Who inspired you to play music?

[Great_Kazoo]

Rush, the "Hemispheres" album. I was into a lot of guitar-based music,
so hearing the bass and drums on that album really got my interest. Plus,
I had just stopped smoking, so I had a lot more disposable income to spend on gear!

[iismet]

My younger brother. I started before him, but he was an absolute natural. I've taken lots of lessons - theory, technique, (blah,blah,blah) and only now can appreciate how far he got without any of it. He passed away in 2008. He always encouraged me to keep playing. Not a day goes by I don't think about being able to play with him again. A very good guitarist -

[80's_Metal]

W.A.S.P. - Blackie Lawless,
Ronnie James DIO,
the boys from Motley Crue
Early Metallica and Black Sabbath as well..... I wanted to start writing heavy soulful songs.... so far I've written over 200.

[Phantasmagoria]

The guitar players I was most inspired by to start playing guitar were James Murphy (Death/Obituary/Testament), Lars Johansson (Candlemass), Tommy Vetterli (Coroner), Yngwie Malmsteen, Andy LaRocque (King Diamond), Uli Jon Roth ...and later Steve Vai & Mattias Eklundh.

As far as bands go I'd add Black Sabbath, Autopsy, Manilla Road, & Celtic Frost to that list above....my first band was a doom band.

As for non-metal players.... Gary Moore, SRV & Buddy Guy...

[TheLivingDead]

If I had to put it on one guy, it would be Mr. Alex Lifeson.

[Jake]

For me, the biggest inspiration to play music was to be able to express myself in ways my words cannot.