Top 10 Guitarists of All Time

Jimi Hendrix

He just oozes 'cool' (case in point - renowned for playing a right-handed Fender Strat upside-down), and was named by Rolling Stone magazine in 2003 as the #1 greatest guitarist of all time.

Dave Grohl

Its Dave M*thafucking Grohl!

Slash

AKA Saul Hudson, was ranked #2 by Time Magazine's "10 Best Electric Guitar Players of All-Time" list (2009). He apparently dropped out of school to give him more time to practice playing the guitar (a seldom positive advert for giving up on compulsory education, if there ever was one), and over his career has performed with over 40 bands/ acts. I was absolutely gutted to miss his set at Glastonbury last year - this is one live act not to be missed! (perhaps next time)...

Keith Richards

He has possibly one of the most interesting faces on the planet - and certainly knows how to work a fretboard. As rhythm guitarist for the Stones for nearly 50 years (blimey), 55 albums later he simply has to be one of the best guitarists the world has ever seen, no?

Tom Morello

RATM - Truly the greatest of modern guitarist in circumventing not only the norm in song writing but in the use of the instrument itself. Some might argue he just makes weird noises. I dont talk to such people.

Jimmy Page

As a guitarist, Jimmy Page can do practically anything—blues, Beatles-style pop, folk rock, jazz, heavy metal, and so on. With his considerable talent, he could have made any kind of music, so it’s interesting that he left all the traditional forms behind and pioneered the signature Led Zeppelin sound that would prove so influential to all heavy metal and hard rock acts to come. Like all great guitar players, Page thought of his music in terms of songcraft and refrained from the type of self-indulgence that can kill a good song. With Zeppelin, he also grew into a formidable songwriter and producer.

Eddie Van Halen

The All Music Guide has described him as "Second to only Jimi Hendrix" - but I happen to disagree (controversial!) - this guy is responsible for causing countless arguments ("just how does that last chord on the chorus of 'Jump' go?") and many hours on a dodgy old keyboard trying to prove my point...

Genius - 'nuff said!

Johnny Marr

Rockabilly, choppy post-punk, lissom Byrdsian jangle: The Smiths’ guitarist can turn his hand to anything. But it’s the feminine quality of his playing that does it for me. And its precisely that which means that he's worth a million of those priapic cock rockers and noodlers that normally top these kind of lists.

Flea

Although a bass player, gotta include Flea. Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16, 1962), better known by his stage name Flea, is an Australian-American bassist, trumpet player, and occasional actor. He is best known as the bassist and co-founding member of the alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. His work with the band incorporates several musical styles, ranging from aggressive slap bass to more subdued and melodic techniques. Aside from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, he has collaborated with many artists, including Jane's Addiction, Thom Yorke, The Mars Volta, and Alanis Morissette. Drawing influences from funk music and punk rock, Flea centers his bass playing on simplicity and minimalism while viewing complexity as a device that should be used in moderation.
Also the man has been appeared Back to the Future Part II (1989), My Own Private Idaho (1991), and The Big Lebowski (1998). BTTF 2!! Great Scott!!