Fan Leaderboard by Genre

Greatest Punk, Grunge and Alternative Guitarists

According to fans on Greatest Guitar Player, the top punk, grunge and alternative guitarists right now are John Frusciante, Tom Morello and Matt Bellamy. The full ranked list of 17 punk, grunge and alternative guitarists is below, updated live from the Greatest Guitar Player Fan Index as votes come in.

Punk, grunge and alternative guitarists traded virtuosity for attitude, texture and songs that hit hard. From three-chord punk to layered effects and noise, these players rewired what a guitar part could be.

  1. 1John FruscianteJohn FruscianteScore 69.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  2. 2Tom MorelloTom MorelloScore 68.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  3. 3Matt BellamyMatt BellamyScore 67.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  4. 4Jack WhiteJack WhiteScore 66.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  5. 5Jerry CantrellJerry CantrellScore 66.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  6. 6Jonny GreenwoodJonny GreenwoodScore 66.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  7. 7Annie Clark (St. Vincent)Annie Clark (St. Vincent)Score 65.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  8. 8Johnny MarrJohnny MarrScore 65.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  9. 9Kurt CobainKurt CobainScore 68.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  10. 10The EdgeThe EdgeScore 68.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  11. 11Billie Joe ArmstrongBillie Joe ArmstrongScore 60.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  12. 12Billy CorganBilly CorganScore 60.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  13. 13Joan JettJoan JettScore 60.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  14. 14Andy SummersAndy SummersScore 59.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  15. 15Johnny RamoneJohnny RamoneScore 59.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  16. 16Arianna PowellScore 58.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  17. 17Kim ThayilKim ThayilScore 56.0 · no fan votes yetProfile

Disagree with the order? Rate any of these punk, grunge and alternative 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 punk, grunge and alternative guitarist of all time?

On the Greatest Guitar Player Fan Index, John Frusciante currently holds the top spot among punk, grunge and alternative guitarists, followed by Tom Morello and Matt Bellamy. The order updates live as fans vote.

How are these punk, grunge and alternative 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 punk, grunge and alternative guitarist?

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

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