Greatest Guitar Players of All Time

The greatest guitar players of all time had ingenious creativity and the mastermind to innovatively play styles and techniques that only the novice guitarist could dream to acquire. From early classical music to today's rock and roll, the greatest guitarists have left their mark on music history and its future.

What exactly constitutes greatness among guitarists? Just because a guitarist can conjure wicked new chord patterns out of the instrument doesn't always make him or her one of the greatest. Guitar legends are ones who paved the way for new musical styles, taking the instrument to the apex of its ability. The greats go above and beyond technicality and break the rules of "normal." You have to look at how history was changed by these artists to see their greatness.

Fernando Sor was one of the first guitarists to tour across Europe. Born in 1778, the guitar during Sor's life was only known as a tavern instrument and not used for classical works. Classical music was at the forefront, yet Sor gained fame from his composition skill. In 1827, he settled down and composed many of his best works that have been later compared to musical giants such as Beethoven and Haydn. In 1830, his book "Method for Spanish Guitar" was published and a couple years later, translated into English.

You've already heard of Spanish composer Fransisco Tarrega's music. His composition "Gran Vals" is the inspiration for the heavily advertised Nokia tune. Tarrega, blinded from a childhood accident, was a guitar virtuoso. His talent brought the guitar to the concert hall as a recital instrument and not just an accompaniment. Tarrega's guitar pioneering into the 20th century laid ground for upcoming guitarists.

In the deep south of America in the early 1900s, the influential Robert Johnson started a revolution in music: the blues. Johnson had an extraordinary original ability to sing, play guitar, and write his own songs. Some say he sold his soul to the devil for guitar genius. Known as the "grandfather of rock and roll," Johnson died at the early age of 27 in 1938. His blues style has been heard worldwide and influenced many other famous musicians.

In the 1930's, George Beauchamp, a Hawaiian musician, invented the first electric guitar. He teamed up with engineer Adolph Rickenbacker to create the celebrated instrument, but many other companies were already developing electric guitars.

From the rise of the electric guitar eventually came the model known as Les Paul in 1952, by the Gibson guitar company. Les Paul did not become a rock guitarist until later in life. He turned 90 in 2005, and has released five albums, one in the genre of rock and roll.

In the 1950's, singer-songwriter Buddy Holly emerged on the music scene with intricate melodies and complex harmonies. His style inspired many future artists including Bob Dylan and was copied by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. His short-lived success, due to the airplane crash that took his life, left a lasting mark on the history of music and guitarists.

A plethora of electric guitarists emerged in the 1960s and 70s, developing new styles and creative techniques. Great guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, and Robby Krieger (just to name a few) mark Rolling Stone's "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

These musicians have brought the electric and acoustic guitar to heights never dreamed to exist. Intricate notes and logic-defying patterns are natural to these guitar greats as they have weaved soul moving music from their fingers. The 21st century of guitar is filled with living legends and the hopes of what the future may bring as these amazing artists continue to pioneer the field of guitar.