Underrated Rock Guitarists

rockrev · 14th July 2007

The other day someone had a post about Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and it really got me thinking about how bad @ss Neal Schon is. He's one of the most underrated rock guitarists ever, IMHO. So, yesterday I was listening to some Bryan Adams tracks and "Cuts Like a Knife" still rocks as if it were cut just the other day. Then I realized . . . another underrated guitarist is making this happen . . . Keith Scott. I decided I'd start a post so everyone could chime in and mention some others. Here's two more . . . Mike Campbell and Lindsey Buckingham (though one could argue he's a little more recognized).

dj

jammybastard · 14th July 2007

Those guys are hardly underrated.
When they were at the top of the charts they got tons of press and accolades.
Look into Richard Thompson's career and listen to his catalog.
He's the most prolific and technically gifted guitarist and songwriter I've ever heard and he'll never make the usual lists that guys like Neal and Lindsey always make.

CommunityMart · 14th July 2007

Underrated guitarist.

Rhythm, lead, or both?

bitman · 14th July 2007

Mike Hall (Killer Dwarfs)

CarmenC · 14th July 2007

Dave Gregory (XTC)

AlexLakis · 14th July 2007

Billy Corgan - This guy can SHRED, and is as creative as all hell. That's him playing those amazing leads on "Gish" in case you didn't know. Most badass guitar-move I've ever seen was Billy jumping off a double-stacked cab while swinging his guitar over his head in a circle only to come down on the final chord of "Rocket." The whole arena went ape-sh*t.

Chris Cornell - Have you ever tried playing old Soundgarden songs and singing them at the same time? With that kinda conviction, power, and melodic genius?

Greg Hetson - The guy just turned 46 and can jump a good three feet into the air while palmuting 32nd notes. And he's doing it on the first song all the way to the thirtieth song of the set. The man has passion.

Noodles - Same as Greg, only he ain't got as much ups.

Adam Jones - Never gets any props and he's in one of the greatest bands of our era. That doesn't happen because you suck. Never oversteps his boundaries and plays exactly what needs to be played 100% of the time. Oh, and he's a tone/pedal board monster.

octatonic · 14th July 2007

Andy Cairns - Therapy?
Bob Mould - Husker Du/Sugar

are a couple that come to mind.

the yeti · 14th July 2007

tom verlaine
robyn hitchcock (listen to underwater moonlight )

Dopamine · 14th July 2007

Just saw the Police... Andy Summers is usually not a name that comes up when talking about guitar players. I don't care so much for his solo's, but his hooks and parts just fit the pocket so nicely and make my ears feels great!

They started the show with "Message in a Bottle". No speaking or introduction, just a raw guitar coming in. What a musical statement!! And the crowd was the best I've seen at any concert.

Sorry for the tangent.

FossilTooth · 14th July 2007

Guitar Jocks, unite in your disdain for the following post:

Kurt Cobain: Any solo on "Bleach". Any solo on "Incesticide". The second half of the solo to "In Bloom". 10 seconds of friggin magic in each.

Marc Ribot: If you don't get why this guy's work with Tom Waits is amazing, you just don't get music.

There, I said it. Two players who make me realize that I don't actually hate guitar solos.

Honorable mention: Neil Young. This guy sounds like rusty nails. Have you listened to "Southern Man" recently?

johnwayne · 14th July 2007

Jon Brion

amishsixstringe · 14th July 2007

I'm going to see the Police Monday. Can't wait!

Neil

chrisj · 14th July 2007

Neil Young.
Davey Johnstone.
Dave Davies.

Rack Ho · 14th July 2007

If you don't get Angus, your wife/girlfriend needs to turn her head and cough (or maybe you need to swallow)

AMIEL · 14th July 2007

Stevie Salas!!!!!!!!
Not only cool and great guy!
Amazing guitar player, singer-songwriter !!
Played with legends...

Nobody plays funk rock like him...but he rocks hard too!

lord_bunny · 14th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FossilTooth

Guitar Jocks, unite in your disdain for the following post:

Kurt Cobain: Any solo on "Bleach". Any solo on "Incesticide". The second half of the solo to "In Bloom". 10 seconds of friggin magic in each.

