10 Best Classic Rock Guitarists
7. Alex Lifeson
By the mid-70's, the prog rock movement opened a whole new avenue for guitar players to employ different methods when crafting songs. From David Gilmour's lyrical touch to Steve Howe's brilliant showcases in Yes, each band brought something new to the table as songs stretched from 4 to 20 minutes.
Out of all these guitarists though, Alex Lifeson's way of soloing was one of the most innovative when Rush was firing on all cylinders. In the band's late 70's prime, Lifeson gained a reputation for being one of the most creative solo crafters in the business, as he played using everything from traditional blues to jazz to Eastern scales. Where Geddy Lee and Neil Peart made the band's rhythm section incredibly tight, Lifeson embodied the rock and roll side of the band as his solos were raucous exercises while still being incredibly soulful.
Even when the band took their sound in more synth-driven directions, Lifeson's use of effects and atmospherics gave each song a subtle darkness that was essential to the sound of the band. With Rush consisting of only 3 musicians, Lifeson's guitar work throughout each record helped put the "power" in power trio.