Let’s be real for a second. Whenever a magazine drops a "best of" list, the internet basically turns into a digital bar fight. But nothing—and I mean nothing—stirs the pot quite like the Rolling Stone 100 greatest guitarist rankings. Actually, they expanded the whole thing to 250 names recently, which only made people angrier.
You’ve seen the comments. "Where’s Joe Bonamassa?" "Why is Joni Mitchell ahead of Eddie Van Halen?" It’s a mess. Honestly, the biggest mistake we make is assuming these lists are about who can shred the fastest or who knows the most obscure Mixolydian scales.
They aren't. Not even close.
What the Rolling Stone 100 Greatest Guitarist List is Actually Measuring
If you’re looking for a technical proficiency chart, you’re in the wrong place. Rolling Stone isn't a guitar clinic. When they put together these lists, they’re looking at cultural impact, songwriting, and "vibe." They basically said it themselves: they value "invention over refinement." They want the risk-takers. That is why you see Kurt Cobain sitting high up while some of the world’s most elite session players are nowhere to be found. It’s about the soul in the wires, not the beats per minute.
Take a look at the top tier. Jimi Hendrix is still the undisputed king. He’s been #1 since the first iteration of this list back in 2003, and he stayed there in the massive 2023 update. Why? Because he didn't just play the guitar; he reimagined what the physical object could do. He’s the blueprint.
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The Top 10 Shakedown
- Jimi Hendrix (The Eternal #1)
- Chuck Berry (The Architect)
- Jimmy Page (The Riff Master)
- Eddie Van Halen (The Disruptor)
- Jeff Beck (The Technician’s Hero)
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe (The Godmother)
- Nile Rodgers (The Hitmaker)
- B.B. King (The King of Blues)
- Joni Mitchell (The Open-Tuning Queen)
- Duane Allman (The Slide Legend)
Notice anything? It’s a mix. You’ve got pure rock gods like Page and Van Halen, but then you’ve got Nile Rodgers. Some people lost their minds over Nile Rodgers being at #7. But think about it—how many songs have you danced to because of his right hand? Thousands. That’s the "impact" Rolling Stone is talking about.
The "Snubs" That Make Guitarists Throw Their Picks
If you want to get a group of middle-aged guys in Fender t-shirts to start shouting, mention the name George Benson. He’s arguably one of the most technically gifted humans to ever touch a fretboard. He wasn't on the new 250 list. At all.
Same for Yngwie Malmsteen. Now, Yngwie is a polarizing guy, but his influence on neo-classical metal is a mountain. The list-makers seemingly prioritized "feel" so much that they accidentally—or maybe intentionally—boxed out the shredders.
And then there's Eric Clapton. "Slowhand" used to be a lock for the top three. In the newest version of the Rolling Stone 100 greatest guitarist (expanded), he tumbled down to #35.
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That’s a massive drop.
It feels like a conscious "course correction." The editors clearly wanted to move away from the "Lead Guitarist as White Male God" trope that dominated the 70s and 80s. They brought in more women, more international players, and more acoustic innovators. It makes the list more interesting, sure, but it also makes it feel less like a "Greatest Guitarist" list and more like a "Coolest People Who Play Guitar" list.
Why the Rankings Keep Changing
Music isn't static. Neither is history.
In the early 2000s, the list was heavily influenced by the "Classic Rock" era. It was all about the 1967-1975 window. But now? We’ve got players like St. Vincent (#26) and Tosin Abasi (#99) making the cut.
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- Diversity of Genre: They finally included Bachata legends like Edilio Paredes and African icons like Ali Farka Touré.
- The Power of the Duo: Rolling Stone started pairing people up. Think The Dessner Brothers from The National or Sly & Robbie.
- Songwriting over Solos: If you wrote "Big Yellow Taxi" or "Purple Rain," you're getting a massive boost, even if you don't do 10-minute solos.
How to Actually Use This List
Don't use it to validate your favorite player. Your favorite player is probably too "niche" for a mainstream magazine. Instead, use the Rolling Stone 100 greatest guitarist list as a discovery tool.
If you’ve never heard of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, go watch her play "Up Above My Head" on a rainy train platform. If you think Prince was just a pop star, watch his 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
The value isn't in the number next to the name. The value is in the rabbit hole it sends you down.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
- Ignore the numbers. Seriously. Whether someone is #12 or #82 is usually just the result of a heated debate in a conference room in New York.
- Listen for the "Why." Instead of complaining that David Gilmour is at #28, go listen to the "Comfortably Numb" solo and figure out why they didn't put him at #1. (Spoiler: It’s because he’s "tasty," not necessarily "inventive" in the way they define it).
- Check the "New" Names. Look up the players under 40 on the list. That's where the future of the instrument is hiding.
Next time you’re arguing about who the GOAT is, just remember: it's all subjective. Rolling Stone wants the clicks, you want the music, and Jimi Hendrix is still dead and still the best.
Stop worrying about the ranking and just go play your guitar.