The Best Glam Metal Guitarists Of All Time Ranked

Musically, glam metal combines a traditional heavy metal sound with elements of hard rock and punk rock, adding pop-influenced catchy hooks and guitar riffs. Like other heavy metal songs of the 1980s (most notably thrash metal songs), they often feature shred guitar solos. They also include extensive use of harmonies, particularly in the characteristic power ballads – slow, emotional songs that gradually build to a strong finale. These were among the most commercially successful singles in the genre and opened it up to a wider audience that would otherwise not have been attracted to traditional heavy metal. Lyrical themes often deal with love and lust, with songs often directed at a particular woman. Here are all of the best Glam Metal Guitarists of all time ranked.

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15. Steve Lynch

“Often regarded as the “other Lynch” of his era, Steve Lynch’s prowess as a lead guitarist cannot be understated. A latecomer to the scene, Lynch’s band, Autograph, didn’t hit it big until the rocker was nearly thirty with the release of the band’s mega-hit debut, Sign In Please (1984), followed by That’s The Stuff (1985).”

14. Harry Cody

“Cody’s compositional skills are first-rate, and his hybrid playing, which is accented by his use of oftentimes chipped copper picks, is complex and distinctive. As a band, Shotgun Messiah was one that was only just scratching the surface, and its fans are to this day, left wanting, if not begging, for more.”

13. Joey Allen

“From a musical standpoint, the band’s titular frontman, Jani Lane, was flanked by the muscle-driven riffs, and electrifying power chords of bonecrusher, Joey Allen. While Allen may not mirror the neoclassical stylings of some of his contemporaries, his classic, meat and potatoes approach was all Warrant needed to ascend to greatness.”

12. Carlos Cavazo

“Carlos was a great guitarist, but being Mexican he didn’t get the credit he deserved! He played and wrote and what Randy couldn’t accomplish with QR, Carlos did. First heavy metal guitarist to score a #1 Heavy Metal album.”

11. Tommy Thayer

“Tommy has been there longer than Ace now, so tired of older fans that defend Ace and his bad behavior and unreliability. He let drugs and alcohol come before loyalty to the band and his fans. To me, his contribution will always be there, but he moved on and Tommy has more than earned his place in KISS.”

10. Paul DiBartolo

“Spread Eagle was a musical powerhouse, and a great deal of that was attributed to low-key virtuoso, Paul Dibartolo. DiBartolo’s gift for outright shred, ear for melody, and streetsmart, raw power attitude enabled the six-stringer to co-craft two late-stage classics in Spread Eagle (1990), and Open to the Public (1993).”

9. Adrian Vandenberg

“Adrian Vandenberg is a Dutch rock guitarist, best known for his tenure as one of the guitarists in Whitesnake during their successful late 1980s period and the band Vandenberg which he started in 1981. Eventually, the melodic master acquiesced, and overnight, the rocker was elevated to universe-dominating-guitar-hero-status, as he joined the mighty Whitesnake at the tail-end of the recording sessions for the band’s 1987 self-titled album.”

8. Warren DeMartini

“While DeMartini’s characteristic style and signature ambiance would come to define the sound of Ratt, interestingly enough, he was not the band’s first choice. Early on, Ratt was anchored by none other than Jake E. Lee, who after securing a gig with Ozzy Osbourne, worked to teach DeMartini the band’s early cuts, ensuring a smooth transition.”

7. Vinnie Vincent

“Vinnie was/is a talented guy. I thought, a perfect replacement for Ace but more dynamic in that he was in the mold of shredders during that hair-band time period. I did get to see Kiss with him. In a crowd of about 3500 if you can imagine that. I think Kiss missed out on something good, possibly great. I’ve heard both sides. I’m sure this was just a low-ball offer to get him to leave.”

6. Steve Clark

“Steve was such a good guitar player with a very unique sound. So melodic! He was a very much needed contrast to the over the top playing of Phil. He came up with so many amazing sounding riffs. Once Steve passed Def Leppard just never sounded the same & really lost the heart in their music.”

5. Mark Kendall

“Great White’s blues roots made them unlike any of their contemporaries, and they were often considered to be in a league of their own. Kendall, however, was more than capable of keeping up with anyone. His crisp tone and melodically driven solos contributed greatly to the band’s success in the late 1980s.”

4. Bruce Kulick

“As KISS’ lead guitarist, the results were nothing short of staggering, with Kulick’s work on Asylum (1985), Crazy Nights (1987), and Hot In The Shade (1989) showcasing some of the most ferocious and machismo-driven guitar tone of the era. Furthermore, his work on late-era masterpiece, Revenge (1992), shows the guitarist’s versatile nature bursting at the seams, breaking ground toward his absolute technical and artistic peak.”

3. John Sykes

“John Sykes is an amazing songwriter/guitar player/ vocalist. Sadly, he´s apparently some sort of perfectionist to a degree that borders on obsessiveness. He was supposed to be the vocalist/guitarist for what eventually became The Winery Dogs but that whole thing ended rather unceremoniously.”

2. George Lynch

“One of the most original guitarists to ever come out of the 80’s metal scene. And somehow, he’s just keeps improving. He is considered to be one of the most famous and influential 1980s metal guitarists and is known for his unique playing style and sound.”

1. Vito Bratta

“Hands down THE best guitarist to come out of the entire era. Others may have been a little faster or flashier, but nobody mixed the melodic phrasing along with the shredding like Vito. Guy was a master.”