# Most Underappreciated Guitarists In Rock **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 27, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560 "2018-01-27T00:25:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [January 27, 2018, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/1 "2018-01-27T00:25:46Z")
I have been tooling around the web, have my own opinions, et al, but I have come to a conclusion. Alex Lifeson is one of the most non-mentioned, under-appreciated guitarists in rock of the generation between 1970-ish to today. His tasteful, melodic licks even from 2112 to Signals alone should put him in the HOF of great guitarists. I won’t post a video as I know many of you are Rush fans already, but shit…just his riffs and licks from “Red Barchetta” or “Camera Eye” alone are supremely noteworthy. I came from a Vai, Yngwie, Satriani, Gilbert, etc background and in my teenage years valued technical ability beyond all else. But I always liked Rush. It wasn’t until within the last couple decades that I really _listened_ to Lifeson’s playing. He’s incredible, and perfect for the band. I admit, I departed loving Rush after their sound changed a lot going into the “Red Alert” and “Roll the Bones” years, but damn…his work on “signals” and “Moving Pictures” is melodic legend. Who else? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/2 "2018-01-27T00:38:48Z")
It depends on what qualifies as “underappreciated.” Most of the people I can think of are certainly appreciated in most guitar circles, but maybe not so much by the general public: James Honeyman-Scott, Tom Verlaine, Andy Summers, Johnny Marr (although he’s probably well appreciated all around, just doesn’t usually come up in “guitar hero” type discussions, in my experience.) Any of those work for you, or are they all too appreciated? ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/3 "2018-01-27T00:43:00Z")
Can I nominate myself? ---
**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:** [January 27, 2018, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/4 "2018-01-27T00:43:27Z")
Alex Lifeson is considered by many to a guitar God. He doesn’t get as much love as Geddy or Neal, but still. **Elliot Easton** of The Cars was under-appreciated. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/5 "2018-01-27T00:54:16Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It depends on what qualifies as “underappreciated.” Most of the people I can think of are certainly appreciated in most guitar circles, but maybe not so much by the general public: James Honeyman-Scott, Tom Verlaine, Andy Summers, Johnny Marr (although he’s probably well appreciated all around, just doesn’t usually come up in “guitar hero” type discussions, in my experience.) Any of those work for you, or are they all too appreciated? Oooh, Andy Summers is a really good one. So is Edge. Quantifying this from a strictly 1980’s “shredding technique” worldview that no longer exists for me, Summers certainly qualifies. Very tasteful, great sound…similar in many respects to Edge, truth be told, minus the myriad effects. I guess I am looking for the “hidden hero” and I’m not going to find him or her. The Edge has some things that set my teeth into a grinding motion that I cannot replicate, and it isn’t because he’s the most skilled player, but because he’s found his niche and is very, VERY good at it. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/6 "2018-01-27T00:56:28Z")
Now I’m not sure what I am asking. Perhaps a guitar god in rock that **could** rip a solo that would tear your head off and send you on the Seymour Duncan Hot Rails To Hell, but generally doesn’t? ---
**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:** [January 27, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/7 "2018-01-27T00:57:36Z")
> [@BobBitchin](#): > > Can I nominate myself? Post a video or soundtrack and let us decide. Yes, the nomination is till open! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/8 "2018-01-27T00:58:11Z")
For a long time I would have said Brian May, but he’s been getting his due in retrospect. On the jazz side, maybe Eddie Lang? ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/9 "2018-01-27T01:06:54Z")
Johnny Marr, Tom Verlaine, and Eddie Lang are all good answers. I might throw J.J. Cale out there. Very understated, not a “shredder” by any means. Given the OP’s predilections, I’m not sure if these are the kinds of answers he’s looking for, though. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/10 "2018-01-27T01:14:59Z")
