When I was 10 years old I started listening to background
music of computergames (like melodies you now
hear on the background). This music inspired
me to start playing the piano around 15 years old so I could copy those
music-pieces.
When
I became 17 years old I started listening to Eddie van Halen (band: Van Halen).
Because of his enormous guitar power, orginal solos and timing I started to play
electric guitar. Within 6 years I did self study and learned the
technical skills involved by copying his guitar-solos and rythmn guitar by ear/hearing.
Around
23 years old I got general music theory lessons from a russian conductor of
music "Amare Bilate" to integrate theory into my guitar-playing.