[Western Music] A Compilation of the World’s Famous Hard Rock Guitarists
The music known as hard rock, which emerged in the late 1960s, is essentially a guitar-centric genre, and many great guitarists appeared who transformed the music scene that followed.
That said, some people might think, “I don’t really listen to music with a focus on the players…” This article provides a roundup of notable guitarists from the broader spectrum of hard rock.
These are all players who continue to influence modern rock, so even beginners to hard rock should definitely check them out.
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[Western Music] A Roundup of the World’s Famous Hard Rock Guitarists (21–30)
Mr.BigPaul Kossoff
This song, said to be the origin of the name for Paul Gilbert’s band Mr.
Big, is unlike other bands’ work—there aren’t many hard rock tracks that lean into the groove and tension like this.
When the guitar solo begins, it seems to unleash all that pent-up weight, with a weeping woman tone ringing out across the mix.
Birds of FireJohn McLaughlin
A 1969 work that foreshadows the rise of the fusion genre.
Created around the same time as Miles Davis’s experiments, this track was already venturing across genre boundaries—perhaps best described as a fusion of jazz and hard rock.
Throughout, you can hear otherworldly playing that feels as if spirits are darting about.
[Western Music] Roundup of Famous Hard Rock Guitarists Around the World (31–40)
Muffin ManFRANK ZAPPA
One of Frank Zappa’s specialties: a song whose lyrics don’t seem to mean much.
It’s basically some throwaway words slapped onto the riff, and aside from his guitar tone and the virtuoso playing of the musicians around him, there isn’t much else to latch onto.
In concert, he’s memorable for spinning out endlessly long solos.
Creeping DeathJames Hetfield
Titled “Creeping Death,” this song features lyrics based on the biblical story of the Exodus.
It opens with a majestic power-chord theme, then quickly launches into a rapid, slicing riff.
The finely inserted power chords add punch throughout, steadily drawing the listener in.
Let there be lightMalcolm Young
A track where power chords slam down forcefully over lyrics that riff on and repeat God’s words from the Bible.
In live shows, it’s theatrical yet becomes a performance that embodies the essence of rock—endlessly repeating and never seeming to end.
Helion/Electric EyeK. K. Downing
This medley-style song is so striking and popular that it’s performed at the start of every live show.
Its relentless up-tempo power chords further reinforce the band’s signature aesthetic.
The visually beautiful live performance speaks to the fact that this is, at its core, a live band.
In conclusion
When it comes to hard rock guitarists, it’s no surprise that many legendary players from the golden era of the ’70s made the list.
Of course, those who checked out this list will also recognize that plenty of post-’80s heavy metal guitarists—heavily influenced by hard rock—are truly outstanding players as well.
If you haven’t paid much attention to individual players before, try listening to these tracks with a focus on their playing!