This is my all-time top pick for the best rock guitarist. Has there ever been a more notable riff than 'Smoke on the Water'? Which, by the way is one of my least favorite Deep Purple songs. The tone that Ritchie gets out of a Strat, to me is very unique. I'm not alone in this thought as many rock musicians have said the same thing. If there was one rocker I could personally meet and chat with, it would be Ritchie Blackmore.
My second pick for extreme excellence is of course Jimmy Page. Personally, I don't think there could be any finer guitar work than that found on 'Physical Grafitti'. Many say this is a horrible album, quite frankly I don't know what they're hearing when they say this. To me, this is by far their finest album. 'The Rover', 'Down by the Seaside' and 'In the Light' are phenomenal tracks.
Certainly one of the best Heavy Rock guitarists to ever live. Tony is the master of the trill, which truly sets him apart from other guitar players. His thundering guitar on early Sabbath tunes is cetainly trademark of Tony's style. 'Iron Man', 'Paranoid', 'War Pigs' and 'Children of the Grave' are among Tony's best ever guitar work. Tony Iommi is the king of Heavy Rock guitarists.
One of the best blues/rock guitarists to ever grace this earth. 'Bridge of Sighs' is a fantastic collection of songs. 'Day of the Eagle' and the title track are two of my all time favorite songs ever. This particular lineup with Dewar on vocals was a top notch power trio. Trower uses a few effects pedals to achieve his sound but the way he uses them is pure genius. What a classic and unique sound.
Often times compared to Hendrix, Canada's Frank Marino is a highly underrated guitarist. Frank's work on 'Strange Universe' does have a Hendrix 'feel' to it but I would argue that other Mahogany Rush albums don't sound that way at all. Even today, Marino still has the 60's - 70's rock band attitude in that if he sells records that's OK but if he doesn't, that's OK too. Frank Marino is one rock's greatest guitarists.
Definitely not a heavy rocker as are my other top picks, Brian May has a much more technical approach to the guitar. Not only is he a finely accomplished musician but a craftsman as well, playing guitars of his own making. The searing guitar in 'Killer Queen' is quite notable and certainly one of Brian's finest works. Queen is one of rock's legendary bands for sure.
In this writer's opinion, Randy Rhoads is quite possibly the most influencial gutarists of the 1980's. If you listen closely you can hear Randy's influence in many songs of the 80's. Rhoads' death was one of the most senseless in the history of rock. 'Over the Mountain' and 'Flying High Again' are classic Randy Rhoads. I had the pleasure to watch Randy play shortly before his death and he was mesmerizing to say the least.
Not quite the vintage rocker as the others I've picked but I think Jack White is one of the best ever guitarists. If you don't believe me check out some of his solo stuff, his blues playing is second to none. A highly sought after record producer and a renown pianist as well. Personally, I like his work with the White Stripes and 'Seven Nation Army' is my all time favorite Stripes song.
Certainly not a heavy rocker but definitely a key influence on rock music forever. Pink Floyd's frontman after the departure of Syd Barrett. Gilmour has a very melodic and unique style. His solos are clean and spot on. 'Dark Side of the Moon' is classic but personally I liked his first solo album better than anything he did with Floyd. 'There's No Way Out of Here' is my favorite David Gilmour track.
Probably best known for the Montrose albums with Sammy Hagar featuring such songs as 'Rock Candy' and 'Bad Motor Scooter'. Ronnie was a great rocker and extremely underrated as you won't see him on any top 100 lists. I liked Ronnie with Gamma the best. Gamma 2 kicks butt and showcases great songs like: 'Mean Streak', 'Four Horsemen' and 'Voyager'. Ronnie left us much too soon. R.I.P.
