Since we're talking just guitar players now......
These guys are beasts in the instrument as well. Hendrix and Van Halen revolutionized the way the guitar is supposed to be played, meaning millions of other guitarists copied their styles and others took it further. And DM you forgot about Carlos Santana.
There are so, so, so many other great guitarists out there, and in different genres too!
Jazz - Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Kenny Burrell, Django Reinhart, Grant Green, Charlie Christian, John Mclaughlin, etc.
Fusion/Contemporary Jazz - Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Russ Freeman(Rippingtons), Larry Coryell, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Al DiMeola, Allan Holdsworth, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Chuck Loeb, etc......
Hard Rock/Metal - Angus Young, Ritchie Blackmore, Ace Frehley, Steve Lukather, Neal Schon, Alex Lifeson, Phil Collen(Def Leppard), Richie Sambora, Steve Howe, Slash, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Reb Beach, etc.........
Blues - Freddie King, Johnny Winter, Alvin Lee, Albert King, Johnny Guitar Watson, Jonny Lang, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Lucky Peterson, Derek Trucks, Rory Gallagher, Joe Bonamassa, etc.....
Funk/R&B/Rock - Vernon Reid, Eddie Hazel, Ernie Isley, Michael Hampton, Eric Gales, Dwayne(Blackbyrd) McKnight, Nile Rodgers, Roger Troutman, Mark Hicks(Slave), Jesse Johnson, etc.....
Country - Roy Clark, Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Vince Gill, etc....
And this is just scratching a very small part of the surface of all the great guitarists out there.
Back on topic. I think Prince listened mostly to Hendrix, Santana, and a few others to develop his style. To be as good as he is, he HAD to!
Originally Posted by kerwil62
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Damn what a great list above of some of the best in their respective guitar categories. Rock On!