Di Meloa is an absolute titan in the world of Jazz Fusion and Latin Jazz guitar. A Berklee College of Music grad, Di Meloa hit the scene running with three seminal albums in '76, '77 and '78, Land of the Midnight Sun", "Elegant Gypsy" and "Casino" respectively. At the time Di Meola was the darling of Guitar Player magazine, a decisive factor in hearing about him - I was listening to Kiss, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, not jazz. In 1981 he released what is possibly the best jazz guitar instrumental album of all time with Paco DeLucia and John McLaughlin. "A Night In San Francisco" is a 'cannot miss' if you're not familiar with our choice at # 20.
19. Ted Nugent (74)
The Nuge first tasted success in 1968 with the Amboy Dukes' psychedelic hit, "Journey To The Center Of The Mind". In '75 he began releasing albums under his own name that were ferocious in both sound and technical attack. Nugent put his chops on the line and delivered an intensity that raised the bar, creating masterpieces like "Great White Buffalo", "Catch Scratch Fever" and "Free For All". His heavy take on blues based rock helped form the sound of heavy metal - I would consider him to be a forefather in the same lofty category of Maiden, Sabbath or Priest. We'll leave Ted's politics out of this particular discussion and give a nod to the fact that regardless of what he believes in, he sure as hell isn't afraid to stand up for it.