Who is the best hair metal guitarist?

Yes, it's subjective but reasonable people can narrow things down and disuss them....

I kept the list to people known for being hair rockers.

Guys like Jake E Lee, Eddie and Steve Vai don't qualify, imo.

Who ya' got?

I went with Akira Takasaki. He seems to be the most prolific and covered a vast array of styles over their long career.

I went with Warren, as he seemed the "best" of that list, however, my favorite from that list would be Mick Mars. He's never been as flashy as some of his cohorts, but he's got style.

I went with Vito.

I saw the title and thought of Nuno.

Then I saw the options and now it's a bit harder. You should have made it multiple choice, dammit!

007 wrote:

I went with Akira Takasaki. He seems to be the most prolific and covered a vast array of styles over their long career.

My vote as well.

For me it's Vito, but there are some amazing players in that list.

Is this the subgenre with the best guitarists?

I'm a George Lynch fanboy, so the union says I can't vote against him. But Nuno Bettencourt definitely deserves recognition. I find him quite underrated.

I voted Nuno as he, based on the albums we have all heard, appears to be the most technically proficient and just about every Extreme song is a clinic in why my guitar will forever be relegated to coffee table status...

That said, this young lady does a mighty fine play through of an Extreme cut, so maybe she is my vote?


If your not familiar with Sophie, check out her band Saints of Sin. They are quite cool and are all about the arena rock. And I do enjoy these play through videos...

Depends on what constitutes "best." I am extremely biased, but I voted Steve Clark because, out of everyone on that list, I feel he had the more unique and memorable riffs.

Lari wrote:

Is this the subgenre with the best guitarists?

I don't know thrash and NWOBHM/classic metal bands have some badasses too.

Demartini

Some great names on that list but I went with Sykes who seems often forgotten.

When I think of back in the day - drunk / high - and not familiar with the songs -
Sitting in a car - and the solos are played - Mick Marrs - for sure.
Piece of your Action - Looks that Kill - his solos were always outrageous -
And knowing those three guys are there with him - Red Hot !

I always thought Mick was the most talented member of the CRUE.

The man from Japan but I have a really hard time thinking of Loudness as a hair metal band

Demartini I think is the most talented of this group but I gotta give a nod to Oz who is extremely talented and often overlooked.

Boris2008 wrote:

The man from Japan but I have a really hard time thinking of Loudness as a hair metal band

I tend to agree. Two of my favourite Loudness albums (s/t and King of Pain) are pure heavy metal worship.

I voted DeMartini, but I forgot about Vito! He is actually the best.

Hair guitarist should be a thing.

Gilbert wrote:

Boris2008 wrote:

The man from Japan but I have a really hard time thinking of Loudness as a hair metal band

I tend to agree. Two of my favourite Loudness albums (s/t and King of Pain) are pure heavy metal worship.

I took the choices from lists other people made, and threads from other boards. Blame the hair metal masses, they don't agree.

Troublezone wrote:

I voted DeMartini, but I forgot about Vito! He is actually the best.

It's a shame he stopped playing.

Technically it's probably Vitto, but I prefer most other guitarists and their tone on this list. I'm going to go with George Lynch, followed closely by DeMartini and Takasaki. I don't always find the best musicians to be the individual, who are able to come up with the most memorable tunes.

George Lynch. I just got Tooth And Nail and he is awesome on that.

I went with Mr. Scary; but Reb and Warren are very close behind. Also, I wanna give a shout out to Vito Bratta as he seems to be forgotten about, even in the hair metal circles.