Under-rated Guitarists?

I can’t believe that no-one’s mentioned Francis Dunnery of It Bites or Alex Lifeson of Rush – two men each with a quite unique and unmistakable style and technique.

Edited to add: OK, OK, Ren has already mentioned Alex Lifeson 😮 …. but still, what about Francis Dunnery?

I would say that George Harrison is a very under-rated guitarist.

For me he was a legend very underated in many ways a great song writer a great guitarist and vital member of probably the most famous band in the world.
His last 2 Studio albums “Cloud Nine” and “Brainwashed” should be in everyones collections.

I would say that George Harrison is a very under-rated guitarist.

Excellent point, quite possibly the best candidate so far.

I would say that George Harrison is a very under-rated guitarist.

Mike Oldfield?

Just a thought?

He’s had over 30 years to come up with a follow up to Tubular Bells, and hasnt managed so much as a note worthy riff. So I guess he deserves to be religated as under-rated. I think we could include Peter Frampton as a one album man also.

Rory Gallagher?
Mike Oldfield?

Just a thought?

But the fact is noone was able to build on what he had done

Chuck Berry certainly took T-bone Walker’s style into another genre.

Ahhh, Chuck Berry, long live the King of rock’n’roll….

Now THERE’S a legend, if ever there was.

Under rated guitarist? Over rated lyricist? Anyone….?

no, i dont think so, mr clapton could be a legend, but one thing is a popular legend and other is an great artist, if you compare the guitars between clapton-santana, welll….mr.carlitos win in a biiiiiigggg margin, but i think that he wasnt considered, because he isnt from england :rolleyes: …..one thing is a pop legend and other is an artist

I just want to say that I think its sad that people here cut down Clapton as being boring and sounding like everyone. The reason he sounds like everyone is he was the originator of the white blues/rock guitare sound that everyone uses now. Before Clapton was just clangy, clunky and twangy sounding guitare riffs.

I agree too, Although not so keen on his recent efforts so much, His name should not be in this thread as its about under rated guitarists, E.C is a legend and not under rated or over rated for that matter.

T-Bone Walker was definately ahead of his time. But the fact is noone was able to build on what he had done, so he….

who cares?..i still dont understand why mr. clapton is considered a great guitarist, his style is repetitive ,simple and with a pretty lack of creativity

Err, ever heard of T-bone Walker?

T-Bone Walker was definately ahead of his time. But the fact is noone was able to build on what he had done, so he is not credited for starting a style. Eric Claptons style was built on mainly the style of BB King (which is not to say he directly copied King, he was influenced by alot of Bluemen). And BB King in turn was very directly influenced by the style of Django Reinhardt (he openly admits that).

Before Clapton was just clangy, clunky and twangy sounding guitare riffs.

Err, ever heard of T-bone Walker?

hmmm, well i always thought that mr. carlos santana was -and is- a very underated guitarist, because that stupid clapton-hendrix duality, actually ,for me, santana was (and is) much better than both

clapton is boring, hendrix sound like a funky blues, santana was more progresist, mixing jazz with rock and R&B

What about Eddie Van Halen, or Stevie Vai, or Ted Nugent?

I dont think you noticed the word UNDER-rated.

What about Eddie Van Halen, or Stevie Vai, or Ted Nugent?

I agree. As a fan of Clapton for far longer than I am prepared to admit to, I’ve been avoiding responding to the previous comments.

I just want to say that I think its sad that people here cut down Clapton as being boring and sounding like everyone. The reason he sounds like everyone is he was the originator of the white blues/rock guitare sound that everyone uses now. Before Clapton was just clangy, clunky and twangy sounding guitare riffs.

…Tab Benoit, Junior Watson, Hollywood Fats….

I’ll go with Rick Vito when he was with the Mac (Fleetwood), great slide player…Waddy Wachtel…..Drew Abbott….Tommy Shaw……Johnny Lang…

M

Who? My candidate for this would be the great Julian Bream. OK so that’s classical but what the hell? No-one specified a particular type of music.

I am a big fan of both Julian Bream and John Williams but I would’nt say either of them are under-rated. I do think Leo Kottke is under-rated though. His track “Crow River Waltz” on his 6 & 12 string guitar album is one of the most beautiful pieces of acoustic guitar I have ever heard.