Guitarists

The "Shrapnel Boyz": (Thanks to Mike Varney's Shrapnel record label)
YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN The maestro who ushered in a whole new era of guitar playing. Introducing the neo-classical metal guitar sound, he remains the master by which all shredders are compared! Currently, touring with rumors of a possible North American leg of the tour...let's hope so!	TONY MACALPINE (Solo, Ring of Fire, Planet X, CAB, Derek Sherinian) The seven string playing virtuoso was introduced in the early 80's. Note, he also is a great pianist. Just finished up a tour with Derek, you can check him out on the Ring of Fire DVD...awesome.
JASON BECKER (ex-David Lee Roth, Solo, Cacophony). Sadly, Jason was diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease in 1989. His recordings, including some recent releases of early demo work, are all incredible. While unable to play guitar anymore, he continues to be an inspiration. As said on his site, "We live thinking we will never die. We die thinking we had never lived. Cut it out."; well said!	MARTY FRIEDMAN (ex-Megadeth, Solo, Cacophony). Marty pulled off an amazing effort in Megadeth, adding a classically trained style of shred to a more traditional metal band's sound. He grew tired at the end of being limited to that type of music, and moved on prior to their eventual disbandment. He has released a solo cd "Music for Speeding".
VINNIE MOORE A progressive neo-classical guitarist that has issued some amazing solo instrumental cd's since the 80's. His last release, Defying Gravity, was in 2001, so let's hope we hear from him again soon.	PAUL GILBERT (ex-Mr Big, Racer X, Solo) Paul is a technically brilliant guitarist, who has a very versatile style. His efforts early on with Racer X put him on the map, his Mr. Big riffs were awesome (got an electric drill anyone?). He has since been releasing solo efforts and is touring.
JAMES BYRD (Byrd, ex-Fifth Angel) -	GEORGE BELLAS

*The "Ozzy String Slingers"* :**
ZAKK WYLDE (Black Label Society, Ozzy, Solo, ex-Pride & Glory, ex-Zyris) No one does is like Zakk!	JAKE E LEE (er-Bourgeois Pigs, ex-Badlands, ex-Ozzy, Solo) Author of some of the most amazing blues soaked metal riffs. Ozzy work was great, but Badlands should of been huge. Unfortunately, the music scene/tastes were in a flux at the time and missed fully appreciating Badlands. Worse is that Jake has basically not released much over the past years except for cover tunes...we wait his full return!
RANDY RHOADS (ex-Ozzy, ex-Quiet Riot). He was taken from us tragically. RIP	TONI IOMMI (Black Sabbath, Iommi)
Two Ozzy Touring Guitarists: Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) right after Randy's passing, and Joe Holmes (Student of Randy Rhoads) when Zakk was not available for a period of time.
More Great Guitarists:
MICHAEL ROMEO (Symphony X...buy all of their albums!)	JOHN SYKES (Solo, ex-Whitesnake, ex-Blue Murder)
JOHN PETRUCCI (Dream Theartre)	JOE STUMP (Soloist & Reign of Terror)
GEORGE LYNCH (Solo, Lynch Mob, ex-Dokken)	MICHAEL SCHENKER (Solo, MSG, ex-Scorpions)
CHRIS DEGARMO(ex-Queensryche) Retired to be a private pilot. Returned to the studio to record some songs on the last Queensryche album 'Tribe'...let's hope we hear more from him!	CRISS OLIVA (Savatage) Tragically this great talent was taken from us way too soon... RIP.
STEVE VAI (Solo, ex-Whitesnake, ex-David Lee Roth, ex-Alcatrazz)	JOE SATRIANI (Solo)
CHRIS IMPELLITTERI (Impellitteri)	OLAF LENK (At Vance)
MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO (Solo, ex-Nitro)	STEPHAN FORTE (Adagio)
DAVE DIPEITRO (Legendary TT Quick, ex-Nuclear Assault, and ex- guitar teacher to Zakk Wylde!) (	RICK RENSTROM (Rob Rock, ex-Leash Law, ex-Tiawanku). Awesome guitarist who proved his stuff with solo effort and Rob Rock.
¤ Other phenomenal guitarists (no list would be complete without them!) Eddie Van Halen, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix (of course), Al Di Meola (check him out recent on Derek Shernian's Black Utopia), Eric Johnson, and Uli Jon Roth.
Bass Guitarists :
BILLY SHEEHAN (Talas, ex-David Lee Roth)	TONY FRANKLIN (fretless bass!) (ex-Blue Murder)