If you want 70's Colorado hippie rock, try Firefall. They strike me as a mix between Allman Brothers and Jethro Tull, both are good. Eric Clapton is overrated outside of Cream or Derick and the Dominoes.

P.O.D. has a few good songs, particularly from Satellite
Collective Soul is pretty good, but I mostly like them because of Shine
I've always liked Matchbox 20, but their E.P. album was a letdown to say the least.
Lifehouse is generally a nice choice
Def Leppard, Journey, Nazareth, etc. (just tune into the local classic rock station) is nice. I can't reccommend Nick Gilder unless you like guys that sing *exactly* like girls, but that's not classic rock, so the point is moot.

I'll have to agree with Amotis on Meat Loaf, especailly because I have 5-ish of his albums (mostly my dad's), I also have to point out that his cover art is awesome

Bat Out of Hell
Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell
Bad Attitude
Welcome to the Neighborhood

I'll be back to add more as I remember it (music, not the album covers)