B.B. King
B.B. King, who was born in 1925, was the first to introduce the world to a sophisticated guitar solo style. Using string bending and vibrato, he pioneered new techniques for electric blues. B.B. (short for Blues Boy) is no doubt the unquestioned “King” of the blues guitar. He was a long-time blues friend and one of the all-time greats. King passed away peacefully in his sleep in 2015, at the age of 89.
Mark Knopfler
His younger brother, David Knopfler, is a co-founder of the rock band Dire Straits. The number 70 label was dubbed a virtuoso. He is a four-time Grammy winner, a three-time University of Music Honorary Doctor of Music, and a finger-style guitarist. Sultans of Swing is an amazing classic of guitar showmanship from Dire Strait’s first album.