Underrated guitarists?

Who are the most underrated guitarists in music, in your opinion?

1st, a couple of ground rules:
1. The guitarist in question must not be a traditional "guitar god",i.e. one who routinely makes the polls of top guitarists in guitar magazines and such. Just because YOU don't think Hendrix is praised by enough people doesn't make him underrated(I have heard this expressed before).
2. The guitarist must have at least 5 cds/lps in their oeuvre. While somewhat of an arbitrary number, I feel we need at least that much to properly assess the guitarists in question. This would also eliminate fine guitarists such as the late Danny Gatton, who had a tragically short-lived but amazing career--he's not so much as underrated as unheard of. I'm looking for guitarists that the average music fan has probably heard something by, but never stopped to consider how awesome they are

I will start the bidding with
1.Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze
2.Davey Johnstone from Elton John's band
3.Nick Salomon of The Bevis Frond

Any others?

Chris W

 

This guy is pretty good

Local Hawaiian guy called Makana. If you have never heard Hawaiian Slack key, listen to this. This kid is good. Even though he calls me "pops", he's still good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQXiJbEFFwA

 

Rusty Anderson
Prince

 

Mick Mars

 

Rivers Cuomo - Weezer

He helped pioneer early 90s alternative rock, and his work on the "Blue Album" is perfect. It is so subtle and complex for what it is; his solos are economical, appropriate, and inventive. If Cobain can sail to the top of "best guitarist" lists, surely this guy merits more mentions as a guitar god of sorts.

 

J Mascis -- Dinosaur Jr. -- good lord, he makes it howl

Stephen Malkmus -- Pavement, Silver Jews, the Jicks -- might be my favorite player of all time.

Jeff

 

Thanks for posting that. I have heard some really impressive slack key guitar but never watched a real expert play.

I'd also list Gabby Pahinui, probably not underrated in Hawaii but hardly heard of in the other 49 states.

 

Jim Mankey (Sparks, Concrete Blonde) - great player with truly original style... not an easy thing to accomplish.

Steve Hackett (Genesis) - first guy I heard do the tapping thing that EVH took to the bank.

Mike Campbell (Tom Petty) - have to include this guy in my picks because he never wastes a note... immaculate player, every solo and part he plays just seems perfect to me.

 

Terry Kath from Chicago.

 

Pete Ham - Badfinger

 

Bill Kirchen

 

Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars; Black Crowes)

 

Rick Emmett - Triumph
Adrian Smith - Iron Maiden
Kim Thayil - Soundgarden
Jerry Cantrell - Alice in Chains

 

Declan Sinnott - guitarist for many Mary Black and Christy Moore recordings.

 

Lindsey Buckingham
Peter Frampton
and as always, Alex Lifeson

 

Rick Nielson - Cheap Trick
David Bromberg

 

Steve Stevens - Billy Idol and solo.

Not sure if he has done work outside of those two situations. Flamenco A Go-Go is a really fun album filled with great guitar work. DVD-A is the way to go on that one (OOP though ).

Tim

 

Yep. I saw Badfinger live in the early Seventies, and Pete was like Cream era Clapton. He was really blazing on guitar,even though he had to stay within their Beatles- like format. Remarkably good playing from a guy in a "pop" band.

Had Pete chosen to, he might have done even better for himself going out as a "rawk/blooze god" kind of guy, as was the fashion of the era. Badfinger did well even though their style of pop music was going OUT of fashion, as heavier music was coming into fashion. He could have just as easily leaned in that direction.

We have had a variation of this thread before, and I never tire of mentioning Justin Hayward . If he ever played a bad or inappropriate note, I have never heard it. Yet, his playing isn't boring.

Most of the world doesn't know about Tommy Emmanuel, and they don't know what they are missing.

 

Just who I was thinking of, but didn't mention because he does get a lot of credit in indie/alt-rock circles. But yeah, he's one of the few rock guitarists I whsh would solo more! He might not be the most technical player, but his work is so full of feeling.

Good call. A very understated yet skilled player.

 

Buck-'Donald Roeser'-Dharma.

 

Johnny Marr - The Smiths

Considering how young he was and how shortlived the band was, I'm shocked that I never see any guitar magazine features on his guitar work. Maybe in the UK but never here... I think he qualifies.

 

Roger McGuinn

That solo on "Eight Miles High" says it all!

Also Mike Rutherford of Genesis who is often in the shadow of Steve Hackett...his understated rhythm approach is very tasteful to me ("Invisible Touch", "No Son of Mine", "Calling All Stations") making him an excellent guitarist. And his solos on And Then There Were Three are probably his best.

 

Martin Pugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5borN7Ymuc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY9KbgUtDCw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIYo3ToOY9c

 

Michael Rother

 

Eric Johnson