Top 20 Greatest Male Guitarists of All Time

There's something to be said about crossover appeal, bringing a new approach to an under-represented genre and making it feel fresh to the masses. Carlos Santana executed this brilliantly in the late sixties into the seventies when he combined Latin rhythms and melodies with jazz fusion and hard rock fire. Carlos Santana's fluid, powerful playing style is a force to be reckoned with. But his collaboration with future Journey founder Neal Schon on the band's third album would help make Santana a group of immeasurable influence. Simultaneously progressive, heavy and heartfelt in his playing style, Carlos Santana has never been one to sit still. After his decades of success, the turn of millennium saw the artist further innovate for his multi-platinum smash, "Supernatural."

#19: Mark Knopfler

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We've all heard the phrase "less is more," but Dire Straits mainman Mark Knopfler took that idea one step further with his light and sensitive touch. Knopfler is a finger player similar to Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham, and tends to shun heavy riffs and showboating. Instead, Knopfler utilizes a tasteful and melodic approach to weave a tapestry of emotion and feeling within each note and phrase. For every up tempo solo, like the famous one in "Sultans of Swing," there are moments of quiet brilliance, such as the delicate intro to "Romeo and Juliet," or the driving main hook of "Lady Writer." Knopfler also branched out into a solo career after Dire Straits, even composing a fantastic score for the classic '80s fantasy romance, "The Princess Bride."

#18: Billy Gibbons

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Billy Gibbons is famous for many reasons, from his pioneering psychedelic work with The Moving Sidewalks to the blues and southern rock royalty that is ZZ Top. Gibbons was also reportedly one of Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitar players (alongside Chicago's Terry Kath) and it's easy to see why: the man is an under-the-radar ripper. Perhaps it's Gibbons’ wealth of influences that make him such a versatile player, incorporating everything from swamp blues and boogie woogie into ZZ Top's brand of riff-heavy rock 'n roll. Or maybe it's how Gibbons and his crew embraced the synthesizer revolution of the 1980s with the "Eliminator" album, bringing us smash hits like "Legs'" and "Got Me Under Pressure?" The answer is all of the above: Billy Gibbons is the man.

Ok, so remember how we were just talking about "less being more?" Throw that idea out the window for a moment, because that definitely does NOT apply to Sweden's Yngwie Malmsteen. That's because Malmsteen is all about the neo-classical shred style, eschewing subtlety for a "MORE is more" approach that champions speed, technique and precision. The man's early solo work after departing the '80s metal band Steeler is deeply indebted to the sort of classical composition pioneered by bands like Deep Purple in the early '70s, mixing up fantasy and romantic themes with guitar heroics that'll set your hair on fire. Malmsteen is in that special master class of axemen (think Steve Vai and Joe Satriani) whose fretboard skills are simply not of this world.

#16: Prince

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Prince is a legend today for his work in the worlds of pop, rock and funk fusion. But with all of The Purple One's accomplishments, it's sometimes easy to forget the man's prowess as a guitar player. Just take a look at Prince's performance at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where he managed to outshine a stage full of icons with a performance that brought the house down. He was a walking masterclass, a man who truly played the guitar like it's an extension of himself—laying down licks and solos that seem to run like electricity through his fingers. It didn't matter whether he was playing with The Revolution or on his own, Prince was a one of a kind talent.

#15: Dimebag Darrell

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Heavy metal, like any other musical genre, is in a constant state of evolution—driven by inventive musicians pushing the limits. Pantera were just such a catalyst for change in the ‘90s, a former hair metal act who embraced the power groove style developed by contemporaries Exhorder and gave it their own unique spin. Pantera’s own impact, however, was largely driven by Dimebag Darrell's explosive guitar. It was at-once theatrical and yet tempered with an undying desire to play as heavy as possible. Riffs were Darrell's game. Combining a thrash-y sound with deliberate phrasing, it had mosh pit-drawing power. Sadly, the metal icon's career and life was cut short by an obsessed "fan" while Darrell was on stage in 2004.

Style and substance: both of these traits exemplify the playing of Who guitarist and co-founder Pete Townshend—who helped define classic rock in the 1960s and '70s. Townshend has the mark of a perfectionist, an attention to detail that makes his riffing feel deliberate and thoughtful—no matter how chaotic the performance. With his energetic stage presence, the guitarist simultaneously gave all young guitar players ideas while they were practicing in the mirror. Ever seen a local hot shot windmill their arm around while playing at your local pub? Yeah, they’re mimicking Pete Townshend. More than that, however, Pete had the chops and songwriting prowess to back up his bombast, making The Who one of the best English rock bands of all time.

