I've been playing guitar for ever and I love most of the players mentioned here. Pete Townshend is the reason I play so I definately like old school rock.
That said the guitar players of today have insane technique that the previous generation would have sold their souls for.
I cast my vote for BUCKETHEAD, He is the most original and inovative guitarist of this generation.
You had Jimi H: Paradigm shifter When he played all the other guitarists went, WTF?
You had Eddie VH: Paradigm shifter When he played all the other guitarists went, WTF?
Then there were a buch of fast guys like Yngwie and Satch, they were great but they did not create a paradigm.
Now there is BUCKETHEAD: Guitarists are saying WTF? again he is a Paradigm shifter.
https://youtube.com/results?search_query=buckethead&search_type=&aq=0& oq=buckethe
BTW, I know most of you haven't heard of him. Perhaps you should check him out.