4. The Great Kat
I almost didn't put The Great Kat on this list because she is such an obvious choice. However, having spent the past few weeks watching videos upon videos of solid guitar playing, she had to be included because she's just so awesome. Her songs may be incredibly cheesy (Worship Me Or Die! anyone?) but, let's be honest, she's no more outlandish, outrageous, or plain silly as Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, or Judas Priest were around the same time. The Great Kat has been called one of the fastest shredders of all time by Guitar One magazine, and watching her play it seems like a fair accolade. What truly makes The Great Kat great is her understanding of music across genres. He morphing of classical music into pretty skin-shearing metal ought to be celebrated hugely. Jacques Loussier's transitioning of Chopin and Bach to jazz was hugely revered, and The Great Kat, despite the ridiculous name, outfits, and lyrics, deserves the same treatment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JxKbdu7L_8