When the conversation turns to the best guitarists of all time, names like Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, and Brian May often take center stage. Many might point to icons such as BB King, Albert King, Elmore James, Blind Willie McTell, Memphis Minnie, or Elizabeth Cotton. However, for some, the name Michael Bloomfield stands out as the ultimate guitar god.
Those truly passionate about guitar would certainly mention the great Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whose influence extends to modern players like Bonnie Raitt and Celeste Henderson. Soulful sidemen such as Steve Cropper, Clarence Carter, and Eddie Hinton also deserve a nod, as do jazz legends like Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, and Django Reinhardt.
For those raised with the sounds of Hendrix, Keith Richards, George Harrison, and Dave Davies, these names are often revered. If you grew up with MTV, Mark Knopfler, Prince, Nile Rodgers, Johnny Marr, Eddie Van Halen, and Slash may have been the guitar gods you admired. And in more recent times, names like Albert Hammond Jr., Courtney Barnett, and St. Vincent might be more your speed.
But for Steve Vai, despite being regarded as one of the top guitarists of all time for his work with Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz, and Whitesnake, it’s a surprising name that catches his attention.
Vai has consistently been ranked among the best guitarists in the world, but when asked about a guitarist he particularly admires, his answer was unexpected.
“I’ve admired Pete Thorn for quite a while. He’s like a guitar soldier, you know? He’s like a soldier of the guitar,” Vai said. “I first started hearing him when he was demoing gear, and I was like, ‘Wow, that’s a great tone. Wow. This guy.’ I was ticking all the boxes, and his lead playing is beautiful. His intonation is perfect. He’s just like a real soldier. And it must be nice to have that foundation under everything.”
Pete Thorn might not be a household name in the same way as some of the greats from the ‘60s or ‘70s, nor is he known for powering any ’80s power ballads. Though Thorn has shared the stage with artists like Don Henley, Chris Cornell, and Melissa Etheridge, he’s perhaps best recognized for his popular YouTube channel, where he shares guitar demos, pedal reviews, and playing techniques. With over 275k subscribers, it’s clear that Thorn has garnered a significant following, including Vai himself.
Vai explains the appeal: “There’s a way that some people hit the strings—they just explode and resonate beautifully, like Angus [Young from AC/DC], or even, oddly enough, Kurt Cobain. They were different, but when you add more gain, it’s harder to make chords and playing sound really good. And Pete? He’s a master at it.”
Thorn has uploaded more than 1,300 videos to his channel, showcasing his guitar expertise and solidifying his tagline: “all guitars, all the time.” With this extensive body of work, Thorn continues to live up to his reputation as a master of his craft.
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