Buddy Guy

Even at age 69, legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy, who Clapton himself called "the greatest guitar player alive," can still burn up a fretboard. During the Chicago blues heyday, you couldn't find classic recordings by the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf or Junior Wells that didn'tpredominately feature Guy's clean but simmering handiwork. Though best heard as a sideman, his solo shows are still awesome displays of emotions and unexpected restraint. Always the showman but never the showboat, Guy's influence in both blues and rock circles cannot be overstated.