List of heavy metal guitarists

This is a list of heavy metal guitarists from the 1960s to the 2010s. Heavy metal guitar players use highly-amplified electric guitar playing[1] that is rooted in the guitar playing styles developed in 1960s-era blues rock and psychedelic rock.[2] Metal guitar playing uses a massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos and overall loudness. The electric guitar and the sonic power that it projects through amplification has historically been the key element in heavy metal.[3]

Tony Iommi onstage with Heaven & Hell in 2009. Iommi is considered one of the most influential heavy metal guitarists.

Heavy metal bands often have two electric guitarists, with one guitarist playing rhythm guitar and one guitarist playing lead guitar. The rhythm guitar player is part of the rhythm section of the band, along with the bass guitarist and the drummer. The lead guitarist plays guitar solos, instrumental melody lines and melodic fill passages. In power trios, which consist of a guitarist, bassist and drummer, with one or more members singing lead vocals, the single guitarist will switch between rhythm guitar and lead guitar roles as needed.

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Only add names here if the person has their own article - anything else will be removed.

A
Dimebag Darrell (1966-2004) was killed by a gunman during a concert.

B
Ritchie Blackmore in Norway, 1977

C
Phil Campbell of Motörhead playing at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2013 with a Framus guitar.

D
K.K. Downing, a former member of Judas Priest, shown here in 1980.

E

F
While the majority of metal guitarists are men, there are notable women metal guitarists, such as Lita Ford, who played in The Runaways and as a solo act under her own name.

Ross Friedman (Manowar, Ross the Boss Band, Death Dealer, Dictators, Shakin Street)

G

H
Jimi Hendrix performing on the Dutch television show Hoepla in 1967.
Kirk Hammett of Metallica playing in Mexico in 2010.

I

J

K
Kerry King playing with Slayer.

L
Alex Lifeson in concert with Rush.

M
Dave Murray, the guitarist for Iron Maiden playing in San José in February 2008.

N

O

P

R

S
Michael Schenker in 1983.

T
Glenn Tipton is the guitarist for Judas Priest. This photo is from 1984.

V
Eddie Van Halen was a shred guitar innovator whose virtuostic guitar solo on the song "Eruption" had a major impact on metal guitar. This picture is from 1977.

W
Zack Wylde in 2006

Y
Angus Young from the Australian band AC/DC.

Z

See also
This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

References
  1. Weinstein (2000), pp. 14, 118.
  2. Fast (2005), pp. 89–91; Weinstein (2000), pp. 7, 8, 23, 36, 103, 104.
  3. Weinstein (2000), p. 23
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