List of lead guitarists
Appearance
The following is a list of significant lead guitarists, arranged in ascending alphabetical order of their last name. For rhythm guitarists see list of rhythm guitarists.
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. |
A
- "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (Pantera, Damageplan)
- Marcus Adoro (The Eraserheads)
- Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth)
- Jan Akkerman (Focus)
- Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio)
- Duane Allman (Allman Brothers Band, Derek and the Dominoes)
- Paul Allender (Cradle of Filth)
- Quinn Allman (The Used)
- Christopher Amott (Arch Enemy, Armageddon)
- Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, Carcass)
- Trey Anastasio (Phish)
- Ace Andres (The X-15s)
- Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)
- Tim Armstrong (Operation Ivy, Transplants)
- Ron Asheton (The Stooges)
- Bryce Avary (The Rocket Summer)
- Trey Azagthoth (Morbid Angel)
B
- Ayub Bachchu (Love Runs Blind)
- Rob Baker (The Tragically Hip, Stripper's Union)
- Perry Bamonte (The Cure)
- Carl Barat (The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things)
- Aaron Barrett (Reel Big Fish)
- Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd)
- Reb Beach (Winger,Dokken,Whitesnake)
- Corey Beaulieu (Trivium)
- Jeff Beck (The Yardbirds)
- Jason Becker (David Lee Roth, Cacophony)
- Franny Beecher (Bill Haley & His Comets)
- Matthew Bellamy (Muse)
- Chuck Berry
- Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers Band)
- Simon Binks (Australian Crawl)
- Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow)
- Doug Blair (W.A.S.P.)
- Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
- D. Boon (Minutemen)
- Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit, Black Light Burns)
- Johnny Borrell (Razorlight)
- James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers)
- Vito Bratta (White Lion)
- Creed Bratton (The Grass Roots)
- Devin Bronson
- Roy Buchanan
- Peter Buck (R.E.M)
- Buckethead
- Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac)
- Jonny Buckland (Coldplay)
- Vinny Burns (Ten)
- John Butler (The John Butler Trio)
- Roddy Byers (The Specials)
C
- Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Go's)
- Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
- Phil Campbell (Motörhead)
- Vivian Campbell (Dio, Whitesnake, Def Leppard)
- Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains)
- Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional)
- Danny Cedrone (Bill Haley & His Comets; "Rock Around the Clock")
- Nic Cester (Jet)
- John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Dinosaurs)
- Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds, Cream)
- Steve Clark (Def Leppard)
- Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
- Phil Collen (Def Leppard)
- Albert Collins
- Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
- John Corabi (Ratt)
- Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
- Graham Coxon (Blur)
- Robert Cray
- J.D. Cronise (The Sword)
- Robbin Crosby (Ratt)
- Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)
D
- Dick Dale
- Dave Davies (The Kinks)
- Chris DeGarmo (Queensrÿche)
- Tom Delonge (Blink-182, Box Car Racer, Angels & Airwaves)
- Brad Delson (Linkin Park)
- Warren DeMartini (Ratt)
- Michael Denner (Mercyful Fate)
- Rick Derringer (The McCoys, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter)
- Al Di Meola (Go)
- Buck Dharma (Blue Oyster Cult)
- Ian D'Sa (Billy Talent)
- Dan Donegan (Disturbed)
- K.K. Downing (Judas Priest)
- Glen Drover (King Diamond, Megadeth, Eidolon)
- Billy Duffy (The Cult)
- Bob Dylan
E
F
- Tim Farriss (INXS)
- Josh Farro (Paramore)
- Don Felder (Eagles)
- Dave Felton (Mushroomhead)
- Aaron Fink (Breaking Benjamin)
- Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers)
- Roger Fisher (Heart)
- John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
- Matthew Followill (Kings of Leon)
- Jon Foreman (Switchfoot)
- Ace Frehley (KISS)
- Peter Frampton (Humble Pie)
- Glenn Frey (Eagles)
- Marty Friedman (Megadeth, Cacophony)
- Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
- John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
- Jim Fuller (Surfaris)
G
- Gus G. (Dream Evil, Firewind, Nightrage)
- Galder (Dimmu Borgir)
- Noel Gallagher (Oasis)
- Rory Gallagher
- Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
- Jerry Garcia (The Grateful Dead )
- Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold, Pinkly Smooth)
- Lee Gaze (Lostprophets)
- Janick Gers (Iron Maiden)
- Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
- David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
- Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr. Big)
- Greg Ginn (Black Flag)
- Craig Goldy (Giuffria, Dio)
- Matt Good (From First to Last)
- Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy, 21 Guns)
- Gary Green (Gentle Giant)
- Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac)
- Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
H
- Steve Hackett (Genesis)
- Ollie Halsall (Patto, Tempest)
- Kirk Hammett (Metallica, Exodus)
- Albert Hammond Jr. (The Strokes)
- Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)
- Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray)
- George Harrison (The Beatles, Traveling Wilburys)
- Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule)
- Matt Heafy (Trivium)
- Jimi Hendrix
- Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks, Bad Religion)
- Dave Hill (Slade)
- Brent Hinds (Mastodon)
- Nick Hipa (As I Lay Dying)
- Gary Hoey
- Brian Hoffman (Deicide)
- Eric Hoffman (Deicide)
- Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss)
- Matt Hoopes (Relient K)
- Tomoyasu Hotei (Boøwy, Complex)
- Steve Howe (Yes, Asia)
- Jon Hume (Evermore)
I
J
- Matthias Jabs (Scorpions)
- Dan Jacobs (Atreyu)
- John 5
- Eric Johnson
- Adam Jones (Tool)
- Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones)
- Danny Jones (McFly)
- Mick Jones (The Clash)
- Mick Jones (Foreigner, Spooky Tooth)
- Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
K
- Alexander Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand)
- Ben Kasica (Skillet)
- Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
- Tom Keifer (Cinderella)
- David Kennedy (Angels & Airwaves)
- B.B. King
- Ben King (The Yardbirds 2005-)
- Ed King (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Strawberry Alarm Clock)
- Kerry King (Slayer)
- Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
- Paul Kossoff (Free)
- Robby Krieger (The Doors)
- Richard Z. Kruspe (Rammstein)
- Bruce Kulick (KISS)
L
- John Lawler (The Fratellis)
- Bernie Leadon (The Eagles)
- Bernie LaBarge (David Clayton-Thomas)
- Andy LaRocque (King Diamond)
- Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom)
- Roope Latvala (Children of Bodom, Sinergy)
- Ronni Le Tekro (TNT)
- Alvin Lee (Ten Years After)
- Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne)
- Herman Li (Dragonforce)
- Alex Lifeson (Rush)
- Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol)
- Peter Lindgren (Opeth)
- Russell Lissack (Bloc Party)
- Karl Logan (Manowar)
- Nils Lofgren (E Street Band)
- Jens Ludwig (Edguy)
- George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob)
M
- Lonnie Mack
- Stuart MacLeod (Eskimo Joe)
- Benji Madden (Good Charlotte)
- Tim Mahoney (311)
- Daron Malakian (System of a Down)
- Yngwie Malmsteen
- Mantas (Venom)
- Kee Marcello (Europe)
- Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
- Steve Marriott (Small Faces), (Humble Pie)
- Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe)
- Hank B. Marvin (The Shadows)
- J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr)
- Hideto Matsumoto (X Japan)
- Tak Matsumoto (B'z)
- Brian May (Queen)
- Mike McCready (Pearl Jam)
- Jimmy McCulloch (Wings, Thunderclap Newman, Stone the Crows, Small Faces, The Dukes)
- John McLaughlin (Shakti)
- Tara McLeod (Kittie)
- Richard McNamara (Embrace)
- Timothy McTague (Underøath)
- Tomo Milicevic (30 Seconds to Mars)
- Tim Mills (Iced Earth)
- Brian Molko (Placebo)
- Ronnie Montrose (Gamma)
- Ben Moody (Evanescence)
- Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy )
- Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave)
- Dave Morrissey (Celtic Legacy)
- Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Deep Purple)
- Ian Moss (Cold Chisel)
- Cameron Muncey (Jet)
- James Murphy
- Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
- Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
- Gary Myrick (Havana 3am)
N
- Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers)
- Craig Nicholls (The Vines)
- Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick)
- John Norum (Europe)
- Ted Nugent
O
P
- Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, The Firm)
- Mark Parry (The Manvils)
- Ryan Peake (Nickelback)
