So, I’ve had fun before with my top 25 favorite singers, so now it’s time to give a run through of my favorite guitarists as well.  As before, I’ll give a quick summary about why I like them and give you a few choice cuts to check out.

25.  Glenn Tipton

One half of the mighty Judas Priest tag team, Glenn Tipton is not only a great songwriter but a great player as well.  From melodic, classically influenced leads to more of a sweeping style, Tipton seems to have evolved over time as he doesn’t quite stick with your typical pentatonic scales of his peers nor is he whammy bar happy like partner in crime KK Downing.  To me, he was always the player that stood out in the band; all calm\cool\collected reserve compared to KK’s more rock star histrionics,  And man, can this cat play when he puts his mind to it.  When I think classic lead breaks in Judas Priest, they all come from Mr. Tipton.  The key to his playing is how he can switch from a melodic passage to heavier blasts with emphasis on strong bends and distinct note choices.

Choice cuts:  “Electric Eye”, “Painkiller”, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”, “Victim Of Changes”

24.  Richard Thompson 

I’m late to the party with Richard Thompson but boy, am I glad I’ve discovered who he is and his great talents on the six string.  As an acoustic player there is none finer: what sounds like an army of players is just Thompson, incorporating hybrid picking, unique chord structures, and incredibly beautiful work altogether.  His electric work on his rockier cuts is great as well, but he’s not someone whose power is in volume and tenacity.  His strengths are finding the right chord structures, notes, and tones that fit the great songs that he writes, whether it be his early days with Fairport Convention, his work with his wife Linda, or his solo material.  Not only is the man talented on acoustic and electric, but he will also incorporate mandolin and dulcimer as well.

Choice Cuts:  “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”, “Beeswing”, “Shoot Out The Lights”, “Down Where The Drunkards Roll”

23.  Jimi Hendrix

I’m sure I’ll hear it from some of you out there…. he’s waaaaaaay too low on this list!  Hendrix’ genius really escaped me until my later years and most of that can be blamed on when I first heard him.  Just think, if those of us younger than 50 had heard Hendrix right when he came out we’d be instant converts.  Who else dressed like that, looked like that, and played like that in the late 60s?  He was, as some people swore at the time, literally from outer space.  His songs and his influence are present even to this day.  Psychedelic blues, soulful playing, swirling feedback, weird noises, wailing notes…  the dude was doing it all.  It is amazing how much phenomenal work he actually put out in his few short years on this planet.  He wrote some great songs, sang his heart out, and literally changed rock guitar playing overnight.

Choice Cuts:  “All Along The Watchtower”, “Fire”, “Voodoo Chile”, “Castles Made Of Sand”

22.  George Lynch

Back in the 80s when hair metal was all the rage, Dokken ranked high in my favorites from the genre mostly due to the wicked playing of Mr. Scary.  Lynch is a beat of a freak of nature with his impressive lead work; much of it melodic but oftentimes full of quick barrages of notes at high speed.  My favorite playing from George may likely be his work in Lynch Mob, a little bit more swampier and bluesier in style compared to some of the lighter fare conjured up in his previous band.  These days Lynch is a bit hit or miss on his playing but he doesn’t constantly rely on old tricks as he’ll often seek out new players and projects to showcase different facets of his musical personality.  He’s not quite Furious George all the time but remains on the lookout for new tones.  And he still has quite the cool guitar collection 🙂

Choice cuts:  “Into The Fire”, “In My Dreams”, “Mr. Scary”, “Wicked Sensation”

21.  Angus Young

Years ago I had a discussion with a friend of mine about great guitarists and he was taken aback that I would think Angus Young was worthy of such admiration.  “It all sounds the same!” he said.  Well, not necessarily.  It depends on what you are listening to.  Sure, Malcolm is (or sadly, WAS) the stronger rhythm player and the backbone of the band but Ang certainly was no slouch.  What comes out of Angus Young’s hands and fingers is personality-  I truly think when he was younger that the guitar was just another appendage.  The music is in him and he has such a relentless yet playful style about him that just bleeds out of him, whether it be in his rhythm work or his strong lead work.  Sure, a lot of his influence is strictly in the Chuck Berry mold but his playing and attack is much more fearless.

Choice cuts:  “Whole Lotta Rosie”, “Let There Be Rock”, “The Jack”, “Back In Black”