55 Years Later, Rock Music Still Mourns the Greatest Guitarist of All Time

There are quite a few guitarists who have been labeled "the greatest," from influential blues legends like B.B. King and Muddy Watersto the musicians they influenced, like Eric Claptonand Carlos Santana. However, one guitarist tends to reign supreme, having even been called "the greatest instrumentalist of all time" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Jimi Hendrix, who passed away 55 years ago today. Although his life and career were tragically cut short, he remains incomparably influential and exceeded his contemporaries in both skill and influence—even those who out-lived him.