18. Steve Vai
Vai might be best known for playing with David Lee Roth (1985-’89) and Whitesnake (1989-’91), but he actually began his career playing with the great Frank Zappa in the early 1980s. Vai is a guitar wiz who cites the influence of many high up on this list (most notably our No. 1 pick). Known for making his guitar “talk,” Vai put out his first solo record in 1984 and continues to play today. While it took some time for Vai to get his due, he remains a giant among rock guitarists.