Here are a few of my choices... Reggie Young Albert Lee Don Rich Hank Garland Chip Young Louis Shelton
I think Guy from Fugazi is underrated just for 'Bed for Scraping' alone. Criminally overlooked. His licks are the bottom section:
The great, looney Ray Burns, Captain Sensible. Filled the shoes of Brian James when he split from The Damned after only 2 years as lead guitarist (1977-78). Captain added many brilliant solos when they mixed prog and punk. Great example here from Strawberries. Nice fluid passionate solo. I'd also give the nod to Jonesy ( Mick Jones) whose soloing gets overlooked much on the first three Clash albums.
Another thread turning into name a guitarist ; o ),) James Walbourne Julian Coryell Lindsey Buckingham
- Peter Green my favourite guitarist (sadly got some "mainstream recognition" now, after he passed away) - J. Mascis (underrated as hell) - Johnny Marr (just underrated) - Buzz Osborne (not everyone's cup of tea, but this guy is a magician)
John McGeoch Robyn Hitchcock John Perry Francis Rossi Craig Scanlon Peter Buck Sterling Morrison Robert Smith Steve Jones
Mick Strode, who played in Band Of Joy, then did various sessions, including Nicky James' 'Black Dream' LP. Band Of Joy -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvvffSM_yj4 Nicky James - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW4CbYfLRss Also Miller Anderson - Keef Hartley Band, Savoy Brown, etc.
Nobody ever talks about jazz guitarist Sonny Greenwich (1936 - ), a wonderful lyricist, who really uses his guitar like a horn to "sing songs". Almost always prefers to be backed by a piano instead of playing chords himself. Sloppy? Often so, yes (not here though), but who cares when you play like that... I never tire of listening to him anyway.
I can't say that I agree with a lot of these choices as being underrated. I mean Chet Atkins? He's "Mr. Guitar". Roy Clark? He has an album called Super Pickers. But I would say Steve Stevens Neil Giraldo Billy Corgan Brian James Rick Brewster And my Homeboy Greg Howe
