Guitar Players that CHANGED the way guitar players play.

What is the guitarist that changed the way other guitarist play. This is not your favorite guitar player (we can debate that for years) But rather changed the WAY other guitarists play. When you specify, also specify why. This should be fun. Mine are... And why.

1. Chuck berry. He took the what blues players did and added his own magic. Example stage antics of Tbone walker with riffs that everyone would borrow (steal) example the riff to Johnny b good. The godfather of sped up rockers.

2. Jimi Hendrix. - who is gonna argue this one? This man single handedly took stage presence and blazing guitar riffs that musicians for years would try to figure out. Example is the star spangled banner which he made up right b/f he took the stage at woodstock.

3. Jimmy Page. Sure he stole the hell out of most of the greatest blues players b/f him (who didn't?) with his magic of acoustical masterpieces and thundering guitar riffs. He influenced major guitar tapping by a young Eddie who went to one of his concerts and tried to figure out how to play the solo heartbreaker without the extreme hammer on and pull offs which leads me to my last pick.

4. Eddie van halen. At the peak of disco Gene Simmons couldn't sell this guy. But Van Halen  debut made people bring out their guitars and hot rod their amps. Never b/f (in my opinion) Since Hendrix did one person totally change the way guitarist play from the extreme speed, tapping and his signature "brown sound" . 

These are my 4 .... not bad eh?