10. John Petrucci (17)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=535EHJnIcoM Let me go on record here as saying that I believe Dream Theater to be the best prog-rock band of the post classic era, meaning after 70s Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd and Rush. Does that give me a prejudice towards the bands guitarist, John Petrucci? Possibly but there is a reason that I have seen the band live on every tour since the late 90s: album after album, tour after tour, Petrucci stuns me with his playing - I had the privilege of sitting only ten rows from Petruccis fretwork magic at Torontos iconic Massey Hall during their last tour. His impeccable technical prowess coupled with a majestic sense of melody forms much of what is unique and enduring about DTs sound. 9. Robert Johnson (16)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82yNxiF-T4A While not the inventor of Delta blues, Robert Johnson is widely recognized as an innovator. His relatively small catalogue of songs were recorded in the late 1930s and can be found in their entirety on the excellent box set, The Complete Recordings (1990) which won a Grammy for best historical recording . The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted Johnson in its Early Influencers category at their opening in 1986. During his short lifetime (dying at age 27) Johnson failed to attract much attention or sell many records, barely rising above the level of a street busker but his legacy lives on in the works of the likes of Clapton and Richards who are widely quoted in their praises of him. The popular legend that he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads for fame and fortune is ironic considering how little of either he had in his short lifetime.
Reverend Rock
Contributor
Ross Ingall is a 52 year old ordained Canadian baptist minister who has been listening to hard rock and metal quite literally since each was invented. A second career pastor who attended seminary in his 40's, the Rev hosts Too Metal For Church on Metal Nation Radio. Writing both under his own name as well as the psuedonym/nickname Reverend Rock, Ross has been writing music articles on the web since 1999.
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