# Is Roy Clark under appreciated as a guitarist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 20, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660 "2018-09-20T23:41:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/21 "2018-09-21T14:07:22Z")
If someone asked me “Who are great guitar players” I would never think of saying Roy Clark. He’s simply not my usual style of music so it wouldn’t occur to me If someone asked me “Is Roy Clark a great guitar player” I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/22 "2018-09-21T14:16:34Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I stopped thinking Rolling Stone knows anything at all about anything at all decades ago. > > Just go to Youtube and watch Roy Clark and Glen Campbell [together](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-sExIVBVaw). Supposedly top musicians voted to make up that list. Alex Lifeson 98? Springsteen? Springsteen is the 3rd best guitar player in his own band. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/23 "2018-09-21T14:18:16Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Springsteen is the 3rd best guitar player in his own band. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/24 "2018-09-21T14:48:35Z")
Lots of folks on that list known for making great music, being artists, writers and innovators…but not for being great players. The list is beyond meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/25 "2018-09-21T17:10:48Z")
Roy has chops for miles and can probably do most stuff you would throw at him, and a lot of guitarists (me included) admire him. But he exemplified a style; he did not influence it. He mastered a particular genre but I never heard any really original ideas from him. A lot of people confuse chops with being a good musician. > [@drad\_dog](#): > > To me Hendrix is not better than Roy. I’d like to see hendrix attempt some of Roys stuff. Roy Clark is a great guitar player. Jimi was a great artist who used the guitar to express his art. There is a huge difference. The reason Jimi is held in such high regard is the expressive power that shot out of his guitar, not how many notes he could play how fast or how many fancy scales or chords he could use. In fact Jimi could say a lot with one note. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/26 "2018-09-21T17:49:47Z")
I always enjoyed watching Roy’s facial expressions as he played the more intricate/difficult parts. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/27 "2018-09-21T18:06:20Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > If someone asked me “Who are great guitar players” I would never think of saying Roy Clark. He’s simply not my usual style of music so it wouldn’t occur to me > > If someone asked me “Is Roy Clark a great guitar player” I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. An earlier poster accurately said the Rolling Stone list was limited to blues and rock guitar players. Roy Clark was no more slighted by his non-inclusion than Andres Segovia and Django Reinhardt were. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/28 "2018-09-21T18:13:55Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > An earlier poster accurately said the Rolling Stone list was limited to blues and rock guitar players. Roy Clark was no more slighted by his non-inclusion than Andres Segovia and Django Reinhardt were. Had the author of this article stated that it was limited to blues and rock guitarists then you would have a point. No such declaration was made. As noted in my original post, the inclusion of at least two other country artists disproves the assumption. Also as noted above, the list is pointless and discussing it’s nonexistent merits and shocking flaws is equally pointless. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/29 "2018-09-21T20:20:44Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think Roy was unappreciated because of being country and “pickin’ and grinnin’” on Hee-Haw. He was well respected before _Hee Haw_, but that and doing the Branson thing tends to put him in “another category” when best-of lists are made. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/30 "2018-09-21T20:28:48Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > If someone asked me “Who are great guitar players” I would never think of saying Roy Clark. He’s simply not my usual style of music so it wouldn’t occur to me > > If someone asked me “Is Roy Clark a great guitar player” I wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. Exactly. He’s not well known, but those who know, know he’s great. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/31 "2018-09-21T21:05:07Z")
Favorite Roy Clark musing: Someone once said that if a tampon came with a string, Roy could play it. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Oh wow, that list is a joke. Heartily concur. Any list without **Steve Howe** in the top 3, let alone OMITTED ENTIRELY is worthless beyond comprehension. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/32 "2018-09-22T02:31:36Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > I always enjoyed watching Roy’s facial expressions as he played the more intricate/difficult parts. Agreed, it’s rather suggestive of ecstatic constipation. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/33 "2018-09-22T02:41:29Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > …Just go to Youtube and watch Roy Clark and Glen Campbell [together](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-sExIVBVaw). Thank you for this. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2018, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/34 "2018-09-22T04:55:48Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > \ > Roy Clark does not appear on the the list. > > \ > > I’ve heard him called a ‘one-trick-pony’ with his signature piece of [Malaguena](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xssnp7R51A). Once you move beyond that one piece, these’s not much depth to him. I don’t know, could be? > > \ > [@jayjay](#): > > That list missed Charo, too. She’s another one who isn’t in the mainstream of pop/rock/blues, but is a hell of a guitar virtuoso. She’s a protege of Segovia. You know, after hearing him play the Malaguena, I rather wish he and Charo had gotten together to play flamenco. I bet it would have been amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2018, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/35 "2018-09-22T06:06:16Z")
Roy is far from a one trick pony. He was a monster. Fabulous. And Campbell is every bit as underrated as a guitarist too (did you know he was a Beach Boy for a while?). > [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > Oh yeah! Just where the fuck is Robin Trower?? Right fuckin’ here: [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sTpvd3UAXP4](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sTpvd3UAXP4) ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2018, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/36 "2018-09-22T06:28:49Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > A friend of mine sent me a link to [Rolling Stones list of 100 greatest guitarists](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-guitarists-153675/) from the Dec 2015 issues. > > Roy Clark does not appear on the the list… I think **Loach** said something like this above but if you asked me if Roy Clark was a great guitar player I would say yes. Would I expect to see him in a list of the 100 greatest of all time? No, not really. As for the list itself, while I might quibble with the order I have to admit I don’t really have an issue with most of the guitarists on it. Okay, maybe a handful, but whatcha gonna do? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/37 "2018-09-22T11:21:26Z")
I don’t want to live in a world where a list of 100 greatest guitarists doesn’t include the words “Yngwie” and “Malmsteen”. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/38 "2018-09-24T01:30:50Z")
I saw Roy Clark in concert three times. He is a fantastic guitarist. I agree with Crafter\_Man. The list is a joke. I quit reading it at 71. Robert Johnson deserves to be in the top 10, for sheer influence, if nothing else. However, I also he was a wonderful musician. Lindsey Buckingham deserves to be higher than 100 if you’re considering only rock and blues. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/39 "2018-09-24T13:06:33Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > Is Roy Clark under appreciated as a guitarist? Of course Roy Clark is underappreciated as a guitarist. I’m underappreciated as a guitarist. You’re underappreciated as a guitarist. Whoever your favorite guitarist is, they’re underappreciated. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660/40 "2018-09-24T22:43:37Z")
Was Leo Kottke on the list? Paul Simon? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-roy-clark-under-appreciated-as-a-guitarist/821660.md?page=3)