- Axel Rudi Pell
- Luther Perkins (Johnny Cash)
- Joe Perry (Aerosmith, The Joe Perry Project)
- Vicki Peterson (The Bangles)
- John Petrucci (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment)
- Matt Pike (Sleep, High on Fire)
- Sergio Pizzorno (Kasabian)
- Chris Poland (Megadeth)
- Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash)
- Jade Puget (AFI)
R
- Roddy Radiation (The Specials)
- Mick Ralphs (Bad Company, Mott the Hoople)
- Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne)
- Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)
- Henjo Richter (Gamma Ray)
- Michael Ricketts
- Chris Risola (Steelheart)
- Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Motörhead)
- Robbie Robertson (The Band)
- Tony Rombola (Godsmack)
- Mick Ronson (David Bowie)
- Ryan Ross (Panic! at the Disco)
- Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
- Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
S
- Dave Sabo (Skid Row)
- Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
- Karl Sanders (Nile)
- Carlos Santana (Santana)
- Joey Santiago (Pixies)
- Ralph Santolla
- Joe Satriani
- Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO, Michael Schenker Group)
- Neal Schon (Journey)
- Chuck Schuldiner (Death, Control Denied)
- Keith Scott (Bryan Adams)
- Brian Setzer (The Stray Cats)
- James "Munky" Shaffer (Korn)
- Justin Shekoski (Saosin)
- Hank Shermann (Mercyful Fate)
- Charlie Simpson (Fightstar, Busted)
- Alex Skolnick (Testament, Trans Siberian Orchestra)
- Slash (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver)
- Martin Slattery (The Mescaleros)
- Snail's Pace Slim (The Hamsters)
- Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
- Robert Smith (The Cure)
- Bruce Springsteen (E Street Band)
- Billy Squier
- Muhammed Suiçmez (Necrophagist)
- John Squire (The Stone Roses, The Seahorses)
- Mark St. John (KISS)
- Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria)
- Bill Steer (Carcass)
- Leigh Stephens (Blue Cheer, Sister Ray)
- Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young)
- Jeff Stinco (Simple Plan)
- Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother)
- Yasuhiro Sugihara (Luna Sea)
- Andy Summers (The Police)
- Bernard Sumner (Joy Division, New Order)
- Red Symons (Skyhooks)
T
- Akira Takasaki (Loudness)
- Mick Taylor (John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, The Rolling Stones)
- Tommy Thayer (Black 'N' Blue, KISS)
- Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
- Hughie Thomasson (The Outlaws)
- Mick Thompson (Slipknot)
- Porl Thompson (The Cure)
- Richard Thompson
- Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah)
- Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls, The Heartbreakers)
- Andy Timmons Danger Danger
- Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
- Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius)
- Ray Toro (My Chemical Romance)
- Pete Townshend (The Who)
- Sam Totman (Dragonforce)
- Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge)
- Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne, Hellyeah)
- Joe Trohman (Fall Out Boy)
- Robin Trower (Procol Harum)
- Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers Band)
- Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)
U
V
- Steve Vai
- Nick Valensi (The Strokes)
- James Valentine (Maroon 5)
- Kathy Valentine (The Go-Go's)
- Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
- Steve Van Zandt (E Street Band)
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Suzanne Vega
- Vinnie Vincent (KISS)
- Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish)
W
- Christopher Walla (Death Cab for Cutie)
- Joe Walsh (James Gang, Eagles)
- Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman (The Offspring)
- Jeff Waters (Annihilator)
- Leslie West (Mountain)
- Nick Wheeler (The All-American Rejects)
- Brian "Head" Welch (Korn)
- Andrew White (Kaiser Chiefs)
- Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs)
- Brad Whitford (Aerosmith)
- Sickie Wifebeater (The Mentors)
- Amandah Wilkinson (Operator Please)
- Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys)
- Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree)
- Michael Wilton (Queensrÿche)
- Johnny Winter
- Ron Wood (The Faces, The Rolling Stones)
- Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)
Y
- Angus Young (AC/DC)
- James Young (Styx)
- Neil Young (Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young)