Steve Lukather

  • Known for: Toto (official member), Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Chicago (session work)

  • One of the most recorded session guitarists ever.

Steve Vai

  • Known for: Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake

  • Initially a transcriptionist for Zappa, later became a solo virtuoso.

Jennifer Batten

  • Known for: Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck

  • Famous for her flashy tapping style and being MJ’s lead guitarist on world tours.

Nuno Bettencourt

  • Known for: Extreme (main band), Rihanna

  • Served as Rihanna’s touring guitarist for several years.

Earl Slick

  • Known for: David Bowie, John Lennon

  • Replaced Mick Ronson for Bowie and played on classic albums like Young Americans.

Orianthi

  • Known for: Michael Jackson (This Is It), Alice Cooper

  • Was MJ’s chosen guitarist for the ill-fated This Is It tour.

Phil X (Phil Xenidis)

  • Known for: Bon Jovi (touring and now official member), Tommy Lee, Alice Cooper

  • A prolific studio guitarist before stepping in for Richie Sambora.

Reb Beach

  • Known for: Winger (main band), Whitesnake, Dokken

  • A go-to shredder for several glam and hard rock acts.

Waddy Wachtel

  • Known for: Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, Linda Ronstadt

  • A staple of West Coast rock sessions since the ’70s.

Doug Aldrich

  • Known for: Whitesnake, Dio, Dead Daisies

  • Known for stepping into big shoes in classic hard rock bands.

Tim Pierce

  • Known for: Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi (session work)

  • One of LA’s most in-demand session guitarists, heard on countless pop and rock hits.

Michael Landau

  • Known for: Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, James Taylor, Seal

  • Revered for his subtle, tasteful session work and tone mastery.

Shane Fontayne

  • Known for: Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Graham Nash

  • A British-born guitarist who carved out a career backing huge singer-songwriters.

Tommy Tedesco

  • Known for: The Wrecking Crew (Beach Boys, Elvis, Frank Sinatra)

  • Perhaps the most recorded guitarist in history, playing on film/TV scores and classic pop.

Brent Mason

  • Known for: Alan Jackson, George Strait, Shania Twain (Nashville sessions)

  • Country music’s most prolific session guitarist, with a Telecaster style all his own.

Mike Campbell

  • Known for: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Fleetwood Mac

  • Though famous with Petty, he’s also a sought-after collaborator for Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, and others.

Sid McGinnis

  • Known for: David Letterman’s CBS Orchestra, Dire Straits, Peter Gabriel

  • A long-time session guitarist and Letterman band member with a deep resume.

Elliot Easton

  • Known for: The Cars, Creedence Clearwater Revisited (touring), sessions

  • Though best known for The Cars, he’s also been a go-to sideman and session player.

Dean Parks

  • Known for: Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, B.B. King

  • Another studio ace, often called “the most recorded guitarist you’ve never heard of.”

Larry Carlton

  • Known for: Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Quincy Jones

  • Nicknamed “Mr. 335,” a giant in both jazz fusion and session work.

Nile Rodgers

  • Known for: Chic, David Bowie (Let’s Dance), Madonna, Daft Punk (Get Lucky)

  • The king of the funk rhythm guitar groove, shaping pop, disco, and dance hits for decades.