List of famous guitarists born who were born in New York City, listed alphabetically with photos when available. Many of these guitar players from New York City 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 New York City 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.
List is made up of a variety of items, including Adam Sandler and Lou Reed.
This list answers the questions, "What guitar players are from New York City?" and "Who are famous New York City guitarists?"1
Adam Sandler
Age: 54Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Adam Richard Sandler (born September 9, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter,... more2
John Frusciante
Age: 50Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
John Anthony Frusciante ( (listen); born March 5, 1970) is an American guitarist, singer,... more3
Lou Reed
Dec. at 71 (1942-2013)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division, Area code 917, Contiguous United States
Lewis Allan Reed (March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013) was an American musician, singer,... more4
Elliot Easton
Age: 67Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division, Area code 917, Contiguous United States
Elliot Easton (born Elliot Steinberg, December 18, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American... more5
Michael McKean
Age: 73Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Michael McKean (born October 17, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, and musician, known for... more6
Christopher Guest
Age: 72Nationality: United States of America, United Kingdom
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest (born February 5, 1948) is a British-American... more7
Eddie Money
Age: 71Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division, Area code 917, Contiguous United States
Edward Joseph Mahoney (born March 21, 1949), known professionally as Eddie Money, is an... more8
Tom Morello
Age: 56Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Manhattan, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York
Thomas Baptiste Morello (born May 30, 1964) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, actor... more9
Taj Mahal
Age: 78Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Harlem
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks (born May 17, 1942), who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an... more10
Les Fradkin
Age: 69Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Les Fradkin (born 1951) is an American MIDI guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer, and... more11
Johnny Thunders
Dec. at 39 (1952-1991)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
John Anthony Genzale (July 15, 1952 – April 23, 1991), better known by his stage name Johnny... more12
John Oates
Age: 71Nationality: Italy, United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
John William Oates (born April 7, 1948) is an American rock, R&B and soul guitarist, singer,... more13
Janis Ian
Age: 69Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Janis Ian (born Janis Eddy Fink; April 7, 1951) is an American singer-songwriter who was most... more14
Paul Stanley
Age: 68Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Manhattan, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York
Paul Stanley (born Stanley Bert Eisen; January 20, 1952) is an American musician, singer,... more15
Scott Ian Rosenfeld
Age: 57Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Scott Ian (born Scott Ian Rosenfeld; December 31, 1963) is an American musician, best known as... more16
Sean Lennon
Age: 45Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Sean Taro Ono Lennon (Japanese: 小野 太郎, Hepburn: Ono Tarō, born October 9, 1975) is a British... more17
John P. Hammond
Age: 78Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
John Paul Hammond (born November 13, 1942 in New York City) is an American singer and... more18
Dave Van Ronk
Dec. at 66 (1936-2002)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division, Area code 917, Contiguous United States
David Kenneth Ritz Van Ronk (June 30, 1936 – February 10, 2002) was an American folk singer.... more19
Eddie Rabbitt
Dec. at 57 (1941-1998)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division, Area code 917, Contiguous United States
Edward Thomas Rabbitt (November 27, 1941 – May 7, 1998) was an American singer and songwriter.... more20
Ace Frehley
Age: 69Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley (; born April 27, 1951) is an American musician and songwriter best... more21
Rivers Cuomo
Age: 50Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Manhattan, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York
Rivers Cuomo (; born June 13, 1970) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer.... more22
Jakob Dylan
Age: 51Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Jakob Luke Dylan (born December 9, 1969) is an American singer and songwriter who rose to fame... more23
Leslie West
Age: 75Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Forest Hills, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York
Leslie West (born Leslie Weinstein; October 22, 1945 – December 23, 2020) was an American rock... more24
Nile Rodgers
Age: 68Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American record producer, songwriter,... more25
Hugh Blumenfeld
Age: 62Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Hugh Blumenfeld (born October 11, 1958) is an American folk musician and singer-songwriter... more