In no particular order:
Eddie. I can still remember the first time I heard Eruption. Simply amazing. Never had the pleasure of seeing him live, but I have all his CD's. I particularly like his playing in 'Hot for Teacher' (funny because I don't think the song is great, just Eddies playing is so amazing in that one).
Hendix. He was about a decade ahead of his peers stylistically. Absolute, unabashed genius. I wore out at least a half dozen Hendrix LP's over the years. Current fav tune: 'Voodoo Child'.
SRV. Another amazing player. Pure emotion flowed from his fingers. Till they bled.
Satriani. Amazingly clean. Amazingly fast. My current fav Satriani tune is 'Cool #9' off his self titled CD. If that tune does not satiate the guitar god worshiper, nothing will.
Pat Metheney. If you ever get a chance, go see the Pat Metheney Group in concert. Even if you are not a fan of that style of music. It is a magical thing. No other way to describe it. He's another one of those rare players that has a direct connection between his thoughts and the fretboard.
Django. Just imagine what he could have done if his left hand was not crippled. Scary.
Damn, I have so many more favorites: Jeff Beck, Jerry Donahue, Will Ray, John Jorgenson, Carlton, Robben Ford, Bireli Lagrene, Michael Hedges, Clapton, Brian Setzer, oh and of course, Townsend and Page.
