What made me this way...
Well, you know I HAD to mention Jimi Hendrix! Jimi redefined both the sound and the role of the guitar in the 60's. Much has been written about this incredible pioneer.
"Electric Ladyland" was far and away my favorite work by this unique man. "Are You Experienced?" was a bold, revolutionary introduction, and "Axis Bold As Love" further refined that vision. But this album showed a mature man who was now in fact wilder than ever. The original lineup of the Experience (a trio with Mich Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding on bass) was at its peak on this album, and it featured long excursions where no man had gone before (or has since).
Jimi's later bands never quite brought the spirit of adventure to their work that this group did.