4 of the Most Talented Electric Guitarists
When it comes to the greatest electric guitarists of all time, most people default to the virtuosos of the 1950s through 1980s—decades when the instrument’s potential was still being tested, proven, and expanded upon every time a new album dropped. Depending on the era and genre, artists such as BB King, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Eddie Van Halen are commonly mentioned as as some of the best to ever pick up a guitar, and it’s understandable why. Blues, country, gospel, and folk were actively being fused into rock and roll in the 1950s and 1960s, while heavier forms of rock (and a newfound focus on faster, louder, and more raw solos) evolved through the 1970s and 1980s. This was the era in which the electric guitar came into its own, ultimately becoming the main feature of the modern Western band—and the masters of the art form during this pivotal time were destined to become legends, immortalized on everyone’s “best of all time” lists.
But what about guitar virtuosos from more recent decades? The late 1990s and early 2000s have produced their own share of noteworthy talents, but outside of dedicated, niche guitar communities, they tend to generate much less awareness and hype than the pioneers who came before them. This may be due to the fact that the modern guitar scene has become oversaturated with artists, most of whom are doing little more than emulating the heroes of past generations and replicating the styles and innovations they created decades ago. When virtually everything has already been done, it is difficult to stand out—especially when every garage band in Seattle has a guitarist who can play the entire Van Halen catalog flawlessly.
In spite of this, there are a handful of musicians who have proven themselves to be the modern contemporaries of legends such as Hendrix and Page. Through innovation, imagination, speed, and technical mastery, they have managed to stand out from the crowd and claim their places among the best electric guitarists of all time. The following are a few of the most noteworthy.
1. Joe Satriani
Singlehandedly serving as the bridge between classic rock and the guitar geniuses of the modern era, Joe Satriani is the best-selling instrumental guitarist of all time. He spent decades as a notable guitar instructor, began his solo career in the mid-1980s, and continues to tour today, with many considering him to be one of the all-time greats. In addition to selling 10 million records and winning 15 Grammys, he has toured with numerous bands as the lead guitarist throughout his career, including the Rolling Stones and Deep Purple. His biggest radio hit, “Always With Me, Always With You,” is one of the most recognizable instrumental guitar songs in history.
2. John Mayer
While John Mayer is best known for his chart-topping pop hits, those who appreciate technical ability on the electric guitar rank him as among the top modern instrumentalists. His fusion of jazz, blues, and rock riffs have garnered comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughan and resulted in collaborations with dozens of well-known artists, ranging from the remaining members of the Grateful Dead and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock to contemporary pop musicians such as Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles. Initially, Mayer trained at the Berklee College of Music, but soon quit to pursue one of the most successful musical careers of the past few decades. He has sold over 20 million albums, won seven Grammys, and released eight albums. He continues to tour both as a successful solo artist and as a member of Dead and Company (standing in for the late Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia).
3. Matteo Mancuso
A relatively young guitarist from Italy, Matteo Mancuso first picked up the guitar 20 years ago at the age of 10. He soon began playing live, and a performance at the 2017 Umbria Jazz Festival led to a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music. Since then, he has enjoyed a successful career and a reputation as one of the best modern guitarists. His combination of classical and flamenco finger-picking styles with the harder rock sensibilities of the electric guitar have led to accolades from some of the most respected names in the community, including Steve Vai, Tosin Abasi, and Joe Bonamassa.
4. Guthrie Govan
A native of Britain, Guthrie Govan is widely considered to be one of the world’s best guitarists currently playing on six strings. He first discovered the guitar at age 3 and was largely self-taught, learning mostly by ear. He has played with bands such as Asia, GPS, the Aristocrats, and the Young Punx, as well as his own solo venture Erotic Cakes. The mind-blowing instrumental piece “Wonderful Slippery Thing” (later released on the eponymous album Erotic Cakes) won him Guitarist magazine’s “Guitarist of the Year” award in 1993. Govan is also a widely sought after guitar teacher, song transcriptionist, and a noted author of two books on guitar playing.