Few things start a music conversation faster than naming the greatest guitar player of all time. This One Gotta Go card puts four legends on one stage: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and Prince. Each one has a sound you can recognize in a single note.
Three of them stay in your record collection, and one is unplugged for good. Think about the solo that gave you chills, the album you grew up with and the player you admire more than you actually listen to. Then make your pick and play a favorite track to back it up.
Jimi Hendrix vs Eric Clapton vs Carlos Santana vs Prince
A. Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix changed what an electric guitar could do, with wild feedback, flaming guitars and a famous Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock in 1969. His career lasted only a few years before he died at 27. Some listeners say they know his legend better than his albums.
Keep it if: You think nobody has ever played with more imagination, and Purple Haze still sounds like the future to you.
B. Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton played with Cream, wrote Layla and became so admired that fans once wrote Clapton is God on a London wall. His blues playing is smooth and precise. The case against him is that his style is the most traditional here, which some listeners find less exciting.
Keep it if: You love the blues, you know the Layla riff by heart and you think tone matters more than flash.
C. Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana blends Latin rhythms with rock, and his guitar sings with a tone nobody else has. He played Woodstock and then had a huge comeback with the album Supernatural and the hit Smooth. If Latin rock is not your thing, Santana could be your cut.
Keep it if: You love a guitar that sounds like a voice, and Smooth or Oye Como Va instantly puts you in a good mood.
D. Prince
Prince is remembered as a pop icon, but his guitar playing was stunning, from Purple Rain to his famous solo at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to George Harrison. Some people see him first as a singer and showman, which makes him a surprising cut.
Keep it if: You have watched that Hall of Fame solo more times than you can count and think Prince could do it all.
Our take
We would cut Eric Clapton, which we know will raise a few eyebrows. He is a master, but Hendrix reinvented the instrument, Santana created a sound all his own and Prince proved a pop star could outplay almost anyone. The most fun debate usually comes from Hendrix fans against Prince fans, since both were wildly creative in different decades. Play one solo from each player and vote right after the last note fades.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which guitarist is admired more by musicians than by casual fans?
- What is the greatest guitar solo ever recorded?
- Does a great guitarist need to be a great songwriter too?
- Which guitar legend would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Guitar Legends: quick answers
Who is considered the greatest guitarist of all time?
Jimi Hendrix often tops lists of the greatest guitarists, with names like Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Santana and Prince close behind. There is no official answer, which is why this question is perfect for a friendly debate with your group.
Was Prince a good guitar player?
Yes. Prince was a highly skilled guitarist, and many musicians rank him among the best. His solo during While My Guitar Gently Weeps at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony is often shared as proof. He also played many other instruments on his own records.
