When one thinks of a rock god, who comes to mind? There are so many to choose from – but only a select few who truly revolutionized rock & roll. Gerard Zappa Wooster reviews some of rock & roll’s most groundbreaking guitarists and explore their innovative techniques that defined – and redefined – the genre.

Jimi Hendrix

More than 50 years after his death, Jimi Hendrix is still revered among many as the greatest and most influential guitarist of all time. His exceptional skill in rock & roll was due, in part, to the fact that his musical roots were eclectic. With a strong foundation in blues, he incorporated styles of jazz, soul, psychedelic, and British rock into his all-American rock shredding. His signature sound developed from his experimental approach, highly expressive technique, and genre-bending versatility. (He also wins major rock & roll points for his wild fashion sense!)

Eric Clapton

Rolling Stone ranks Eric Clapton at #2 – just below Hendrix – on its definitive list of the 100 greatest rock guitarists. His playing is not as showy as the others on this list, and that’s what makes him so special. The basic simplicity of his blues-inspired strumming invokes a strong emotional reaction in the listener, and his melodies are instantly memorable. Unlike other guitarists, he often puts the priority on his singing – but that doesn’t mean his playing isn’t just as technically refined.

Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen – so iconic that his band simply took on his name as their own – is often the image that comes to mind when one thinks of “rock & roll.” He uses what is known as “tapped harmonics,” two-handed tapping on the guitar frets, at the end of sustained notes to produce a pulsing, energetic sound. While he didn’t invent the technique, he perfected it, re-defining rock & roll power chords in the process.

Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana, like Jimi Hendrix, secured his legendary status with his groundbreaking set at Woodstock, followed by an incredible streak of hits in the 1970s. And he has longevity, as he is still active and playing to this day. His Latinx roots shine through in the details of his melodies, and his musical “voice” is instantly recognizable in his riffs and solos – from his tendency to use pentatonic blues scales to his long, sustained high notes.

Brian May

Guitar World boldly claims that Sir Brian May of Queen is, in fact, the greatest rock guitarist of all time, praising his “homespun mad scientist sensibility” that infuses not only his wild mane of hair but also his musical approach. Late lead singer Freddie Mercury’s theatrical flair allowed Brian May the freedom to be as big and bold as he liked with his playing, and he took full advantage, with timeless riffs and operatic solos that are just as hummable as Queen’s iconic lyrics.

Final Thoughts

Guitarists Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Santana, and Brian May revolutionized rock & roll through their inventive techniques and iconic melodies. By incorporating other genres like blues and Latinx, developing new ways of handling the instrument, and bringing guitar solos to the forefront of the melody, they helped amplify the guitar as the central instrument of a rock & roll ensemble.