There's a lot of work that goes into recording an album, but what if you want to venture into uncharted territory? Well, then you get someone like Brian May, a guitarist who isn't just happy to kick out awesome riffs, but wants to push the sonic barrier to the limit. May's early approach to Queen mainly plays with an epic heavy rock palate, but as years progressed, Brian would add layers and layers of guitar tracks. This resulted in sonically-rich Queen albums like "A Night at the Opera' and "News of the World." Brian May is a technician, a melodic player that can also let loose with a surprising amount of grit when the situation calls. His guitar playing is truly the work of an artist.

#12: Frank Zappa

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Genius or madman? Both words suit Frank Zappa, an anarchic sort of guitar player who couldn't ever be tied down to one style. Jazz fusion, hard rock and psych were all part of the package for this unstoppable composer—a guitar player with absolutely no limits to his talent. And that's sort of the beauty behind Zappa's recorded output: there's something for everybody. Want some heavy psych moves? Check out one of his groovier albums with The Mothers of Invention. Into something truly out there and trippy? Dive into his film score for "200 Motels" or his twisted concept album "Joe's Garage." Sadly, Frank succumbed to prostate cancer in 1993. We can only guess at what other craziness he might have conjured up.

#11: Tony Iommi

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Were there heavy guitar players before Tony Iommi? Sure, but none crystalised the prototypical sound of heavy metal quite like this Black Sabbath co-founder. Legend has it this was due to an accident Tony had on his last day of work at a factory that resulted in the loss of two fingertips on his fretting hand. As a result, Iommi had to press harder, thanks to hand-crafted prosthetics changing his entire approach. Now, Iommi was playing heavy, doomy and down tuned riffs that sounded birthed from some gothic horror movie. Meanwhile, his underrated solo work again stood out thanks to his light, slack strings and an approach that emphasized mood rather than flash. Said simply: before any metal band did anything, Iommi and Sabbath did everything.

#10: Ritchie Blackmore

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If Tony Iommi is the godfather of heavy metal, then Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore was nipping right at his heels. Blackmore had a flashy, classically-influenced style that was in stark contrast to the monolithic world of 1970s arena rock. Deep Purple was a band rooted in psychedelia that embraced crazy fast tempos and indulgent solo runs, getting more extreme as the decade progressed. To uncover some of Blackmore's best work, listen to the Mark III lineup with future Whitesnake singer David Coverdale. The blazing lead guitar in "Burn" and the understated emotion present within "Soldier of Fortune" really epitomise Blackmore’s range. Ritchie wouldn't stay stagnant within the hard rock world, either, embracing melodic English folk years later with the project, Blackmore’s Night.

#9: B.B. King

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What can we say about blues legend BB King that hasn't already been said? It can be difficult to stand out in the crowded arena of bluesmen and women seeking to make their mark in a genre so rooted in tradition. The blues comes from deep within, and simplicity is the key to bearing your heart and soul to the audience. King communicated just as effectively using his trusted guitar, Lucille, as he did when he sang classics like "The Thrill Is Gone." His technique was smooth, and seemed almost effortless as he glided across her strings to tell his story. There's raw feeling, honesty and guts in BB King's playing, and that's just one part of what made the man so amazing.

#8: Randy Rhoads

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Oh, what might have been. There's no denying that former Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot guitarist Randy Rhoads achieved a lot in a comparatively short amount of time. Still, this young man was so talented that it's difficult NOT to imagine what more Rhoads could've done, had he not been lost in a tragic plane crash. Make no mistake: Rhoads inspired generations of guitar players in his wake, thanks to his perfectionist manner of mixing hard rock bombast with legit classical chops. Want proof? Check out "Laughing Gas" with Quiet Riot, or anything off the two full length albums that Rhoads recorded with Ozzy. He was an icon who may have been taken too soon, but his spirit lives forever.

#7: Eric Clapton

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"Clapton is God." This was the famous U.K. graffiti slogan that championed a brash young bloke fresh on the scene after forming Cream in 1966. Cream served as one of the transitional bands that was taking Britain's love of the blues and making it harder, heavier and more psychedelic. The band served as a vehicle for a genre in transition, and it helped make Eric Clapton a legitimate guitar hero. More classic stints would follow in Derek and the Dominos, as well as a solo career, although battles with drug addiction, a drunken, anti-immigration outburst in 1976 and the tragic loss of his son had some complications on his career. Still, there's no denying how influential Eric Clapton was, and continues to be, for generations of young guitarists.

