The Best Axe Master Based on Genre
Opinions on the greatest guitar players of all time vary with musical tastes. Straight up rock ‘n roll fans who grew up in the seventies may think one thing, while a proponent of jazz or classical training may think another. In this way, it helps to break down history’s greatest axe masters by genre, so that you can identify the best of the best by the type of music you’re into.
In the case of classic rock, the names are some of the most famous of all time. Jimi Hendrix has a style that has proven impossible to duplicate, even four decades after his death. Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Queen’s Brian May are others that top any list of the greatest rock axe men ever.
When it comes to the blues, Robert Johnson essentially invented the genre down in Mississippi and has been studied by almost every guitar player since. B.B. King is thought by many to be the player who best took blues guitar into the modern era while preserving its uniqueness.
In the jazz genre, few conversations are complete without mention of Pat Metheny and Al Di Meola, both of whom are hugely popular with jazz fans today. Jazz historians will suggest that Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt are each worth a good, long listen as well.
Among the jam band genre, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and Trey Anastasio are considered kings, and it could be argued that Duane Allman was better than either of them.
When it comes to heavy metal, Metallica’s Kirk Hammet reigns supreme in the minds of many, but don’t ever say that to a disciple of the legendary Eddie Van Halen, or you’re likely to wind up in a fight.
For a guitarist who trancends all genres, try Frank Zappa.