Jim Keltner, an iconic session drummer whose career spans over five decades, has been the rhythmic backbone behind some of rock and roll’s most legendary artists.

Having worked with the likes of John Lennon, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Eric Clapton, Keltner’s unique perspective on music is unparalleled.

Recently, he revealed his personal list of the top 10 favorite guitarists—a list that surprises, inspires, and sheds light on what truly makes a guitarist great from the drummer’s viewpoint.

 

Drummers and guitarists share a special musical chemistry.

The drummer sets the groove and pulse, while the guitarist weaves melodies, riffs, and solos that ride on that foundation.

Jim Keltner’s choices reflect not only technical skill but also feel, emotion, and the ability to serve the song.

His list is not about flash or speed but about musicianship, humility, and storytelling.

 

Mike Campbell, known for his decades-long partnership with Tom Petty, earns the tenth spot.

Keltner praises Campbell’s understanding of space and restraint.

Campbell never overplays; every note serves the song.

Their work together on “Running Down a Dream” exemplifies this synergy—Campbell’s hypnotic riff locks perfectly with Keltner’s steady beat, creating a groove that breathes life into the music.

Campbell’s humility and focus on the song rather than ego make him a standout player.

Robbie Robertson’s guitar playing is like painting pictures of old America. His blend of rock, country, folk, and blues created a unique sound with The Band.

Keltner admires Robertson’s ability to create atmosphere and emotion without relying on speed or flash.

His guitar lines twist and turn like dusty backroads, perfectly complementing Levon Helm’s drumming.

Robertson’s adaptability—making his Stratocaster sound like a mandolin or steel guitar—shows his deep musical understanding.

 

Mick Taylor transformed the Rolling Stones into a blues powerhouse during his tenure.

Keltner highlights Taylor’s fluid, singing guitar style and his jazz influences, which set him apart from other rock guitarists.

Taylor’s solos, such as on “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking,” build from gentle blues to explosive jazz-rock jams.

Despite his technical prowess, Taylor remained humble and professional, earning Keltner’s respect as a true guitar god.

 

Ry Cooder’s slide guitar work is deeply rooted in American musical traditions.

Keltner describes him as a musical archaeologist, digging up buried treasures of blues, folk, and world music.

Cooder’s bottleneck slide technique produces tones that range from mournful to joyful, often within the same song.

His dedication to authenticity and rejection of rockstar clichés make him a profound influence on roots music and Americana.

Neil Young’s guitar playing is raw, messy, and electrifying.

Keltner appreciates Young’s fearless approach—never polishing performances into sterile perfection but capturing raw emotion live, mistakes and all.

Young’s signature sound, especially through his famous “Old Black” Gibson Les Paul, cuts through mixes like a chainsaw.

His extended solos build intensity through repetition and aggression, influencing grunge before it existed.

For Keltner, Young’s guitar is the most honest in rock and roll.

 

Freddy King’s aggressive thumb and finger picking style delivered a powerful, driving blues sound.

Keltner witnessed King’s volcanic energy during his 1970s comeback.

Hits like “Hide Away” showcase King’s explosive instrumental ability and authentic blues feeling.

King’s Gibson ES-345 guitar was a weapon of mass musical destruction, delivering both stinging leads and chunky rhythm parts.

Despite his influence on legends like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, King never got the recognition he deserved.

Duane Allman revolutionized slide guitar and southern rock before his tragic death at 24.

Though Keltner never recorded with him, he studied Allman’s work extensively.

Allman’s slide guitar on “Layla” with Eric Clapton remains one of rock’s most transcendent moments.

His tone was thick, vocal, and incredibly expressive.

Allman’s improvisations told complete stories, and his interplay with second guitarist Dickey Betts set a template for dual guitar harmonies.

Keltner believes Allman played with more soul in two years than most guitarists do in a lifetime.

 

George Harrison was not just a Beatle; he was Keltner’s close friend and collaborator.

Harrison’s approach to guitar was spiritual, focusing on intention and meaning over technical flash.

His solo on “Something” is among the greatest in Beatles history, balancing simplicity with sophistication.

Harrison’s slide guitar work on “My Sweet Lord” and the “All Things Must Pass” album opened new possibilities for rock guitar.

Keltner admires Harrison’s use of space and melodic sense, calling him the guitarist with the purest musical heart he ever met.

Jimi Hendrix didn’t just play guitar; he redefined it.

Though Keltner never recorded with Hendrix, his influence loomed large.

Hendrix expanded the electric guitar’s sonic vocabulary, using feedback, distortion, and studio effects as compositional tools.

His performances at Monterey and Woodstock showed guitar as visual art and theater.

Songs like “Voodoo Child” demonstrated technical mastery combined with deep blues feeling and psychedelic experimentation.

Hendrix’s unique left-handed playing on a right-handed Stratocaster created unprecedented fingering possibilities.

 

Surprisingly, John Lennon takes the top spot on Keltner’s list.

Lennon was not a flashy lead guitarist or technical wizard, but he possessed something greater—a complete musical package.

Keltner worked extensively with Lennon during his solo career and witnessed his rhythm guitar playing’s sophistication and subtlety.

Lennon’s acoustic strumming laid the foundation for timeless songs, and his electric guitar work provided the backbone for other musicians to shine.

For Keltner, Lennon’s musical intelligence, taste, and vision made him the greatest guitarist—not speed or flash.

Jim Keltner’s list challenges conventional ideas about guitar greatness. It’s not about who plays the fastest or has the flashiest solos.

Instead, it’s about serving the song, playing with feeling, humility, and vision.

These guitarists excelled because they understood the music’s heart and contributed to it with intelligence and soul.

 

Keltner’s perspective as a drummer gives him a unique vantage point—he feels every note and groove differently.

His choices reflect the importance of musical conversation between guitarists and drummers, emphasizing how great guitar playing is inseparable from the rhythm section’s heartbeat.

 

Jim Keltner’s top 10 favorite guitarists list offers invaluable insight into what truly matters in music.

It reminds us that technical skill alone doesn’t make a legend—heart, honesty, and the ability to tell a story through music do.

From the soulful restraint of Mike Campbell to the revolutionary genius of Jimi Hendrix and the complete musicianship of John Lennon, these guitarists have shaped the sound of generations.

 

Who would make your personal top 10? Would you agree with Keltner’s surprising number one choice? Share your thoughts and celebrate the guitar heroes who have moved your soul.