List of lead guitarists

The following is a list of significant lead guitarists, arranged in alphabetical order by last name. For rhythm guitarists see list of rhythm guitarists.

Contents

* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* Y
* Z

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

## A

[edit]

Duane Allman,1971 Chet Atkins

* Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders)
* "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (Pantera, Damageplan, Rebel Meets Rebel)
* John Abercrombie
* Ryan Adams (The Cardinals)
* Marcus Adoro (Eraserheads)
* Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth)
* Fredrik Åkesson (Arch Enemy, Opeth)
* Jan Akkerman (Focus)
* Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio)
* Johnny Alegre
* Art Alexakis (Everclear)
* Paul Allender (Cradle of Filth)
* Duane Allman (The Allman Brothers Band)
* Lee Altus (Exodus, Heathen)
* Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon)
* Christopher Amott (Arch Enemy, Armageddon, Dark Tranquillity)
* Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, Carcass)
* Trey Anastasio (Phish)
* Al Anderson (Bob Marley and the Wailers)
* Emma Anderson (Lush)
* Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney)
* Christian Andreu (Gojira)
* Apostolis Anthimos (SBB)
* Daniel Antonsson (Dimension Zero, Soilwork)
* Redouane Aouameur
* Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day, Pinhead Gunpowder)
* Tim Armstrong (Operation Ivy, Transplants, Rancid)
* Rob Arnold (Chimaira)
* DJ Ashba (Sixx:A.M., Guns N' Roses)
* Ron Asheton (The Stooges)
* Chet Atkins
* Berton Averre (The Knack)

## B

[edit]

Jeff Beck, 1979 Chuck Berry, 1987 Carrie Brownstein at Coachella, 2012

* Ayub Bachchu (Love Runs Blind)
* Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, Bachman–Turner Overdrive)
* Dave Bainbridge (Iona)
* Dave Baksh (Sum 41, Brown Brigade)
* Russ Ballard (Argent)
* Terry Balsamo (Evanescence)
* Perry Bamonte (The Cure)
* Peter Banks (Yes, Flash)
* Carl Barat (The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things)
* Marcelo Barbosa (Angra)
* Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
* Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd)
* Steve Bartek (Oingo Boingo)
* Michael Angelo Batio
* Reb Beach (Winger, Dokken, Whitesnake)
* Norman Beaker
* Corey Beaulieu (Trivium)
* Jan Bechtum
* Jeff Beck (The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Beck, Bogert & Appice)
* Jason Becker (David Lee Roth, Cacophony)
* Franny Beecher (Bill Haley & His Comets)
* Adrian Belew
* Andy Bell (Ride, Hurricane #1, Oasis, Beady Eye)
* Carl Bell (Fuel)
* Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy)
* Matthew Bellamy (Muse)
* George Benson
* Chuck Berry
* Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme, Rihanna)
* Dickey Betts (The Allman Brothers Band)
* Jason Bieler (Saigon Kick)
* Simon Binks (Australian Crawl)
* Jón Þór Birgisson (Sigur Rós)
* Anders Björler (At the Gates, The Haunted)
* Ira Black (Vio-lence)
* Frank Blackfire (Kreator, Sodom)
* Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmore's Night)
* Doug Blair (W.A.S.P.)
* Nate Blasdell (I Set My Friends on Fire)
* Mike Bloomfield
* Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
* Tommy Bolin (Zephyr, The James Gang, Deep Purple)
* Joe Bonamassa
* D. Boon (Minutemen)
* Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit, Black Light Burns)
* Johnny Borrell (Razorlight)
* Carlton Bost (Orgy)
* Tony Bourge (Budgie)
* Mick Box (Uriah Heep)
* James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers)
* Tony Bradley (The Distillers, Spinnerette)
* Vito Bratta (White Lion)
* Creed Bratton (The Grass Roots)
* Chris Broderick (Megadeth, Nevermore, Jag Panzer)
* Devin Bronson
* Joel Bogen (Toyah)
* Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney)
* Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria)
* Roy Buchanan
* Peter Buck (R.E.M.)
* Rob Buck (10,000 Maniacs)
* Buckethead (Praxis, Guns N' Roses, C2B3)
* Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac)
* Jonny Buckland (Coldplay)
* Bumblefoot (Guns N' Roses)
* Vinny Burns (Ten)
* James Burton
* John Butler (The John Butler Trio)
* Glen Buxton (Alice Cooper)
* Roddy Byers (The Specials)

