10 Greatest Hard Rock Guitarists Of The '90s
7. John Petrucci - Dream Theater
It must have been pretty disheartening being a prog rock fan in the '90s. When all you needed was something complex and strange, a lot of bands were coming out playing the bare minimum on their instruments and making their millions off of power chords. The songs may have been good, but where's the outlet for something a little more outlandish?
In Dream Theater, prog fans had the answers to their prayers. Every single member of this band came equipped with a virtuosic knowledge of their instrument, with John Petrucci standing right in the middle. Throughout the band's history, Petrucci has proven himself to be the guitar player's guitarist, with some of the most impressive runs ever imagined along with an incredible amount of soul. Across each Dream Theater release, Petrucci is a true musical encyclopedia whose palette ranges from beefy metal riffs to elaborate classical runs.
From song to song, Petrucci's prowess can switch on a dime from a bluesy jam to banging out an unstoppable riff in 9/8. Many guitarists tend to define themselves by their own unique approach to the instrument, but John Petrucci is truly what a guitarist looks like when they reached final form. Other guitarists may be more famous, but if you are at all serious about your craft, Petrucci is where you look to first.