Eric Clapton

Nicknamed 'God' by London graffiti writers in 1967, Clapton bridged British blues purism and mainstream rock across five decades. His work with the Bluesbreakers on the 1966 Beano Album established the cranked-Marshall tone that became the blueprint for rock lead guitar. From Cream's Crossroads to Layla with Derek and the Dominos, he demonstrated an unmatched ability to channel Delta blues vocabulary through a Gibson Les Paul and later a Fender Stratocaster he nicknamed Blackie, earning three inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.