# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/21 "2018-01-27T02:23:06Z")
Johnny Ramone Steve Jones Malcolm Young Pete Townshend ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/22 "2018-01-27T02:35:00Z")
I’ll nominate\*\* Steve Hackett\*\* of Genesis. Sublime solos and voicings. Not a shredder. More interesting than most shredder gods. ---
**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, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/23 "2018-01-27T02:36:44Z")
They were big names back in the day, but are overlooked now: Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, as well as solo work. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/24 "2018-01-27T02:38:59Z")
Buck Dharma [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u0vrq_kQ6g8/hqdefault.jpg "Blue Oyster Cult: Tattoo Vampire") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0vrq_kQ6g8) ---
**Author:** ![bunyupp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@bunyupp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bunyupp)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/25 "2018-01-27T02:41:50Z")
Ted Turner and Andy Powell of [Wishbone Ash](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frouiwRcNQQ) ---
**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, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/26 "2018-01-27T02:43:33Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > I’ll nominate\*\* Steve Hackett\*\* of Genesis. Sublime solos and voicings. Not a shredder. More interesting than most shredder gods. Definitely agreed. ---
**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, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/27 "2018-01-27T03:03:56Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > They were big names back in the day, but are overlooked now: Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, as well as solo work. Bloomfield was proficient but unfortunately didn’t understand that the spaces between the notes are just as important as the notes themselves… ---
**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, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/28 "2018-01-27T03:10:43Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Definitely agreed. A strong third on Steve Hackett. To me there are great Genesis albums and ones that he didn’t play on, no overlap. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/29 "2018-01-27T03:15:42Z")
Steve Howe is a good choice, he is one of the greatest and rarely gets mentioned by lists. ---
**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, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/30 "2018-01-27T03:20:12Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Steve Howe is a good choice, he is one of the greatest and rarely gets mentioned by lists. I agree, but Johnny Ramone, **Wordman**? Really? I mean, I get tone and all that maybe only one guy can cop, but could that guy really PLAY anything other than pop/punk that went beyond a few chords? What about John McLaughlin? ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/31 "2018-01-27T03:33:58Z")
Several are mentioned already that I would have, and understanding that while people like Vai, Satriani and Steve Morse may not be as well known or celebrated by the general public, they are absolutely revered by their fans and those that recognize their skill, so I’m not sure they are underappreciated…hardly, I’ve seen the first two multiple times and Morse only once, and I can tell you the people in attendance at all of those shows appreciated their talent…freakin’ Satriani is amazing… I’ll throw out two…one, Frank Zappa…yes, we all know him from Yellow Snow, but his depth of work, his eclectic nature, the fact that he used absurd lyrics above intricate and complex musical compositions that spanned decades, and as recognized as his was as a musician, he was an incredibly accomplished guitarist…the mention of a mudshark take me back…I love Phish and they do a great “Peaches En Regalia”, but Frank was the man… Funny little interlude that Zappa fans may enjoy… My second would be Bob Weir, rhythm guitarist for the Grateful Dead...now, I am biased as having seen them over 100 times starting in 1976, and yes, I still listen to them to this day, but I was always struck by how Weir weaved his way through songs, at times driving the band, playing really intricate jazz chords that completely complimented Garcia and allowed Garcia to be the focal point of an amazing band...and, yes, I know, that is my humble opinion alone... ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/32 "2018-01-27T03:38:06Z")
[Steve Stevens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncOA5GbU-ZI) ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/33 "2018-01-27T03:42:50Z")
I’ve been waiting for this thread for years. Guitarists I never hear mentioned when people talk about the best: Eric Johnson Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. Joe Satriani. His rendition of “Sleepwalk” makes me weak in the knees Tommy Shaw gets dismissed because people dismiss Styx as bubble gum, but they were serious rock and roll musicians. ---
**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, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/34 "2018-01-27T04:05:40Z")
> [@CelticKnot](#): > > I’ve been waiting for this thread for years. > > Guitarists I never hear mentioned when people talk about the best: > > Eric Johnson > > Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac. > > Joe Satriani. His rendition of “Sleepwalk” makes me weak in the knees > > Tommy Shaw gets dismissed because people dismiss Styx as bubble gum, but they were serious rock and roll musicians. I’m surprised. Satriani comes up all the time. He’s like one of the iconic “guitar heroes,” I thought (but I’m not a guitarist.) Eric Johnson used to get talked about a lot – he’s the “Cliffs of Dover” guy, right? But, yeah, you don’t hear much about him anymore, do you? Lindsey Buckingham is a good one. Definitely one of the greats. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/35 "2018-01-27T04:10:02Z")
