Rock bands and their guitars. The most virtuoso and best guitarists in the world

In their favorite business, people plunge into it completely. And if you decide to seriously engage in music, then you need to immerse yourself in it. And if you have chosen the guitar as your main instrument, then listen to as many recordings of recognized guitarists as possible. The creativity of these performers is inspiring, it will be a wonderful incentive for regular classes. Perhaps in this list we will not mention all the great guitarists, because there are hundreds of them. Let's look at the ancestors old school. After all, it was they who laid the foundation for everything unknown and unique.

Jimi Hendrix

The musician began his career in the city of Nashville. Then he was not successful. Jimmy was a supporting guitarist for the then-popular pianist Little Richard. Jimmy had to leave the band due to disagreements. Now he has started his own journey. It didn't take long for Hendrix to realize just how guitar music needs fresh ideas. Thanks to their innovative ideas and unique technique Jimmy's games have achieved results and fame around the world.

It is this guy that can be seen in the list of the most the greatest guitarists in the pages of the Rowling Stones magazine. There it is located on 4 steps. However, Eric is recognized not only as one of the best rock and blues guitarists, but also as a master classical guitar. The musician was nicknamed - the slow hand. And all thanks to the smoothness and softness of the extracted sound. It seems that his chords flow through his fingertips.

His creative career began in the early 1930s. It was November 23, 1936 in San Antonio when Robert was recording his first songs. Johnson's work is criticized by modern guitarists, referring to irregularity, fuzzy diction and lack of musical ear. However, all these points became the basis for creativity. next generation bluesmen.

This musician is recognizable due to the characteristic recognizable sound, as well as the lightning speed of the necks. His level of playing is particularly impressive considering that Van Halen was a self-taught musician. He never took lessons from professional teachers. Some even joke that it's not hard to find your own playing style when no one taught you otherwise.

Stevie is considered one of the most popular blues guitarists of our time. He was born in 1954 on October 3 in Dallas. His older brother Jimmy was his first guitar teacher. The musician admits that his brother had a great influence on his work. Vaughn's music seems to be an extension of the musician's soul. In herself, she combines the expressiveness of character, as well as the softness of the manner of playing. Perhaps it was these points that made Stevie a favorite of listeners.

Some people consider him the first metal guitarist. Tony's music is distinguished by a large amount of distortion, but his musician never regretted it. However, always kept under control. The indomitability and brilliance of the game never ceased to amaze the imagination, despite the fact that Tony lacks the pad of two fingers. So Iommi has to use rubber prostheses.

Many guitarists consider Jeff as a role model, because he can extract incredible sounds from the instrument with little effort. The musician from time to time dramatically changed his direction in the activity of music. Sometimes he played hard rock, sometimes blues-rock, and sometimes other styles. Despite the unique sound, which is saturated with emotions and feelings, Jeff did not receive huge popularity.

Jimmy has long been recognized as one of the UK's most gifted and brilliant studio guitarists. This man not only writes amazing riffs, but also performs them wonderfully.

American guitarist who played heavy metal. He became famous for his work with Ozzy Osbourne. Randy's performance is distinguished not only by accuracy and perfection, but also by sensuality in the first place. By the way, Rose was considered not only a talented performer, but also the same composer.

The American virtuoso guitarist closes our top ten guitarists. Joe is from Italy. He became a teacher for such guitarists as Kirk Hammett, Steve Vai, Alex Shkolnik and so on. Joe was even invited to the team Deep Purple to replace Ritchie Blackmore, who left the group. Only now Joe lost there only a year. Most guitarists cannot repeat his riffs even after years of practice and training. Today Satriani holds the record for the most nominations for Grammy Award in the category Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Since the beginning of his career, the musician has been nominated every year.

Video: 10 Greatest Guitarists in the World

November 27, 1942 was born Jimi Hendrix - the best guitarist in the history of rock music, called a genius during his lifetime. In our today's selection - the most successful and great guitarists who have made an invaluable contribution to the development different styles music.

1. Jimi Hendrix


It's not that Hendrix was more advanced in terms of guitar playing than his contemporaries. The fact is that he did everything more naturally. He was creative person, as if not at all making any effort in his work. Hendrix himself personified the music he played.

2. Keith Richards

There's a reason people are willing to go to great lengths to watch Richards play. Of course, this guitarist is no longer at the peak of his powers, but this is definitely a person who created a lot of amazing and diverse songs and melodies. His guitar playing has always been innovative and his use of ever-changing approaches has always been at the heart of his sonic sound. Rolling Stones.

3. BB King

Riley B King from the American town of Indianola, Mississippi, plunged into the blues almost from birth. His minimalist style and pure musical "narrative" have influenced generations of guitarists. Now 87, he is still the king of the blues and plays about 100 shows a year.

4 Eddie Van Halen

Van Halen's skill comes in part from how he plays the guitar. He mastered the tapping technique to perfection and even improved it. He is now 55 and continues to tour.

5. Django Reinhardt

Perhaps this is the first major European jazz musician, which played "jumping". Reinhardt's original style became musical tradition in French Gypsy culture. It is known that Reinhardt played all his guitar solos with two fingers, after he damaged two other fingers on his hand in a fire.

6. Mark Knopfler

One of the most respected fingerpicking guitarists of his generation. Knopfler's precision and melodiousness greatly slowed down the evolution of the punk scene in the late 70s.

7. Robert Johnson

There's a good reason that every article about Robert Johnson is accompanied by the same iconic photograph of him, because only two portraits of this blues musician have survived. Johnson spent most of his life outside commercial success playing on the streets or in diners, but he remains perhaps one of the most pivotal blues musicians in history.

8. Stevie Ray Vaughn

Stevie Ray Vaughn (right) left school at 17 and immersed himself in the world of music, working with blues musicians like Albert King and Muddy Waters, as well as rock musicians like Lonnie Mac and his idol Jimi Hendrix. Won developed his own original style with a distinctive bold sound and, along with the group "Double Trouble", enjoyed a successful musical career. Tragically, Vaughn died in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin.

9. Ry Cooder

Charismatic, versatile and extraordinary musician. He is best known for his main role at the Buena Vista Club. Cooder started out as a teenager and a promising blues musician, and to this day remains famous for his exquisite "glide" while playing the guitar.

10. Lonnie Johnson

An innovator in the field of jazz guitar and guitar solo on the same string. Johnson had a fairly successful commercial career. He is one of the few guitarists who can claim to have laid the foundation for blues and rock, and his influence has left a mark on the work of almost every electric blues guitarist who was born after him.

11. Carlos Santana

The "glassy" tone of Santana's guitar playing is recognizable as soon as he appears in the song. And this can not be said about all the musicians who are represented in this list. Santana's characteristic fusion of Latin rhythms, blues and jazz has become almost a cult, and his dizzyingly colorful outfits and a 65-year (!) career have deservedly led him to 10 Grammy awards and three Latin Grammy awards.

12. Jimmy Page

The guitarist of Led Zeppelin became one of the best "set the rhythm" of all time. However, he is also one of the greatest composers and producers in the world of rock. With such an extensive array of songs, solos and rhythms, Page easily became one of the titans of the industry. This music does not lose its popularity today. Wherever a fan of these rhythms is, whatever he does, even when repairing walls with his own hands, he will listen to this music.

13. Paco de Lucia

Definitely the greatest of all living representatives of flamenco on the guitar. De Lucia is an incredibly technical and talented guitarist. His work with John McLaughlin and Larry Coriel resulted in one of the most exciting albums ever written in the world of guitar music.

14. Eric Clapton

The only three-time winner of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clapton revolutionized guitar playing and became one of the most respected and influential musical figures in the age of rock. His style has changed over time, but he's always stuck to his blues roots.

15. Brian May

The Commander of the Order of the British Empire is also a rock legend. His guitar playing is real theatrical performance, and the list of hits of the Queen group, to which he had a hand, is truly impressive.

16. Chet Atkins

Atkins mastered a huge number of styles - from country to jazz and classical. He developed own style 4 finger guitar games to play both melody and chords at the same time. He resurrected country music with a Nashville sound that is now integral to the musician's personality.

17. Slash

The Guns N' Roses guitarist wrote some of the most memorable tunes of all time, and his solos - on songs like "November Rain", "Sweet Child o' Mine" and more - have gone down in history. Guns N' Roses may be trying to replicate the success of their first album, but Slash's playing has always been successful.

18. Chuck Berry

Berry is best known for his formative rhythms and blues. As a result, he served as an inspiration for artists such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. As a guitarist, Chuck Berry was economical and clean, but as a showman, he was bright and witty.

19. David Gilmour

Gilmour's elegant solos, sometimes dreamy, sometimes melodic, became the foundation of Pink Floyd's music. His solos in the compositions "Comfortably Numb", "Time and Money" forever settled in the soul of many music lovers. He managed to create a sound that can not be confused with anything.

20. Jeff Beck

Like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Beck is one of three famous guitarists who played with The Yardbirds. For this, he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and then he entered there again thanks to his solo activities. The 68-year-old guitarist has produced some of the most exciting and mind-blowing guitar melodies in recent history music. And although he is no longer as commercially successful as many of his contemporaries, he is his influence in music world cannot be underestimated.

Often, when watching a band perform or listening to a favorite song, we notice only the vocalist and completely forget about other musicians, namely, guitarists. But they play a key role in the activities of the groups, and many of them write melodies, which then will sit in your head for a long time ... We invite you to look at the most successful and great guitarists of all time and peoples. Each of them is good in its own way, but all of them are united in one thing - they have made an invaluable contribution to the development of different styles of music.

1. Jimi Hendrix


It's not that Hendrix was more advanced in terms of guitar playing than his contemporaries. The fact is that he did everything more naturally. He was a creative person, as if he did not make any effort in his work. Hendrix himself personified the music he played.

2. Keith Richards


There's a reason people are willing to go to great lengths to watch Richards play. Of course, this guitarist is no longer at the peak of his powers, but this is definitely a person who created a lot of amazing and diverse songs and melodies. His guitar playing has always been innovative, and his use of ever-changing approaches has always been at the heart of the Rolling Stones' sonic sound.

3. BB King


Riley B King from the American town of Indianola, Mississippi, plunged into the blues almost from birth. His minimalist style and pure musical "narrative" have influenced generations of guitarists. Now 87, he is still the king of the blues and plays about 100 shows a year.

4 Eddie Van Halen


Van Halen's skill comes in part from how he plays the guitar. He mastered the tapping technique to perfection and even improved it. He is now 55 and continues to tour.

5. Django Reinhardt


Perhaps this is the first major European jazz musician who played "jumping". Reinhardt's original style has become a musical tradition in French Gypsy culture. It is known that Reinhardt played all his guitar solos with two fingers, after he damaged two other fingers on his hand in a fire.

6. Mark Knopfler


One of the most respected fingerpicking guitarists of his generation. Knopfler's precision and melodiousness greatly slowed down the evolution of the punk scene in the late 70s.

7. Robert Johnson


There's a good reason that every article about Robert Johnson is accompanied by the same iconic photograph of him, because only two portraits of this blues musician have survived. Johnson spent most of his life outside of commercial success, playing on the streets or in diners, but he remains arguably one of the most pivotal blues musicians in history.

8. Stevie Ray Vaughn


Stevie Ray Vaughn (right) left school at 17 and immersed himself in the world of music, working with blues musicians like Albert King and Muddy Waters, as well as rock musicians like Lonnie Mac and his idol Jimi Hendrix. Vaughn developed his own original style with a distinctive bold sound and enjoyed a successful musical career with the group Double Trouble for seven years. Tragically, Vaughn died in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin.

9. Ry Cooder


Charismatic, versatile and extraordinary musician. He is best known for his starring role in the Buena Vista Club. Cooder started out as a teenager and a promising blues musician, and to this day remains famous for his exquisite "glide" while playing the guitar.

10. Lonnie Johnson


An innovator in the field of jazz guitar and guitar solo on the same string. Johnson had a fairly successful commercial career. He is one of the few guitarists who can claim to have laid the foundation for blues and rock, and his influence has left a mark on the work of almost every electric blues guitarist who was born after him.

11. Carlos Santana


The "glassy" tone of Santana's guitar playing is recognizable as soon as he appears in the song. And this can not be said about all the musicians who are represented in this list. Santana's characteristic fusion of Latin rhythms, blues and jazz has become almost a cult, and his dizzyingly colorful outfits and a 65-year (!) career have deservedly led him to 10 Grammy awards and three Latin Grammy awards.

12. Jimmy Page


The guitarist of Led Zeppelin became one of the best "set the rhythm" of all time. However, he is also one of the greatest composers and producers in the world of rock. With such an extensive array of songs, solos and rhythms, Page easily became one of the titans of the industry.

13. Paco de Lucia


Definitely the greatest of all living representatives of flamenco on the guitar. De Lucia is an incredibly technical and talented guitarist. His work with John McLaughlin and Larry Coriel resulted in one of the most exciting albums ever written in the world of guitar music.

14. Eric Clapton


The only three-time winner of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clapton revolutionized guitar playing and became one of the most respected and influential musical figures in the rock era. His style has changed over time, but he's always stuck to his blues roots.

15. Brian May


The Commander of the Order of the British Empire is also a rock legend. His guitar playing is a real theatrical performance, and the list of Queen hits to which he had a hand is truly impressive.

16. Chet Atkins


Atkins mastered a huge number of styles - from country to jazz and classical. He developed his own 4-finger guitar style to play both melody and chords at the same time. He resurrected country music with a Nashville sound that is now integral to the musician's personality.

17. Slash


The Guns N' Roses guitarist wrote some of the most memorable tunes of all time, and his solos - on songs like "November Rain", "Sweet Child o' Mine" and more - have gone down in history. Guns N' Roses may be trying to replicate the success of their first album, but Slash's playing has always been successful.

18. Chuck Berry


Berry is best known for his formative rhythms and blues. As a result, he served as an inspiration for artists such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. As a guitarist, Chuck Berry was economical and clean, but as a showman, he was bright and witty.

19. David Gilmour


Gilmour's elegant solos, sometimes dreamy, sometimes melodic, became the foundation of Pink Floyd's music. His solos in the compositions "Comfortably Numb", "Time" and "Money" have forever stuck in the soul of many music lovers. He managed to create a sound that can not be confused with anything.

20. Jeff Beck


Like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Beck is one of three famous guitarists who played with The Yardbirds. For this, he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and then he entered there again thanks to his solo activities. The 68-year-old guitarist has produced some of the most breathtaking and mind-blowing guitar melodies in recent music history. And although he is no longer as commercially successful as many of his contemporaries, his influence in the music world cannot be underestimated.

History is full of great guitarists we know and love, we follow their work and learn to play their music. In fact, to create something from nothing by pulling the music from the imagination and giving it to the world, so that combinations of sounds have never sounded before, is special kind of magic! And any musician will tell you that they would be lost without their favorite apparatus. Perhaps this is why many iconic guitarists have played the same instrument throughout their careers. Some for reasons of comfort and efficiency, while others are completely inseparable from their guitar, and thus we begin to associate the instruments with their famous owners.

Vladimir Vysotsky

There are few people not only in our country, but abroad, whoever is familiar with creativity Soviet bard and actor Vladimir Vysotsky. He went down in history thanks to unique style singing and lyrics with humorous street jargon under seven-string guitar. First famous instrument Vysotsky acquired after the death of Alexei Wild ( Soviet actor) from his wife and according to his stories, it was made 150 years ago by an Austrian master. Subsequently, Alexander Shulyakovsky made four or five guitars for him, the first with a headstock in the form of a lyre. In addition, Vladimir had a guitar with two necks, which he really liked for its unusual shape, although he did not use the second neck.

Viktor Tsoi

One more outstanding personality national culture of the 20th century is Viktor Tsoi. He is known to everyone as a songwriter and founder of the rock band "Kino". Victor received his first guitar from his mother as a gift - it was a twelve-string. It was on it that almost all the hits of the group were written and acoustic concerts were played. The next to appear was an electric guitar - a Stratocaster brought from America. But when he saw a white Yamaha at Kasparyan, he began to dream of the same and even tried to change with him. Soon, Tsoi managed to purchase a white Washburn EA20 semi-acoustic system, on which he played in last years life.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix can rightly be considered the greatest virtuoso guitarist of all time, since he was called a genius and a phenomenon during his lifetime. At one time, Hendrix's live performances were among the best in the world, and to this day, many guitarists try to emulate him. Now everyone knows that Jimi was left-handed, but bought right-handed instruments, because they were mostly sold only, and he could turn the guitar upside down and achieve a unique sound. Perhaps his most famous was the Fender Stratocaster, it was her who was set on fire at one of his concerts in 1967. From mid-1967 until January 1969, he used a Gibson Flying V, which he painted psychedelic patterns on immediately after purchase and played only a few songs on it. He also had an acoustic one - Martin D-45. My favorite electric guitar was the white Fender Strat.

Kurt Cobain

American guitarist and vocalist of the rock band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain (Kurt Donald Cobain) throughout the entire career of the group had a fair share of guitars, periodically breaking them, but only two models became favorites: Fender Jaguar and Mustang. And instead of choosing one, he made a collage of both, and from his sketch, the Fender company created the Jag-Stang, although he rarely used it. After Kurt's death, she passed to Peter Buck (R.E.M.).

