The All-Time Top 20 Guitarists - Part 1

Be it sober or fuelled by alcohol, we all love to pontificate about ‘The Best Guitarists Ever’ and then realise it’s far safer to argue about our ‘Favourite Guitarists Ever’ instead.

Having my own column means I can actually put my own ‘favourite’ guitarists down in writing for all to see and assure you that most of them are in fact ‘The Best’ players too!

THIS WEEK – GUITARISTS 20 TO 16:

20. Michael Schenker

As a 12 year old I would usually play along to either Rush or UFO in my bedroom. But more of the time I would play along to UFO’s double live epic ‘Strangers In The Night’. As a kid you can play along with ‘Doctor Doctor’ or ‘Mother Mary’ easier than ‘YYZ’. Anyway, when my parents went out, I would crank up the Marshall 12 watt and be Michael Schenker. ‘Rock Bottom’ was the crowning glory and a bit tricky back then. Today though, I listen to it and the young Michael and it is pure genius. I didn’t realise back then, that I would never master it. What natural ability and sense of the moment he had. A REAL Rock legend, if a little unpredictable.

http://www.michaelschenkerhimself.com / target=”_blank”>www.michaelschenkerhimself.com

19. Reb Beach

I have always referred to Reb’s solos as ‘touched by god’. Well not all of them, but usually about 1 in 3 has a magic and beauty from a higher place. Reb is a far more unique player than he is given credit for and really helped to pioneer late 80’s Rock guitar in the right direction. Spectacular technique and song writing ability, obviously helped by Kip Winger. Why are people so blinkered about Winger??

http://www.rebbeach.com / target=”_blank”>www.rebbeach.com

18. Warren Di Martini

I would place Warren higher up the list but have never really had enough of his fantastic playing to tuck into. I mean RATT are a classic band to those in the know, but it was also a bit limiting for someone with that sort of natural feel and touch. Warren plays guitar like he never had to practice – just pick the thing up and play what you hear in your head sort of thing. Always very similar to George Lynch in many ways and maybe even a bit more stylish – either way, if I could play guitar like Warren I would die a happy man!

http://www.warrendemartini.net / target=”_blank”>www.warrendemartini.net

17. Andy Timmins

I have always loved Andy’s playing. He was the perfect ‘Hair Metal’ guitar player – polished and exciting and when I first heard him play on ‘Beat The Bullet’ it just sounded fantastic to my ears! He was also in Danger Danger who Rocked hard! His soloing is very clinical but oozes soul. He has progressed to become a very complete guitar player and his work with Kip Winger is exceptional – he flirts with that ‘touched by god’ feel that Reb Beach uses.

http://www.andytimmons.com / target=”_blank”>www.andytimmons.com

16. John Sykes

What do you say about the man that brought us the barrage of power chords on Whitesnake’s 1987. He is like a more refined version of Zakk Wylde but still utterly devoted to power riffs. He took this arsenal on to Blue Murder and his solo projects and I love him! He also used it with Thin Lizzy to great effect and gave them a well needed kick up the arse. His solos and especially his vibrato can be completely inappropriate at times, but I think he just does it all in the name of Rock!

http://www.johnsykes.com / target=”_blank”>www.johnsykes.com

NEXT TIME – GUITARISTS 15 TO 11…