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Greatest Classic Rock Guitarists

According to fans on Greatest Guitar Player, the top classic rock guitarists right now are Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend. The full ranked list of 18 classic rock guitarists is below, updated live from the Greatest Guitar Player Fan Index as votes come in.

Classic rock guitar turned the riff and the solo into the center of popular music from the late 1960s through the 1970s. These are the players whose parts still get learned note for note in bedrooms and guitar shops.

  1. 1Jimi HendrixJimi HendrixScore 71.5 · 4 fan votesProfile
  2. 2Jimmy PageJimmy PageScore 77.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  3. 3Pete TownshendPete TownshendScore 65.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  4. 4Jeff BeckJeff BeckScore 72.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  5. 5Frank ZappaFrank ZappaScore 71.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  6. 6Mark KnopflerMark KnopflerScore 71.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  7. 7Carlos SantanaCarlos SantanaScore 59.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  8. 8George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonScore 69.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  9. 9Jerry GarciaJerry GarciaScore 68.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  10. 10Keith RichardsKeith RichardsScore 63.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  11. 11Joe WalshJoe WalshScore 67.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  12. 12Neil YoungNeil YoungScore 67.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  13. 13Stephen StillsStephen StillsScore 60.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  14. 14Robby KriegerRobby KriegerScore 58.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  15. 15Neal SchonNeal SchonScore 66.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  16. 16Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneyScore 66.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  17. 17Lindsey BuckinghamLindsey BuckinghamScore 65.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  18. 18Dave DaviesDave DaviesScore 60.0 · no fan votes yetProfile

Disagree with the order? Rate any of these classic rock guitarists on 8 attributes at greatestguitarplayer.com/vote. Every vote moves the Greatest Guitar Player Fan Index.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the greatest classic rock guitarist of all time?

On the Greatest Guitar Player Fan Index, Jimi Hendrix currently holds the top spot among classic rock guitarists, followed by Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend. The order updates live as fans vote.

How are these classic rock guitarists ranked?

Fans rate each guitarist from 0 to 10 on eight attributes: innovation, performance, speed, soul, rhythm, lead guitar, songwriting and coolness. The order uses a weighted score that balances each guitarist's average rating with the number of votes, so a single perfect vote cannot jump the line. Guitarists without fan votes yet are placed by an editorial score.

Can I vote for my favorite classic rock guitarist?

Yes. Anyone can rate guitarists at greatestguitarplayer.com/vote, and every vote counts toward both this classic rock list and the overall Greatest Guitar Player rankings.

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