Florida native Mike Campell was one of the key figures in the band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Campbell, who co-wrote the band’s hits “Refugee,” “Here Comes My Girl,” “You Got Lucky,” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” “Refugee,” “Here Comes My Girl,” “You Got Lucky,” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream” was the band’s guitarist for more than 40 years.
All in all, the band, which was formed in 1976, is considered to be the finest and most accomplished group of musicians to walk the earth. Their writing style is strongly related, and their amazing instrumentation got them inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Nels Cline
Nels Cline, the American guitarist and composer from the band Wilco had an illustrious and rich career long before joining the band in 2004. During the 1980s, Cline was mostly playing Jazz, collaborating with his twin brother, who is a percussionist. The guitarist has collaborated with musicians from various genres, such as Thurston Moore and Mike Watt.
Rolling Stones Magazine named him the 82nd greatest guitarist of all time. His best-known guitar work can be heard in Spiders (Kidsmoke)" and "Impossible Germany."
Lou Reed
Singer and guitarist Lou Reed is the man behind the super avant-garde rock band Velvet Underground. He, of course, has had a wildly successful career outside of that. His music has been accredited for shaping the evolution of new wave music and punk rock, making him one of the most influential rock musicians in history.
Lou Reed's traditional guitar styles fused with dark psychedelia on songs like "Sister Ray has earned him a spot on the Rolling Stone Magainze's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists.
John Fahey
America's folk guitar master was a phenomenal fingerpicked who transcended classic blues. His harmonies expressed total freedom. His guitar style has been largely influential and has been described as the basis of the "American Primitive Guitar."
Sadly, Fahey died at 61 in the year 2001. He will be remembered, first and foremost, for the legacy of his guitar playing but also for his mischievousness and wit. His most iconic hits are "Poor Boy" and "The Yellow Princess."
Robby Krieger
Trained originally in flamenco and jazz, guitarist Robby Krieger was the right-hand man to Jim Morrison, effectively turning their band, The Doors, into one of the most culturally significant bands of the 20th century. He also wrote some of their biggest hits, including Light My Fire.
The band, using smooth, jazz-like tones and the chilling poetry of Jim Morrison, was instrumental in creating some of the most unusual and memorable songs in rock music. Unfortunately, the band broke shortly after Jim Morrison's passing in 1971.