I’m with @smitty_p I can’t think of anyone I can call my goto bonafide genuine bestest most favorite guitar player. Depends on my mood. What band I’m listening to at that moment. Favorite would be in a constant state of flux.
Influenced….. that’s easy. CSNY on acoustic guitars. Yes…. All 4 of them. Be what pushed me over the edge to learn guitar and why from 1973-2007, acoustic was all I had.
It would be a long list for me.
Rory Gallagher and Jimi Hendrix would definitely be at the top. As well as Alvin Lee, Duane Allman, Dickie Betts, Johnny Winter, Andy Powell, Mick Abrahams, Eddie Clarke, and many others.