what about Eric Clapton? I consider him a talented songwriter and lyricist. Mikael Akerfeldt is my personal hero (he plays in Opeth, does vocals, guitars, pianos and everything else)
I think Neil Young is a strong songwriter, as was kurt cobain and bob dylan. Phil Anselmo is a poet of our generation in my eyes, gifted songwriter and musician
Max Cavalera of sepultura and soulfly, and paige hamilton of Helmet.
There really are countless great songwriters to choose from, often of different eras, and yeah I LOVE eddie vedder and pearl jam.
Layne staley and jerry cantrell were the guys who got me through my teens, and James Hetfield of metallica!

I'd say my top 5 are

1.Mikael Akerfeldt
2.James Hetfield
3.Eric Clapton
4.Layne Staley/Jerry Cantrell
5.Kurt Cobain