Which 3 guitarists have most inspired/influenced you?

I dont really have anyone that really made me pick up the guitar and start playing but I'll list some guys I like in no particular order:
*Muhammed Suicmez -He wasn't even mentioned yet I dont think :P Plays for Necrophagist.
*Luca Turilli = teehee giggle :P Just love the "Warlords Last Challenge" solo in the song 'Gargoyles, Angels of Darkness.' I like a bunch of others as well. Its all good and lovely. He plays in Rhapsody of Fire.
*Guthrie Govan = omg almost forgot him but hes quite amazing! Great person as well.
*Yngwie Malmsteen =...what can I say :P

1)Steve Vai
2)John Petrucci
3)Steve Morse

Michael Hedges

Keller Williams

Warren Haynes

Steve Vai definitely is my #1, David Gilmour my #2 and Jimi Hendrix my #3. I think in my original post in this thread I mentioned that I couldn't really narrow it down to just 3.. but when I really think about it these are the 3 that I know have inspired me, may be not influenced.. but definitely inspired. Vai and I have a lot in common when it comes to personality and how we approach music, I am not saying I am the same as him or anywhere near as good as he but after spending some time reading up about him over the years, I have come to realise we are, at least in some part, kindred spirits when it comes to music.

David is still amazing me to this day. I buy the same guitar string brand that he does; I have the same pickups he does and I definitely prefer a strat guitar. I aspire to be as cosmic and spacey as he is when I am soloing over my own stuff and listening to him always inspires me to pick up my guitar and play.

Hendrix.. well.. I just feel he has helped me become confident about myself in places that I was not confident about. Singing, playing rhythm, going crazy (on the guitar) and generally taking ownership of my own music. Though I have to admit that Vai has taken over the role of the latter in recent times.

Well....

1. Eddie Van Halen
2.Yngwie Malmsteen
3.Zack Wylde :cool:

james murphy
jason becker
randy rhoads

yeah i'm kinda old school.

1.) Matthew Bellamay -- Muse

2.)Chap Stique -- Family Force 5

3.)Tom Morrelo -- Rage Against the Machine


I have my reason on choosing all of them. But, they are mine to keep ;)

Man, it's hard to narrow it down to only 3...here goes:

1) David Gilmour

2) Stevie Ray Vaughn

3) EVH

There have been tons of others since, but those are the earliest and biggest.

James Hetfield inspired me to pick up a guitar

Steve Vai inspired me to get a 7-string and learn how to shred

Slash inspired me to pick up a Les Paul and play with tone

Hard ass question.....

1.) Micheal Romeo
2.) Yngie Malmsteen
3.) Early Van Halen
4.) Shenker
5.) Marty Friedman
6.) Shawn Lane
7.) Rusty Cooly

Bunches of others.