..."top" in which respect? ´Cause for sure some of the greatest songwriters of the genre are not soloists in the same technical league of Yngwie and co. - yet many technically awesome players wouldn´t know a decent riff if it leaped out of the flight case dressed up as a gnome and screamed Hey, dude, classic rock song here...

I favour brilliant soloists that can write great songs - with a couple of exceptions...

...and I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow!!!

1. Yngwie J. Malmsteen. No argument about his position in my poll. I simply believe he is the best lead guitarist in the world and song-for-song is the most consistantly good songwriter I can think of. Sadly he has an ego to match but then again when you´re that good, perhaps you´re entitled to it!
2. George Bellas. One of the best of the new generation - writes a mean tune too. John Q, shame on you for missing him off your list...! Only kidding!
3. Richie Blackmore. Moody and often unpredictable, originator of neoclassical metal. On form few can equal him for style, technique, taste and feeling. Off form...you don´t want to know!!!
4. Ronnie Montrose. Have I missed something, or did everyone else forget the best player from the US of A during the 70´s? Get out Montrose and Gamma 2 NOW and see why he should be everyone´s top ten... can´t wait for Gamma 4.
5. Tony Iommi. Master of the classic riff. Underrated lead player too.
6. Chris Impelliteri. Fastest guitarist on the power metal circuit. Great harmonics and writes (and rewrites!) a mean riff.
7. Rob Johnson. A controversial choice perhaps, in light of those I´ve left bubbling under (Sykes, Norum, V. Burns): but he has phenomenal technique and in Magnitude 9, demonstrates challenging songwriting skills. I await the next Mag 9 album with interest.
8. George Lynch pre-1997. Then, one of the few non-European guitarists that didn´t just develop into a speed freak post-Yngwie without understanding the meaning of the word "melody". Now, a shadow of his former life...
9. Vivian Campbell. Outstanding with Dio. Sublime with Shadow King. Lost with Riverdogs and wasted with Leppard...
10. Gary Moore. Before he got those ol´blooze, probably the fastest and most technically "together" of the old generation of metal guitarists.