Welcome aboard man...You jut became a legend when you picked up that axe...NO matter what you wanna play for, I guarantee you will love playing...and also hate it some times...

I think a good place to start is with your major scale ( Ionian mode) you will find this scale on any website relating to guitar tuition...from there you can make easy power chords using the first(root) and fifth note of each chord ( played simultaneously) with power chords you can play the rythym guitar parts for most songs...very easy ones to get started on are Smoke on the Water by Deep purple and Fly away by Lenny Kravits.

I suggest you visit http://www.guitar-pro.com and download the demo version and then collect tabs from http://www.mysongbook.com

this demo actually plays the song for you in midi and shows you waht to play...a great tool

Good Luck and have fun