
19. James Hetfield - Metallica
20. Ritchie Blackmore - Rainbow/Deep Purple
21. Angus Young - AC/DC
22. Slash - Guns N Roses
23. Paul Gilbert - Mr. Big/Racer X
24. Buddy Guy
25. George Harrison - The Beatles
26. Vernon Reid - Living Color
27. Frank Zappa
28. Eric Clapton
29. Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top
30. Chet Atkins
31. Dickey Betts - Allman Brothers
32. Django Reinhardt
33. Mark Morton - Mastodon
34. Mark Tremonti - Creed
35. Warren Haynes - Allman Brothers
36. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
37. Jerry Cantrell - Alice In Chains
38. Buckethead
39. Jeff Beck
40. Keith Richards - The Rolling Stones
41. Michael Schenker
42. Carlos Santana
43. Yngwie Malmsteen
44. Chuck Berry
45. John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
46. Jason Becker - David Lee Roth/Solo
47. Eric Johnson
48. Joe Bonamassa - Black Country Communion
49. Alexi Laiho
50. Dave Murray - Iron Maiden
51. Allan Holdsworth
52. Joe Walsh - The Eagles
53. Rick Nielsen - Cheap Trick
54. Jerry Garcia - Grateful Dead
55. B.B. King
56. Lindsey Buckingham - Fleetwood Mac
57. Tom Morello - Rage Against The Machine
58. Steve Lukather - Toto
59. Son House
60. John Lee Hooker
61. Steve Howe - Asia/Yes
62. Chuck Schuldiner - Death
63. John McLaughlin
64. Albert Lee
65. Pete Townshend - The Who
66. Alex Skolnick - Testament
67. Johnny Winter
68. George Lynch - Dokken/Lynch Mob
69. Kerry King - Slayer
70. Michael Angelo Batio
71. Jeff Loomis - Nevermore
72. Steve Morse - Deep Purple/ Dixie Dreggs
73. Rory Gallagher
74. Ted Nugent
75. Joe Perry - Aerosmith
76. Al Di Meola
77. Andy Summers - The Police
78. Chris Broderick - Megadeth
79. Gary Moore
80. KK Downing - Judas Priest
81. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme
82. Ropert Fripp - King Crimson
83. Glenn Tipton - Judas Priest
84. Malcolm Young - AC/DC
85. Jeff Hanneman - Slayer
86. Peter Frampton
87. Synyster Gates - Aveneged Sevenfold
88. Neil Young
89. Kenny Wayne Shepherd
90. Robin Trower
91. T-Bone Walker
92. Ace Frehley
93. Gary Rossington - Lynyrd Skynryd
94. Albert King
95. Jack White - White Stripes
96. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits
97. Tosin Abasi - Animals As Leaders
98. Derek Trucks - Allman Brothers
99. John 5
100. Wes Montgomery

[kidd]

Eric Clapton...at 28th??
Mark Knopfler....at 96th???

[McGruff]

96. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits

WTF?

[Snickering Hound]

The late James Honeyman-Scott of The Pretenders was completely overlooked as well.

[old school]

Some truly great guitarists were left out:

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_guitar-all.html

[My Favorite Headache]

I was just happy to see Hendrix not #1...so sick of him being on top of every poll my entire life. Great guitarist no question...but honestly...the best ever? Not a chance.

Nice to see Lifeson make a strong showing.

[Rona Badger]

Jeff Beck should be much higher IMHO! I like this Rolling Stone list better: 100 Greatest Guitarists

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

I don’t see anything in the top 10 I disagree with, but I’m a little surprised to see Dave Mustaine ranked as high as he is. Just about every “second” guitarist who did time in Megadeth was better than Dave, especially Marty Friedman and Chris Poland.

[My Favorite Headache]

That one was a shocker as well...def a top 30 for sure.

[bankwalker]

73. Rory Gallagher

73. ??? - A deaf person musta compiled this list.

[bigbob]

I figure the list is a good starting point, and the order is “random”. Besides, I guarantee you that #1 would be the first to say that he owes it all to #14.

[Revelation 911]

no Ed King - ?

[McGruff]

Yeah, but how many of these guys can play without a pick?

[running_dog_lackey]

At least your list has Leo Kottke on it.(I just had to get his name in this thread).

[RckyRaCoCo]

Steve Stevens?

[Rona Badger]

I vote Stevie Ray #1 with you. And Clapton not in the top ten makes this list kinda wonky...

[Vince Ferrer]

Two that are not on the list, but who would be on mine, are:

Prince: Just My Imagination , While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Brian Setzer: Sleepwalk

[basalt]

of the top 10 on this list...iv’e seen em all, live,..in their prime. Sorry, But Randy Rhoads was the greatest guitarist i ever seen or heard. At times, it sounded like there were 3 guitarists playing. Just amazing...what a tragegy.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

bfl

[wyowolf]

IMO He should be first. I have never heard a more soulful guitar player! Even on the songs i dont like, i love hearing him play!

[guitman]

Glen Campbell is not “late” tho he has Alzheimer’s

Also, (not a response to you) Wes Montgomery last place? WTF?!