Yes, we have plenty of threads devoted to great guitarists, but I want one devoted specifically to those that play in the prog-rock/fusion vein...

My personal favorites:

Frank Zappa [The Mothers of Invention]
Robert Fripp [King Crimson]
Gary Green [Gentle Giant]
Allan Holdsworth [Focus]
Jan Akkerman [Gong]
Alex Lifeson [Rush]
Steve Howe [Yes]
John Petrucci [Dream Theater]
Adrian Belew [King Crimson]

Steve Hackett (Genesis)

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

I would say my two favorites are Robert Fripp and Steve Howe...


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zappa and fripp... in that order hehehe

Gilmour.

I wouldn't consider Dream Theater (Petrucci) prog-rock...

I'm sorry, but Petrucci is about as Prog as they come. When we're talking about Neo-Prog rockers like Petrucci who self-consciously approach their music to adhere to the defined stylistic framework laid out by the founders of the style and pretty much declare outright that "we are a Prog band"... well, he's definately Prog... :tongue:

And as for your suggestion, I don't consider Gilmour to be Prog-Rock. Floyd was arty, but they were essentially a space rock/psychedelic band (emphasizing texture over classical/jazz influenced virtuosity and complexity of composition), not necessarily Progressive . And Gilmour was more interested in playing like a bluesman than anything else anyway...

Here's some that havent been mentioned.....

Andy Lattimer - Camel
Roine Stolt - Flower Kings
Michael Romeo - Symphony X
Mick Abrahams - Jethro Tull's original guitarist, now playing with Bloodwyn Pig
Devin Townsend

TRUE "progressive rock" has survived the shifting musical trends. These bands have evolved and expanded their artistic vision continually, sometimes to the point where they sound nothing like their original incarnation. - changes in style and sound drastically from album to album.

Pink Floyd are one of the biggest Pro Rock bands EVER! I love Robert Fripp too of course.

also there's Radiohead (alot would argue with that too) - I don't mind Johnny Greenwood. Well he is very talented.

Al DiMeola
Buckethead
Adrian Belew
Uh...The guy from King's X
And some may scoff at this, but Peter Frampton kicked a lot of ass before he got that stupid talkbox.