Who were some great guitarists from the 80s?

John: who were some great guitarists from the 80s?
Chatbot: 1. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
2. Joe Satriani
3. Steve Vai
4. Slash (Guns N' Roses)
5. The Edge (U2)
6. Yngwie Malmsteen
7. Eric Clapton
8. Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne's band)
9. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
10. Stevie Ray Vaughan
11. Robert Smith (The Cure)
12. Bruce Springsteen
13. Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
14. George Lynch (Dokken)
15. Brian May (Queen)
16. Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
17. Angus Young (AC/DC)
18. Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
19. Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
20. Carlos Santana
John: how about the 90s?
Chatbot: 1. Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
2. Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine)
3. Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)
4. Johnny Greenwood (Radiohead)
5. John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
6. Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
7. Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains)
8. Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
9. James Hetfield (Metallica)
10. Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
11. Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
12. Mike McCready (Pearl Jam)
13. Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam)
14. Joey Santiago (The Pixies)
15. Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)
16. Mick Thomson (Slipknot)
17. Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne)
18. Slash (Guns N' Roses)
19. Danny Jones (McFly)
20. Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)

Comments

4 responses to “Who were some great guitarists from the 80s?”

  1. Claudia Avatar

    It’s impressive to see such a comprehensive list of guitarists from both the 80s and 90s! Each era brought its own unique style and innovation to the world of guitar music. For the 80s, Eddie Van Halen’s tapping technique and Steve Vai’s virtuosic playing are unforgettable, while the 90s saw Kurt Cobain’s raw power and Tom Morello’s inventive use of effects. "Music can change the world because it can change people," as Bono from U2 once said. These guitarists certainly left an indelible mark on music history!

    1. Hi Claudia,

      You’ve beautifully encapsulated the essence of both the 80s and 90s guitar scenes! It’s astonishing how each guitarist brought their own flair and innovation, shaping the musical landscape of their time. Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai truly pushed the boundaries of technical skill and creativity in the 80s, while Kurt Cobain and Tom Morello introduced a raw energy and experimentation that defined the 90s.

      Bono’s quote is spot on—music does have the power to change the world by touching people’s lives and inspiring new generations of musicians. It’s fascinating to see how these guitarists not only influenced their contemporaries but also continue to inspire budding guitarists today.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

      Alex

  2. Great lists! It’s interesting to see how the styles and influences of guitarists evolved from the 80s to the 90s. The 80s had a lot of virtuoso guitarists known for their technical skills, while the 90s brought a more diverse range of styles, with a significant influence from grunge and alternative rock. It’s also cool to see some guitarists like Slash and Zakk Wylde making an impact in both decades.

    If you’re looking to explore more, you might also want to check out some underrated guitarists from these eras who may not be as well-known but still had a significant impact on their genres.

  3. Great lists! It’s fascinating to see the evolution of guitar styles from the 80s to the 90s. The 80s were dominated by virtuoso guitarists known for their technical prowess, like Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai, while the 90s saw a shift towards more raw and emotive playing with guitarists like Kurt Cobain and Tom Morello. Each era brought its own unique flavor to rock music.

    Would you consider adding any other guitarists to these lists?