Stryper frontman Michael Sweet has spoken out against a list circulating online titled “The 25 Most Influential Guitarist of All Time,” criticizing its rankings and notable omissions in a post shared on Facebook. The list ranked Les Paul at No. 1, followed by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jeff Beck. It placed Eddie Van Halen at No. 14 and left Journey’s Neal Schon off entirely.
Sweet took issue with several of the placements, questioning why certain iconic guitarists ranked so low while others were excluded altogether.
“I know it’s just a list and it’s all a matter of opinion, but how is Eddie Van Halen not in the top 5?” Sweet said. “And Randy Rhoads not in the top 10?”
He went on to name several other guitarists he felt were unfairly left off the list entirely.
“And Neal Schon, Michael Schenker, Scotty Moore, Robert Johnson, Link Wray and quite a few others not even on the list?” Sweet continued. “Come on now!”
Sweet’s frustration reflects a broader, long-running debate in rock circles over how these kinds of rankings are compiled and who gets left out. A closer look at the careers of the players Sweet named makes his objections easier to understand.
Eddie Van Halen fundamentally changed the way rock guitar was played when Van Halen’s debut album landed in 1978. His tapping technique, whammy bar innovations, and overall approach to the instrument influenced an entire generation of players. This cemented his status as one of the defining guitar heroes of his era. Ranking him at No. 14 rather than among the top handful of players remains a sticking point for many musicians and fans alike.
Randy Rhoads faced constant comparisons to Van Halen throughout his own career, a dynamic that pushed him to carve out a distinct identity as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist. Rhoads openly wrestled with escaping Eddie’s shadow. He strived to create something original rather than echo what Van Halen had already accomplished. His rapid rise and lasting influence on the genre make his absence from the top 10 a point of contention for guitarists like Sweet.
Neal Schon’s legacy spans two of rock’s most celebrated eras, from his work with Santana in the late 1960s to Journey’s soaring melodic rock sound throughout the 1970s and ’80s. His blend of blues-infused technique and emotionally driven soloing has echoed through the playing of later guitarists, including Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. This influence underscores why his complete omission from the list struck Sweet as a glaring oversight.
Lists like these are ultimately editorial exercises, often built on the opinions and preferences of whoever compiles them rather than any definitive consensus. That subjectivity is precisely what fuels reactions like Sweet’s. Fans and musicians continue to debate who truly belongs among rock’s most influential guitarists.
