Tom Verlaine was the guitarist for Television, the first non-Country Blues or BlueGrass band to play at CBGB, which opened the venue for new wave acts such as Blondie, and Talking Heads and the entire NYC new wave and punk music scene.
Guitarists Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd brought rock music to a new level with their guitar playing and lyrical content.
The album, Marquee Moon (by Television) is often recommended for anybody who is interested in the serious study of guitar, as is the live album, 'The Blow Up'.
Other important guitar innovators worthy of serious study:
