Which very technically accomplished guitar players were also hugely popular musical superstars?

[Maserschmidt]

@kenobi_65

Absolutely…they packed arenas through the 1970s. And, when Howe left Yes in the early 80s, his next group, Asia, was also huge for its first few years (at least, their first two albums).

He may not have as much recognition today, but for about 10-15 years, he was the guitarist for some pretty big bands…and, as WordMan noted, he won that Guitar Player of the Year award consistently.

As I mentioned I have a couple of his albums…I also saw Yes “in the round” a few times, and tried to learn to play some of their songs. But it was the band that was the superstar, not Howe…I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t pack any arenas in his prime, no matter how small they were.

[WordMan]

@Pashnish_Ewing

Would Prince qualify as a virtuoso? All I know is he’s a hell of a guitar player.

Oh, hell yes. Good call.

[WordMan]

@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies

How about Robin Trower?

You know what? I don’t know. I have a Trower Gap in my education ;). Stuff I’ve heard sounds good, but in the Gilmour-ish tasteful-but-not-necessarily-tough category, but I have heard so little I can’t really comment…

[tdn]

I’d say that both Jim Stafford and Glen Campbell were more well known for their pop songs than their technical prowess.

[Try2B_Comprehensive]

Django Reinhardt was pretty popular in his day, and was a rising star at the time of his untimely death.

[AndyPolley]

@Pashnish_Ewing

Would Prince qualify as a virtuoso? All I know is he’s a hell of a guitar player.

I was going to mention Prince, but since you did I’ll mention María Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Moquiere de les Esperades Santa Ana Romanguera y de la Najosa Rasten…otherwise know as the worldwide superstar Charo.

Cuchie cuchie.

[JKellyMap]

@Alessan

It seems kind of odd to me. Why are Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma - both virtuosos in their respective instruments - household names, but these “virtuoso guitarists” aren’t?

Good question, one which probably deserves its own thread. In part, I suspect it’s because Perlman, Ma, et al. generally do not play their own compositions, so you listen to them entirely for interpretive skills – which, in the relatively improv-free world of “classical” music (Bach harpsichord accompaniament parts notswithstanding), largely means near-perfect technique.

I suppose it is in jazz where you see these two worlds overlapping (as well as in some “world music”). Still, even in jazz, those generally considered amazing composers (Coltrane, e.g.) are often somewhat separated from those considered having amazing chops (Oscar Peterson, e.g.).

[drastic_quench]

Brian May, easily.

[handsomeharry]

@Maserschmidt

WordMan: I own a couple of Steve Howe albums, and yet find it hard to think of him even remotely being a ‘superstar’. My guess is that he’s generally unfamiliar outside the old fart community. On the other hand, though I find the OP’s criteria unclear, I like your mention of Vince Gill, who probably would be a big star even without his amazing guitar playing

It’s not right to say that Howe isn’t a superstar. Back in the day, Yes was superstar plus. Now, of course, he’s in the pantheon of the old farts, but he does belong on any list of musical superstars.

[sleestak]

I’d toss in some of the 80’s metal guys. Randy Rhoads was a stellar player and techincally quite good. As was George Lynch from Dokken, Nuno Bettencourt from Extreme and Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson from Night Ranger.

All those guys were in bands that fit the superstar criteria.

Slee