Egad...well, here's proof positive that there's a first time for everything.

After mulling this over for a day, I find myself having to vote for a group/performer I've never, ever cared for...

Starless -- Robert Fripp/King Crimson.

That said, lemme go listen to Mr. James Burton to cleanse my soul and help me forget what I've just done.

Overall, I liked Starless a lot, but for this, I have to vote for Glenn TIpton

Tip Versus Fripp.

I love both guitarists, but I really love the Fripp solo here a lot more. He takes more chances and really turns in an outstanding performance.

Starless

This match will close tomorrow.

We need one more vote to break the tie.

Robert Fripp and Glenn Tipton are tied 9-9

I'll vote for Gelnn Tipton - it's the Chicago way.

Wow!! This was a hard one. Judist priest gets my vote due to him being one of my favorite heavy metal bands. Crimson is still cool as well

If Robert Fripp loses this, I will have a difficult time taking the rest of this Guitar Wars seriously.

I felt the same way about some of the other losses where I thought "Clearly this guy is way more talented".

Then I realized as I was being introduced to musicians that I had never heard before, and styles that I never really intensely listened to before...it's so subjective. What I may think it great and amazing and I wish I could duplicate you may think is garbage and a waste of time. What I may think is a bunch of noise or tired old cliche'd playing you may think is original and inventive.

We have to somewhat keep our emotions in check, and realize that sometimes what impresses us is not seen through the same eyes (or heard through the same ears). So if Fripp loses, please don't let it dissuade you from staying and listening and voting and participating.

Actually, credibility was compromised when the fact that an artist had already won a match was the excuse not to vote for them.

Deep down I don't think that's what happened in that match. I think people really wanted to say, I don't like this song and I find the guitar playing a bit too bland, but damn, this is one of the greats and I'll use this as an excuse.

You'll notice that a couple others who also had a win weren't subjected to the same practice even though I made sure to list their matches by saying they'd won already.

The above bolded is also right on. If I had my druthers (I think that's the first time I've ever written that word) I would pick Uli Jon Roth, Ritchie Blackmore and Randy Rhoads, over Van Halen, Clapton, Vaughan and Page any day of the week. But that's because I prefer a neo-classical style to a blues or bues rock style. I still dig on the blues rock guys, but I will give the other guys preferential eargasm treatment. And since my senses go that way, 4 out of 5 times, so will my vote.