Marc Ribot: If you don't get why this guy's work with Tom Waits is amazing, you just don't get music.

There, I said it. Two players who make me realize that I don't actually hate guitar solos.

Honorable mention: Neil Young. This guy sounds like rusty nails. Have you listened to "Southern Man" recently?

I agree with everything you said. Rain Dogs anyone? Hairspray Queen's solo is like watching a 3 year old with silly-puddy, it's so raw in all the right ways. And neil young does quite well with just the pentatonic scale, no need for the butter notes to creat impact. My favourite player of late however is Johnny Marr, just love those picked arpeggiated riffs.

Underrated as well: John Lennon's rythem playing: no reply or his fingerpicking and chord selection in something like Julia. How about the chord progression in I am the Walrus? Very cool understated stuff.

+1 for Jon brion and Elliott Smith as well

guitardom · 14th July 2007

heavy question, i dig it!

seen neal schon posted first, nice check out some of there old live stuff and you get to see randy jackson rockin on bass in pink spandex!!

i am glad kurt cobain can never touch a guitar again! sorry but he ruined it for to many TRUE players, and almost single handedly ruined the future of guitar, thank goodness dimebag was around at that time!! (that'll get a rise, sorry just my opinion)

prince

john 5, dont judge by the zombie manson stuff he's done. his solo albums are quite impressive

johnny hiland, BADA**

jim matheos, fates warning, osi, AMAZING rhythm and timing chops

danny gatton, one of the true masters

les paul, this guy had CHOPS give some of it a listen sometime if you havent, its like prog'd out jazz with a flavorful twist yet recorded before me or my mom in that case was born...

ty tabor, tasty chops!!

frank zappa, da man, dweezil is quite the shredder himself!

glen buxton/ michael bruce, c'mon you gotta admit the old cooper stuff is stupidly catchy!!!

ok off my pedastal now, i would have to start thinking to come up with some more.....

ShellTones · 14th July 2007

Peter Frampton

marchhare · 14th July 2007

Bob "Derwood" Andrews-Generation X
James Honeyman-Scott-Pretenders
Paul Westerberg
Bob Mould
Midge Ure
Steve Jones
Andy Scott-Sweet
Kevin Cadogan-Third Eye Blind
Rick Nielsen
Elliot Easton

novsam · 14th July 2007

Steve Clark (RIP) - Def Leppard: my favorite 80s guitarist
Jake Kiley - Strung Out: idolizes Randy Rhodes and plays like it

hangman · 14th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitardom

i am glad kurt cobain can never touch a guitar again! sorry but he ruined it for to many TRUE players, and almost single handedly ruined the future of guitar, thank goodness dimebag was around at that time!! (that'll get a rise, sorry just my opinion)

"True players" "ruined the future of guitar"
those are some of the most entertaining things I've heard in a while.
like how you set it up too.
The Dark lord Kurt Cobain: Destructor, and Enemy to all true and free Guitar players.
The Great hope Dimebag Darrell weilding the light. The voice of the "true player" rocking out mean guitar solos for the real people, that haven't descended into darkness.

truly wonderful. you certainly give Cobain alot of credit.

I think theres a much bigger problem with Over-rating guitar players.

chrispick · 14th July 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarmenC

Dave Gregory (XTC)

One of the greatest pop players, I think. He runs a clinic on "Oranges and Lemons." Every guitar player should pick up that album and study. You may not love the tracks (I do), but the musicianship (i.e., technique, arrangement, tone) is unquestionable.

Tom Hakala · 14th July 2007

I saw The Who live on Monday and I ever even had thought about how good Pete Townsend actually is. Don't know if he is under/overrated, but as a guitar player he has never meant anything to me until now. Amazing player!!

Mount Cyanide · 14th July 2007

NELS CLINE.
Absurd. Underground hero. From unconventional noise to conventional jazz,
he's got this instrument down (and the pedals too).
DO go see him whenever you can.

Whitecat · 14th July 2007

Here's an obscure one if you're not a Canadian -

Kim Mitchell.

Football · 14th July 2007

Alan Murphy (passed on about twenty years ago).

