This is a great thread, it's extremely interesting to know what music means to people and why they like what they do!

For me, music is about capturing the imagination and stimulating the emotions. Some artists do it for me mainly through their lyrics, or mainly through their music, but my favourite bands are those who can really create vivid imagery and tap into emotions through a synthesis of both lyrics AND music.

As far as instrumental stuff goes, I find that jazz and fusion can capture my imagination really well, but there are fairly few instrumental rock guitarists who I like for this reason - in fact, Joe Satriani and Marty Friedman are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head. I'd also mention John McLaughlin - except he's more a jazz-fusion player; John Scofield - ditto; Gary Moore - except he mostly plays blues, and he sings; David Gilmour - who also sings; and Jimi Hendrix - who's not instrumental at all, really more of a singer-songwriter with amazing ability on the electric guitar, his lyrics are one of the main reasons I like him.