Overrated and Underrated Guitarists

[Barbossa]

I'd like to say something about Clapton here, I guess. If you're not judging his entire body of work then he's being shortchanged. He hasn't played any memorable guitar in many, many years I'll agree but his artistic work with Cream was undeniable, IMO.

I agree. Clapton in the early years was incredible. Technically he's one of the best, but he lost something from his "Lay Down Sally" days to the present.

 

[MsAmerica]

Underrated:

Neal Schon (Journey)



MsA

 

[perla75]

Overrated:
John Mayer

Underrated:
Trey Anastasio

 

[Lintasare]

Underrated:

Neal Schon (Journey)



MsA

I totally agree.

 

[Jestocost]

I'll go with most of the overrated's already cited.

Underrated:

1. Frank Zappa
2. Tom Verlaine (Television. Eerie and unconventional, but great.)

Favorites:

Jimi Hendrix
Jeff Beck
Jari Maenpaa (Ensiferum/Wintersun)
Eric Johnson
Joe Satriani
Jimmy Page (c. 1970)

 

[The Mayor]

Overrated:
Joe Perry


Underrated:
Jeff Beck
Barry Goudreau
Slash

The Best Ever:
Stevie Ray Vaughn

 

[Praying Colonel]

Underrated:

Neal Schon (Journey)



MsA

Agreed. Let me also throw out the late, great Terry Kath of Chicago in the underrated category. The backbone of the band, Chicago went into full sell-out mode after his untimely death.

 

[Barbossa]

Agreed. Let me also throw out the late, great Terry Kath of Chicago in the underrated category. The backbone of the band, Chicago went into full sell-out mode after his untimely death.

Kath's solo playing on "25 or 6 to 4" is one of my all time favorites.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Nobody mentioned Jorma Kaukonen?

 

[breezy1077]

ALL time favorite: Stevie Ray Vaughn

 

[perla75]

Nobody mentioned Jorma Kaukonen?

Ooh-good call!!! Love him!! I've been a Hot Tuna fan for over 15 years now.

I'd also like to add Warren Haynes to the underrated list.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Underrated:
Brian Setzer (who I think is THE best guitarist ever!)
Ray Toro (awesome beyond words)
Jonathan Richman (yes, he's hokey but that man can play Sleepwalk like nobody's business!)

Overrated:
Eddie Van Halen
John Mayer

 

[legalsea]

Thanks for this great thread!

I agree about Eric Clapton being overrated. I have listened to his music for decades (and saw him perform in 1973 or so), and I still don’t understand why he is considered a ‘God’. Cream was great, however.

I agree about Prince being underrated. I have never seen him ‘live’ save for when he was on the Super Bowl (if I recall) a year or two ago. Fantastic. I saw that movie “Purple Rain” and he was great in that, but I thought it was due to editing; I may have been wrong.

Jimi Hendrix: cannot overrate this guy. A genius way ahead of his time.

My personal ‘underrated’: that fat guy who played with Mountain (Leslie something). I saw him 30 years ago, as the opening act for some major headliner (may have been The Who) and he blew me away.

Agree about the late, great Stevie Ray. He was great.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Leslie West...He was greased lightning.

 

[Barbossa]

My personal ‘underrated’: that fat guy who played with Mountain (Leslie something). I saw him 30 years ago, as the opening act for some major headliner (may have been The Who) and he blew me away.

You're referring to Mr. Leslie West, I love the guy.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I remember way back in the day that most of the 'accomplished' rock guitarists were in awe of Chet Atkins. Not my kind of music but still pretty darned impressive.

 

[HOGFAN]

Overrated:

Madonna. Now really, she looks ridiculous.

 

[Cindy F]

Underrated

Neal Schon
BB King
and personal favorite Paco de Lucia
the three masters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEZrB_FDw4c&fmt=18

Geez......I love to watch vids of de Lucia to watch his fingers, in some of them-it's just a blur

Most underrated guitarist of all time? Charo. One of the best flamenco guitarists (as opposed to de Lucia-who is THE best ~grin~)
Too bad people remember the "coochiecoochie" and not the talent

 

[Micca]

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

 

[TwinsinCA]

Underrated -- I agree with the person up thread who said Steve Howe.

I'd also add Steve Lukather to the list.