Someone here must know/like him right?

el cochino · 14th July 2007

Vivian Campbell when he played with Dio. He wasn't even 20 when he recorded 'Holy Diver'.

chandlersonic · 14th July 2007

Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues I always thought was an amazing guitarist who came up with some really simple but awesome leads, No one ever talks much about him...

unsung · 14th July 2007

Lou Reed !

Digam11 · 14th July 2007

Nils Lofgen

14th July 2007	#1
rockrev Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SC Posts: 287 Thread Starter	Underrated Rock Guitarists The other day someone had a post about Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and it really got me thinking about how bad @ss Neal Schon is. He's one of the most underrated rock guitarists ever, IMHO. So, yesterday I was listening to some Bryan Adams tracks and "Cuts Like a Knife" still rocks as if it were cut just the other day. Then I realized . . . another underrated guitarist is making this happen . . . Keith Scott. I decided I'd start a post so everyone could chime in and mention some others. Here's two more . . . Mike Campbell and Lindsey Buckingham (though one could argue he's a little more recognized). dj

14th July 2007	#7
octatonic Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,429	Andy Cairns - Therapy? Bob Mould - Husker Du/Sugar are a couple that come to mind. __________________ Regards, Jim Richmond "I don't go to mythical places with strange men." Douglas Adams

14th July 2007	#10
FossilTooth Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 918	Guitar Jocks, unite in your disdain for the following post: Kurt Cobain: Any solo on "Bleach". Any solo on "Incesticide". The second half of the solo to "In Bloom". 10 seconds of friggin magic in each. Marc Ribot: If you don't get why this guy's work with Tom Waits is amazing, you just don't get music. There, I said it. Two players who make me realize that I don't actually hate guitar solos. Honorable mention: Neil Young. This guy sounds like rusty nails. Have you listened to "Southern Man" recently? __________________ Justin Colletti Recordist, Mixer and Music Journalist via Brooklyn New Issue of "Trust Me, I'm A Scientist" is out now! Get Science'd on Twitter \| Facebook \| RSS

14th July 2007	#15
AMIEL Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 3,595	Stevie Salas!!!!!!!! Not only cool and great guy! Amazing guitar player, singer-songwriter !! Played with legends... Nobody plays funk rock like him...but he rocks hard too! __________________ ------------------ Peace. Reuven Amiel "There are no rules, just knowledge, good taste and experimentation" "Music was designed to escape from reality for a moment, not to magnify our fears and problems"

14th July 2007	#20
novsam Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 19	Steve Clark (RIP) - Def Leppard: my favorite 80s guitarist Jake Kiley - Strung Out: idolizes Randy Rhodes and plays like it __________________ jeffreyschmid@gmail.com

14th July 2007	#2
jammybastard Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 30 sq miles surrounded by reality! Posts: 150	Those guys are hardly underrated. When they were at the top of the charts they got tons of press and accolades. Look into Richard Thompson's career and listen to his catalog. He's the most prolific and technically gifted guitarist and songwriter I've ever heard and he'll never make the usual lists that guys like Neal and Lindsey always make.

14th July 2007	#3
CommunityMart Gear maniac Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 226	Underrated guitarist. Rhythm, lead, or both?

14th July 2007	#4
bitman Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Keystone, CO Posts: 1,497	Mike Hall (Killer Dwarfs)

14th July 2007	#5
CarmenC Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 170	Dave Gregory (XTC)

14th July 2007	#6
AlexLakis Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD/L.A. Posts: 3,631	Billy Corgan - This guy can SHRED, and is as creative as all hell. That's him playing those amazing leads on "Gish" in case you didn't know. Most badass guitar-move I've ever seen was Billy jumping off a double-stacked cab while swinging his guitar over his head in a circle only to come down on the final chord of "Rocket." The whole arena went ape-sht. Chris Cornell - Have you ever tried playing old Soundgarden songs and singing them at the same time? With that* kinda conviction, power, and melodic genius? Greg Hetson - The guy just turned 46 and can jump a good three feet into the air while palmuting 32nd notes. And he's doing it on the first song all the way to the thirtieth song of the set. The man has passion. Noodles - Same as Greg, only he ain't got as much ups. Adam Jones - Never gets any props and he's in one of the greatest bands of our era. That doesn't happen because you suck. Never oversteps his boundaries and plays exactly what needs to be played 100% of the time. Oh, and he's a tone/pedal board monster.

