Solos, rifts, bridges; a guitarist has the power to make or break the band. Continuing on my ‘top five’ journey, the best guitarists, rhythmic or otherwise, are outlined here:

1.       Jimi Hendrix

I feel cheated that I never got to SEE Jimi Hendrix. I heard his music. I loved his playing. I never saw him and boy did his live performances get a lot of hype. Apparently he was a whole new person on stage and here am I, generations late, stuck with his recordings and nothing more. Don’t get me wrong, his recordings are amazing. But still. Jimi Hendrix was bigger than it all. Hendrix made the guitar more than an instrument and more than a sound, Hendrix made the electric guitar a way of life.

2.       Stevie Ray Vaughn

Stevie Ray kicked off a blues-rock phenomenon when we all needed it most: the heyday of hair-band metal. Until he first began to make it big in 1982 and the release of Texas Flood in 1983, his fame was limited to clubs in central Texas where he perfected the styles of Jimi Hendrix. From the mid 80s until his death in 1990 he filled areas across the nation with his soul and amazing talent.

3.       Eric Clapton

Clapton’s first major band appearance was with the Yardbirds and when he left them at 20, only having been playing guitar for five years, he was already rapidly making his way to the top. Clapton is one of the best solo guitarists who ever played, the speed of his hands is mesmerizing and the London subway had it right when, in 1965, “Clapton is God” was written on its walls. 

4.       Chuck Berry

Berry invented rock & roll guitar. Sure, others were better, and yes others took his invention to the next level, but it WAS Chuck Berry. His 1955 Chess Records debut “Maybellene” struck fear and awe into the hearts of every listener whose ears it touched. It was new, it was unheard of and it was completely and utter genius.

5.       Keith Richards

With the Rolling Stones 41 years, Richards was an extension of Chuck Berry. Rolling Stone Magazine accredited him with creating rock’s greatest single body of riffs and I HAVE to agree. Richards was the best rhythmic guitarist ever and he is for sure, high up on the list of soloists.

Congrats to the top five! As not to leave out other completely awesome and very notable guitarists, I will continue my list for you to check out on your own.  

1. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) 
2. Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
3. Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
4. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
5. Jack White (The White Stripes )
6. Johnny Ramone (The Ramones) 
7. George Harrison (The Beatles)
8. John Mayer
9. Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave)
10. Carlos Santana

My Top 5 Rock Bands Of All Time: here.