Dimebag Darell of Pantera. Now, I realize that anyone who is a rock or metal guitarist already knows and acknowledges his greatness but outside of the heavy rock/metal world he’s not highly regarded. He had total command of his guitar at all times and could play anything at any speed of any difficulty at will. As long as he could think it he could play it. His solos were always very tasteful and, for me at least, very difficult to copy. He always made it look effortless. He came up with many very memorable riffs and, unlike alot of metal bands from the 90’s, each song didn’t sound the same. Pantera was definitely a band where each track sounded it’s own, due to the varied guitar.
DD was one of only 2 celebrity deaths that really moved me almost to tears. The other was Walter Payton.
Paul Gregoletto and Matt Heafy of Trivium are very good as well and play off each other excellently.
I like Daniel Ash a lot too, but I always thought of him as more of a minimalist. BTW, I don’t know if it’s just an oversight, but you didn’t mention Tones On Tail. That’s another band he was with and they’re worth checking out if you like Bauhaus and Love and Rockets.
I came in here to mention Peter Buck. He definitely doesn’t get as much recognition as Johnny Marr.
Speaking of Johnny Marr, I don’t think he’s underrated. He’s a brilliant guitarist but he gets a lot of recognition. At least that’s my experience.
What about Lou Reed? I don’t really hear other people talk about his guitar playing much. I love his rhythm guitar playing, it has a groove that I don’t really hear from other guitarists. He’s good on lead guitar as well.
A guitarist who is more underrated in the sense of being overlooked is Mick Ronson.
I don’t know if he’s underrated compared to these people, but someone I find doesn’t get the proper amount of credit is Slash. His independent work really is worth looking up.
I’m a big fan of Steely Dan, and I would definitely say they’re underrated. I second the notion that Jeff “Skunk” Baxter is underrated, and there’s also Elliot Randall and Larry Carlton (both session musicians I believe). They’re work on “Reelin’ in the Years” and “Kid Charlemagne” is just great: intricate and catchy.
I could probably put up arguments for a couple other guys, but nobody else came immediately to mind.
Edit: Brought this up, after being directed here by WordMan (see this thread: Best Guitarist of Each Decade? - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board).
Steve Stephens (Billy Idol, Black Light Syndrome), until I heard BLS I never really paid attention but going back and listening to his work with Billy Idol I am dazzled (and BLS is amazing but it is too “heavy” for some folks).
Agree totally! I first saw BOC early on, maybe '74ish. Blew my mind that first time and I saw them from the arena filling peak to seeing them at the local Harley dealer for a MDA fund raiser. Always great, one of my favorite bands.
My personal favorite BD performance is from the “Some Enchanted Evening” album, on the song “Astronomy”. The third (maybe fourth) solo break may be my all time favorite guitar solo.
staying with the underrated theme… i would toss out John Butcher… i always enjoyed hsi work and he had a brief flurry on mtv about 20 yrs back but has been under the radar…
Robin trower… i just caught him last year… still listen to his bridge of sighs album… and his work with Procul…
Hiram Bullock… Paul Shaffer band… caught him live in chicago yrs ago… he really tore the vic up… dude was great… also… he did something with charlie drayton? one time. playing manic depression while drayton played drums on a garbage can… vh1 had a great little jazz show on sunday nights… miss that… and the jools holland show…
OOPS! Guess I can only edit and not delete. I had mentioned Buckethead and immediately after posting the part of my brain that remembers to sometimes pay attention remembered the OP saying he wasn’t asking about solo artists. Sorry. =)
Bruce hides it pretty well, doesn’t he? (lol) You mention the “Prove It” intro on the Darkness tour, I think the outro solo was pretty darn awesome as well. Not to mention “Because the Night” from that tour. If you really want to blow your mind, go back and find a Steel Mill boot from like '70. For example, here’s “The Wind and the Rain”:
“…he’s a solid player. Kinda like Bonnie Raitt or other “front men” who have real chops but market themselves based on being a singer, songwriter, personality, etc.”
That said, though, he still can tear it up when he wants to.
While I love Bruce, my pick for underrated guitarist would definitely be Peter Frampton; I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves.
Wow… where do I start? Many of these guys are more multi-faceted than just rock, but they have definitely mastered the genre:
Electric Players:
Elliot Easton of the Cars
Ty Tabor of King’s X
Allan Holdsworth (not rock per se… but criminally overlooked).
Rick Nielson (plays what needs to be played, and hooky as hell)
Neil Geraldo of Pat Benatar (awesome player)
Andy Summers
Gary Richrath of REO
Kerry Livgren of Kansas
Michael Schenker (sp?)
Tommy Shaw
Ted Nugent (back when he played as opposed to running his mouth)
Adrian Belew
Acoustic Players:
Paul Simon (his acoustic playing is awesome).
Leo Kottke (an absolute master
There are so many great guitarists famous or not. If you want to really see talent, check out the guys who made videos putting together all the instruments they’ve played in a song.
My two fav guitarists (and bands) are Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad and Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult.
Don’t know about “most underrated” – it seems to blur with “not as well known as certain other guitarists of seemingly lesser talent, but greater popularity” - but some names not previously mentioned:
Dave Edmunds – from his Love Sculpture days
Alvin Lee – perennially slighted in best guitarist polls
Terry Reid
Steve Winwood
Rick Derringer – from his Johnny Winter days
Junior Brown – virtually never mentioned in best guitarist polls
Harvey Mandel
Eddie Hazel
Not to mention “Because the Night” from that tour. If you really want to blow your mind, go back and find a Steel Mill boot from like '70. For example, here’s “The Wind and the Rain”: