Recently "Rolling Stone" released a list of the greatest Rock Guitarists of all time. Jimi Hendrix was chosen as Numero Uno. I am sorry to say that I disagree. I am voting for Billie Gibbons of ZZTop. I agree Jimi was the master of reverb, but the best, well I disagree. What do you think? As you can see, Billy and Jimi traded licks at one point (that's Billy in the middle). ZZTop opened for Jimi early on.

Hmmmmm.... Robert Fripp? Todd Rundgren? Jan Akkerman? Django Reinhardt? Buddy Guy? Alex Lifeson? Geddy Lee? I dunno!

Buddy Guy would be up there.

Jimmy Page...Stevie Ray Vaughn...Jeff Beck...Roy Clark...Eddie Van Halen

Have no real problem with Hendrix at #1 though.

Richard Thompson... Eric Clapton....

I don't take "Rolling Stone" very seriously I swear it's the same people on the list in the same order year after year. I'll throw in Joe Satriani and Steve Vai in the mix some of the most technically proficient rock guitarists out there. How about some love for the great Ritchie Blackmore as well?

I second the Joe Satriani and add Eric Johnson.

Those who know me know it is only Eric Clapton for me. That is definitely God.

Slow Hand, I think Clapton is called. Am I right?

Yes, because years ago when he was doing his manic solos he often broke a string, and perfectionist that he is he took a while to change it, leading to some slow claps from the audience.
Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

See, I didn't know that about Eric Clapton. I have always like his music, but I just learned something new!

So I now recommend his autobiography, called "Eric Clapton, the Autobiography", to you!

I'm with Clapton. I would also like to throw the name of Terry Kath into the mix. Maybe not as the best of all time, but certainly toward the top of the list. Too bad his life was tragically cut short.

All fine choices, Clapton is a legend. I'd like to throwin two metal guitarists from bands that I grew up listening to. One is George Lynch from Dokken & the other is Kirk Hammett from Metallica.

I'm a huge Hendrix devotee. The man was a genius.

Who else? Brian May doesn't get mentioned in these discussions nearly as much as he should. He was an amazing artist who always played the right notes without being flashy--but he could burn when he wanted to! Keith Richards and Mick Taylor would have to be in the mix, too; the Stones' work during their Mick Taylor days may be the best rock music ever made.

Going back, it's easy to underrate Robert Johnson--until you realize that, quite literally, NO ONE was doing what he was doing at the time. His rediscovery in the early 60s (thanks to the keeper of his memory, John Hammond) may have had as much to do with the development of modern music as anything the Beatles did.

Also, if you like jazz and have never heard Stanley Jordan, please check him out. Seriously, don't wait. Do it. Right now.

Rory Gallagher. Even Hendrix himself said in an interview that Gallagher was the greatest guitarist.

Dick Dale deserves mentioning, too.

I think I need to throw Robin Trower & Gary Moore into the mix too. Although he died tragically far too young for his full impact to be felt, I think Randy Rhoads needs to be mentioned. His work with Quiet Riot & Ozzy will live on. Blizzard Of Ozz & Diary of a Madman remain Ozzy's two best solo albums thanks in large part to Rhoads.

Thanks to all for their input.

Maybe not the most underrated guitarist in the metal world, but definitely the most under appreciated.



I don't. Randy is one of those choices that go without saying. Even though he died shortly after I was born, I idolized him. I was at Ozzfest 96 in Devore. The star of that show was mayhem. I remember that night vividly. With cops on horseback macing fools so they can lead paramedics through the crowd during Slayer's set, and also bonfires in the middle of the pits, it wasn't a pretty night. A cop died that night I found out when I got home. It was pure chaos. However, there was one moment that seemingly ended all of that and brought a collective tear to the entire crowd. That was when Ozzy was playing Goodbye To Romance and Randy was up on all the big screens playing along to it. It was surreal seeing all those tough metal heads stop with the aggression for a few moments. I've never seen anything like it live since.

I'd also like to mention Adrian Smith in this discussion of best guitarists.

I'm putting in Albert Lee. One of the best session rock and roll (1950s variety) guitarists ever. The man everyone wanted playing session and on tour with them, described at the time as the guitarists guitarist - still working, often tours with Bill Whyman and the Rhythm Kings, has the fastest fingers I have ever seen.

Eric Clapton collects paintings. He sold one yesterday for £21,000,000($34m) - I think he has a good eye as well as a slow hand!

Totally going nu-rock here and listing Synyster Gates. He is absolutely genius with his riffs and creativity on that sassy guitar. Rawr.

I came into this thread wondering if someone would bring him up! I've seen Avenged Sevenfold three or four times in concert (originally with a friend and later with my dad, who took a shine to them) and I have to say he really is brilliant when you hold him up to the guitarists in other, similar bands. I definitely have an appreciation for what he does.

As for the actual #1, if I were more of a daddy's girl I'd be forced to agree with Jimi in the top spot. I lean more towards Clapton instead.

I'd agree with Clapton...but I'll toss John Mayer in there, as well. Just because...I dunno. Because.

It's Rory Gallagher for me,