Best Rhythm Guitarists

Hetfield has written some of the most famous metal riffs of all time as well as barking out his incredible vocals. He is one of the most artistic singers/songwriters we have today, a true poet. He out performs anyone I've ever watched play. Long live papa het!

This amazing person can play rhythm guitar like no other- a forerunner to the best bands happening now. Not only is his guitar unmistakable but his voice is and instrument unto its own. AND he can pull a lead solo with the best of the best. Guess I am just a major fan, but when you watch him perform, there is a transport between man and instrument that happens only with the cream of the crop. King James.

Well, no doubt of his presence at the top. Truly deserves it! Sometimes his riffs overshadows even Kirk's part.

Combines with Gates... they are just an epic couple.

macromark

He is great, the perfect couple, not only he plays the chords, also he play the harmony with synyster gates, I like them. Also when they are playing solos or intros together, like AFTERLIFE!

Just a great Rhythm Zacky,.. specially with Synister,..
your awesome,...
playing with your left hand,..
Avenged Sevenfold
LOVE IT Or Die!

tirtasullivan

+4He's just got an amazing feel and groove. His style's very simplistic but that just adds to the emotional quality of his art and just goes to a whole level of elation. His songwriting is top notch, very great.. definitely underrated, though obviously he prefers the low profile, which is very respectable.. great musician, brilliant guitar player, great person.. it all comes through in the sound

+3This guy is a hell of a guitarist, with that amazing groove and that warm, guitar tone, and his songwriting, just blows any guy away!

+2Izzy is a great Guitarist. He is really not known to the world as much as he should be. He was great when he was with the original Guns N'Roses.

He is responsible for creating some of the greatest riffs in the history of rock music. Even though Angus is mistaken for writing a lot of the bands material, it is Malcolm who is the real brain behind their sound.

MOST PEOPLE WOULD MISTAKE HIS RIFFS AS BEING ANGUS. THE OLD RULE NEVER FAILS KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. HARD TO BEAT.

He can lay down some SOLID beats.

John lennon has a great style of rhythm guitaring he can play a messy chord and many slide ups in the fret board that is hard to do. as a rhythm guitarist he has a very nice rhythm skill. and he is a super music genuis.

Just a superb solid player -unique hard playing style -one of the best ever - honed in all night german stints -drove on the best band ever and he knew it!

John Lennon was a great rhythm guitar, his rhythm would have helped the Beatles during there concerts, and his chunky chords suited the rock and roll sound perfectly.

dave mustaine taught james how to play guitar... dave was lead when he was in metallica and he's a lead rhythm switch in megadeth who also sings dave is definitely a top 3 rhythm guitarist with izzy stradlin to go with

I could kiss this man and I'm not even gay. dave mustaine for president! such a brilliant rythm/lead guitarist.

Dave is definitely mor of a lead guitarist then he is a rythm guitarist, but his rythms are just wicked. not only is he a fantastic lead guitarist, he's also written some of the best metal songs in history. its rythm stuff like the wickedly hard to mimick spider chords, and snarly riffs that helped curve a new meaning to the word speed metal. not only that, but dave plays some ridiculously complicated rythms and sings at the same time! and doesn't miss a note either. songs like hangar 18, holy wars, and peace sells are absolute master pices. probobly one of the greatest guitar players of all time, extremely humble, and very underrated.
if you want to truly see what I'm talking about, check out my last words on youtube. daves rythms are wicked, and check out the guitar solo. thats definitely one of my favourite guitar solos of all time.

Great rhythm guitar in one of the greatest rock and roll bands of the 60s, ie: Honkey tonk women, Jumpin Jack flash, Brown sugar epitomize his style.

he's the man of rythm n bLues king in this pLanet, Listen 'cant you hear me knocking', 'brown sugar', hand of fate, beast of burden, hot stuff, etc, so sexy

There's just not words to describe how much he means to The Quo. Not only does he has an exream feeling for rhythm but he has also written some of their best biggies and has an awesome Rock voice. In my opinion he's by far the best rhythm guitarists, in difference to others on this list who are more of "second guitars". If you haven't heard Rick play Caroline, you got no idea what a rhythm guitarist should be doing ;). He is the part of Status Quo that (musically speaking) is irreplaceable. Without him there would be no FF. Rossi being irreplaceable for other reasons, but a lot of musicians can do what Rossi does, not many can do what Rick does.

Nobody does what Rick can. People think they can but believe me, they can't. The guy is a living legend.

Rick Parfitt is truly the best. He is one of few real rhythm players. His solid style and sense of timing is of the highest order. People like John Lennon are only Backing Guitars. Anybody on this site should youtube "Caroline" or "Don't Waste My Time" or even "Over The Edge" and they will immediately see, hear, and even feel the guitar God that is Rick Parfitt. No-one else on the planet can play a guitar the way he does. He is Truly a Sensation.

Rudolf deserves the top place! He created Scorpions and beats every single rhythm guitar players!

just listen to those riffs! It will blow your head off!

“Nirvana, one of the most influentiual bands of all time.

Unlike most rhythm guitarists you can actually, you know, HEAR whiteford on aerosmith tracks. He can keep a beat better than a lot of bassists out there. It was his rhythm guitar part in helter skelter that made it ALMOST better than the beatles' original.

omg, Brad is #1! there's not any guitarrist more underrated than Aerosmith's!

+1A great musician in general, whether it's vocals, drums or guitar.

The Clash wouldn't be what they were without Joe laying down a steady beat.

“Daron can keep a REALLY fast, amazing, beat with a guitar, while singing almost the whole time in many of the newer songs. Extremely talented.

“When you're with The Stones, you gotta rock.

He is really awesome much better than Ray Toro but in life you can't get what you want always so listen to the Art of Life by X Japan

+1He's only composed about 5/6 albumns worth of fantastic rhythm guitar single handedly!

Miles101

“I keep trying to convince people that he is a guitar virtuoso but they wont believe me but seriously try playing one of his songs you'll see

Miles101

“He's been with so many bands, (namely with Clapton) and done so well.

“people who voted on this list must be very ignorant about rhythm guitar. this guy played killer rhythm with only 3 fingers on his left hand. he influenced countless rhythm and even lead guitarists. no one knowns his chords better than this guy.

russian

His work with The Police, a band that represented a new take on the idea of bass/drums/guitar trio in rock, was, arguably, the most innovative rhythm guitar playier of the last 30 (or so) years.

Brooklar

Known as a "folk musician", anyone who ever heard Havens strumming his Guild acoustic guitar, in his heyday, with his unorthodox alternate tunings, and use of right hand thumb for fretting, knows that Richie was a rhythm monster. No less a jazz guitar giant than Jim Hall sites Havens as a favorite.

Brooklar

He is the person responsible for the great anthems like rock n roll all nite, Detroit rock city, I was made for loving you etc. In 1973 he made KISS and laid down the foundation of one of the greatest band of all time.

His triplets and galloping style writing make him among the best in heavy metal... True old school at its finest.