My Favorite Guitar Players (Part 2)

In part one I chose Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck (all those Yardbirds players), Chet Atkins, David Gilmour, and Jimi Hendrix. I’m going to keep the fun going here by picking Steve Howe, of Yes. Born April 8, 1947, in Holloway, North London, is an iconic English guitarist celebrated for his eclectic, virtuosic style that blends rock, classical, jazz, country, and flamenco influences, most famously showcased through his work with the progressive rock band Yes.

Renowned for his ability to seamlessly shift between electric and acoustic guitars, Howe’s playing on tracks like “Roundabout,” “Mood for a Day,” and “The Clap” displays both technical brilliance and melodic sophistication. He was a pioneer in using a broad array of instruments, including the Gibson ES-175 (his trademark electric), pedal steel, and Portuguese 12-string, often layering intricate parts without reliance on effects pedals.

He joined Yes in 1970, bringing a refined musicality that helped define their golden era on albums such as The Yes Album (1971), Fragile (1971), and Close to the Edge (1972), and he contributed significantly to the band’s sound through complex arrangements and compositional input. Outside Yes, he co-founded Asia, was a member of GTR,

and released numerous solo albums that showcased his range and compositional skill. Often voted among the world’s greatest guitarists, he won Guitar Player magazine’s Best Overall Guitarist award five consecutive years, earning a spot in their Hall of Fame. A distinctive figure in progressive rock, Howe’s playing is defined by clarity, economy of motion, and a rare combination of technical dexterity and emotional depth.

Terry Kath, born January 31, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, was a groundbreaking American guitarist and founding member of the band Chicago, revered for his soulful voice, innovative guitar work, and deeply emotive playing style that fused rock, jazz, blues, and funk. Largely self-taught, Kath developed a unique technique that relied heavily on feel and expression rather than formal theory, and he became known for his explosive tone, fluid runs,

and command of feedback and sustain—often drawing comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, who reportedly admired Kath’s playing. His use of a Fender Telecaster fitted with a humbucker and custom modifications contributed to his distinctive, gritty tone, as heard in songs like “25 or 6 to 4,” “Introduction,” and “Free Form Guitar,” the latter being an avant-garde showcase of effects, feedback,

and whammy bar acrobatics that predated much of what would become standard in rock guitar experimentation. Kath’s rhythm playing was equally potent, underpinning Chicago’s horn-driven arrangements with funk-inflected riffs and rich chord voicings,

while his soloing balanced raw power with lyrical phrasing. Tragically, Kath died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday, January 23, 1978, at the age of 31, just as Chicago was preparing to enter a new phase of their career. His loss was a devastating blow to the band and the music world, cutting short the life of one of rock’s most underappreciated guitar legends.

Martin Barre, born November 17, 1946, in Kings Heath, Birmingham, England, is a highly respected English guitarist best known for his decades-long tenure with progressive rock band Jethro Tull, where his dynamic, inventive playing became a cornerstone of the band’s sound. Originally trained on flute and

saxophone before switching to guitar in his late teens, Barre brought a distinctive voice to electric guitar that merged bluesy aggression with classical phrasing and folk sensitivity, resulting in a style that was as textured and nuanced as it was powerful. He joined Jethro Tull in 1968, just before the recording of Stand Up (1969), and became the band’s longest-serving member after Ian Anderson, contributing iconic guitar parts to albums like Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, and Songs from the Wood. His blistering solo on the title track of Aqualung is widely regarded as one of rock’s greatest,

praised for its raw tone and melodic tension. Barre’s style emphasized articulation and tone over flash, often favoring Les Pauls and PRS guitars through Marshall amps, and his acoustic work—often in alternate tunings—was just as integral to Tull’s complex arrangements.

In later years, he launched a successful solo career, fronting his own band and exploring blues and hard rock while still performing classic Tull material. Known for his humility and precision, Barre remains a model of musical discipline and taste in progressive rock guitar.

Les Paul, born Lester William Polsfuss on June 9, 1915, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, was an American guitarist, inventor, and recording pioneer whose revolutionary innovations forever shaped modern music and electric guitar playing. A self-taught prodigy, Paul developed a fast, fluid jazz and country-influenced picking style characterized by clean articulation, intricate runs, and precise control, showcased

in his collaborations with wife Mary Ford during the 1950s on hits like “How High the Moon” and “Vaya Con Dios.” Beyond his virtuosity, Paul was instrumental in the development of the solid-body electric guitar—the Gibson Les Paul, introduced in 1952, became one of the most iconic instruments in music history—and he pioneered multitrack recording, overdubbing, and tape delay effects, helping to define the sound and production

techniques of rock and pop music. Despite a near-fatal car accident in 1948 that permanently damaged his right arm, he had it set in a fixed position so he could continue to play guitar. Les Paul remained an active performer well into his 90s, holding a regular Monday night residency in New York City. He passed away from complications of pneumonia on Thursday, August 13, 2009, at the age of 94.

Joe Walsh, born Joseph Fidler Walsh on November 20, 1947, in Wichita, Kansas, is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter renowned for his expressive, blues-based guitar style, quirky lyrical wit, and influential work both as a solo artist and member of several major rock bands, most notably the James Gang and the Eagles. Known for his signature slide guitar, melodic phrasing, and tasteful use of distortion and sustain,

Walsh helped shape the sound of ’70s rock with classic riffs on tracks like “Funk #49,” “Rocky Mountain Way,” and the Eagles’ “Life in the Fast Lane.” His tone, often driven through customized amps and effects like the talk box, remains iconic in the pantheon of rock guitar sounds.

After gaining attention with the James Gang, Walsh launched a solo career before joining the Eagles in 1975, adding a harder edge to their sound and contributing to the success of Hotel California (1976). His versatility allowed him to shift seamlessly between hard rock, country rock, and atmospheric ballads, and he’s also known for his self-deprecating humor

and offbeat stage presence. Beyond his own work, Walsh has been an in-demand session player and collaborator, appearing on albums by artists like Dan Fogelberg, Ringo Starr, and B.B. King. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with the Eagles, Walsh remains a vital figure in American rock, celebrated as much for his musicianship as for his unique personality.

Pete Townshend, born Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend on May 19, 1945, in Chiswick, London, is a legendary English guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of The Who, widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative rock musicians of all time. Though not known for flashy solos, Townshend revolutionized rock guitar with his rhythmic precision, explosive power chords, and theatrical performance style,

including his trademark windmill strumming and instrument smashing. Blending raw energy with compositional sophistication, he pioneered the use of feedback, distortion, and looping effects, helping to define the sound of British rock in the 1960s and ’70s. His Gibson SGs and Fender Stratocasters—run through massive Hiwatt amps and custom effects—delivered a sonic wall that supported his groundbreaking work on rock operas like Tommy (1969),

Quadrophenia (1973), and anthems like “My Generation” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” Townshend also excelled as a songwriter, penning introspective lyrics and complex arrangements that elevated The Who far beyond their mod roots. Outside of The Who, he pursued a solo career marked by ambitious

concept albums like Empty Glass and White City, and he has also worked extensively in publishing and theatre. An early adopter of the synthesizer in rock, Townshend fused technology with emotion, making him not only a guitar hero but a visionary architect of modern rock.