10 Greatest Hard Rock Guitarists Of The '80s

10. Glenn Tipton - Judas Priest

Anyone who considers themselves a metalhead has journeyed through the halls of Judas Priest countless times. From the relentless percussion attack to the feral shriek of Rob Halford, the band had practically everything you could ask for from a metal outfit. Though they were one of the first to employ a two-guitar attack, Glenn Tipton was the real technician of the group.

Whenever you hear a Judas Priest riff, the massive sound of the guitars hits you like a jackhammer, as Tipton and his partner in crime KK Downing chug away. For the most part, KK is known as the madman on stage, using solos as an opportunity to squeeze the life out of his guitar. While spectacle is one facet of rock and roll, Tipton’s strengths lie in his ability to blow you away with pure music.

Regardless of what decade the Priest found themselves in, Tipton could tear your head off with some of his solos, as he weaved in and out of the song while staying incredibly melodic. For as frenetic as the playing could be, there was a calculated nature to it, with Tipton going on melodic runs much like an opera singer would. Rob Halford may have been the Metal God, but the amount of kickass Tipton had with a six-string was what really captured the hearts of millions.