I can't break it down but i'll put it into categories. Since nobody can really say.
Most Creative:
1.Jimi Hendrix - there's two types of guitar styles, those before Jimmi Hendrix, and those after Jimmi Hendrix.
2.Eddie Van Halen - Technique invention and innovation
3.Chuck Berry - invented alot about rock and roll guitar phrasing.
4.Tonni Iommi - No heavy metal without him
5.Muddy Waters - Started electrifying blues music
All those players are turning points in the way the guitar was looked at and played.
Technically advanced:
1.Steve Vai - Can play anything
2.Paul Gilbert - Hurts my brain
3.Yngvie Malmsteen - needs professional help
4.?? - can't think (please add one here)...Rhoads??
5.Buckethead, Bumblefoot - Wtf!
Chops for days... maybe these guys should have got out more??
Most Balls, Style, Personality and Attitude:
1.Jimmi Page - sloppy, but all rock n roll swagger.
2.Angus Young - His picture is in dictionary next to the word attitude.
3.Dimebag - Can't be imitated, possibly the heaviest guitar player on record.
4.Zakk Wylde - Look at him, this guy means business
5.Stevie Ray Vaughn - can hit one note and make you feel his pain, blues personified
May not have best finger technique, but these guys will MAKE you feel it!
Guilty pleasure: Kurt Cobain - The most primal, brutish, boneheaded, guitarist i've ever heard, a breath of fresh air after the self wacking guitarist that copied the really good ones in the 80's. Unfortunately people today use him as an excuse to not learn how to play at all. Although they have none of his songwriting or melody writing ability.
Can't say who's best, neither can God, he just enjoys them all, so should you.
Just had to bring this awesome thread back up...
