The Greatest Guitarists Of All Time, Ranked

Published on February 5, 2020 By Mathew Cohen

32. The Edge

A self-taught guitarist, David Howell Evans made his first major strides while still in high school. Fellow school pupil, Larry Mullen Jr., placed an ad on the school noticeboard seeking musicians to form a band with. In addition to Evans, Paul Hewson (later known as Bono) and Adam Clayton also responded. This band would eventually be known as U2.

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Because he taught himself the basics of guitar, The Edge developed a unique style that can instantly be recognized by U2 fans. His use of rhythmic delay effects formed the foundation of U2s distinct sound, while he consistently focuses on the interplay between his guitar work and Bono’s vocals. His creativity is not only expressed in his melodic picking, but also in his compositions- The Edge laid down catchy riffs in tracks such as “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”.