Completely subjective and in alphabetical order:
Steve Howe (ok, this one’s not in alphabetical order, because he’s STEVE HOWE!)
Chuck Berry – well, he started it, didn’t he?
Tommy Emmanuel – max virtuosity, with wit and soul. Chet would be proud.
Steve Hackett – his solos were compositions unto themselves. Check out ‘Selling England By the Pound.’
Scott Henderson – ferocious jazz fusion with rock roots.
Jimi Hendrix – left us all speechless.
Curtis Mayfield – such a warm, fat tone.
Pat Metheny – he brought melody back to jazz. For a while, anyway.
Prince – audacious on all counts.
Joe Scott – created his own unique thing. Not many people can say that!
Derek Trucks – spiritual godson of Duane Allman.
— ok, you caught me! That’s one more than ten, because this list goes to eleven!