Buddy Guy grew up playing a diddley bow in Lettsworth, Louisiana, but his rise to fame after moving to Chicago in 1957 was curtailed by a conservative Chess Records who preferred to use him to back the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson, rather than attempt to capture the flamboyance of his live performances.

Luckily he found appreciation amongst the British blues guitarists of the 1960s and his loud, distorted style was key to modernising electric blues. In the words of Eric Clapton: "Buddy Guy was to me what Elvis was for others." Praise indeed.

Listen: Buddy Guy - First Time I Met The Blues (live)

Your votes:

“…followed closely by Buddy Guy and BB King.” (Thanks, samgoldshark)

“Buddy Guy ;).” (Thanks, Rob1466)

“Man, that's a hard question. Because he is a legend and still blowing people's minds touring and playing great music at his age I say Buddy Guy.” (Thanks, guitarnoize)

Next: Peter Green