## C

[edit]

Eric Clapton, 1975

* Ernie C (Body Count)
* Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Go's)
* Al Caiola
* Randy California (Spirit)
* Toy Caldwell (The Marshall Tucker Band),
* Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)[1]
* Phil Campbell (Motörhead)
* Vivian Campbell (Dio, Whitesnake, Def Leppard)
* Mike Campese
* Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains)
* Captain Sensible (The Damned)
* Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional)
* Perfecto de Castro (Rivermaya)
* Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot)
* Danny Cedrone (Bill Haley & His Comets)
* Gustavo Cerati (Soda Stereo)
* Nic Cester (Jet)
* Ross Childress (Collective Soul)
* Charlie Christian
* John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Dinosaurs)
* Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds, Cream, Derek and the Dominos)
* Gary Clark Jr.
* Steve Clark (Def Leppard)
* "Fast" Eddie Clarke (Motörhead)
* Dave "Clem" Clempson (Colosseum, Humble Pie)
* Michael Clifford (5 Seconds of Summer)
* Nels Cline (Nels Cline Trio, The Nels Cline Singers, Banyan, Wilco)
* Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
* Phil Collen (Def Leppard)
* Albert Collins
* Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
* Nathan Connolly (Snow Patrol)
* Ry Cooder
* Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty)
* Rusty Cooley
* John Corabi (Ratt)
* Lanny Cordola (Giuffria, House of Lords, Magdalen)
* Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
* Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers)
* Graham Coxon (Blur)
* Robert Cray
* Paul Crook (Anthrax, Sebastian Bach, Meat Loaf, Marya Roxx)
* Steve Cropper (Booker T. & the M.G.'s)
* Robbin Crosby (Ratt)
* Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)
* Marcos Curiel (P.O.D.)

## D

[edit]

* Denis D'Amour (Voivod)
* Dick Dale
* Brody Dalle (The Distillers, Spinnerette)
* Adam "Nergal" Darski (Behemoth)
* Dave Davies (The Kinks)
* Mahyar Dean (Angband)
* Paul Dean (Loverboy)
* Gene Deer
* Chris DeGarmo (Queensrÿche)
* Isaac Delahaye (Epica)
* Tiago Della Vega
* Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots)
* Tom DeLonge (Blink-182, Box Car Racer, Angels & Airwaves)
* Brad Delson (Linkin Park)
* Warren DeMartini (Ratt)
* Leonard Dembo
* Phil Demmel (Machine Head, Vio-lence)
* Britt "Lightning" Denaro (Vixen)
* Rick Derringer (The McCoys, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter)
* C.C. DeVille (Poison)
* Don Devore (Amazing Baby)
* Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult)
* Al Di Meola (Go)
* Bo Diddley
* Carl Dixon
* Ian D'Sa (Billy Talent)
* Dave Dobbyn (Th' Dudes, DD Smash)
* Joe Dolce
* Dan Donegan (Disturbed)
* Abbath Doom Occulta (Immortal, I)
* Dr. Know (Bad Brains)
* OL Drake (Evile)
* Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth)
* Oscar Dronjak (Ceremonial Oath)
* Glen Drover (King Diamond, Megadeth, Eidolon)
* Billy Duffy (The Cult)
* Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (Venom)
* Bob Dylan
* Teddy Diaz (The Dawn)
* Perf De Castro (Rivermaya)

## E

[edit]

The Edge, 2005

* Ronnie Earl
* Elliot Easton (The Cars)
* Duane Eddy
* The Edge (U2)
* Lu Edmonds (Public Image Limited)
* Nokie Edwards (The Ventures)
* Mike Einziger (Incubus)
* Tripp Eisen (Dope, Static-X)
* Tinsley Ellis
* Stefan Elmgren (HammerFall)
* Matt Embree (The Sound Of Animals Fighting, Rx Bandits)
* Tommy Emmanuel
* Rik Emmett (Triumph)
* Niklas Engelin
* Thomas Erak (The Fall Of Troy)
* Eric Erlandson (Hole, RRIICCEE)
* Kevin Eubanks (The Tonight Show Band)
* Mike Elgar (Rivermaya)

