| There's no way to give a definitive answer to this question, but I'll just throw around some of thoughts.
Most Innovative/Inspiring: Jimmi Hendrix. 99% of todays guitarists would not be around today if it were not for Jimmi. He did something completely new and it changed the world.
Most Underrated: David Gilmour, Dickie Betts - Some of the most emotional guitarists around. Theirs solos have a message and they create moods like no other.
Amazing shredders- Dimebag Darrell, Hammett, Malmsteen, Van Halen, Satriani,Rhoads, Vai - All these guys are amazing and play faster than you can imagine. If you want to hear the most insane shredding ever download "Speed Metal Symphony" by Jason Becker, you'll flip.
My favorite - Stevie Ray Vaughn. Never have I seen a guitarist play such lengthy, uninterrupted, inspired and fluent solos. It's one of the greatest tragedies of our time that this mans life was cut off so short. | 