Jackson Jambalaya

Jerry Garcia?

David Gilmour --

I could've easily made that poll 50 choices. Had to cut it off somewhere. I'll put McLaughlin up against any that were left off. Crimson was included because that is my favorite band.

Someone's a 60's freak. No Satriani, Vai or Malmsteen. No Tommy Iommi or Dave Mustaine?

I can't vote for this! ;)

Ry Cooder.

Like you are some spring chicken IGhost.

What about The Edge from U2?

modified. Now THAT'S IT!

Johnny Winter, Robin Trower but of course you include Tuffnell.

Where is Robert Johnson? He's like the top 5!

Hendrix is my #1, but B.B. King is my #1 that is still performing.

OTHER/sonny landruth

Chet Atkins!!!! Come on!!!!

I thought Glen Campbell in addition to singing was a hellva guitarist. I thought he was considered one of the best.

Tom Morello.

That's a shit list.

Where's Dean Ween???

You realize I could've made this list 50 or 100 choices, right? I have to cut it off somewhere.

Did you make this poll in '87?

Pete Townshend?

It could be argued, that with the way indie rock has taken off over the last 20 years (Built to Spill, Pavement, Sonic Youth, Wilco, My Morning Jacket, etc.), that Neil Young is the most influential guitarist at the moment. Obviously his influences were the 50s and 60s rockers, and cocaine, so you could always trace the influences back further and further.

This list focuses too narrowly on just a couple styles. Blues (Clapton/SRV types) and then the technicle 80s dudes (Satriani/Vai/Van Halen).

Blues is arguably the most influential style to what makes up current rock n roll, but that Satriani/Vai/VH stuff is irrelevant. You might as well just pick one of those dudes to be the "best," or the representative for that style, and drop the rest.

Then you should just take Clapton off, because he wouldn't even be near this list without Duane Allman and JJ Cale. I agree that Clapton is a badass, but there are others before and after him that actually created new music, instead of ripping off others.

I really wish Hendrix had lived until today. His stamp on music would be gigantic.

I happily voted for Stevie Ray and there are some great guitar players on the list.

Somebody who performed one of the best guitar solos that I have ever heard was Mark Knopfler, lead guitar in Dire Straits .... check out Sultans of Swing for a most excellent example of great guitar.

Stevie Ray Vaughan... Rhythm and lead at the same time, what a shame, even if you don't like Texas blues.

Nigel got three votes already? damn.

Stevie Ray Vaughan. None other.

Buddy Guy taught both Jimi and Clapton some new tricks at the time. Slash? But, no Buddy Guy?

Where is Vince Gill? From bluegrass to rock then country he has to be at the top!

jerry garcia and mark knopfler and peter green and jimi...the greatest of their styles

I see Eric Clapton doing well,
ahead of Stevie Ray Vaughan . I totally respect Clapton for his skills but his strength as a song writer/performer shouldnt be confused with guitar picking.

I dont think anything he has done
touches Stevie Ray's shoelaces.

Here's my vote......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEp2QLicd9Y&feature=related

Trevor Rabin!

Mick Ronson was amazing.

Do a poll for most over rated guitarist next, please? That's where I'll vote for Clapton. He's good but not the best.

James Burton is a legendary guitarist. He was Elvis' guitarist of choice, and the King only hired the best.
http://www.james-burton.net/portal/index.php

You would almost have to do this poll decade by decade, wouldn't you? Polls are fun. Thank you, KF.

How about Les Paul, Lenny Breaux, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Roy Clark, etc? Really need to narrow it somehow, by genre, decade or something...

Joe Walsh?

What about Johnny Guitar Watson?He was good back in the day.

with all due respect to the guitarists on the list, I would like to cast a write-in vote for Chet Atkins. Some of those folks learned from and idolized him.

Ditto on Chet Atkins....

Think somebody is multiple voting for Clapton. He's a Brit; is this really what Mississippians think?
At least SRV & Jimmy Lee have some authentic blues credentials

I agree on the Clapton conspiracy theory. (BTW, I voted for Stevie Ray Vaughan.)