## F

[edit]

* Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad)
* Tim Farriss (INXS)
* Josh Farro (Paramore)
* Don Felder (The Eagles)
* Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers)
* Roger Fisher (Heart)
* Vic Flick (John Barry Seven)
* John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
* Lita Ford (The Runaways)[1]
* Jon Foreman (Switchfoot)
* Dave Fortman (Ugly Kid Joe)
* Oz Fox (Stryper)
* Peter Frampton (Humble Pie)
* Bruce Franklin (Trouble)
* Lars Frederiksen (Rancid)
* Ace Frehley (Kiss)
* Glenn Frey (The Eagles)
* Marty Friedman (Megadeth, Cacophony)
* Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
* Fred Frith
* Bill Frisell
* John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
* Vim Fuego (Bad News)
* Koichi Fukuda (Static-X)
* Jim Fuller (Surfaris)

## G

[edit]

* Gus G. (Dream Evil, Firewind, Nightrage, Ozzy Osbourne)
* Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
* Galder (Dimmu Borgir)
* Noel Gallagher (Oasis)
* Rory Gallagher
* Anthony Gallo (Suicidal Tendencies)
* Cliff Gallup
* Frank Gambale (Chick Corea Elektric Band)
* Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)
* Roopam Garg
* Kyle Gass (Tenacious D)
* Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold, Pinkly Smooth)
* Björn Gelotte (In Flames)
* Rocky George (Cro-Mags, Suicidal Tendencies)
* Janick Gers (Iron Maiden)
* Sascha Gerstner (Helloween, ex-Freedom Call)
* Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
* Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory)
* Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr. Big)
* Vince Gill
* Brad Gillis (Night Ranger, Ozzy Osbourne)
* David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
* Greg Ginn (Black Flag)
* Hamish Glencross (My Dying Bride)
* Craig Goldy (Giuffria, Dio, Rough Cutt)
* Matt Good (From First to Last)
* Myles Goodwyn (April Wine)
* Pier Gonella (Mastercastle-Necrodeath)
* Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy, 21 Guns)
* The Great Kat
* Gary Green (Gentle Giant)
* Grant Green
* Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac)
* Brian Greenway (April Wine, Mashmakhan)
* Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead, The Smile)
* Luther Grosvenor (Spooky Tooth, Mott the Hoople)
* Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns, Brides of Destruction, Contraband)
* Buddy Guy

## H

[edit]

Merle Haggard, 2009 PJ Harvey, 2011 Jimi Hendrix, 1967

* Steve Hackett (Genesis)
* Merle Haggard
* Danielle Haim (Haim)
* Ollie Halsall (Patto, Tempest)
* Kirk Hammett (Exodus, Metallica)
* Albert Hammond, Jr. (The Strokes)
* Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)
* Kai Hansen (Helloween, Gamma Ray)
* Blake Harnage (VersaEmerge)
* George Harrison (The Beatles, Traveling Wilburys)
* PJ Harvey
* Juliana Hatfield
* Dan Hawkins (The Darkness, Stone Gods)
* Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)
* Pete Haycock (Climax Blues Band)
* Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule)
* Justin Hayward (The Moody Blues)
* Eddie Hazel (Parliament-Funkadelic)
* Jeff Healey
* Helmuth
* Jimi Hendrix
* Leon Hendrix
* Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic)
* Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks, Bad Religion)
* Tony Hicks (The Hollies)
* hide (X Japan)
* Dave Hill (Slade)
* Brent Hinds (Mastodon)
* Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss)
* Hisashi (Glay)
* Hizaki (Versailles, Jupiter)
* Terrance Hobbs (Suffocation)
* Gary Hoey
* Wolf Hoffmann (Accept)
* Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles)
* Randy Holden
* Allan Holdsworth
* Buddy Holly
* Esa Holopainen (Amorphis)
* Gary Holt (Exodus)
* Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch)
* John Lee Hooker
* Matt Hoopes (Relient K)
* Jerry Horton (Papa Roach)
* Tomoyasu Hotei (Boøwy, Complex)
* Jimmy Hotz
* Rowland S. Howard
* Steve Howe (Yes, Asia)
* Bill Hudson (Cellador, Power Quest)
* Jon Hume (Evermore)
* Charlie Hunter

