I think it's more about the creativity... That's why Hendrix & Page ruled in the past , and that's why my current fav is Vai.
Of course all the other factors you mentioned are considered too , but what's so interesting about the fastest guitarist on earth who plays crappy music, or adds nothing new ? He'll just be a nice performer , not a true artist.
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thats why slash is the man!
WWSD? What would stevie do?