Pat - check Earl Klugh or Stanley Jordan out.  Stan plays jazz like Ed van Halen. (dubious praise, but he's good) Does a ripping cover of Eleanor Rigby.  On the non-guitarist side - you might like Abbey Lincoln.

As for Rather - I'm in a complete state of shock.  Why would anyone toss their lengthy career in the shitter for this?!?  What a way to go - he'll surely have to step down - he's compromised his credibility if it's true.  Which I'm still having trouble believing.