The world of music has been graced by countless legendary guitarists whose virtuosity and creativity have left an indelible mark on the history of rock, blues, jazz, and beyond. Recently, Rolling Stone unveiled its list of the “The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” a meticulously curated collection of the most influential six-string wizards to ever grace the stage. What makes this list even more special for us at TrueFire is that it includes several of our talented artists, and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate their achievements.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the TrueFire artists who have made it to Rolling Stone’s prestigious list. We’ll also highlight how TrueFire has contributed to preserving and passing on the guitar mastery of these legendary figures through our extensive library of video lessons.
Greatest Guitarists Guitar Lessons
Eric Clapton (#35)
Eric Clapton, often referred to as “Slowhand,” holds the second spot on Rolling Stone’s list. His mastery of blues and rock guitar has inspired generations of musicians. Explore our Eric Clapton Guitar Lessons to unlock the secrets behind his emotive bends and melodic phrasing.
B.B. King (#8)
The late, great B.B. King is another legend who found his place on the list. His expressive vibrato and soulful bends are a cornerstone of the blues. Learn to play like the “King of Blues” with our B.B. King Guitar Lessons.
Stevie Ray Vaughan (#20)
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s fiery guitar work continues to inspire guitarists worldwide. Dive into his signature Texas blues and blistering solos with our Stevie Ray Vaughan Guitar Lessons.
Jimi Hendrix (#1)
Jimi Hendrix, an innovator and visionary, occupies the 15th spot on the list. His groundbreaking approach to the guitar opened up new sonic possibilities. Explore the psychedelic blues and pioneering use of effects in our Jimi Hendrix Guitar Lessons.
Duane Allman (#10) and Derek Trucks (#80)
The Allman Brothers Band’s Duane Allman and his nephew, Derek Trucks, both earned well-deserved spots. Learn their slide guitar prowess and southern rock influences with our Duane Allman Guitar Lessons and Derek Trucks Guitar Lessons.
Jeff Beck (#5)
Jeff Beck’s unique approach to the guitar earned him a high rank on the list. Explore his fusion of rock, blues, and jazz in our Jeff Beck Guitar Lessons.
TrueFire Artists Who Made the List
Jennifer Batten (#237)
Jennifer Batten is a trailblazing guitarist known for her innovative work with Michael Jackson and Jeff Beck. Her unique blend of rock, fusion, and electronic elements has earned her a spot on Rolling Stone’s list, and the Jennifer Batten guitar lessons on TrueFire provide insights into her distinctive guitar techniques.
Eric Johnson (#205)
Eric Johnson is a guitar virtuoso celebrated for his intricate fingerstyle playing and melodic compositions. His seminal album “Ah Via Musicom” is a testament to his guitar prowess, and TrueFire offers Eric Johnson guitar lessons that help guitarists tap into his style and creativity.
Yvette Young (#155)
Yvette Young is a rising star in the world of contemporary guitar playing. As a member of the band Covet, her innovative use of tapping and looping techniques has garnered attention and admiration. TrueFire offers Yvette Young guitar lessons that explore her fresh and unique approach to the instrument.
Steve Vai (#127)
Steve Vai is a guitar legend known for his technical wizardry and creative virtuosity. His work with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, and his solo career have left an indelible mark on the guitar world. TrueFire provides a treasure trove of Steve Vai guitar lessons that allow aspiring guitarists to delve into Vai’s mind-bending techniques.
Tosin Abasi (#99)
Tosin Abasi, the innovative guitarist from Animals as Leaders, is recognized for his pioneering work in the realm of progressive metal and djent. His eight-string guitar mastery and extended-range techniques have reshaped the genre, and TrueFire offers Tosin Abasi guitar lessons that help guitarists explore his intricate playing style.
Larry Carlton (#85)
Larry Carlton is a versatile guitarist celebrated for his contributions to jazz, rock, and pop music. His session work with Steely Dan and his solo career have earned him a well-deserved spot on Rolling Stone’s list. TrueFire’s Larry Carlton guitar lessons on his signature style guide guitarists through the nuances of his smooth jazz and blues-infused playing.
Conclusion
Rolling Stone’s “Top 250 Guitarists of All Time” is a testament to the enduring impact of these guitar legends on the world of music. At TrueFire, we are dedicated to preserving their legacy by offering a wealth of video lessons that allow guitarists of all levels to study and incorporate their techniques into their own playing.