I was hoping **Wordman** would show up. I learn so much in threads like these, reading and getting to pick the brains of experts. I don’t know about underappreciated, and he’s certainly not under-remunerated, but I had heard that John Mayer is actually a really damned good guitarist. I’ll throw Dave Murray out there, if he hasn’t been mentioned yet. Add more metal guitarists. I doubt Mark Knopfler’s underappreciated, but he’s still amazing. EDIT: Oh, **FGIE** , speaking of the Edge, if you haven’t seen it already, you need to see, “[It Might Get Loud](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229360/).” Great documentary about three musicians sharing what makes their sound, theirs. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/36 "2018-01-27T04:40:32Z")
[Helios](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qNSWvb26K4) [Creed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgl0f6mC5Yc), who got his start with [Chrome](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6114cf84NU). [D.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lnv8GX3qGA) [Boon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlxmKsTvcLg) from Minutemen. [Sonny](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU9vkSXXhPc) [Sharrock](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEb5w_9h_h8) (one of my guitar heroes; he would have understood my goal) [Andy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9NRfk7TG_s) [Gill](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHVAahhreSQ) from Gang of Four; to this day still the angriest guitar I have ever heard- even when he plays chords it’s like they’re made out of shards of glass. I’m totally in awe of his rhythmic sense & commitment and in his approach to guitar; another GH. I’ll round it off at 5 with [Buckethead](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyA93RbBndM) because are you fucking kidding me?? It’s godddammned [Buckethead](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVCOKbYKQm8&t=453s), ffs. ETA: Big thumbs up to Johnny Ramone, Buck Dharma and Tom Verlaine. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/37 "2018-01-27T04:58:37Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I doubt Mark Knopfler’s underappreciated, but he’s still amazing. That’s exactly who I was going to mention. I’ve never heard anybody say he’s a bad player, but I don’t often hear him mentioned among the elite, top-tier, great guitarists, either. So he’s a bit underappreciated in my book. ---
**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:** [January 27, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/38 "2018-01-27T05:04:06Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Steve Howe,… > [@What\_Exit](#): > > Steve Howe is a good choice, he is one of the greatest and rarely gets mentioned by lists. Are you guys kidding? I thought it was a given that Mr. Howe was Universally known as the World’s Best Living Guitarist. 😕 For underappreciated, I’d nominate … … had to look his name up on a CD liner… … and he’s listed as\*\* The Unknown John Clark\*\*. 😃 [https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bruford+gradually+going+tornado&view=detail&mid=57DFA8AD6FB0BBEB7A8A57DFA8AD6FB0BBEB7A8A&FORM=VIRE](https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bruford+gradually+going+tornado&view=detail&mid=57DFA8AD6FB0BBEB7A8A57DFA8AD6FB0BBEB7A8A&FORM=VIRE) ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/39 "2018-01-27T05:11:19Z")
Phil Manzanera > **[Phil Manzanera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Manzanera)** > > Phillip Geoffrey Targett-Adams (born 31 January 1951), known professionally as Phil Manzanera, is an English guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is the lead guitarist with Roxy Music, and was the lead guitarist with 801, and Quiet Sun. In 2006, Manzanera co-produced David Gilmour's album On an Island, and played in Gilmour's band for tours in Europe and North America. He wrote and presented a series of 14 one-hour radio programmes for station Planet Rock entitled The A-Z of Great Gui... [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PUpJyUtD-N0/hqdefault.jpg "Phil Manzanera - Diamond Head") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUpJyUtD-N0) ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560/40 "2018-01-27T05:20:27Z")
Clarence White One of those that influenced the early cross between country and rock, a long-time member of the Byrd and a friend of Gram Parsons…another who died tragically too young… > **[Clarence White](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_White)** > > Clarence White (born Clarence Joseph LeBlanc; June 7, 1944 – July 15, 1973) was an American bluegrass and country guitarist and singer. He is best known as a member of the bluegrass ensemble the Kentucky Colonels and the rock band the Byrds, as well as for being a pioneer of the musical genre of country rock during the late 1960s. White also worked extensively as a session musician, appearing on recordings by the Everly Brothers, Joe Cocker, Ricky Nelson, Pat Boone, the Monkees, R Together with ... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underappreciated-guitarists-in-rock/807560.md?page=3)