[Western Music] A Compilation of the World’s Famous Hard Rock Guitarists

Captain NemoMichael Schenker

MSG – “Captain Nemo” Live 1983

A riff with a hint of classical atmosphere continues as the song unfolds in step with his solo—it’s a piece that seems made solely for a guitarist.

The way he weaves melodies with technical finesse is the envy of many guitarists, and that’s likely why he can carry a project under his own name.

Spanish BootsJeff Beck

Jeff Beck Group – Spanish Boots

Jeff Beck was a guitarist from England and, in Japan, is often mentioned alongside Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page as one of the “big three” rock guitarists.

Although his career includes stints in bands, he is perhaps best known as a solo artist.

He used pentatonic-scale phrases influenced by blues and rock ’n’ roll, and his playing with the tremolo arm gave his sound a distinctive sense of weightlessness.

He also actively incorporated techniques such as volume swells, tapping, and harmonics, and the consistency with which he executed them clearly conveyed his high level of skill.

Get the funk outNuno Bettencourt

Extreme – Get The Funk Out

A groovy pop tune performed by a band known for their love of Queen.

Yet the guitar tone is pure hard rock.

Their style is both technical and meticulously crafted in terms of sound, reflecting a stance that prioritizes the song itself just as much as the performance.

In that respect, one can’t help but feel a definite resemblance to Queen.

Bohemian RhapsodyBrian May

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

When it comes to the Big Three of hard rock, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath are often cited, but in Japan, from the late 1970s onward, a new “Big Three” came to be known as KISS, Aerosmith, and Queen.

Queen is one of the most famous Western rock bands in Japan, so they hardly need an introduction.

Still, guitarist Brian May is a near-miraculous figure in the history of hard rock: a player who left countless brilliant performances, a great composer, and even an astrophysicist.

His trademark is the self-built guitar known as the Red Special, and its distinctive tone and vocal-like vibrato are truly “Brian May’s signature”—a one-of-a-kind sound.

The exquisitely layered guitar orchestrations—created by stacking multiple guitar parts—are especially remarkable on Queen’s early, hard rock–leaning works, so even those who only know the singles should definitely check them out.

Another hallmark is the guitar solos that stick in your ear as much as the vocal melodies, and that style was already fully formed on their debut single, Keep Yourself Alive.

Be sure to give it a listen!

Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little BoyPaul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert – Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy Demonstration (Mr Big)

While hard-hitting yet catchy, this song’s theme reflects their affectionate stance toward music.

It embodies the idea that being merely technical doesn’t make good music.

That said, his technique remains among the finest, and the solos you hear in this track alone should be more than convincing.

Hells BellsAngus Young

AC/DC – Hells Bells (Official 4K Video)

Even people who’ve hardly ever listened to AC/DC have probably “seen it somewhere”: that schoolboy look with a blazer and short pants.

Angus Young, whose singular style no one else can truly imitate, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, raised in Sydney, Australia, and is AC/DC’s lead guitarist.

AC/DC is a flagship band of hard rock and one of the best-selling rock bands in history, with phenomenal sales that have left their mark on music history.

As the band’s de facto face, Angus has crafted numerous massive hits, wielding his Gibson SG to deliver aggressive riffs and solos built on pentatonic scales with a clear blues influence.

He rarely uses effects pedals, preferring a straight-into-the-amp setup that serves up the essence of hard rock.

His influence extends beyond music: in the 2003 film School of Rock, Jack Black delivers a passionate performance as a rock-loving teacher whose look is an unmistakable homage to Angus—definitely worth checking out.

Sleeping DogsZakk Wylde

Zakk Wylde – Sleeping Dogs

Zakk Wylde, wielding a distinctively black-and-white Les Paul Custom, delivers fiery, emotional performances with a stage presence as wild as his name suggests.

At just 19, he sent an audition tape to join Ozzy Osbourne’s band as a guitarist, and from the 1988 album “No Rest for the Wicked” onward he played on five releases, propelling his fame worldwide.

While his period with Ozzy showcased a technical, hard-edged style, Zakk’s post-solo guitar work leans strongly into his roots in blues and country, often channeling a Southern rock vibe—something many classic hard rock fans might actually prefer.

Centered on the pentatonic scale and steeped in the scent of the blues, his playing highlights a different kind of technique than the ultra-technical shred school—well worth your attention.

As a side note, those who only know the current Zakk may be surprised to see his debut-era look: a blond, handsome, almost angelic figure!