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Tom Morello

Tom Morello is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist best known for his tenure with the bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, his acoustic solo act The Nightwatchman. His use of guitar effects, inventive guitar solos and iconic heavy guitar riffs have led to him being hailed as one of the most innovative guitar players of recent years.

His over politicalisation of his bands however and claims "To deliver a knockout blow to the Bush administration." in the past have earned much criticism from fans who have accused him of arrogance and overstating his influence.



Steve Howe

Steve Howe, of Yes and Asia fame is one of the true masters of the fretboard and has earned much critical acclaim including being five-time winner of "Best Overall Guitarist" in Guitar Player (1977-1981). Stories of his ego however are almost legendary with reports of Mr Howe even shushing fans who dare "interrupt" his solos during live preformances

Although he didn't join Yes until their third album and being out of the band for most of the 80s he has reportedly claimed that any Yes album that does not feature Steve Howe on guitar is not "true" Yes album. In addition he once (unsuccessfully we might add) tried to sue Chris Squire (bassist, co-founder, and the only original member of Yes who has been with the band throughout its every incarnation) for the legal rights to the band's name. Fortunately the jury ruled in favour of Mr. Squire



John Mayer

Mayer began his career performing mainly acoustic rock, but gradually began a transition towards the blues genre in 2005 by collaborating with renowned blues artists such as B. B. King, Buddy Guy, and Eric Clapton, and by forming the John Mayer Trio. In 2003, he won a Best Male Pop Vocal Performance Grammy Award for "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and in 2007 Mayer won Best Pop Vocal Album for his album 'Continuum'.

John Mayer is said to be one of the most vain celebrities ever which is aptly illustrated after he sent his then girlfriend Jessica Simpson a video of himself on her birthday. Mayer, 31, had failed to make it to Simpson’s birthday party as he was on tour, and so he sent her a DVD of himself in concert.

Egotastic!



Al Di Meola

Al Di Meola is one of the most well renowned names in American jazz fusion and Latin jazz. He has had a musical career that has spanned more than three decades and continues to be one of the most influential guitarists in the jazz fusion genre.

He is a four time winner as Best Jazz Guitarist in Guitar Player Magazine's Reader Poll and is obviously a great guitar player, trrouble is he certainly knows it. I think the photo says it all here. Fans have also reported that he is pompous and arrogant after meeting him after shows.




Dave Mustaine

Although lacking the commercial success of Metallica Dave Mustaine's Megadeth have a strong fan base and are headlining this years 30th anniversary Download Festival. Despite this he is still pretty bitter about being fired from Metallica and is also known for a king size ego.

In an interview for the Thrash Metal documentary "Get Thrashed" he says that he taught Kerry King (Slayer) his style and when he was in Metallica that he was the only guitar player. He also claims that and in Megadeth it was all his guitar playing and the "hired hands" just learned what he was doing.

He was also once quoted as saying "Hammett stole my job, but at least I got to bang his girlfriend before he took my job — how do I taste, Kirk?". Nasty!




Noel Gallagher

Noel has such a way with 3 chords and the pentatonic blues scale that it propelled Oasis to superstardom worldwide. Say what you like about their recent material the first two albums 'Definitely Maybe' and '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?' are superb with plenty of anthemic guitar riffs and memorable solos.

Maybe its just because I'm a shandy drinking southerner but I just can't stand that Mancunian swagger that comes with oasis. Definitely FIGJAM!



Lenny Kravitz

I love this dude but he is undoubtedly one of the ultimate FIGJAM guitarists. The photo once again says it all. Only a complete narcissist would ever pose for something like this. The guitar riffs to 'My Mamma Said' and 'Are you Gonna Go My Way' however are essential repertoire for any self respecting rock guitarist.



Matt Bellamy

To quote Wikipedia Matt Bellamy is singer, writer, guitarist, pianist, bassist, drummer, manager, publicist and de facto Führer of 3 piece band Muse. His dramatic, apocalyptic, and dark style of rock has brought joy to millions and he is an incredible talent.

He does have an air of arrogance about him however and despite having legions die hard fans is also widely regarded as egotistical and arrogant. The following quote from Matt says it all really.

"When we were recording the album in New York, we saw that Yngwie Malmsteen was playing, so me and Dom decided to have a few beers and go there for the fuckoffness of it. I can't even describe it to you - it was so awful yet strangely good. What greeted us on stage was the fattest, tallest, hairiest, weirdest buffoon genius I've ever seen. He's definitely going through his Elvis period. There were a lot of women there actually. I think a lot of women like big, fat, hairy guitar players...."

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Labels: guitarists