I've been playing guitar for 7 years, self taught. I'm 17 and turn 18 this summer.

I've been Billy Talent's biggest fan since grade 5, and Ian D'sa's guitar style defies anything I've ever heard. Ever. I picked up bass about a month ago because there is a high demand for it here, and as well, Jon Gallant is an amazing bass player.

Cool man :D

I started "learning" guitar when I was in ninth grade or so. What had inspired me to pick it up was actually the riff from "Crazy Train", which is strange. I do, however, remember hearing that riff and thinking, "Wow, I really want to do that!" Unfortunately, I gave up before I could even learn to play that riff.

Less than a year ago, I picked up an acoustic and decided to really teach myself to play. I admired so many guitarists, and felt that my tastes and level of focus matured enough to seriously learn how to play.

My influences are currently:
Richard Thompson: I never get tired of listening to the man's music, and love watching video of his live playing. I feel like honestly, his particular style of playing is the one I'd be most interested in pursuing.
John Fahey: Granted, fingerpicking and such is absolutely not my strong point, and I doubt I could ever play like Mr. Fahey, but I find watching / listening to him play is incredibly motivating. That someone could play a guitar like that blows my mind and inspires me to work harder.
Trey Anastasio: His influences are varied and still all well-represented in his body of work. Whether he's throwing down some blues or jazz licks or working on an intricate, composed classical piece, he's quite interesting. Also, trying to learn his songs has been really helpful in practicing barre chords.
Joni Mitchell: I know she's not necessarily a GREAT, but she's definitely inspired me to work with some seriously bizarre tunings. And also, from a songwriting aspect, she's certainly an inspiration.

Jimi Hendrix
A Whisper in the Noise
Steven "Jesse" Berstein
The Velvet Underground
Emily ****inson (not a musician, but her minimalistic poetry is wonderful) - blocked out some of her name...
Langston Hughes (got me into poetry)
Bert Jansch
Son House

Oh man, I would say the artist who practically forced me to pick up a guitar was Bob Dylan. I would say any type of song I were to write would be just a foggy, cracked mirror image of his lol. As for as soloing goes though, SRV would be it.

For me:

On keys (pianos/synths):
- Oscar Peterson
- Jordan Rudess
- "Blind" Boone

With musical composition (Classical):
- Aaron Copland
- J. S. Bach
- Enrique Granados
- Henry Purcell

Lyrically/Vocally
- John Lennon
- Neil Peart
- Neko Case
- Leonard Cohen
- Tim DeLaughter
- Boff Whalley

On guitar:
- Mark Knopfler
- John Fahey
- Mark Whitfield
- Julian Bream

I play violin, pennywhistle and mandolin as well, but I don't consider myself proficient enough to be "influenced" by anybody.

I started doing drums because my brother bought a drum kit and I was fascinated by it. And I started singing because of Florence Welch. I heard her sing and thought "damn, I want to do that. I want to be able to sing like her and at least try and look talented".

Of course, I'll never be as good as her, no one is (in my opinion), but I try my best.

I dunno really, I listen to a lot of guitarists and non-guitarists to adopt their instruments on my guitar:-

probably -

Charlie Parker, Antennae Jimmy Stevens (Cap'n Beefheart), Fripp/Belew, John Petrucci, Coltrane, Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf), Bach (pretentious ain't I? but Blackmore said the exact same thing), Buddy Guy, Hendrix, Joe Walsh, Jelly Roll Morton, Robert Johnson, Steve Vai, BB King, Gilmour, geetar guy from Sly & The Family Stone, Eddie Hazel amd etc etc

I guess Flea and Steve Harris are the reason I first picked up a bass, but Andy Rourke of the Smiths is definitely my biggest influence. Not just because I like the band, but because I really feel a connection to his playing style... and consequently, I can play most of their songs. I also admire Jaco and Pino Palladino.

On guitar -Rory gallagher, Kevin Parker, Damien Rice, Fionn Regan.

On piano, it is different. Most of the songs i have heard i rarely know who has written them, i am just interested in how the songs are constructed and i sub consciously record different techniques and then use them without thinking when i am composing.

I am liking pschedelic music right now, trancey stuff. Tame Impala have played a big part in my music taste recently.

i am also enjoying classical and baroque music, dark gothic stuff. It is very hard to say this without sounding pretencious or whatever but there you guy, that is the music i enjoy, take it or leave it.