Overrated and Underrated Guitarists

[Gina]

3. Alex Lifeson - big Rush fan in my youth.......still am in-between Sponge Bob episodes.

Your answer has me so conflicted... You get booooo points for relegating Rush and all their awesome awesomeness to merely "in-between Sponge Bob episodes," but then you get yaaaaay! points for being a Sponge Bob fan in the first place. I have a headache now.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Under rated

George Harrison (look at my tag)

Eric Johnson

Bruce Springsteen--the man can TEAR it up


Over rated

Clapton (like him, but he's been boring for 30+ years)

Steve Vai and any other guitar players who play technically proficient, but unlistenable music

I too was a huge George Harrison, so technically good but did you know that John Lennon actually played lead guitar as often as Harrison? I only read that somewhere recently, I'd tell you where but the 'mad cow' is acting up again.

I loved the Concert for Bangladesh concert when he and Clapton got to play together...And Clapton actually played lead on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"!!!

 

[Aisling]

Underrated:

1. Nuno Bettencourt
2. Edward Van Halen (he's not deified at the level that I think he's at)
3. Brian May

I totally agree that Brian May is underrated. He's exceptionally talented. He's my absolute favorite guitarist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[legalsea]

Ah, now I remember: Leslie West! (kidding, I read the above posts). He was indeed 'greased lightning'.

I could never make up my mind about George Harrison. I still think that Ringo was a vastly underrated drummer, however.

 

[ahutton]

Lots of all time greats mentioned.

I'm a huge Mark Knopfler fan, and have been for years. George Harrison too. Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson is awesome.

Over-rated? Most of who play what I hear on the radio today.

 

[goofyernmost]

I too was a huge George Harrison, so technically good but did you know that John Lennon actually played lead guitar as often as Harrison? I only read that somewhere recently, I'd tell you where but the 'mad cow' is acting up again.

I am a huge Beatles fan, but, sadly, I must say that I think George Harrison, although good is overrated.

When the real heavy stuff happened on the Beatles albums guess who was called in...Eric Clapton. If you ever saw MTV's unplugged Clapton is just incredible.

One of the most underrated players, in my opinion is...are you ready for this?...Roy Clark. Also the late great Jerry Reed.

 

[DisneyDad1960]

I don't want to put anyone in the over rated category. The musicians that some of you put as over rated are still incredible guitar players.

as far as under rated go:
1) Some of you have mentioned Bruce Springsteen. I'll give you two of his bandmates. Steve Van Zandt and Patti Scialfa.
2) George Benson
3) My favorite guitar player is Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick.

Michael

 

[simpilotswife]

Stevie Ray definitely one of the best guitarists of all time. I was fortunate enough to see him in concert 3 times. He was just

Another under-rated guitarist is Kenny Wayne Shepard. The first time I heard him I thought it was a new Stevie Ray track that they had found.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Underated:
al di meola
billy gibbons (hendrix said he thought gibbons was a better player)
duane allman
johnny winter


Mikeeee

 

[Suzie Zoo]

I can't really "overrate" anyone... they're all better than I am

For underrated, I gotta go with the local boys:

1. Billy Sheehan
2. Robbie Takac

 

[Lachesis00]

Another one who sounds a lot like Stevie Ray, check out Henry Garza and the Los Lonely Boys.

 

[Barbossa]

I totally agree that Brian May is underrated. He's exceptionally talented. He's my absolute favorite guitarist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw Queen with Paul Rodgers a couple years ago. One of the best concerts I'd ever been to. May's guitar sound was huge, a true "arena rock" guitarist. The guy absolutely cranks.

 

[LOLCAT]

Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits is my favorite guitarist of all time.

 

[Barbossa]

Stevie Ray definitely one of the best guitarists of all time. I was fortunate enough to see him in concert 3 times. He was just

I was also lucky enough to see SRV several times in concert. No one even comes close to the guy, why the hell did he have to get into that helicopter? Musicians and small aircraft don't mix.

 

[slade-stb]

Hey don't forget about Joe Satriani...he can still play some amazing tunes...granted he lets his playing dominate the music (not too many lyrics) so as not to be distracted I guess...

 

[disney junky]

Unheard of (except in old Christian Rock circles) but amazing....

Phil Keaggy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2fR0YNemYU&feature=related

 

[dvcgirl]

Underrated:

1.) David Gilmour
2.) Brian May
3.) Brian Setzer (he's amazing....saw his Christmas tour live)
4.) Neil Schon
5.) Alex Lifson
6.) Lindsay Buckingham
7.) Robbie Kreiger
8.) Joe Satriani


Overrated:

This is tougher....

1.) Keith Richards (he's more of a rhythm guitar guy)
2.) The Edge
3.) Kirk Hammett

Personal Favorites:

1.) Page
2.) Gilmour
3.) May