## I

[edit]

Tony Iommi, 2009

* Chris Impellitteri
* Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell)
* Ernie Isley (The Isley Brothers)
* Poison Ivy (The Cramps)
* Izzy Stradlin (Guns N' Roses)
* Kenneth Ilagan (The Dawn)

## J

[edit]

* Matthias Jabs (Scorpions)
* Ramon Jacinto
* Tito Jackson (The Jackson 5)
* Jakko M. Jakszyk
* Colin James
* Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower, Spastic Ink, Blotted Science)
* John 5
* Bob Johnson (Steeleye Span)
* Eric Johnson
* Kelly Johnson (Girlschool)
* Lonnie Johnson
* Wilko Johnson (Dr Feelgood)
* Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation)
* Kevin Jonas (Jonas Brothers)
* Adam Jones (Tool)
* Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones)
* Danny Jones (McFly)
* Mick Jones (The Clash)
* Mick Jones (Foreigner, Spooky Tooth)
* Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
* Stanley Jordan
* Tyler Joseph (Twenty One Pilots)

## K

[edit]

B.B. King, 1985 Kerry King, 2012 Rocky Kramer performing live in 2018

* Kapil Srivastava
* Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand)
* Terry Kath (Chicago)
* Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
* Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group)
* Phil Keaggy (Glass Harp)
* Tom Keifer (Cinderella)
* Tim Kelly (Slaughter)
* Ken (L'Arc-en-Ciel)
* Alan Kendall (The Bee Gees)
* Myles Kennedy (The Mayfield Four)
* Albert King
* B. B. King
* Ben King (The Yardbirds)
* Ed King (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Strawberry Alarm Clock)
* Kerry King (Slayer)
* Danny Kirwan (Fleetwood Mac)
* Andreas Kisser (Sepultura)
* Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
* Bob Klose (Pink Floyd)
* Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
* Kaan Korad
* Joel Kosche (Collective Soul)
* Paul Kossoff (Free)
* Richie Kotzen
* Ivan Kral
* Rocky Kramer
* Wayne Kramer (MC5)
* Robby Krieger (The Doors)
* Richard Kruspe (Rammstein)
* Tad Kubler
* Jan Kuehnemund (Vixen)
* Bruce Kulick (Kiss)

## L

[edit]

* Bernie LaBarge (David Clayton-Thomas)
* Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom, Bodom After Midnight)
* Greg Lake (Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson)
* Larry LaLonde (Possessed, Primus)
* Sonny Landreth
* Shawn Lane
* Jonny Lang
* Andy LaRocque (King Diamond)
* Andrew Latimer (Camel)
* Ronni Le Tekrø (TNT)
* Bernie Leadon (The Eagles)
* Alvin Lee (Ten Years After)
* Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands)
* Duke Levine
* Matty Lewis (Zebrahead)
* Herman Li (DragonForce)
* Alex Lifeson (Rush)
* Jani Liimatainen (Sonata Arctica, Altaria)
* Peter Lindgren (Opeth)
* Rudy Linka
* Lori Linstruth
* James Litherland (Colosseum, Mogul Thrash)
* Kerry Livgren (Kansas)
* Glenn Ljungström (In Flames, HammerFall)
* Nils Lofgren (E Street Band)
* Karl Logan (Manowar)
* Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, Nevermore)
* César "Vampiro" López (Maná, Azul Violeta, Jaguares)
* Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth, Angra)
* Clint Lowery (Sevendust)
* Arjen Anthony Lucassen
* Paco de Lucía
* Jens Ludwig (Edguy)
* Steve Lukather (Toto)
* George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob)
* Steve Lynch (Autograph)
* Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra)

## M

[edit]

