Top ten guitar players
As a guitar player myself, I decided to compile my top ten favourite guitar players who constantly inspire me to play better, although I would be a lot better if I practiced more…
Number 10
Slash, Guns n' Roses, Velvet Revolver
Not only does Slash look the part, with his Gibson Les Paul, cigarette sticking out of his mouth and a bottle of Jack on his Marshall Amp, he is also an extremely accomplished player. Most of what he does seems to be effortless, which is really annoying when trying to learn something by him, he probably could have been a hell of a lot better too if he'd stayed off the booze and drugs.
Number 9
James Dean Bradfield, Manic Street Preachers
Playing guitar is one thing, but singing and playing is another. If you are just strumming chords, that’s easy, but JDB shreds his way through solos and complex riffs whilst managing to sing at the same time; and who said men can't multi-task. Also, another exponent of the Gibson Les Paul and, one of my favourite guitars, the much maligned Fender Telecaster.
Number 8
John Squire, Stone Roses
Floppy haired, Hendrix inspired, shoe-gazer from Manchester. Does all the Johnny Marr Indie jingle jangles and can shred with the best of them. I don't care what anyone says, I liked there second album and like Shaun (in Shaun of The Dead) I wouldn't have used it as a weapon against zombies neither. Often seen playing Gibson 335s or Les Pauls.
Number 7
Johnny Marr, The Smiths
Most of the time Morrissey gets all of the glory, but he would have been nothing without Mr Marr and his psychedelic Rickenbacker 12 string jingling. Johnny Marr’s style is truly unique and has had many poor imitators since. Unfortunately since The Smiths he seems to have lost his powers, cos let's face it, Electronic were rubbish.
Number 6
Matthew Bellamy, Muse
Not only a gifted guitarist, whose use of effects can be likened to Rage against the Machines Tom Morello, but a classically trained pianist with incredible vocal talent to boot. Basically an all round musical genius.
Number 5
Tom Morello, Rage Against the Machine
This man can make noises with a guitar I never knew were possible. I still don't know how he does that high pitched bendy sound on Bullet in the Head. Without Tom, Rage Against the Machine would just be another shouty hardcore band, but because of Tom's inventiveness and technical ability the lads became the unique and influential band they are today.
Number 4
John Frusciante, Red Hot Chili Peppers
John Frusciante is one of those players that one minute plays something really simple, which makes you think 'hang on, you're not trying, John', then the next track on the album will be virtually impossible, which makes you throw your guitar out of the window. There are three words I would use to describe John's style: raw, effortless and beautiful.
Number 3
David Gilmour, Pink Floyd
Technically gifted, but by no means a show off, Gilmour is another player I grew up listening to and tried to emulate. Pink Floyd's music was and is still ahead of it's time, but Gilmour's style was basically Blues. The combination of space age noise, progressive ideas, psychedelia and British reserve, makes David Gilmour very unique and a national treasure.
Number 2
Jimi Hendrix
Not necessarily the most technically brilliant player, but a gifted natural musician and showman, who had no boundaries when it came to experimenting with sounds, effects and general amplified noises. Credited with inventing 'Heavy Metal', Hendrix's short career has inspired generations of wannabe rock stars to pick up an axe and make loud noises with a wah wah pedal, then set them on fire.
Number 1
Jimmy Page, Led Zepellin
What can you say about this man? Possibly the greatest rock guitarist ever, who also incorporated many different styles into Led Zeppelin's music, including Folk and Classical. Jimmy Page’s ability to make something difficult sound easy and something easy sound impossible is a constant frustration and joy at the same time. An extremely inventive player, who used various tunings to confuse me for years, has inspired probably everyone playing today.
Mark Gunning
Artworker