I would have to say Brian May as my favorite guitarist. No one can come close to matching his skill when it comes to making a guitar sing. As for who first got me playing I would have to say David Cassidy. I used to watch him on the Partrige Family (the original not the reruns, yes I'm old)(and I can hear you laughing) I always thought it look great to be playing up on stage. It inspired me to pick up a guitar.