Originally Posted by blastingas10

If we're strictly talking about rock n roll, no precursors to rock n roll, then I'd probably say Hendrix. I think the effect he had on guitar playing surpasses any other influence that there has been on rock. When listening to post 60s rock or "pop" rock, I don't hear any influence as dominant as Hendrixs' guitar playing. Sure, there were people experimenting with distortion before Hendrix came onto the scene, but he took it to an entirely different level that just blew everything before him away.

You hear that influence everywhere, from funk master Eddie hazel to Stevie ray to John frusciante to buckethead and vai and satriani. I don't think anyone's influence has reached out to so many of the dominant figures in more recent rock n roll.