6. Randy Rhoads (11)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxN0mQgQdPM Randy Rhoads was the frontrunner in introducing neo-classical influences to metal guitar playing. One could argue that without Rhoads rise to prominence the way might not have been paved for the success of future shredders like Malmsteen and Vai. Many hold Rhoads singlehandedly responsible for Ozzys rise from the ashes of Sabbath in 79 to 80s metal prominence. When Blizzard of Oz came out in 80 there was nothing else like it who can forget the opening riff of Crazy Train or images of Ozzy carrying Rhoads on his shoulders as the guitarists fingers attacked the fret board of his polka-dotted Jackson Flying V? 5. Dimebag Darrel (9)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elYStmAaW2k The emergence of Grunge in the early 90s is well documented and the decade was certainly not kind to metal or its sub-genres. Hair metal bands were dropping like flies and established behemoths like Kiss were trying to figure out how to hold onto their fans and eroding market share. One band to carry the metal torch high through the 90s was Pantera, progenitors of groove metal. Developing a style all his own that influenced a generation of players, Dime is one of the few guitarists to record many of his studio album solos without the benefit of a rhythm guitar. After splitting with erratic addict Phil Anselmo Dime created Damageplan with his drummer brother Vinnie. Tragically Dime was gunned down by a deranged fan during a Damageplan show in 2004.
Reverend Rock
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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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