Top twenty guitarists who play rock

Tommy Tedesco was a highly sought-after session guitarist known for his incredible versatility and prolific career in the music industry. With over 10,000 recording sessions to his name, Tedesco played on countless hit records spanning multiple genres, including rock, pop, jazz, and film scores.

Songs:

1. Be My Baby (Ronnettes)
2. Guantanamera
3. McArthur Park

Paul Kossoff was the lead guitarist for the British rock band Free. Known for his soulful playing style and emotive guitar solos, Kossoff was regarded as one of the finest guitarists of his generation.

Songs:

1. Alright Now
2. The Hunter
3. My Brother Jake

Gear:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Marshall Amplifier

Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist known for his unparalleled technical skill and innovative approach to the instrument.

With his lightning-fast shredding and mind-bending compositions, Vai has pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the guitar, inspiring countless musicians around the world.

Songs:

1. For the love of god
2. Tender surrender

Gear:

• Three neck guitar

I’m Ben. This is my website. Built by a Muso, for Muso’s. I know what you want. Like you, I am seeking the Zen of music - in my case through my main instrument, the guitar. I hope you find part of the breadcrumb trail to musical enlightenment here!

Songs:

1. Jimi Meets Miles
2. My Funky Valentine

Gear:

• Ovation Breadwinner
• Ibanez LGB30
• Blackstar amplifier

Lee Ritenour is an acclaimed American jazz guitarist known for his versatile playing style and contributions to contemporary jazz, smooth jazz, and fusion genres. Born on January 11, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, Ritenour began his professional career at a young age and has collaborated with numerous prominent musicians throughout his extensive career. He is recognized for his technical skill, musicality, and prolific output, including numerous solo albums and contributions to other artists' works.

Songs:

1. Is It You
2. Captain Fingers
3. Night Rhythm

Gear:

• Ibanez LGB30

Robben Ford, born on December 16, 1951, in Woodlake, California, is an acclaimed American blues, jazz, and rock guitarist. Known for his sophisticated playing style and blending of various genres, Ford has had a significant impact on contemporary guitar music and has collaborated with numerous legendary artists.

Songs:

1. Freedom
2. Cannonball Shuffle
3. Talk to Your Daughter

Gear:

• Fender Telecaster
• Dumble amplifier

Jimmy Page is the British guitarist consistently rated for one of the top 10 ever solos - on "Stairway to Heaven”. It's ironic his best solo was on the track that he was sued over for plagiarism (which he won). Doubly ironic is that it's also the one song you CANNOT PLAY in a music store. I don't know why, it's some unwritten law that will get you ejected!

Songs:

1. Stairway
2. Whole lotta Love
3. Rock and Roll

Gear:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Marshall Amplifier

Who is the guitarist Rick Beato calls 1 of 1. Jeff Beck. He is indeed unique. Never makes a mistake. Lyrical, melodic, Bluesy. His judicious use of the tremolo arm gives him his trademark style that I haven't heard anyone successfully imitate. A musician's musician he played with everyone who was anyone, they all wanted to play with him.

Songs:

1. A brush with the Blues
2. Hi Ho Silver lining

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Marshall Amplifier

Brian May is best known as the lead guitarist with the wall of Vox AC30’s giving a distinctive tone, who plays for the legendary UK rock band Queen. He is also a mild-mannered Astrophysicist by day as well as a Rock God by night!

Songs:

1. We are the Champions
2. Killer Queen
3. Bohemian Rhapsody
4. Somebody to Love

Gear:

• BMG Guitar
• Vox amplifier

George Harrison, often referred to as "the quiet Beatle," was a legendary musician, singer, and songwriter best known for his role as the lead guitarist of the Beatles.

Songs:

1. All the Beatles
2. Here comes the sun

Gear:

• Rickenbacker Guitar
• Vox amplifier

Walter Becker, the unsung hero behind the smooth grooves of Steely Dan, brought a unique blend of wit and musical prowess to the forefront of rock and jazz fusion. Born in 1950, Becker formed Steely Dan with Donald Fagen in the early '70s, crafting a sound that defied categorization.

