WTF. I don't know why everyone blows Eric Clapton. yeah he was great, but best soloist? He played the blues, he soloed with a potential 5 notes, thats not as difficult as... any other friggen genre. And if were gunna count blues, I think SRV could level and destroy Clapton when it comes to solo's. ok enough venting:
Van Halen
Kirk Hammet
Buckethead
Marty Freidman
and for the 5th one, what the hell I think Mike McCredy can rip a sick one when he tries.
Also, I'd like to say Mark Knofler is pretty damn good, I don't know much RAB stuff but Sultans of Swing rips it up.