The Best Bands With Multiple Guitar Players In Rock And Roll History
While one-guitar bands like Van Halen, The Who, and Rush have achieved legendary status, there are instances where the presence of two or even three guitars elevates the musical experience. Numerous iconic rock bands have showcased multiple exceptional guitarists. Here is our ranking of the finest examples of multi-guitar bands.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Skynyrd sound is characterized by the triple-lead-guitar attack, which has remained a defining feature as the band continues to tour. Throughout the band's history, Gary Rossington has been a constant member, while Allen Collins contributed to the first five records before the tragic deaths of vocalist Ronnie Van Zandt and lead guitarist Steve Gaines, who played on the album "Street Survivors" in 1977.
Ed King, known for writing the famous riff from "Sweet Home Alabama," played on the group's initial three albums and later rejoined when the band re-formed in the early 1990s. The live performance of "Free Bird" stands as the ultimate representation of the band's exceptional three-guitar sound.
The Rolling Stones
The conversation with the Stones revolves around the iconic Keith Richards, but it is important to note that co-founding member Brian Jones was incredibly versatile, playing various instruments such as lead and rhythm guitar, sitar, and dulcimer. After Jones' passing in 1969, Mick Taylor stepped in and made significant contributions to classic Stones albums like Let It Bleed (1969), Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile on Main St. (1972), and Goats Head Soup (1973). Then, in 1975, Ronnie Wood joined the band, already established as a star from his time with the Faces and Jeff Beck Group.
Metallica
In the metal community, James Hetfield, the frontman of Metallica, is widely regarded as the top rhythm guitarist in the genre. On the other hand, Kirk Hammett, the lead guitarist, is often overlooked despite being one of the most talented guitarists in the history of hard rock and metal. This may be due to the fact that Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich receive much attention as the primary songwriters and composers of the band. However, both Hammett and Hetfield showcase their skills on iconic Metallica tracks like "Creeping Death," "Master of Puppets," "Battery," and "One."
The Velvet Underground
Sonic Youth was among the bands that drew inspiration from The Velvet Underground's avant-garde musical genius. While Lou Reed's talent for creating a nearly psychedelic distortion and his affinity for feedback were well recognized, Sterling Morrison, the band's fellow guitarist and founding member, may have been overlooked. Particularly in his lead work, notably showcased in "Pale Blue Eyes" from the band's 1969 self-titled album.
Queensryche
The focus here is on the original/classic lineup of Queensryche, featuring Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton. Although Geoff Tate's distinctive voice was often considered the band's trademark, the guitar skills of DeGarmo and Wilton, whether playing lead or rhythm, consistently propelled the sound forward when they performed together. Additionally, they played a significant role in composing some of the band's most popular songs, including "Eyes of a Stranger" and "Empire."
Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters have seen their lineup expand over time, and the current trio of guitarists is quite remarkable. Dave Grohl, the band's founder, initially played drums with Nirvana but has since demonstrated his exceptional guitar skills. Pat Smear, a seasoned veteran, is an incredibly reliable rhythm guitarist, while Chris Shiflett, the lead guitarist, may be considered the most talented of the three. Grohl does a commendable job of highlighting his bandmates' abilities during live performances.
Whitesnake
Whitesnake has had a long list of talented guitarists throughout their career. Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody were part of the band in its early years, followed by John Sykes for the "Slide It In" and Whitesnake sessions. Adrian Vandenberg, who played a memorable solo on the revived "Here I Go Again," Vivian Campbell, and Steve Vai joined in the late '80s. More recently, Doug Aldrich, Reb Beach, and Joel Hoekstra have joined leader David Coverdale on the roster.
Megadeth
Megadeth, the trash-metal giants formed in 1983, has witnessed a revolving door of guitarists. However, one constant presence throughout the years has been founder Dave Mustaine. This band is his creation, and Mustaine has pushed his body to the limits while delivering electrifying guitar performances, ensuring Megadeth remains one of the biggest metal bands globally. Notable among his talented bandmates who also wield the axe are Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, and Al Pitrelli.
Slayer
The intense and aggressive collaboration between Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman can only be described as relentless. The Slayer sound embodied a musical brawl, with King and Hanneman playing a significant role in that. "Seasons of the Abyss," featured on their 1990 album of the same name, showcases the exceptional talent of both King and Hanneman. It is worth noting that Gary Holt from Exodus admirably filled in for Hanneman in the early 2010s and eventually became a permanent member of the band after Hanneman's passing in May 2013.
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Scorpions
The guitar talent within the Scorpions throughout the years is truly remarkable. The combination of lead guitarist Matthias Jabs and rhythm guitarist Rudolf Schenker is highly regarded in the hard rock and heavy metal genre. It is worth mentioning that Rudy's brother Michael was also a member of the band at one point. The early days of the group saw the involvement of the great Uli Jon Roth.
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
Petty and his partner in crime, Mike Campbell, are considered to be among the greatest guitar duos in history. While Tom led the band, Campbell contributed unforgettable guitar riffs, such as in "Runnin' Down a Dream." Both musicians were skilled in playing lead or rhythm guitar and never sought to outshine one another. One of their standout moments was on the track "The Waiting," with Petty's introduction and Campbell's solo.
Pearl Jam
Mike McCready and Stone Gossard may not be the most flashy guitarists on this list, but they deserve more recognition for their role in establishing Pearl Jam as one of the greatest rock bands in history. McCready primarily handles the lead work, while Gossard is a skilled rhythm player who can also hold his own with solos. Gossard has contributed to writing some of Pearl Jam's biggest hits, including "Alive," "Even Flow," "Black," and "Daughter."
