20 Essential Melodic Rock Guitarists
20 essential guitarists that we couldn’t have lived without over the past 20 years. There are of course many more, but this is 20 that have really stood out for me and contributed so many records to my collection. Hopefully this list will remind you of their contributions to this scene over the past 20 years.
In no particular order:
- Magnus Karlsson (Allen/Lande, Starbreaker, Freefall, Primal Fear, Last Tribe, Kiske Sommerville)
- Erik Martensson (Eclipse, W.E.T, Toby Hitchcock, Jimi Jamison, The Friday Nights, Ammunition, Nordic Union)
- Magnus Henriksson (Eclipse, W.E.T, Toby Hitchcock, Jimi Jamison, Nordic Union)
- Steve Lukather (Toto, Solo, Ringo Starr)
- Mike Slamer (Steelhouse Lane, Terry Brock, Overland, Ozone, Chris Ousey, 7th Key)
- Vic Rivera (Adriangale, Ted Poley, Poley/Rivera)
- Jim Peterik (Pride Of Lions, Solo, Kelly Keagy, Marc Scherer, Mecca, Jimi Jamison)
- Mike Aquino (Pride Of Lions, Kelly Keagy, Marc Scherer, Mecca, Jimi Jamison)
- Pete Lesperance (Harem Scarem, Fair Ground, Solo, Hess, Fiore)
- Brad Gillis (Night Ranger)
- Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Solo)
- Rob Marcello (Danger Danger, Marcello/Vestry, Solo)
- Rick Springfield (Solo)
- Jimi Bell (House Of Lords, Maxx Explosion, James Christian, Robin Beck)
- Stevie Janevski (The Radio Sun, Black Majesty, Square One)
- Neal Schon (Journey, Solo, Santana, Planet US, Soul Sirkus)
- Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Joel Hoekstra’s 13, Jack Blades, Michael Sweet)
- Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
- Vivian Campbell (Riverdogs, Def Leppard, Last In Line)
- Tony Clarkin (Magnum, Hard Rain)