VOTED
#1
OF ALL TIME
MICHAEL ANGELO
BATIO
Michael invented the Dean Double-Guitar
and was the first person in the world to successfully play it.
AWESOME!! Michael started playing piano and composing at age 5 and
started playing guitar at age 10. Michael has performed over 1100
shows in 31 different countries since 1993. He has tours the world
performing guitar workshops, touring with various bands and as a
solo artist.
#2
CHRIS
IMPELLITTERI
Chris Impellitteri is one of
the most unique, intense, and dynamic guitarists in heavy rock
today. His influences range from Al Dimeola to Uli John Roth to
Edward Van Halen. Chris has been releasing some of the best
progressive, neo-classical guitar work around since the mid-'80's,
inspiring countless musicians.
#
3
YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN
When he was young,
Yngwie didn't want much to do with music. Music was soft, a thing
for wimps, and Yngwie was into all things destructive. An unruly
child, Yngwie took delight in anything that went against the grain.
But, one night while watching television, 7-year-old Yngwie saw a
television special about guitar maestro Jimi Hendrix, and it was all
over. Jimi's death had spurred the birth of a new guitar hero:
Yngwie J. Malmsteen.
#
4
PAUL GILBERT
Guitarist Paul Gilbert has sold
over three million records in the United States stemming from his
brilliant work with Racer X, Mr. Big and as a solo artist. Long
known as one of the top shredders in the business, Gilbert sometimes
returns to his blues rock roots as on his Raw Blues Power album
#
5
SHAWN
LANE
Lane began his musical interests
very young, studying piano and cello from
the age of four. He took up the guitar at eight, and it remained his
principal
instrument from then on. He quickly became a legend in Memphis'
music scene as
the feisty young kid, began his professional playing and recording
career when he was 12. The teen wonder shocked and amazed audiences
at stadium shows across the USA. Before becoming a world renown
guitarist. Tragically Shawn died of a lung disease Sept 26th 2003 at
the age of 40.
#
6
JOE STUMP
(Dean Cascione & Randy Ciak's #1!!)
Joe Stump is one of the
leading guitarists of the shred genre. Having released numerous solo
albums and four with his band project Reign Of Terror, Stump has a
reputation of for combining guitar virtuosity with strong hooks and
killer riffs. Joe is also Berklee School Of Music's head authority
on shred guitar. His main influeneces in his career are Ritchie
Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix, Gary Moore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael
Schenker, Uli- Jon Roth, David Chastain, classical music as well -
Bach, Paganini, Vivaldi, Mendelson etc.
#
7
RUSTY COOLEY
Rusty’s early influences
included: Rhoads, Malmsteen, Becker, Gilbert, Holdsworth, Paganini,
Bach, Vai, Gambale, Moore, MacAlpine, Taffolla, Friedman. He was
also influenced by many styles including: Jazz, Classical, Funk,
Blues and even Country. There where times when Rusty was pulled in
so many different directions by music, he didn’t know if he wanted
to be a Classical Conductor or a Jazz guitarist. “Remember play from
your heart and never be swayed by the current trends.” Rusty Cooley
#
8
BUCKETHEAD
Buckethead is one of the most
bizarre and enigmatic figures in American underground. Real name
Brian Carroll says he was raised by hens in a henhouse!. He got the
idea of a bucket and mask one day when he was eating fried chicken.
He stands about 7 Feet tall with his bucket on. He has robotic
movements. Not much is known about Buckethead, but one things for
sure, this greased lightin' is finger lickin' fast. Well the Colonel
hasn't caught him yet! His former Bands : Deli Creeps, Cornbugs,
Praxis, Cobra Strike, Buckethead (Solo), Primus (Ozzfest 1999), Guns
N' Roses.
# 9
JOHN PETRUCCI
John grew up on Long Island,
Kings Park He started playing guitar at the age of 12 (After a brief
fling at age 8 when he noticed his sister got to stay up late for
her organ lessons. His little plan didn’t work out being that his
guitar lesson was after school, and soon lost interest.) He quickly
realized his influences and was determined to reach their level of
ability. Some early influences include Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy
Rhoads, Iron Maiden, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Yes, Rush etc. As the rise
of thrash & metal hit John expanded his influences to include bands
like Metallica & Queensryche.
#10
THE
GREAT KAT
The Great Kat was born
Katherine Thomas in Swindon, England (on a U.S. Air Force Base
Military Hospital), moved to USA aged 3. After touring the world as
a violinist, she realised that Classical music was dead, so she
began updating Classical Music with Speed Metal and transcribed
intricate violin solos to the guitar. The Great Kat is the only
musician taking note-for-note authentic Classical Music scores (from
Vivaldi, Beethoven, Bach, Wagner, Liszt, and Rossini) and
re-orchestrating the entire scores with Shred Guitar virtuosity and
mixing it with Speed Metal band and Classical orchestra.
