Angus Young Backed Up His Sneer

Simple yet powerful riffs are the essence of Angus Young’s style of guitar playing. Of course, he can do just about anything on the guitar. Some of his most memorable riffs come from songs such as “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell,” which blow listeners away every time. He has a way of going from incredibly complex fingerings straight back into a series of heavy power chords that few guitarists can handle with such ease. While he doesn’t consider himself a soloist, he’s up there with the best.

Duane Allman Was A Master Improvisor

Known as Duane “Skydog” Allman of the Allman Brothers band, Duane took the Allman Brother’s music to another level with his southern rock riffs and twang. His skill with the guitar wasn’t restricted to playing with his band either; musicians such as Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Mann, and more were all eager to get him into the studio with them. However, one of his most notable skills was improvisation, the main reason why some of the Allman Brother’s tracks clock in above 30 minutes

Jeff Beck Is A Master Of His Craft

Described by critics as the “guitarist’s guitarist,” Jeff Beck is known for his innovative sound and his ability to play impressively across most genres. Although he had a successful solo career, he is also known for playing with some of music’s biggest stars such as Rod Stewart, Roger Waters, ZZ Top, Mick Jagger, Morrisey, among countless others. Jeff Beck has been recognized for his talent, being awarded a Grammy for Best Instrumental Performance on six different occasions, as well as being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

Carlos Santana Brought The Blues Back

A Mexican-born musician, Carlos Santana came into popularity playing with his band Santana in the late 1960s and 70s. A natural at the guitar, what made Carlos Santana stand out especially was his incorporation of Latin and African rhythms into his music, such as his use of timbales and congas, instruments that were uncommon in rock and roll at the time. Throughout his career, Carlos Santana has received 10 Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammys for his unique take on rock and roll. Famed musicians such as Prince hailed him as one of the greatest guitarists of their time.

Stevie Ray Vaughn Had Undeniable Talent

Learning the instrument at just seven years old, Stevie Ray Vaughn solidified himself as one of the greatest guitarists of his age. During his music career, he was regarded as a pioneer of the guitar who was able to be progressive yet still true to the blues. His natural talent with the guitar earned him six Grammy Awards and ten Austin Music Awards. Unsurprisingly, he was also inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and has been dubbed one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

Eddie Van Halen Was A Cut Above

Alongside his brother Alex Van Halen, the two rose in the ranks to become one of the biggest bands in the world, calling themselves Van Halen. Besides being a founder and one of the primary songwriters for the group, Eddie was best known for his incredible abilities on the guitar. His riffs from songs such as “Eruption,” “Unchained,” and “Take Your Whiskey Home” exhibit his incredible ability to play loud, fast, and with ease, something not easily accomplished by all guitarists. His riffs from songs such as “Eruption,” “Unchained,” and “Take Your Whiskey Home” exhibit his incredible ability to play loud, fast, and with ease, something not easily accomplished by all guitarists.

Jimmy Page Is An Icon

A founding member of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page is responsible for some of the most iconic and recognizable guitar riffs in music. Not only did he produce some of the heaviest and most memorable licks in music history, but he also beautiful and gentle tunes on the acoustic guitar and mandolin, such as in “Over the Hills and Far Away.” A legendary player, he helped popularize double-neck guitar and would even use a violin bow at times to evoke sounds most guitarists would never even think of.

Eric Clapton Had Quite The Career

Not only did Eric Clapton have an exceptional solo career, but he was also instrumental in major bands such as The Yardbirds, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos. He stood out for his unique use of the wah-wah pedal, giving his playing a psychedelic sound that other guitarists could only hope to imitate. For his raw talent, Clapton has received 18 Grammy Awards and is the only musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on three separate occasions.

Jimi Hendrix Did Things His Own Way

Widely considered as one of the greatest guitarists to ever take the stage, Jimi Hendrix played by his own rules. Whether it was using his teeth, playing behind his back, or setting his guitar on fire, he never failed to disappoint. He didn’t even play the guitar the “correct” way, learning to play on right-handed guitars that he turned upside down and restrung to be able to play left-handed. He left us with songs such as “Foxy Lady,” “Hey Joe,” and “Purple Haze,” demonstrating his mastery of the guitar and his skill with experimentation.

Frank Zappa Is More Than A Little Experimental

From a young age, Frank Zappa was known for being a bit out there. As a self-taught composer, performer, and musician, Zappa went straight for the experimental side of music. His work is characterized as being free-form improvisation with more than a few experimental sounds mixed in. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa has released over 60 albums, both as a solo artist as well as with this band, The Mothers of Invention. With his unique style, Zappa is considered to be one of the most diverse musicians of his era.