My take on rock guitar players is how creative they are in rock riffs. I think all the guitar players mentioned have to be proficient to make a career in music, just that some are better at playing rock than others.
My top 3:
Jimmy Page, when he was at the height of career, Song Remains the Same. Nobody before or since had the creative chops and proficiency to do what he did with a guitar. Sure he made mistakes and some described his style as sloppy, but man he came up with good rock riffs on many songs.
Alex Lifeson of Rush has a rhythmic style that may not draw attention to how good this guy is. But to create the progressive rock ambience and atmosphere in their songs I don't think any other guitarist could pull it off.
Ritchie Blackmore, not always at his best, hit and miss. But when he was on with his improve style could he ever create brilliant guitar solos, Highway Star, Child in Time, Lazy, Smoke on the Water- Made in Japan, You Fool No One- Made in Europe, Anya- Come Hell or High Water, Loves No Friend- bootleg, Hard Lovin Man- In Rock, Catch the Rainbow, Still I'm Sad- Rainbow On Stage, Light in the Black, Spotlight Kid- Rainbow, bootleg.
