Since 14, and that was in 1988 so you do the maths. To Live is to Die from Metallica's ...Justice album was the tipping point after several years of pounding my ears with great rock, classical and thrash. I just HAD to play.

Let's change the question to "what was the first concert I attended that I "wanted" to?" Ozzy on the No Rest for the Wicked tour. Seattle.

My favorite is of my own design. The 2nd prototype of the KM series. Flat rosewood fretboard, Ash body, Walnut neck, AlNiCo 5 humbucker (bridge), Mini humbucker (neck), one volume, unique input, 2-way toggle. Awesomely utilitarian, fat, sassy and super shredable. Current inventory is 13 instruments, an eleven rack, and a fantastic Yamaha THR10x... freakin' love that thing.

Aw crud that's a tough one.Randy Rhoads or Shawn Lane... it would be an immense learning experience.

Seems to change from year to year, but THIS year and last, Ne Obliviscaris' - Citadel has captured most of my attention. For me, it was the best discovery of 2016... from 2014.