Jimmy Page

Led Zeppelin's architect and one of rock's most cerebral composers, Page forged an entirely new sonic language from 1968 to 1980 using altered tunings, a violin bow on electric guitar, and layered studio overdubs that were unprecedented. His double-neck Gibson EDS-1275 became iconic on Stairway to Heaven, while his backward echo technique on Whole Lotta Love redefined what the studio could do. Page's sprawling blues-folk-hard rock style on albums like Led Zeppelin IV influenced virtually every rock guitarist of the following generation.