I just finished reading a biography of Jeff Beck and these five guitar players were prominent during the late 1960s. They are not ranked, though the way I listed them could be a reasonable a fair order. Who is best will be forever debated. I believe the difference between these five is very small even though their styles are quite different. All five are blues guitarists with a hearty dose of psychedelic and what would become hard rock or blues rock.
Jimi Hendrix – Backed the Isley Brothers and Little Richard, a member of Curtis Knight and the Squires. Founder of Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsies. Master showman and popularized the use of feedback effects.
Eric Clapton – A member of The Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominoes. Popularized electric British blues.
Jeff Beck – A member of The Yardbirds, Beck, Bogert & Appice, and the Jeff Beck Group. Credited with being an early pioneer of feedback, distortion, and “fuzz” tone effects, and psychedelic rock.
Jimmy Page – Revered session player, a member of The Yardbirds and founder of Led Zeppelin. Credited as one of the pioneers of heavy metal.
Peter Green – Member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, co-founder of Fleetwood Mac. His style of blues was slow and stripped down to basics, economy playing that emphasized tighter phrasing and sustaining notes.
And the others:
Keith Richards
Pete Townshend
Robin Trower
Mick Taylor
David Gilmour
Steve Marriott
Mike Bloomfield
Carlos Santana
Jorma Kaukonen
Rory Gallagher
Alvin Lee
John Mclaughlin
Roy Buchanan
Steve Cropper
B.B. King
Duane Allman
Ticket 2 Ride 
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