Like most important rock bands, but with guitarists, whether it be skill, variety, whatever. I have two. Jimmy page, Jimi Hendrix. Jimmy page because he created so many styles, and developed older ones, and is, in my opinion, the best technical guitarist of all time. Jimi Hendrix because, though not technically perfect and he only really did one genre, bu he changed the way that the guitar was played and subsequently I don't think Jimmy page would have been as good as he is without hendrix before him.
Eddie Van Halen, Tony Iommi, Eddie Clarke, Scott Gorham, Dick Dale, Jimmy page, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Randy Rhoads, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chuck Berry.
Cauldron, great list. I'd add Uli Jon Roth, Ritche Blackmore, Ace Frehley, KK/Tipton, Al DiMeola, Paco De Lucia, John McLaughlin, Hammer, Adrian/Dave from Maiden, and Megadeth's guitarists to that list as well. Vito Bratta was brilliant too but I seldom run across his name. Plus there were early rock/blues guys like Muddy Waters, BB, Goree Carter, Link Wray, Chuck Berry to Pete Townsend, Clapton, Richards, etc.
For me it's almost certianly Ritchie Blackmore, the man is a musical genius and arguably one of the greatest improvisational guitarists ever. Look up any live performance of Highway Star or Child in Time with him, I dont think he's ever played a solo the same way twice
He was one of the big influences that pushed classical playing in rock guitar and provided the foundation for Uli, Malmsteen and dozens of others to follow.
