Prince

He CAN play really well,but he wastes so much time making un-inspiring schlock that it almost doesn't matter.When he wants to,though,he can wail.

No doubt he's a horny little purple smurf, but I will actually give Prince four stars as he's got some skills on the guitar. He can play other musical instruments as well and has an incredible vocal range. He's not "the greatest". Not by a long shot with some on this list, but he's better than some "artists" by todays standards.

he's a great gutarist if you take time to listen....he did one of chuck berry's songs...johnny be goode. he doesnt have a arrogance but a high confidence. he views himself as positivity and dont tghink about himself through others eyes meaning he's fine with how he is fuck ya'll lol

You rarely see him included on a list like this and it's probably because of all of the other distractions that he creates around himself with his consciously weird image making behaviour.  But he certainly has the chops that could compete with anyone. He may not be one of the ten most innovative guitar players of all time, but is definitely 10 times more versatile than 90% of the entries on this list. In fact his greatest asset is an ability to play like a great hard rock guitarist, a great funk guitarist, and when I saw him over a decade ago, half of his set was straight ahead blues. I hadn't fully appreciated him as a guitarist until I saw him live.

I thought this was one of the most accurate ive ever seen, until I come to see that prince is above guitar beasts like Rhoads and Iommi. I'm not saying he's bad, just saying he DOES NOT deserve the spot he is given. He should be like #40 with Kurt Cobain.

Anyone that has taken the time to witness Prince rip into a rock guitar solo realizes that he is not just awesome, but a breathtaking guitar player. He is so much more than just R&B or just rock or just soul or just anything. This man can play any instrument, any style, incredibly well. Most knowledgeable music enthusiasts like to say that he is Hendrix reborn. (Hendrix for a new generation.)

No, no, no, no, no. Do you not see him sitting on top of John Petrucci, Kirk Hammet, and Randy Rhoads? THATS NOT WHERE HE BELONGS!!!! He should be much further down this list.

Not as good as he seems to think he is.

Music was exceptionally good at times. Too bad he had such an egocentric image...

Prince is a really talented guitar player. If you can ever see him play live you will see this. Watch him at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony when he got inducted, his performance that night during an all-star jam with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne was fantastic. They played George Harrison's (The Beatles) "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and I don't think Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne couldn't believe how great Prince's playing really was.

Dude may be fruity as hell--but damn he can work those strings

Prince is a total legend.

I've heard rumors that the first few albums that Prince recorded were his dad's songs. I don't know if this is true. He definately caught the attention of many people.

I just don't get what the hype about Prince is all about. He's bizarre, he sounds (and sort of looks like) a girl, and he once tried to convince everyone that his name was a symbol.

love purple rain love the artist prince

Prince is okay w/me since his real first name is Prince...and not that symbol as I originally thought.  Does anyone remember that song he did from the first Batman movie?

pretty good on guitar but i dont know why he's on here...

He is so underrated as a guitar player,it isn't even funny.Purple Rain,1999,The Gold Experience,and Sign Of The Times justify this.

he;s always been on my tops list

A very underrated guitarist and a great performer.

The guy is just weird though

Great composer/writer

u guys dog n prince dont even know music have u even heard him play

some good songs early on, but his arrogance just kinda grates on me.

Nasa wants that back I reckon

prince is coo

not great guitar but good voice

As talented as he is, I think his guitar playing gets overlooked, which is a shame cause he's amazing

First black R N B guy to get into Rock N Roll hall of fame. Truly one of the greats.

what he hell!!!! fuck him!

fuc prince why is he even in here, can i go lower than one

fucking suck

Obviously jerrylee12345  you haven't heard him play.

oh my god, hahahaha, ur freekin kidding me right?

I saw him once in 1985 (back when his concert tickets cost $11.00), and then again in 2003.  He really hadn't changed ~ just cleaned things up a bit.  Talent wise, he stays up top.   I  DO agree with kattwoman though, he did get strange there for awhile ~ nice to see he snapped out of it.  Purple Rain and 1999 are just as popular today as they ever were.

why is he on the list?

Way, Way, Way underrated guitar player. Unfortuneatley his albums have so much going on that it gets drowed out. Once again it is the live performances that separate the real talents. His concerts are legendary.

This man is a legend.

HE IS THE GREATEST THE HAS BEEN. NO ONE MAN ON THIS EARTH HAS DONE AS MUCH FOR MUSIC AS THE ARTIST KNOWN AS PRINCE. HE IS MUSIC.HE CAN PLAY ANY TYPE OF GUITAR AND ANY STYLE OF MUSIC. THESE ARE THE DAYSOWILD

Prince is terrible I dont know how he can be rated so high

He has not done anythig amazig on the guitar.

Great entertainer, yes.  Best guitarist of all time, HELL NO.

A study in technique. Right up there with Taylor.

Prince is as universal and creative, as his music. He as an artist is extremely impressive, however; he as a guitarist proves he is ultimately one of the greatest musicians to exist on planet earth. His ability to create and innovate an array of sounds, to which is accepted by the vast majority of the status quo population proves, he is deserving to be the "Prince" of music. He is extremely underrated and with that stated, I think he is easily one of the best guitarists, if not the best guitarist I have ever heard.

His original aesthetics combined literate experimentation and adventurous reinvention, with stellar instrumental skills and showmanship.

If I had to choose one of the great artists that ever walked planet earth, I would definitely include Prince in my top 10. I love Prince. I love Prince. In fact, he is my favorite artist (if I had to choose). Not just his amazing music, but his stage pressence. He possesses all of the qualities (individualism, universalism, edge, flexibility, vocal talent, stage pressence, entertainment factor, rarity, and originality) of an individual who maintains the "IT" (or incredible talent) factor in modern music persuasion. Not only does Prince write his songs and compose them (using his gift of playing a variety of instruments) he lays down the tracks and he produces everything on his own. If Prince chooses to collaborate, he collaborates, but does not allow himself to be swayed to do something he doesn't want to. Not just this, but Prince is so culturally connected, his music audience consists of every generation of people. Some individuals may find Prince weird or odd because Prince has ecle... Read more

Prince without a doubt is one of the best musicians of his era. He puts artists these days to shame. I have always Loved him and always will.

Prince is one of those few acts you may not like particularly but you have to respect as a genuine talent. He's an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and a groundbreaking and original songwriter and I challenge anyone to say they dont like at least one of his songs. I'm not a fan myself but I do rate a good dozen of his songs highly

yes he is a musical genius, but he does have a terrible habit of resting on his laurels, for that reason i only gave him a 3...i do respect him though

Brilliant artist. His songwriting exploits are well known. Good musician as well. His guitar playing on Purple Rain was quite good. Though I think sometimes he tries too hard to channel a little Hendrix into his style of play (Know your limits, Prince!) Also rumored to have recordings of him and Miles Davis. He'll probably wait until the window of Marketing Oppurtunity is right to release them. Cruel world.