The Church
The Australian alternative rockers were popular among the post-punk crowd in the early 1980s and had a psychedelic sound. The Los Angeles Times described their guitar pop as "dense, shimmering, exquisite." This was due to the talented guitar work of founding members Peter Koppes and Marty Willson-Piper. Eventually, they left the band and were replaced by Ian Haug, Ashley Naylor, Jeffrey Cain, and Craig Wilson.
Aerosmith
Joe Perry is widely recognized as one of the legendary lead guitarists in rock music. However, it is often overlooked that Brad Whitford, who handles rhythm and co-lead duties, deserves equal recognition. Despite his modest demeanor, Whitford's contributions cannot be ignored. He not only wrote Aerosmith's popular 1976 hit "Last Child," but also showcased his exceptional lead guitar skills on the track. Whitford's talent shines through on other notable songs like "Back In the Saddle," "You See Me Crying," and "Train Kept A-Rollin."
Wishbone Ash
The British rock band Wishbone Ash, popular in the early-to-mid 1970s, may not be well-known among casual rock fans of certain age groups. However, their guitar work, courtesy of Andy Powell and Ted Turner, had a significant impact on influential bands like Iron Maiden, Van Halen, and Metallica. Despite not achieving the same level of commercial success, Wishbone Ash stood out from their contemporaries with their guitar harmonies, paving the way for other two-guitar bands to emerge.
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth, a prominent figure in alternative rock, boasted the presence of highly esteemed and influential guitarists Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo. The band's exceptional quality was further enhanced by the versatility of Kim Gordon and Jim O'Rourke. Sonic Youth's experimental nature was evident in their distinctive guitar tunings and Scordatura, contributing to their unique sound.
The Allman Brothers Band
From 1969 to 1971, Duane Allman and Dickey Betts collaborated to create one of the most legendary guitar duos in rock history. Their unique blend of Betts' lead work and Allman's exceptional skills on the slide guitar resulted in a truly remarkable partnership. Allman's tragic death in October 1971 was a great loss to the music world, but his contributions can still be heard on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos.
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy has had numerous guitarists since it was formed in late 1969. The band's main focus was always on bassist and lead vocalist Phil Lynott, but the double-lead combination of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson was truly exceptional. This duo played on two of the band's most successful and well-known albums, Fighting (1975) and Jailbreak (1976). Jailbreak includes timeless classics such as "The Boys Are Back in Town," "Cowboy Song," and the title track. In later years, other talented guitarists like Gary Moore and John Sykes joined the group.
Fleetwood Mac
The transformation of Fleetwood Mac is worth exploring for rock enthusiasts who want to understand the significant changes in their sound over the years. Prior to the addition of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks in the 1970s, the band had a blues-heavy, guitar-driven style that was overshadowed by their later pop success. Notable guitarists like Peter Green, Jimmy Spencer, Danny Kirwan, Bob Welch, and Bob Weston also contributed to the band's evolution. Currently, Mike Campbell and Neil Finn are part of the lineup.
Def Leppard
The journey began with Steve Clark and Pete Willis, who both excelled as rhythm guitarists and shared their talents. When Willis departed during the Pyromania sessions, Phil Collen stepped in to handle the lead work and played a crucial role in propelling the band to international stardom with the release of that album and the highly successful Hysteria (1987). After Clark's unfortunate passing in 1991, experienced hard rock musician Vivian Campbell joined the group and has remained a member ever since.
AC/DC
When discussing guitar duos, it is impossible to overlook the prominent role played by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. While Angus, the animated lead guitarist, garnered more attention with his school-boy uniform and on-stage theatrics, Malcolm, who sadly passed away, was the driving force behind the band, contributing to the creation of some of rock's most iconic riffs. Their collaborative efforts resulted in unforgettable songs like "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)," "Highway to Hell," "Back in Black," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and "Thunderstruck."
Iron Maiden
Adrian Smith joined forces with lead guitarist Dave Murray during the making of Maiden's second album, Killers (1981). Together, they embarked on a remarkable journey, creating some of metal's most iconic and influential albums such as The Number of the Beast (1982), Piece of Mind (1983), and Powerslave (1984). In the early 1990s, Smith temporarily left the band, and Janick Gers stepped in to fill his shoes. However, when Smith returned later in the decade, Gers remained a part of the metal giants. Today, Murray, Smith, and Gers continue to deliver a powerful and dynamic three-guitar attack.
Eagles
The Eagles have had an impressive lineup of guitarists throughout their career. It all began with Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon. Later, Don Felder joined for the On the Border (1974) album, and Joe Walsh took over for Leadon during the band's peak with Hotel California (1976). Over the years, the band has had reunions and embarked on various tours, with notable additions like Vince Gill.
Judas Priest
For many years, Priest had the privilege of having Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing as their exceptional dual-lead guitarists. Their talent truly shone on the track "Victim of Changes." Tipton's remarkable solos can also be heard in "Beyond the Realms of Death" and "Painkiller." Downing, on the other hand, made his mark on "Sinner" and the aforementioned "Painkiller." Unfortunately, despite what fans may have hoped for, Downing reveals that the bond between these influential guitarists was never as strong as it seemed, and his connection with the classic Priest lineup is practically non-existent.
The Yardbirds
Guitar icons Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page were all part of the Yardbirds, but they never performed together with the band during its prime. However, the inclusion of any of these legendary musicians, along with the underappreciated rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja, solidifies the Yardbirds' place on this list.