Songs:

1. Peg
2. Josie
3. Reelin' in the years

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Carlos Santana is a rare animal, solely an instrumentalist, a guitarist front man. Carlos is a pioneering guitarist whose fusion of rock, blues, and most of all Latin music has made him one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. With his soulful guitar playing and distinctive tone, Santana has created some of the most enduring and beloved songs in rock history. His Appeal is wide, not just with other guitarists!

Songs:

1. Oye Cómo Va
2. Mamacita
3. Black Magic Woman

Peter Allen Greenbaum, known professionally as Peter Green, was born on October 29, 1946, in Bethnal Green, London. As a founding member of Fleetwood Mac, Green is celebrated as one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time. His soulful playing, emotive songwriting, and innovative approach to the blues earned him a revered place in music history. Despite his struggles with mental health, Green's legacy endures through his timeless contributions to rock and blues.

Songs:

1. Green Manalishi
2. Albatross
3. Man of the World

Gear:

• Gibson Les Paul
• Marshall Amplifier

Chuck Berry was an early Rock 'n' Roll legend with the famous duck-walk! Chuck was a trailblazing guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose pioneering contributions to rock and roll music laid the foundation for the genre as we know it today.

Chuck Berry’s Johnny B. Goode is the quintessential guitarists musical piece, a song by a guitarist, about a guitarist who could 'play like the ring of a bell'. It starts with an iconic guitar motif, a classic that every self-respecting guitarist should learn. Famously covered by Jimi Hendrix.

Songs:

1. My Dingle ling
2. Maybelline
3. Hail hail Rock and roll

Gear:

• Gibson ES-335
• Fender amplifier

Eddie Van Halen was a Dutch-American guitarist and primary songwriter of the rock band Van Halen. He popularized two handed tapping, although he did not invent the technique he was the most notable exponent. Famously sessions for Michael Jackson and played THAT solo "Beat It.". He played a guitar of his own creation, the Frankenstat.

Songs:

1. Beat It
2. Jump
3. Eruption

Gear:

• FrankenStrat
• Fender Stratocaster

Steve Lukather, born on October 21, 1957, in San Fernando Valley, California, is a renowned American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Best known as a founding member of the rock band Toto, Lukather's career spans over four decades and includes numerous collaborations with top artists across various genres.

Songs:

1. Rosanna
2. Beat It
3. Africa

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Larry Carlton, AKA "Mr 335" born on March 2, 1948, in Torrance, California, is a renowned American guitarist whose work spans a variety of genres including jazz, blues, pop, and rock

Songs:

1. Room 335
2. Don't Take Me Alive
3. The Royal Scam
4. Kid Charlemange

Gear:

• Gibson ES-335
• Fender amplifier
• Dumble amplifier

David Gilmour is the long standing Pink Floyd guitarist known for stacking compressors to get that distinctive tone. He is truly one of the GGG’s – Great Guitar GOAT’s. With his emotive melodic lead work, soulful vocals, and atmospheric soundscapes, Gilmour helped shape the band's distinctive sound and became one of the most revered guitarists in the history of rock music.

Songs:

1. Dark side of the moon
2. Money
3. Comfortably Numb

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster

Eric Clapton, born on March 30, 1945, in Ripley, Surrey, England, is one of the most influential and celebrated guitarists of all time

Songs:

1. Layla
2. Sunshine of your love
3. I shot the Sherrif

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Gibson ES335
• Gibson SG
• Marshall Amplifier

Jimi Hendrix, born James Marshall Hendrix on November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock music (he's my Main Man!)

Songs:

1. Purple Haze
2. Foxy Lady
3. Voodoo Chile

Gear:

• Fender Stratocaster
• Gibson Flying V
• Gibson SG
• Marshall Amplifier