The realm of the guitar virtuoso is one of unabashed musicianship. So-called "guitar heroes" first emerged in late 1960s Britain, when the holy trinity of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page aligned with American Jimi Hendrix to become the first generation of adventurous guitar superstars, transforming traditional blues into dazzling musical histrionics. During the '70s, prog rock pioneers like Yes' Steve Howe and The Soft Machine's Alan Holdsworth expanded the range of the instrument with their classically inspired technical precision. Other guitarists like John McLaughlin and Frank Zappa incorporated outside influences, expanding their approach to the instrument beyond blues-based scales by introducing jazz and nonwestern modes. By the mid-'80s, Van Halen's Eddie Van Halen had bridged the gap between the cerebral and the visceral with his two-handed finger-tapping technique, which sent the guitar community (and the outside world) into paroxysms of adoration. At the same time, Steve Vai, a student of Zappa, and the Swedish classical/metal fusionist Yngwie Malmsteen were setting new standards for speed and accuracy. After the emergence of grunge in the early '90s, such gratuitiously showy displays of technical guitar acumen became less accepted; while third-wave virtuosos like Dream Theater's John Petrucci continued to explore the art of the instrument, guitar wizards were for the most part exiled to the fringes of popular music. But early in the new century, bands like The Mars Volta sparked a renewed interest in progressive and psychedelic rock, suggesting that the guitar virtuoso was set to make a comeback.

Notable Artists: Joe Satriani, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen