Out of the ones you listed I would have to go with Alex Lifeson. But then Rush is my favourite prog group so that's a given. Jan Akkerman would be my next choice though, guy has a totally unique and instantly recognisable playing style.

I discovered Frank recently with Muffin Man and I love his kind of subversive writing, but it was definitely hard to not vote for Alex Lifeson. :clap:

I voted Martin Barre because I'm a JT fan (seen 3 times) and have even seen Martin on a solo tour which was amazing.

I think that people forget (or never knew) what a juggernaut Jethro Tull was back in the day. Between '71 and '75 they had 5 top 10 albums in the U.S. with two being #1 .

Their live album "Bursting Out" is Martin and the band firing on all cylinders. Recommended.

This video from Madison Square Garden is a nice sample of the band's prowess.

Of the ones listed in the poll, Barre is my favorite as well. I did see Tull live when he was in the band and he was great. I don't know if I would consider Tull or Barre "prog", though. The Aqualung album, which is the most people are familiar with, is more of a hard rock album. And other than concept albums like Thick As A Brick and Passion Play, no way would Ian Anderson allow long songs filled with lots of solos.

I agree that the prog tag is a tad misleading or perhaps it's just my personal interpretation off the genre is a little off kilter. For me, the progressive/alternative/avant-garde/experimental always meant off the beaten path. How far off the beaten path are you when you have back to back #1 albums? That sounds like mainstream to me!

I'm not going to nitpick the guitarists on the list to whether they fit my personal definition of prog.

I saw the very first show of this tour last year and it's back in town again.
https://kentstage.org/event/martin-b...age/kent-ohio/
The setlist is considerably different but I won't be going.

I did smile when I saw the name Fred Firth from Henry Cow, I hadn't heard that name in a long time. Currently listening to his latest album (Fitty) released earlier this year.

A guitarist not on the list is Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe. Other than having the worst band name ever they were a really good prog/pop band (is that a thing?).

He gets going just before the 2 minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XaEVIT0kGY