#6: Stevie Ray Vaughan

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Stevie Ray Vaughan played traditional, down home American blues music: no more, no less. It was the WAY in which he approached the blues, however, that made him a legend—a blue collar attack that was both approachable and mesmerizing. Vaughan could take the most basic four bar arrangement and turn it into a sustained symphony of held notes and triumphant licks. With a basic drum and bass backbeat, Vaughan would figuratively set his fretboard on fire with songs like "Texas Flood" and "Crossfire," earning himself critical acclaim and fan adoration from around the world. Sadly, Stevie Ray was taken in a helicopter crash in 1990, robbing the blues and rock world of yet another shining star.

#5: Keith Richards

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Sometimes, the best riffs are the simplest and most immediate. "Start Me Up" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" are two great examples—and they have one great guitarist in common as their co-writer: Keith Richards. Keef has that nebulous quality about him that just exudes a born rockstar swagger. Maybe it's how low Richards sets his guitar, his voracious appetite for the good life or those imminently hummable riffs: Keith just has it. That isn't to say that Richards isn't serious about rocking, of course, as the legions of Stones fanatics will tell you. After all, The Rolling Stones didn't get to become classic rock royalty by doing anything in half measures.

#4: David Gilmour

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Pink Floyd was already turning heads with their formative brand of psychedelic rock before 1967, but the band gained a whole other dynamic when David Gilmour joined in December of that year. It was with Gilmour that Floyd would record such genre-defining albums as "Animals," "Meddle" and "Dark Side of the Moon." Gilmour wasn't just a side man, however, and his influence grew until he actually took over the band when founder Roger Waters left in 1985. Though this divided the fanbase, the albums after this were arguably even smoother, more melodic and moving, thanks to David's amazing tone and technique. He's truly one of a kind.

#3: Eddie Van Halen

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His were the fingers that launched a thousand careers—the guitarist who, with one amazing instrumental, put every other band on notice. His name was Eddie Van Halen, the song was "Eruption," and heavy rock was never the same. Every hair metal band on the Sunset Strip attempted to ape Eddie's furious technique and stylistic flair, but no one ever did it like Van Halen. This is likely because of Eddie's classically based influences—an honest-to-goodness approach to music theory that lifted every Van Halen banger to a game-changing level. From "Atomic Punk" and "Jamie's Cryin'" to "On Fire,"Light Up the Sky" and "Mean Street," EVH had the riffs, the style and a band of stone cold killers backing him up. It was a perfect storm.

#2: Jimmy Page

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Critics of Jimmy Page have called him sloppy, and.. let's say "enthusiastic" about borrowing riffs from other bands. But have any of THOSE people ever played their guitar with a cello bow? We think not!! Criticisms aside, Page is one of the most influential guitar players to ever pick up the instrument. He possesses a wide array of influences that permeated the music of Led Zeppelin, from Eastern scales and melodies to bombastic, heavy riffs that pre-dated heavy metal. Page loved the blues, and arguably rocked harder than anyone in his days—both on stage and after the show. There were very few performers who could outdo Jimmy Page in the live setting: in his prime, he was absolutely a rock star's rock star. Before we name our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions! Chuck Berry For the Duck Walk & That Boogie-Woogie Robert Johnson For (Allegedly) Selling His Soul at the Crossroads Robert Fripp For Setting the Progressive Rock World on Fire Paco de Lucía For His Unmatchable Skill & Technique Django Reinhardt For Doing All This With Just Two Fingers Eric Johnson For All The Faces He Melted with “Cliffs of Dover”

#1: Jimi Hendrix

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His career burned out far too quickly, but this rock legend quite simply revolutionized the electric guitar. Hendrix and his band, The Experience, were more than just a bluesy, psychedelic rock power group: they were a showcase to the progression of rock music as a whole. This was largely thanks to Hendrix's chops and stage presence, a hurricane of charisma that was far more than him setting his guitar on fire or playing with his teeth. There was just as much tastefulness to his playing as there was an intense, raw energy. This unstoppable force rightfully captivated anyone who was lucky enough to see the master at work.