Music fans love to argue. It’s basically our national pastime. But nothing—honestly, nothing—gets the blood boiling quite like when Rolling Stone decides to drop a new ranking. In late 2023, they expanded their famous list to include the 250 greatest guitarists of all time, and the internet basically imploded. People weren't just annoyed; they were genuinely confused.
See, the magazine changed the rules.
In the old days, they asked actual guitar legends to vote. This time? It was just the editors and writers. That shift in perspective changed everything. They stopped looking for the fastest shredders in the world and started looking for the people who used six strings to change how a song actually feels. It’s a messy, subjective, and occasionally brilliant mess of a list.
The Top 10 and the "Pioneer" Strategy
If you look at the very top, it’s mostly familiar faces. Jimi Hendrix is still at number one. He’s the undisputed king, and frankly, if they moved him, there’d be riots in the streets. He didn’t just play the guitar; he redefined what a piece of wood and some wire could do.
But things get weird fast.
Chuck Berry took the number two spot. Jimmy Page is at three, Eddie Van Halen at four, and Jeff Beck at five. So far, so good, right? Then you hit number six: Sister Rosetta Tharpe. For decades, she was a footnote in rock history, the "Godmother of Rock and Roll" who everyone forgot to mention. By putting her at six, Rolling Stone made a loud statement about influence over pure technical speed. They’re saying: "If you didn't have her, you wouldn't have the others."
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Here is how that top tier looks:
- Jimi Hendrix
- Chuck Berry
- Jimmy Page
- Eddie Van Halen
- Jeff Beck
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe
- Nile Rodgers
- B.B. King
- Joni Mitchell
- Duane Allman
Joni Mitchell at number nine is the one that usually makes the "shredder" crowd throw their phone across the room. She isn't playing 200 notes a minute. She isn't using a wah-wah pedal to make the guitar talk. But her use of alternate tunings? It’s legendary. She basically invented her own language on the instrument. If the list is about "greatest," does that mean "most skilled" or "most creative"? Rolling Stone clearly chose creativity.
The Massive Eric Clapton Demotion
The biggest shocker for long-time readers was seeing Eric Clapton tumble down the rankings. He used to be a top-five staple. In this new version? He’s all the way down at 35.
Think about that.
The man they used to call "God" is now ranked lower than St. Vincent (26) and John Frusciante (25). It’s a massive cultural shift. The writers seem to be over the "blues-rock god" era. They’re looking for "tastiness" over "polish," as they put it. While Clapton’s influence is massive, the list creators seem bored with the traditional pentatonic soloing that defined the 70s.
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It’s a bold move. It’s also kinda hilarious because it feels like a personal jab at the classic rock establishment. But that’s the thing about these lists—they are designed to provoke.
Who Got Left Out in the Cold?
The omissions are where the real drama lives. If you are a fan of progressive rock or metal, this list is basically a slap in the face.
No John Petrucci? None.
No Steve Vai in the top 100? He’s way down there.
Joe Bonamassa? Completely missing.
The "Guitarmy" was not happy. The criticism from experts like Rick Beato and various YouTube gear-heads was instant. They argued that by ignoring virtuosos, the list becomes a "popularity contest for songwriters" rather than a celebration of the instrument itself. When you have indie rockers who can barely play a barre chord ranked above guys who can play Bach at 200 BPM, you’re going to have a credibility problem with actual musicians.
Why "Greatest" is a Trap
The problem is the word "greatest." It doesn't mean anything specific.
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To a kid in 1991, Kurt Cobain (who made the list) was the greatest because he made them want to buy a Squier Stratocaster. To a jazz student at Berklee, Allan Holdsworth (who was snubbed) is the greatest because his chord voicings are mathematically impossible for mortals.
Rolling Stone leaned heavily into "The Song." They prioritized players who served the music. That’s why you see Nile Rodgers at number seven. He’s the king of the "invisible" riff. You’ve heard his guitar on "Le Freak" and "Get Lucky" a million times, but he never takes a five-minute solo. He just makes you dance.
Actionable Insights for Music Fans
If you're looking at this list and feeling your blood pressure rise, take a breath. These rankings aren't gospel; they're conversation starters. Here is how to actually use the Rolling Stone 250 list without losing your mind:
- Treat it as a Discovery Tool: Don't look at the numbers. Look at the names you don't know. If you've never heard of Elizabeth Cotten or Mdou Moctar, go listen to them. They’re on there for a reason.
- Analyze the Methodology: This list explicitly values "invention over refinement." If you want a list of the fastest players, look at Guitar World. If you want a list of the most culturally significant players, this is the one.
- Make Your Own Top 10: Honestly, it’s the only way to feel better. Write down your criteria. Is it speed? Is it "the feel"? Is it the number of iconic riffs? You'll find that your own list is just as "wrong" to someone else as Rolling Stone's is to you.
The reality is that the "Greatest Guitarist" doesn't exist. There is only the player who makes you feel something when the lights go down and the amp starts to hiss. Whether that's Prince (who jumped way up to 14) or a no-name bluesman in a Nashville dive bar, that’s the only ranking that actually matters.
To dive deeper into the specific entries, you should pull up the full 2023 list on the Rolling Stone website and cross-reference it with live performances on YouTube. Watching Sister Rosetta Tharpe play "Up Above My Head" in the rain will tell you more about why she’s at number six than any 2,000-word article ever could. Then, compare her attack to someone like Tony Iommi (13) to see how the "heaviness" criteria actually played out across different genres.