Best 80's guitar player

[stratobastard27]

Gotta go with Mikey on this one myself. I'll agree that there are more technical players out there, but the mixture of emotion and technique at the same time are what does it for me. Simply put, is there another guitarist on this list who has solos that non-guitarists are able to sing to themselves? Along the same lines as what Jimi said, I can (believe it or not) nail the solos to Crazy Train and Crowley. Well, ok, almost nail em. LOL. I've since broken out my Appetite tab book, and really sat down to learn Sweet Child note for note. I'll tell you, I can play it note for note. But it just sounds dull and lifeless, because I cannot replicate the feel or swagger in that lead. But additionally, there are some licks in there that are fuckin' smokin! It's all in the little stuff. That's why I think SRV is the greatest guitarist of all time. Now there's the perfect combination of emotion, technique, and inventiveness. You try releasing 5 studio albums and a handfull of b-side albums of strictly blues, and not having it all pretty much end up sounding the same. Tough task.

ps... EVH is a monster, but he loses my vote just for being a total asshole.

[leadfootshane]

best 80's guitarist? randy rhoads. everyone likes a differant guitarist for there own reasons, and thats great- there are a TON to choose from.... but my opinion is simply made due to the fact that so many riffs just would not exist without him. same with eddie. listen to the chops before those two players came about. sure- many have taken it to new levels, but they started it all and i bet if you sit and think about it, you can hum many of there solos as though singing along to your favorit song... now think of how many guitarists can get that type of point across. george lynch, jake e. lee, warren d. martini, slash.... heck listen to the chops on 'master of puppets' for that matter! but those riffs may not even be there if it werent for rhoads and van halen.

[Roman Fyngerz]

EVH, Rhandy Rhoads, Yngwie Malmsteen (my personal fav!!)

[Nikki D'Priest]

Yngwie Malmsteen with out a single doubt is the best to come out of the 80's. Very tasteful, and extremely clever. His song writing ability is a hit or mis at times, but when you write all material yourself their will always be something lacking somewhere or another. My choice is would be Yngwie!