the 10 most influential guitarists on YOU.

[Halogen Sky]

Tom Sholz ( Boston mastermind )
Barry Goodreau ( Orig Boston member, Check out his solo's from 1980 onward, including Orion The Hunter & RTZ )
Steve Howe & Trevor Rabin ( Yes )
Kerry Livgren & Rich Williams ( Kansas )
Roger Hodgeson ( Supertramp and solo )
Alex Lifeson ( Rush )
Ian Bairnson ( Alan Parsons)
Gary Moore ( Victoms of the Future...vinyl )
Peter McIan ( Playin' Near the Edge...vinyl )
Roland Orzabal ( Tears for Fears and solo )
David Gilmore ( Pink Floyd)

[atma]

i don't really consider myself a guitarist in the traditional sense, but here's my list of odd influences nonetheless:

nick drake
bill nelson
david torn
robert fripp
robin guthrie
steven wilson (no-man, porcupine tree)
bill frisell
derek bailey
sugizo (luna sea)
hide (x-japan)

[Sinkharmony]

Mike Akerfeldt (opeth)
Devin Townsend (SYL)
Steve Ray Vaughn
Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
Jeff Loomis (Nevermore)
Adam Jones (Tool)
Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree)
Trey Gunn (King Crimson)
Sean Malone (Gordian Knot)
David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

Some were more influential when I was younger, some more so now than ever before. Some are also bass players, but since I play bass as well, I see no reason they can't be in here.

[FelliniNights]

Man, this is a good thread...so many guitarists, so many inspirations...

1) Brian May
2) Devin Townsend
3) Stephen Rothery (Marillion)
4) Ani Difranco
5) Steve Hackett
6) Paul Westerberg
7) David Gilmour
8) James Mankey (Concrete Blonde)
9) Brynn Arens (Flipp)
10) Kathy King

[wvgary]

Each or these players is a world of study into itself. They have all changed my life through their music. My playing has been influenced the most by

1. Chet Atkins / Les Paul
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Eric Clapton
4. Stevie Ray Vaughn
5. James Taylor
6. Wes Montgomery
7. John Fogerty
8. Mark Knopfler
9. Eddie Van Halen / Joe Satriani
10 BB King / Albert King / Buddy Guy
11. Taylor Guitar clinitians Pat Kirtley, Doyle Dykes, Steven King with their individual recordings, books, spirit and style.
12. The Mickey Baker Jazz guitar books opened my eyes and ears in the begining.

Later . . . Gary

[The Proffessor]

In no paticular order and leaving out many.

1. Clapton
2. Gilmore (Floyd)
3. Jorma Kaukonen - spelling?
4. Mark Knophler
5. Jerry Garcia - not the best technician but great soul & song writing
6. Randy Bachman
7. Zappa
8. Harrison/ Lennon - song writing(unbelivable, to me, not to see these guys on a lot of list; not listed once)
9. John Scofield
10. Jimmy Herring
11. Doc Watson

I know from the look of this list you would think I was older than 26. As I'm sure you can tell I like soulful playing more than speed. I saw some one mention Thelonious Monk in an earlier post; this guy could get his thoughts across with three notes were someone else would play 30.

[Darwin39]

I would have to say in no paticular order

1 Segovia
2 Andrew York
3 Scott Tenant
4 Al Dimiola
5 Ani DiFranco
6 Xavier Rudd
7 Emily Sailers
8 Amy Ray
9 Paul McCartney (yeah but he started as a guitar player)
10 Dave Matthews (syncopation is a wonderful thing)
11 Tim Reynolds (who would have thought a Martin could make noises like that)

[Darwin39]

oh yeah and I also forgot Doc Watson and Sean Watkins talk about some furious flat pickin'

[Darwin39]

Jeez as I look at this more and more there are so many others that I could add like Paul Simon Les Paul Chet Atkins Matt Odemark and the list continues

[Midnight Rider]

No particular order:

Dean Deleo
David Gilmour
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Steve Mazur
Mike Einziger
Ian Thornley
Ross Childress

[guitartabbooks]

I forgot to mention this all time favorite of mine who is "Zal Cleminson"

from the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, who became lead guitarist fro Nazareth. However, I feel that his best solo work (killer wah sounds) are from the Alex Harvey songs
Vambo, Man In The Jar, and just his overall sound, style, and playing ability. Anyone else ever hear Of Zal?

[waxnsteel]

I love Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and the like, but can't say I've drawn from them(or can play like them). My list of influential guitarists is more like:
1: Saul Hudson
2: Jimmy Page
3: Mick Mars
4: Tommy Shaw
5: Anne Wilson
6: Brian May
7: James Taylor
8: Neal Schon
9: Vito Bratta
10: All of the Steely Dan Guitarists

[WhiteTrash]

DIMEBAG DARREL
SLASH
ERIC MELVIN

[the_vin]

No particular order:

1. SRV
2. George Harrison
3. Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
4. Eddie Van Halen
5. Slash
6. Glenn Tipton/KK Downing (Judas Priest)
7. Brian May
8. Jimmy Page
9. Jimi Hendrix
10. Gary Moore

A bit of a mix but they all had their own form of magic.

Others worth mentioning:

Zakk Wylde
Keith Richards
Angus Young
Yngwie Malmsteen
Dave Davies (The Kinks)
Brian Seltzer
Billy Gibbons

Long live rock n roll...and especially the magnificent Gibson Les Paul!

[FilmComposerMan]

Marty Friedman- my favorite!! I have the signiture guitar to prove it
Yngwie J. Malmsteen
Micheal Sweet
Oz Fox
Michael Wilton
Geoff Tate
Dimebag Darrell
Jason Becker
Micheal Lee Ferkins
Paul Gilbert