14th July 2007	#8
the yeti Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NC Posts: 77	tom verlaine robyn hitchcock (listen to underwater moonlight )

14th July 2007	#9
Dopamine Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,903	Just saw the Police... Andy Summers is usually not a name that comes up when talking about guitar players. I don't care so much for his solo's, but his hooks and parts just fit the pocket so nicely and make my ears feels great! They started the show with "Message in a Bottle". No speaking or introduction, just a raw guitar coming in. What a musical statement!! And the crowd was the best I've seen at any concert. Sorry for the tangent.

14th July 2007	#11
johnwayne Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Decatur, Ga Posts: 597	Jon Brion

14th July 2007	#12
amishsixstringe Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,231	I'm going to see the Police Monday. Can't wait! Neil

14th July 2007	#13
chrisj Airwindows Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,006	Neil Young. Davey Johnstone. Dave Davies.

14th July 2007	#14
Rack Ho Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	If you don't get Angus, your wife/girlfriend needs to turn her head and cough (or maybe you need to swallow)

14th July 2007	#17
guitardom Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new mexico Posts: 770	heavy question, i dig it! seen neal schon posted first, nice check out some of there old live stuff and you get to see randy jackson rockin on bass in pink spandex!! i am glad kurt cobain can never touch a guitar again! sorry but he ruined it for to many TRUE players, and almost single handedly ruined the future of guitar, thank goodness dimebag was around at that time!! (that'll get a rise, sorry just my opinion) prince john 5, dont judge by the zombie manson stuff he's done. his solo albums are quite impressive johnny hiland, BADA** jim matheos, fates warning, osi, AMAZING rhythm and timing chops danny gatton, one of the true masters les paul, this guy had CHOPS give some of it a listen sometime if you havent, its like prog'd out jazz with a flavorful twist yet recorded before me or my mom in that case was born... ty tabor, tasty chops!! frank zappa, da man, dweezil is quite the shredder himself! glen buxton/ michael bruce, c'mon you gotta admit the old cooper stuff is stupidly catchy!!! ok off my pedastal now, i would have to start thinking to come up with some more.....

14th July 2007	#18
ShellTones Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 90	Peter Frampton

14th July 2007	#19
marchhare Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 837	Bob "Derwood" Andrews-Generation X James Honeyman-Scott-Pretenders Paul Westerberg Bob Mould Midge Ure Steve Jones Andy Scott-Sweet Kevin Cadogan-Third Eye Blind Rick Nielsen Elliot Easton

14th July 2007	#23
Tom Hakala Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: internet Posts: 1,485	I saw The Who live on Monday and I ever even had thought about how good Pete Townsend actually is. Don't know if he is under/overrated, but as a guitar player he has never meant anything to me until now. Amazing player!!

14th July 2007	#24
Mount Cyanide Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: La Villa de Atwater de Los Angeles, CA Posts: 429	NELS CLINE. Absurd. Underground hero. From unconventional noise to conventional jazz, he's got this instrument down (and the pedals too). DO go see him whenever you can. __________________ ME: www.mountcyanide.com CURRENT: www.reverbnation.com/naamakates YouTube: youtube.com/user/MountCyanide

14th July 2007	#25
Whitecat GS Community Manager Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Surrey / London Posts: 5,847 1 Review written	Here's an obscure one if you're not a Canadian - Kim Mitchell.

14th July 2007	#26
Football Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston Area Posts: 1,250	Alan Murphy (passed on about twenty years ago). Someone here must know/like him right?

14th July 2007	#27
el cochino Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Austria Posts: 937	Vivian Campbell when he played with Dio. He wasn't even 20 when he recorded 'Holy Diver'.

14th July 2007	#28
chandlersonic Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 847	Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues I always thought was an amazing guitarist who came up with some really simple but awesome leads, No one ever talks much about him...

14th July 2007	#29
unsung Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Phila PA Posts: 3,221	Lou Reed !

14th July 2007	#30
Digam11 Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MA, USA Posts: 31	Nils Lofgen

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