Is it really surprising that Lifeson is often overlooked? After all, he played in a band that was, apparently, fronted by someone strangling a poor kitty cat on every track. That’s fucked up. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/11 "2018-01-27T01:26:01Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Johnny Marr, Tom Verlaine, and Eddie Lang are all good answers. > > I might throw J.J. Cale out there. Very understated, not a “shredder” by any means. > > \*\*Given the OP’s predilections, \*\*I’m not sure if these are the kinds of answers he’s looking for, though. I’m trying to shed them and learn something. > [@BlankSlate](#): > > Is it really surprising that Lifeson is often overlooked? After all, he played in a band that was, apparently, fronted by someone strangling a poor kitty cat on every track. That’s fucked up. BOO! Wrong answer! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/12 "2018-01-27T01:26:21Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Post a video or soundtrack and let us decide. Yes, the nomination is till open! > > 🙂 :pNah, you guys wouldn’t appreciate it:D Seriously, the only recording of me on the net, is a video of a live show I’m not proud of.:smack: I’m playing lead in someone else’s project, playing a solo written by someone else( not my strong suit). My style is more Warren Haynes, Freddy King…when I play hard rock it sound like Slash/Gary More. This project was all major scales…knights and dragons.:rolleyes: What’s everybody think of Andy Timmons? One hell of a guy as well as a monster players. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/13 "2018-01-27T01:27:11Z")
Eh, well more obscure but I never see anyone( well, few people )bring up Glenn Mercer of **The Feelies**. Certainly not at the top of anyone’s list, but I always rather appreciated his playing. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/14 "2018-01-27T01:29:47Z")
Eddie Lang was considered a monster guitarist of early jazz; the only reason people don’t remember him is that he died at like, 29? Like, the Bix of the guitar. For jazzmen, I’d name Jimmy Raney and Tal Farlow, who were hotshots in the ‘40s and ‘50s but never had the name recognition of Charlie Christian or Barney Kessel. As for rock, I love Dave Davies of the Kinks, who was definitely overshadowed in the band by his genius brother Ray. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Wejgyx3e4rY/maxresdefault.jpg "The Kinks - Victoria (from One For The Road)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wejgyx3e4rY) ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/15 "2018-01-27T01:32:18Z")
Here’s a great BBC documentary on [John McGeoch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAoLW3Mdt4o), best known for his work with Magazine, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and PiL. Amazing guitarist: here he is live in 1981 with Siouxsie on [Spellbound](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZgNlWRWtp0), and with Lydon on [Home](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih3-C3EhIHs). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/16 "2018-01-27T01:32:53Z")
Robbie Krieger? I generally dislike the Doors, but he was pretty great. ---
**Author:** ![Cell\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Cell\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cell_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/17 "2018-01-27T01:55:42Z")
Terry Kath. Often overlooked due to what Chicago became after his death. Listen to the song “Introduction.” Written by Kath it covers a variety of different styles. Hell, listen to any of those early Chicago songs and how seemlessly his playing adapts to the different styles of songs. Hendrix called Kath his favorite guitarist, even saying Kath was a better guitarist. If it weren’t for his untimely death he would easily be considered one of the all time greats. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/18 "2018-01-27T02:14:00Z")
I think James Mankey from Concrete Blonde qualifies. He’s got an extremely distinctive tone and style that I think is as instantly recognizable as some of the big guns like Gilmour and May. [Their cover of “Little Wing”.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKYEzr5fMfA) [Joey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdpTcvSn8HQ) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/19 "2018-01-27T02:21:16Z")
[Randy California](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XKqDm3blxk) of Spirit. Played with Jimi Hendrix (who gave him his stage name) and was just terrific as part of one of the most underrated groups of all time. John Cippolina of [Quicksilver Messenger Service.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOhwxosNSds) Very obscure: Dehner C. Patten of Kak. I can think of several other names, though I’m not sure if you call them rock: Bert Jansch, John Renbourne, Leo Kottke, and John Fahey. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/20 "2018-01-27T02:22:24Z")
Steve Howe, Duane Allman, and Dicky Betts are not as well appreciated as they should be. Also John Fahey, and Leo Kottke. Hey man you ninjad me. But I’m leaving it. THose two are great. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560.md?page=2)