Angus Young

The inimitable Angus McKinnon Young, famous for his energetic performance and schoolboy uniform in AC / DC, was faithful to only one Gibson models SG ("70 SG Standard - 1968). Subsequently, it was modified by order of Young by Jaydee with the name Jaydee SG and stood out in red with lightning inlay on the fretboard. Thanks to close cooperation with Gibson, the light saw the signature electric guitar - Angus Young SG, where the pickups developed by Yang himself.

Ritchie Blackmore

Hard rock star and founding member deep purple, Ritchie Blackmore (Richard Hugh Blackmore), remembered by many for his ability to mix guitar riffs with organ sounds, for a long time played a Gibson ES-335. But since 1968 he began to use the Fender Stratocaster, and when recording the Fender Telecaster Thinline. In the 70s, the main guitar was a white Fender Olympic Stratocaster with a rosewood and cleaved fingerboard, to the headstock of which Richie attached a straplock.

The Beatles

And finally, the immortal Beatles and their outstanding guitars. Among the many instruments of the Liverpool Four, John Lennon's Epiphone Casino electric guitar was most remembered by fans. However, it is revered in two different incarnations: many love it in its original status -1965 Epiphone Casino in vintage sunburst, others admire the "Revolution-era" that appeared after some modifications (worn body). George Harrison is known to have had a fondness for Gretsch guitars, but is associated with a 1963 Rickenbacker 12-string given by the company's owner while on tour of the United States. Paul McCartney played a left-handed Hofner 500/1 bass guitar, as well as Epiphone Casino and Fender Esquire electric guitars and acoustic parts on an Epiphone Texan FT-79, since 1968 a Martin D-28.

July 05, 2017

Many models of guitars have gained worldwide popularity, and every music lover knows these names - Gibson, Fender, Ibanez ...

The popularity of the guitar is gained for two reasons:

  • it is popularized by the manufacturer, after which some rock star looks after the guitar and a wide audience learns about it;
  • performing with a guitar famous musician, which subsequently makes her practically an icon.

Such models of guitars, after receiving recognition from rock stars, become cult and often acquire some kind of individuality characteristic of their owner. Even without being musicians, rock fans begin to distinguish them by their sound by ear.

Electronic, acoustic and semi-acoustic, randomly bought for a couple of hundred dollars or made to order, they entered the glorious history of jazz and rock and roll and made a real revolution in the world of music. Early models of various guitars are now valued as rare collectibles.

What guitars are the most popular among rock musicians and recognizable by their fans?

Our short excursion into the world of the most famous guitars in rock music will tell you about the instruments that determined the style of those who create their music on them, in turn, influencing the development of the entire genre.

Fender Stratocaster

Everyone who wants to become a rock musician dreams of an instrument. One of the most recognizable guitars in the whole world, it is known largely thanks to Jimi Hendrix, the legendary man, who during his lifetime was called brilliant musician. With his white Stracocaster, Hendrix performed at the legendary Woodstock and he set it on fire at the Monterey Festival. A Fender Stratocaster guitar is depicted on a monument erected on the musician's grave.

fender mustang

The electric guitar came into production back in the 60s and was extremely popular with surf rockers. But in the 90s, it became a grunge icon after being picked up by Kurt Cobain. She was also chosen by the wife of Nirvana leader Courtney Love.

For a somewhat dirty sound, this model was loved by musicians playing alternative music. Patti Smith, John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), John McLaughlin, Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Brian Molko (Placebo) and many many others raised stadiums with the sound of the strings of this guitar!

Gibson Les Paul

Gibson Les Paul is a loud symbol of world rock, the most coveted and expensive electric guitars in the world. This is the first solid body guitar and was developed with the participation of a jazz guitarist and inventor named Les Paul in 1950 in the USA. The guitar was the answer to craze electric guitar after the introduction of the Fender Telecaster.

Guitar line Les Paul includes various models, the series of which are updated in every possible way. Therefore, those who decide to buy an instrument for the first time can look into the guitar store, where models of immortal classical design or a modern vision of the revered imperishable will be presented. The products of this company can be seen under other brands: Epiphone, Kramer Guitars, Steinberger, Tobias, Valley Arts and Kalamazoo.

Authentic 1950s Les Pauls fetched hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is no surprise given that less than 2,000 copies were made during the first decade. The instrument was used by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and Jimi Page of Led Zeppelin, blues guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck, lead guitarist The Beatles George Harrison, Eric Clapton and other legends of world rock.


Jimmy Page with a unique Gibson Les Paul electric guitar


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