10 Best Classic Rock Guitarists
1. Jimi Hendrix
Most guitar players think that they are hitting on something amazing when they're starting out. As the inspiration flows through you, it feels like you are creating something unprecedented. Then you listen to Jimi Hendrix...
Breaking on the London scene in the late 60's, Hendrix's guitar tone was something that made every guitarist hang their head in shame. From using feedback to playing with his teeth, Hendrix was the purest example of using the guitar as an extension of one's body. When you picked up one of his records, your mind was blown yet again when Hendrix's guitar solos sounded like they were coming from another dimension.
From the opening blast of "Purple Haze," Hendrix virtually stomped out all of the guitar competition and began to redefine the parameters of what the guitar could do. What made Hendrix a step above everyone else in his field was his demeanor when crafting these songs. The way he took bold steps with the guitar was done with such conviction that it seemed to be truly second-nature. That's the core of Hendrix's greatness: making every guitar solo a musical benchmark while making it look easy with every stroke of the strings.