So I am surfing the web and see that Rolling Stone magazine has listed the top 100 greatest guitar players of all time. I browse the list and see some the greats that would normally come to mind, Jimmy Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and even Neil Young (great Canadian). There were some odd ones like Joan Jett, or Joni Mitchell (You say great guitarist and Joan Jett doesn’t even come close to entering my mind). There were many I had never heard of before (granted I am not expert and do not play guitar) and a few that weren’t on the list that I felt should have been (Rik Emmet, Alex Lifeson, Liona Boyd).

So let’s have some fun here. I want to see the Axiom crowd’s top 5 favorite guitarists. I am only interested in artists that can perform live. Studio artists don’t count. Now days they can make anyone sound great in a recording studio. It doesn’t have to be Rock n Roll either, guitar is guitar. Playing fast is great if it’s musical. Remember to rate the ability of the artist on the instrument, not how popular they are. And remember to have fun!!!

So here are my top picks.

1. Rik Emmett (Triumph) – he is not only an awesome rock guitarist, but can play blues, jazz and classical as well. Plays not only lead buy rhythm at the same time during live performances.
2. Alex Lifeson (Rush) – Like Rik, carries all the guitar load for the band during live performances.
3. Eddie Van Halen – When he is not in Re-hab – probably the best Rock guitarist ever
4. Eric Clapton – Another well rounded guitar player.
5. Jimi Hendrix – Not a huge fan of his music, but I can respect his innovation on the instrument

I want to hear your favorites, and feel free to challenge (in a nice way) my picks also.

My list will suck because I like acoustic guitar played in the classical sense, and don't have a large collection of guitar-centric music. I can really only think of a few noteworthy ones.

But, in no particular order.

Michael Hedges. One of the greats.

Michael Gulezian. What a wonderful fellow. Simply awe-inspiring when playing solo in a small coffee house. I've never heard anyone else make a guitar sing like he can.

Ottmar Liebert. Flamenco & spanish style guitar.

Ninja Edit: Oh, I have always thought that Lenny Kravitz played a pretty mean guitar too.

1. Jimi Hendrix - He was so far above any other player out there and to this day his playing can hold up to the very best.

2. Stevie Ray Vaughan - I don't know what to say other than I think he is amazing.

3. Robert Johnson - He was the reason other players had to elevate their game imo.

4. Jimmy Page - Again one who was an innovator and way ahead of his time.

5. B.B King - An all time favorite, just simply a master at what he does.

Not necessarily in order:
* Jimi Hendrix
* Stevie Ray Vaughan
* John Mclaughlin
* Eric Clapton
* Eddie Van Halen

If I were allowed ten, add:

* Jeff Beck
* Steve Vai
* Rory Gallagher
* Joe Satriani
* Jimmy Page

I'll second SRV

Also, George Lynch is one of the best.

Keeping the list to only five is really tough, so I will mention 10 all time greats.

1. Andres Segovia

2. Robert Johnson

3. Jimi Hendrix

4. Les Paul

5. Eric Clapton

6. Chet Atkins

7. Chuck Berry

8. Jimmy Page

9. John McLaughlin

10. B. B. King

All of them make my list but I'd also add Prince and Santana. If you have ever seen one of Prince's after concert concerts, you would know what I mean.

Already sidetracking this with "Best 5 Bassists"

5. Billy Gould - Faith No More
4. Jerry Only (Gerald Caiafa) - the Misfits - player and luthier as well.
3. Steve Harris - Iron Maiden
2. Stig Pedersen - D-A-D - "With a one-track mind and a two-string bass"
1. Flea (Michael Balzary) - Red Hot Chili Peppers

I've left out any of the darlings of the bass magazine press (Les Claypool, Victor Wooten, "Duck" Dunn, Me'shell Ndgc... Ncgdsg... Hellojello... Ndegeocello *whew*, P-Nut, etc)

I do feel bad there was no room on the list for guys like Will Lee and John Entwhistle, though. And anyone that played for Metallica was intentionally out of the running. Not that that would have helped Trujillo (guy couldn't find a beat with a metronome suppository)... but it does unfairly rule out Jason "Jasonic" Newsted.

Also not mentioned are any classical or blues bassists that I would have never heard.

B**tsy C*ll*ns automatically tops any list of bassists assembled, so his name need not be spake.

Bren R.

Angus & Malcolm Young could do amazing things with the same two chords.

I don't know if I have a full top 5, but I know some that should be included:

Porl Thompson - The Cure, Toured w/Plant (or is it Page?)
John "The Barber" Gutwillig - Disco Biscuits