Epic Guitarists

Playing guitar has been an essential part of my life and a core element of my being for over 30 years.  It has given me so much:  a creative outlet, membership in a passionate community of like-minded musicians, long-lasting friendships, and--most importantly--personal self-confidence.    It was 1988 when musical lightning struck--I heard "Far Beyond the Sun" from Yngwie Malmsteen for the first time.  I was 14, and while I had always gravitated towards guitar-oriented rock and heavy metal, it opened my ears and my mind to what an electric guitar could  do.  For those of you who read that last line and thought "WAIT, WHAT ABOUT EDDIE!!"-- I hear you.  While I now have a true appreciation for Eddie's genius and influence, back then I  liked Van Halen, and on some rudimentary level, I understood that Eddie Van Halen was the most famous and most important guitarist in the world.  But, listening to Yngwie was different .  It was so ...