Gary Moore, 2010

* Tony MacAlpine
* Lonnie Mack
* Brian "Too Loud" MacLeod (Chilliwack, Headpins)
* Logan Mader (Once Human, Soulfly, Machine Head)
* Wolf Mail
* Daron Malakian (System of a Down, Scars on Broadway)
* Yngwie Malmsteen
* Christofer Malmström
* Misha Mansoor (Periphery)
* Kee Marcello (Europe)
* Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush)
* Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
* Steve Marriott (Small Faces, Humble Pie)
* Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe)
* Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge)
* Billy Martin (Good Charlotte)
* Jim Martin (Faith No More)
* Hank Marvin (The Shadows)
* Junior Marvin (Bob Marley and The Wailers)
* J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr)
* Hideto Matsumoto (X Japan)
* Tak Matsumoto (B'z)
* Brian May (Queen)
* John Mayer (John Mayer Trio, Dead & Company)
* Nick McCabe (The Verve)
* Andy McCoy (Hanoi Rocks)
* Mike McCready (Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog, Mad Season)
* Jimmy McCulloch (Wings, Thunderclap Newman, Stone the Crows, Small Faces, The Dukes)
* Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
* John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti)
* Richard McNamara (Embrace)
* Tony McPhee (The Groundhogs)
* Siouxsie Medley (Dead Sara)
* Mickey "Deen Ween" Melchiondo (Ween)
* Michelle Meldrum (Phantom Blue, Meldrum)
* Barry Melton (Country Joe & The Fish)
* Vince Melouney (Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs, The Bee Gees)
* Dave Meniketti (Y&T)
* Jim Messina (Poco, Buffalo Springfield, Loggins and Messina)
* Naser Mestarihi
* Pat Metheny
* Phil Miller
* Steve Miller
* Brian Molko (Placebo)
* Wes Montgomery
* Ronnie Montrose (Montrose, Gamma)
* Ben Moody (Evanescence)
* Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy)
* Scotty Moore
* Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)
* Vinnie Moore (UFO)
* Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave)
* Sterling Morrison (The Velvet Underground)
* Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Deep Purple)
* Ian Moss (Cold Chisel)
* Jason Moss (Cherry Poppin' Daddies)
* Bob Mothersbaugh (Devo)
* Cameron Muncey (Jet)
* Christian Münzner (Obscura)
* Billy Mure
* James Murphy (Obituary)
* Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
* Dave Mustaine (Megadeth, Metallica)
* Zach Myers (Shinedown)
* Gary Myrick (Havana 3am)

## N

[edit]

Dave Navarro, Santa Barbara 2008

* Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
* Mike Ness (Social Distortion)
* Craig Nicholls (The Vines)
* Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick)
* Jon Nödtveidt (Dissection)
* John Nolan (Taking Back Sunday)
* Noodle (Gorillaz)
* Noodles (The Offspring)
* Pontus Norgren (The Poodles, HammerFall)
* John Norum (Europe)
* Ted Nugent (Amboy Dukes, Damn Yankees)
* Anders Nyström (Katatonia, Bloodbath)

## O

[edit]

Pat O'Brien performing live with Cannibal Corpse.

* Jus Oborn (Electric Wizard)
* Ed O'Brien (Radiohead)
* Pat O'Brien (Cannibal Corpse, Nevermore, Exhorder)
* Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister)
* Dave Odlum (The Frames)
* André Olbrich (Blind Guardian)
* Mike Oldfield
* Criss Oliva (Savatage)
* Juan Francisco Ordóñez
* Buzz Osborne (Melvins)

## P

[edit]

Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin playing double-necked guitar onstage in 1973

* Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, The Firm)
* Clive Painter (Broken Dog, The 99 Call, Tram, The Real Tuesday Weld)
* Brad Paisley
* Orianthi Panagaris
* Joe Pass
* Les Paul
* Michal Pavlíček
* Axel Rudi Pell
* Tony Peluso (The Carpenters)
* Carl Perkins
* Luther Perkins (Johnny Cash)
* Joe Perry (Aerosmith, The Joe Perry Project)
* Vicki Peterson (The Bangles)
* John Petrucci (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment)
* Anthony Phillips (Genesis)
* Matt Pike (Sleep, High on Fire)
* Jake Pitts (Black Veil Brides)
* Sergio Pizzorno (Kasabian)
* Dean Pleasants (Suicidal Tendencies)
* Chris Poland (Megadeth)
* Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash)
* Prince
* Rod Price (Foghat)
* Jade Puget (AFI)

