Wow, I'd have to disagree with much of this listing, especially some of the rankings. Not sure what criteria they used here, but it doesn't seem to have a lot to do with actual technical ability in playing the guitar. More probably popularity as guitar playing musicians instead and even that is pretty objective. However, they did list some of my favorites such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, & Eddie Van Halen. Now those guys can play! Personally, I'd have to rank Lee Ritnour, primarily a studio and jazz guitarist, as one of the top 3 of all time, at least before his hand was crushed. He did rehabilitate and continue to play, but never quite the same, still better than Joni Mitchell ever was! I also think that Gary Richrath, guitarist for REO Speedwagon, should have at least made the list. I saw them live once years ago and was totally blown away by his guitar work. I swear the man actually made the guitar speak actual words. Anyway, I guess this whole thing is pretty subjective and it was interesting to check out the list. Thanks for sharing!

How the hell did they leave out Steve Howe of YES??? He won Guitar Player's Guitarist of the Year award five times in a row, and they had to disqualify him from the running just to give someone else a chance! Listen to any YES album recorded from 1970 to 1977 and I think you'll understand.

Steve was at least as good live as he was in studio, as were the rest of the band. Fifty years after Close to the Edge was released, people are still discovering it for the first time and marveling at the musicianship on it. It is an extremely complex, dense, roller-coaster ride from start to finish. Listen with headphones in a dark room. It's been hailed as one of the top five progressive rock albums of all time, by some of the best authorities in the recording industry and many music professors.

I'd probably not rank these guitarists, anyway, because that would just be someone's personal taste. Besides, it's really just a popularity contest. There are hundreds of thousands of competent guitarists who never get their work recorded, or get to play in a stadium.

Then there are the bass guitar players who support the rest of bands. I'd love to see a list of them! I'd start with Chris Squire, Jaco Pastorius, Ron Carter, Tal Wilkenfeld, Kinga Głyk, Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Charles Mingus, Les Claypool, John Paul Jones, Rhonda Smith, John Entwistle... Any and all of these can play or have played bass as a lead instrument. There are dozens more great bassists.