I don't think Satriani or Vai ever really raised the bar, they just made the bar a little more visible to pop music.

Some albums that should probably be on there...
Allan Holdsworth - Road Games
Greg Howe's self titled album
Shawn Lane - Powers Of Ten
Return To Forever - Light As A Feather
Al Dimeola - Elegant Gypsy
John Coltrane - Blue Train
Weather Report - Black Market
Weather Report - Heavy Weather

And really, with SRV... was he mainstream?

For YEARS and years he was virtually unknown, but still putting out great music.