The #99 Guitarist of the Rock Era: Jerry Cantrell

The third guitarist to be featured as one of The Top 100 Guitarists of the Rock Era* is Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains.  Rock On!:

              #99:  Jerry Cantrell, Alice in Chains

an active guitarist for 26 years

(Some of Jerry's best solos...)

Jerry Cantrell was born March 18, 1966 in Tacoma, Washington.  Jerry bought his first guitar in his mid-teens but he didn't seriously begin playing the instrument until age 17.  He cites Heart, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath and Queensryche as major influences.  Cantrell's choir and drama teachers were his two greatest motivators toward a career in music.  He was a member of the high school choir that won competitions with the highest marks achievable.  Cantrell has been the main songwriter, lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist for Alice in Chains. 

In the mid 1980s, Cantrell began a band called Diamond Lie.  They attracted a following in the Seattle area, eventually took the name of Alice 'N Chainz, then renamed themselves Alice in Chains.  Cantrell has also released two albums away from the group, Boggy Depot from 1998 and Degradation Trip in 2002.  Cantrell has also contributed guitar work for Danzig and played on the Metallica album Garage Inc.

Cantrell prefers G&L and Gibson Guitars.  He also plays a Fender 1972 Telecaster Deluxe Reissue.  Cantrell uses Bogner amplifiers, with his preference being the Bogner Ecstasy.  He also owns a Peavey 5150 amp head that was given to him by Eddie Van Halen and a Les Paul Junior he bought from Heart's Nancy Wilson.  He has a pedalboard that includes a MXR EVH Flanger, an XOTIC AC plus, several BOSS products and a Dunlop Rotovibe.  He uses the wah pedal often and his work is characterized by odd time signatures. 

Cantrell ranks as The #99 guitarist of the Rock Era*.