7. Thurston Moore
Many critics don’t hesitate to label Moore the greatest guitarist in the history of the alternative music genre. Sleater-Kinney even wrote some lyrics about the legendary Sonic Youth guitarist. Known for his unique guitar tunings and his sort of squealing distortion, Moore was an innovator who influenced many more wannabe guitar heroes such as Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. He also had a significant impact on what would be become the grunge movement from the 1990s.