Canadian Male Guitarists

One of rock and roll’s greatest songwriters and performers of all time, Neil Young has worked both solo as well with bands like Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The Grammy award winning musician’s notable albums include After the Gold Rush, Harvest, Harvest Moon and Ragged Glory. He strongly backs environmental and disability issues too.

Canadian musician, songwriter, and film composer Robbie Robertson became popular following his association as lead guitarist and songwriter with the rock group, The Band. He is credited for playing a key role in popularizing the Americana music genre. He also had a successful career as a solo artist. As a film composer, he has often collaborated with director Martin Scorsese.

Alex Lifeson is a Canadian songwriter, musician, and record producer. He co-founded the progressive rock band Rush and serves as its guitarist. He plays electric and acoustic guitars and can also play other string instruments, such as mandola, mandolin, and bouzouki. Besides music, he is a licensed aircraft pilot and an actor. He has appeared in some TV shows. 

Canadian singer and The Band member Rick Danko initially performed as a rhythm guitarist and bassist for The Hawks. Part of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Danko struggled with drug addiction and was once even arrested in Japan for smuggling drugs. He died in his sleep after a performance.

Devin Townsend is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is the founder of the extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad. For several years, he was its primary songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. He also has an extensive career as a solo artist and has more than 25 albums to his name. He suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. 

Coyote Shivers is a Canadian actor and musician best known for his association with bands like Sharkskin and The Dave Rave Conspiracy. Over the years, Shivers' trouble with relationships has overshadowed his professional achievements; his ex-wives and ex-girlfriend have claimed that he has troubled them with a pattern of sexual, psychological, and physical abuse.

Win Butler is an American-Canadian multi-instrumentalist, musician, singer, and songwriter. He is credited with co-founding the popular Canadian indie rock band, Arcade Fire. Also a humanitarian, Butler contributed to a charity record named Do They Know It's Hallowe'en as part of a UNICEF benefit project. A multi-talented personality, Win Butler often participates in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

The lead vocalist and songwriter of the Christian rock band Relient K, Matt Thiessen is known for albums such as Mmhmm. He formed the band as a high-schooler in Canton, with Matt Hoopes and Brian Pittman. Apart from dating Katy Perry in the past, he has also written songs for her.

Part of the Canadian rock band Sloan, Chris Murphy is not just the band’s main bassist, but also fills in for the drums or the guitar occasionally. In 2021, he revealed on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, an ailment that causes partial paralysis of the face.