List of famous guitarists born who were born in California, listed alphabetically with photos when available. Many of these guitar players from California are legends in the music world, each with their own innovative styles of play. If you play guitar, whether acoustic or electric, then these famous California guitar players should be people you look up to. These are some of the best guitarists that have ever picked up the instrument, and whether they play rock, blues, metal or folk, these men and women are considered legends.
Examples of items on this list include Katy Perry and Courtney Love.
This list answers the questions, "What guitar players are from California?" and "Who are famous California guitarists?"1
Randy Rhoads
Dec. at 26 (1956-1982)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Santa Monica, California
Randall William Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American heavy metal... more2
Katy Perry
Age: 36Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known professionally as Katy Perry, is an... more3
Cliff Burton
Dec. at 24 (1962-1986)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Castro Valley, California, United States of America
Clifford Lee Burton (February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986) was an American musician and... more4
Jerry Garcia
Dec. at 53 (1942-1995)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: California, United States of America
Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia (August 1, 1942 – August 9, 1995) was an American singer-songwriter... more5
Dave Mustaine
Age: 58Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: La Mesa, California, USA
David Scott Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter,... more6
Bonnie Raitt
Age: 70Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Burbank, California, USA
Bonnie Lynn Raitt (born November 8, 1949) is an American blues singer, guitarist, songwriter,... more7
James Hetfield
Age: 56Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Downey, California, United States of America
James Alan Hetfield (born August 3, 1963) is an American musician and songwriter best known... more8
Kirk Hammett
Age: 57Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: California, United States of America
Kirk Lee Hammett (born November 18, 1962) is an American musician who has been lead guitarist... more9
Zacky Vengeance
Age: 38Nationality: Italy, United States of America, Germany
Birthplace: Olympia, USA, Washington
Avenged Sevenfold (sometimes abbreviated as A7X) is an American heavy metal band from... more10
Merle Haggard
Age: 82Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Oildale, California, United States of America
Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American country singer,... more
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Courtney Love
Age: 56Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: California, United States of America
Courtney Michelle Love (born Courtney Michelle Harrison; July 9, 1964) is an American singer,... more12
Danny Elfman
Age: 66Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Daniel Robert Elfman (born May 29, 1953) is an American composer, singer, songwriter, and... more13
Beck Hansen
Age: 49Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Beck Hansen (born July 8, 1970), known mononymously as Beck, is an American singer-songwriter,... more14
Albert Hammond, Jr.
Age: 39Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Albert Hammond Jr. (né Hammond III; born April 9, 1980) is an American guitarist, singer,... more15
John Fogerty
Age: 75Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Alameda County, Northern California, California, Contiguous United States, San Francisco Bay Area
John Cameron Fogerty (born May 28, 1945) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter.... more16
Jerry Horton
Age: 44Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Dixon, California
Jerry Allan Horton is the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of Californian alternative rock... more17
Allison Robertson
Age: 40Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Allison Rae Robertson (born August 26, 1979) is an American musician and the guitarist for... more18
Ed King
Age: 70Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Glendale, California, United States of America
Edward Calhoun King (September 14, 1949 – August 22, 2018) was an American musician. He was a... more19
Synyster Gates
Age: 38Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Huntington Beach, USA, California
Brian Elwin Haner Jr. (born July 7, 1981), better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or... more20
Tom Waits
Age: 70Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Pomona, USA, California
Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, musician,... more21
Robert Trujillo
Age: 55Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, United States of America
Robert Trujillo ( troo-HEE-yoh, Spanish: [roˈβeɾto tɾuˈxiʝo]; born October 23, 1964), is an... more22
Adam Levine
Age: 41Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Adam Noah Levine (born March 18, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is the... more23
Tommy Castro
Age: 64Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: San Jose, California, United States of America
Tommy Castro (born April 15, 1955, San Jose, California, United States) is an American blues,... more24
Aly Michalka
Age: 31Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Torrance, California, United States of America
Alyson Renae Michalka (born March 25, 1989) is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and... more25
Lindsey Buckingham
Age: 70Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Palo Alto, California, United States of America
Lindsey Adams Buckingham (born October 3, 1949) is an American musician, singer, songwriter... more
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