## R

[edit]

Django Reinhardt Keith Richards, 1982

* Roddy Radiation (The Specials)
* Mick Ralphs (Bad Company, Mott the Hoople)
* Larry Ramos (The Association)
* Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)
* Chris Rea
* Jerry Reed
* Lou Reed (The Velvet Underground)
* Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
* Django Reinhardt
* Arthur Rhames
* Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne)
* Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones)
* Gary Richrath (REO Speedwagon)
* Henjo Richter (Gamma Ray)
* Michael Ricketts
* Chris Risola (Steelheart)
* Marc Rizzo (Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, Ill Niño)
* Jason Roberts (Norah Jones, Hymns, The Candles)
* Darrell Roberts (Five Finger Death Punch)
* Allison Robertson (The Donnas)
* Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Motörhead)
* Robbie Robertson (The Band)
* Janet Robin
* Omar Rodríguez-López (At the Drive-In, Mars Volta)
* Tony Rombola (Godsmack, Another Animal)
* Michael Romeo (Symphony X)
* Mick Ronson (David Bowie)
* Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts)
* Ryan Ross (Panic! at the Disco)
* Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
* Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
* Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions)
* Steve Rothery (Marillion, The Wishing Tree)
* Erik Rutan (Ripping Corpse, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, Cannibal Corpse)
* Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls)
* Francis Reyes (The Dawn)

## S

[edit]

* Dave "The Snake" Sabo (Skid Row)
* Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
* Karl Sanders (Nile)
* Justin Sane (Anti-Flag)
* Carlos Santana (Santana)
* Joey Santiago (Pixies)
* Ralph Santolla (Obituary, Deicide)
* Satchel (Steel Panther)
* Joe Satriani
* Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon)
* Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO, Michael Schenker Group, Contraband)
* Tom Scholz (Boston)
* Neal Schon (Journey)
* Jeff Schroeder (The Smashing Pumpkins)
* Chuck Schuldiner (Death, Control Denied)
* John Scofield
* Andy Scott (Sweet)
* Keith Scott (Bryan Adams)
* Tim Scott
* Sek Loso (Loso)
* Darius Semaña (Parokya ni Edgar)
* Brian Setzer (The Stray Cats)
* Charlie Sexton (Charlie Sexton)
* James "Munky" Shaffer (Korn)
* Dave Sharman
* Todd Sharpville
* Sonny Sharrock
* Kenny Wayne Shepherd
* Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)
* Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters)
* George Shuffler (The Stanley Brothers)
* Charlie Simpson (Fightstar, Busted)
* Sami Sirviö (Kent)
* Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio)
* Alex Skolnick (Testament, Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
* Skwisgaar Skwigelf (Dethklok)
* Slash (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, Slash's Snakepit)
* Martin Slattery (The Mescaleros)
* Earl Slick
* Hillel Slovak (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
* Brendon Small (Dethklok)
* Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
* Fred "Sonic" Smith (MC-5)
* Robert Smith (The Cure)
* Bruce Springsteen (E Street Band)
* Billy Squier
* John Squire (The Stone Roses, The Seahorses)
* Mark St. John (Kiss)
* Bill Steer (Carcass)
* Leigh Stephens (Blue Cheer, Sister Ray)
* Steve Stevens (Billy Idol)
* Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria)
* Gina Stile (Vixen)
* Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)[1]
* Barry Stock (Three Days Grace)
* Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother)
* Nita Strauss (The Iron Maidens, Femme Fatale)
* Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy)
* Sugizo (Luna Sea, X Japan)
* Frankie Sullivan (Survivor)
* Tim Sult (Clutch)
* Hubert Sumlin
* Andy Summers (The Police)
* Bernard Sumner (Joy Division, New Order)
* Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquillity)
* Roman Surman (Wednesday 13, Murderdolls)
* Michael Sweet (Stryper)
* John Sykes (Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake)
* Red Symons (Skyhooks)
* Syu (Galneryus, Animetal)

## T

[edit]