Whether you’re looking to channel the bluesy feel of B.B. King or explore the psychedelic realms of Jimi Hendrix, TrueFire’s extensive library has you covered. We’re thrilled to have our artists featured on this prestigious list and honored to contribute to the ongoing journey of guitarists as they seek to master the craft of these iconic musicians.
So, pick up your guitar, explore our online guitar lessons, and embark on a musical journey that pays homage to the Top 250 Guitarists of All Time – the true architects of the guitar‘s magic.
Rolling Stone’s 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time – FULL LIST
250 – Andy Summers (The Police)
249 – Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes)
248 – Robbie Kreiger (The Doors)
247 – Ricky Wilson (The B-52s)
246 – Paul Simon
245 – Leslie West (Mountain)
244 – Edilio Paredes
243 – Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner (The National)
242 – Lindsey Jordan (Snail Mail)
241 – Keith Urban
240 – Erin Smith (Bratmobile)
239 – Duane Eddy
238 – Doug Gillard
237 – Jennifer Batten
236 – Greg Sage (The Wipers)
235 – Laura Marling
234 – John McGeoch
233 – H.E.R.
232 – David Williams
231 – Etta Baker
230 – Gustavo Cerati (Soda Stereo)
229 – Barbara Lynn
228 – Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
227 – Glenn Branca
226 – El Kempner (Palehound)
225 – Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith and Wayne Kramer (MC5)
224 – Marv Tarplin (Smokey Robinson)
223 – Joseph Spence (from The Bahamas)
222 – Molly Tuttle
221 – James Blood Ulmer
220 – Courtney Barnett
219 – Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing (Judas Priest)
218 – Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)
217 – Thomas McClary (Ther Commodores)
216 – Steve Hackett (Genesis)
215 – Kurt Vile
214 – Keiji Haino
213 – Lucy Dacus
212 – José Feliciano
211 – Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
210 – Kaki King
209 – Gary Clark Jr.
208 – Amadou Bagayoko
207 – Justin Broadrick (Godflesh)
206 – Hugh McCracken (Steely Dan)
205 – Eric Johnson
204 – Lynn Taitt
203 – Grant Green
202 – Vince Gill
201 – Garry ‘Diaper Man’ Shider (Parliament)
200 – Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
199 – Bombino (from Niger)
198 – Jerry Reed
197 – Nuno Bettencourt
196 – James Taylor
195 – Greg Ginn (Black Flag)
194 – Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy)
193 – David Lindley
192 – Lita Ford
191 – Chalmers Edward ‘Spanky’ Alford
190 – Lightnin’ Hopkins
189 – Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains)
188 – Marnie Stern
187 – Marc Ribot
186 – Steve Lukather
185 – Peggy Jones
184 – Eldon Shamblin (Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys)
183 – Roy Buchanan
182 – Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith (Bob Marley)
181 – Larissa Strickland (Laughing Hyenas)
180 – Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)
179 – Ernest Ranglin
178 – Skip James
177 – Rodrigo y Gabriela
176 – Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz)
175 – Rory Gallagher
174 – Marty Stuart
173 – Paul McCartney
172 – Chrissie Hynde
171 – D. Boon (The Minutemen)
170 – Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music)
169 – Jessie Mae Hemphill
168 – John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service)
167 – James Williamson (Iggy & The Stooges)
166 – Johnny Winter
165 – Rokia Traoré (from Mali)
164 – Dave Davies (The Kinks)
163 – Wah Wah Watson
162 – Rosinha de Valença (from Brazil)
161 – Tim Henson (Polyphia)
160 – Kim and Kelley Deal (The Breeders)
159 – John Lennon
158 – Johnny Thunders
157 – Pat Metheny
156 – Carl Perkins
155 – Yvette Young (Covet)
154 – Bill Frisell
153 – Otis Rush
152 – Ani DiFranco
151 – Pete Cosey (Miles Davis)
150 – Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females)
149 – Ron Asheton (The Stooges)
148 – Ike Turner
147 – Memphis Minnie
146 – Mike Bloomfield
145 – Dickey Betts
144 – Odetta
143 – Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo)
142 – João Gilberto
141 – Fredrik Thordendal (Meshugga)
140 – Stephen Stills
139 – Susan Tedeschi
138 – Teenie Hodges (Al Green)
137 – Liz Phair
136 – Joe Perry (Aerosmith)
135 – Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
134 – Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü)
133 – Robert Cray
132 – Nils Lofgren
131 – Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
130 – Joe Walsh
129 – Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper)
128 – Bob Stinson (The Replacements)
127 – Steve Vai
126 – Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
125 – Viv Albertine (The Slits)
124 – Mike McCready and Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam)
123 – Steve Howe (Yes, Asia)
122 – King Sunny Ade
121 – Dick Dale
120 – Warren Haynes (Gov’t Mule)
119 – Donita Sparks (L7)
118 – Adrian Belew
117 – Albert Collins
116 – Ana da Silva
115 – Nels Cline
114 – Robert Quine
113 – Allen Collins and Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
112 – Rowland S. Howard
111 – Kelley Johnson (Girlschool)
110 – Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac)
109 – Mick Ronson (David Bowie)
108 – Merle Travis
107 – Clarence White (The Byrds)
106 – Peter Buck (R.E.M.)
