Jimi Hendrix. Electric Ladyland - Track 4 is what got me in to the mess to begin with. I can just shut my eyes and just get lost in a lot of what he did. Most of his best blues work has never been released however, I've been fortunate enough to amass quite a collection of bootlegs over the years and thank god for the internet - torrents!
SRV obviously the close second. I'm thankful he came along to ween me off my Hendrix addiction. Great, great artist - sorry to lose him as well.
The next guy to pick it up for me has been mentioned very little in this forum -
Mato Nanji of Indigenous. Most definitely inspired by my first picks. Excellent guitarist - once again had me hunting for the rare stuff. Might I suggest Indigenous - Live at Pachyderm Studios.
Have also enjoyed who's been listed here - Clapton, Collins, etc. I wish David Gilmour would have/would release an all out blues album. He's a guest on a cut from Paul Rodger's Muddy Waters tribute album and just smokes that version of Standing Around Crying.
Guitarist Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top deserves more credit for his blues work. The late Chris Whitley for his unique style on National Steel guitar. Other than that Robben Ford has got some licks, Chris Duarte, Tab Benoit and Michael Burkes. Been following Derek Trucks pretty steadily lately.
I know, I know - nobody can just pick one on these "favorite" threads.