* Ty Tabor (King's X)
* Joey Tafolla
* Akira Takasaki (Loudness)
* Marv Tarplin (Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Smokey Robinson)
* Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)
* Mick Taylor (John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, The Rolling Stones)
* Bobby Tench (Streetwalkers, Hummingbird, Van Morrison, Topper Headon)
* Octave Octavian Teodorescu
* Thomas Thacker (Sum 41)
* Tommy Thayer (Black 'N' Blue, Kiss)
* Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
* Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws)
* Mick Thomson (Slipknot)
* Porl Thompson (The Cure)
* Richard Thompson
* Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah)
* George Thorogood
* Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls, The Heartbreakers)
* Steve Tibbetts
* Andy Timmons (Danger Danger)
* Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
* Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius)
* Simon Tong (The Verve, The Shining, The Good, the Bad & the Queen)
* Ray Toro (My Chemical Romance)
* Sam Totman (DragonForce)
* Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad)
* Pete Townshend (The Who)
* Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge, Creed)
* Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne, Hellyeah)
* Joe Trohman (Fall Out Boy)
* Robin Trower (Procol Harum)
* Derek Trucks (The Allman Brothers Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band)
* Nigel Tufnel (Lenny and the Squigtones, Spinal Tap)
* Luca Turilli
* Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)
* Steve Turner (Mudhoney)
* Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash)

## U

[edit]

* Keith Urban

## V

[edit]

* Steve Vai
* Nick Valensi (The Strokes)
* James Valentine (Maroon 5)
* Sergio Vallín (Maná)
* Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
* Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age)
* Steve Van Zandt (E Street Band)
* Adrian Vandenberg (Vandenberg, Whitesnake, Manic Eden)
* Jimmie Vaughan
* Stevie Ray Vaughan
* Suzanne Vega
* Tom Verlaine (Television)
* Jacky Vincent (Falling in Reverse)
* Vinnie Vincent (Kiss)
* Virus (Dope, Lords of Acid, Device)
* Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (Misfits, Kryst The Conqueror, Gorgeous Frankenstein)
* Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish)

## W

[edit]

* Paul Waggoner (Between the Buried and Me)
* Dick Wagner
* Butch Walker (SouthGang)
* Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie)
* Joe Walsh (James Gang, The Eagles)
* Rich Ward (Stuck Mojo, Fozzy)
* Steve Wariner
* Baz Warne (The Stranglers)
* Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman (The Offspring)
* Jeff Waters (Annihilator)
* Muddy Waters
* Jeff Watson (Night Ranger)
* Mike Wead (King Diamond)
* Chris Weber (Hollywood Rose, U.P.O.)
* Michael Weikath (Helloween)
* Carl Weingarten
* Ben Weinman (The Dillinger Escape Plan)
* Scott Weinrich (The Obsessed)
* Brian "Head" Welch (Korn)
* Paul Weller (The Jam, The Style Council)
* Allen West (Obituary)
* Leslie West (Mountain)
* Bob Weston (Fleetwood Mac)
* Emil Werstler (Chimaira, Dååth)
* Alex Westaway (Fightstar)
* Deryck Whibley (Sum 41)
* Andrew White (Kaiser Chiefs)
* Clarence White (The Kentucky Colonels, Nashville West, The Byrds)
* Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs)
* Jason White (Green Day, Foxboro Hot Tubs)
* John "Charlie" Whitney (Family, Streetwalkers)
* Snowy White (Thin Lizzy)
* Peter Wichers (Soilwork)
* Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys)
* Nancy Wilson (Heart)
* Ricky Wilson (The B-52's)
* Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree)
* Michael Wilton (Queensrÿche)
* Johnny Winter
* Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek (Vader)
* Ronnie Wood (The Faces, The Rolling Stones)
* Link Wray
* Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)

## Y

[edit]

* Jim Yester (The Association)
* Sami Yli-Sirniö (Kreator)
* Angus Young (AC/DC)
* James Young (Styx)
* Jeff Young (Megadeth)
* Neil Young (Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
* Thomas Youngblood (Kamelot)

## Z

[edit]

* Dweezil Zappa
* Frank Zappa
* John Zwetsloot (The Haunted)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2024-02-28.