105 – Slash
104 – Ali Farka Touré (from Mali)
103 – Nancy Wilson (Heart)
102 – Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
101 – John Fogerty
100 – Kerry King (Slayer)
99 – Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders)
98 – Link Wray
97 – Stephen Malkmus (Pavement)
96 – Mark Knopfler (Dire Strais)
95 – Mary Timony (Helium)
94 – Joe Satriani
93 – Leo Nocentelli (The Meters)
92 – Wata (Boris)
91 – Cat Coore (Third World)
90 – Mdou Moctar (from Niger)
89 – Lou Reed
88 – Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
87 – Poison Ivy (The Cramps)
86 – Sonny Sharrock
85 – Larry Carlton
84 – Muddy Waters
83 – Adrian Smith and Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
82 – Wes Montgomery
81 – Bert Jansch
80 – Derek Trucks (Tedeshi-Trucks Band/Allman Brothers)
79 – Ernie Isley (Isley Brothers)
78 – Charlie Christian
77 – Willie Nelson
76 – Joan Jett
75 – Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple/Rainbow)
74 – J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.)
73 – Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf)
72 – John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
71 – Franco Luambo
70 – Django Reinhardt
69 – Robbie Robertson (The Band)
68 – Les Paul
67 – Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)
66 – Ry Cooder
65 – T-Bone Walker
64 – Carrie Brownstein (Sleeter-Kinney)
63 – Richard Thompson
62 – Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac)
61 – John Mayer
60 – Scotty Moore (Elvis Presley)
59 – Robert Fripp
58 – Alex Lifeson (Rush)
57 – Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)
56 – Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
55 – Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones)
54 – Bonnie Raitt
53 – Trey Anastasio (Phish)
52 – John Lee Hooker
51 – Tom Verlaine (Television/solo)
50 – Elmore James
49 – PJ Harvey
48 – Curtis Mayfield
47 – The Edge (U2)
46 – Frank Zappa
45 – Steve Cropper
44 – Johnny Ramone (The Ramones)
43 – Jonny Greenwood and Ed O’Brien (Radiohead)
42 – Vernon Reid (Living Color)
41 – Bo Diddley
40 – John Fahey
39 – Chet Atkins
38 – Angus Young and Malcolm Young (AC/DC)
37 – Pete Townshend (The Who)
36 – Elizabeth Cotten
35 – Eric Clapton
34 – Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)
33 – Brian May (Queen)
32 – Jack White (White Stripes)
31 – George Harrison
30 – Neil Young
29 – Eddie Hazel (Parliament)
28 – David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
27 – Buddy Guy
26 – St. Vincent
25 – John Frusciante
24 – James Burton
23 – James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
22 – Albert King
21 – Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne)
20 – Stevie Ray Vaughan
19 – Freddy King
18 – Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine)
17 – Mother Maybelle Carter
16 – Robert Johnson
15 – Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones)
14 – Prince
13 – Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
12 – Jimmy Nolen (James Brown)
11 – Carlos Santana
10 – Duane Allman (Allman Brothers)
9 – Joni Mitchell
8 – B.B. King
7 – Nile Rodgers
6 – Sister Rosetta Tharpe
5 – Jeff Beck
4 – Eddie Van Halen
3 – Jimmy Page
2 – Chuck Berry
1 – Jimi Hendrix