[Lester B. Flat]

There seem to be many genuinely gifted guitarists who never get mentioned on the "short lists" of rock guitarists who have left an indelible mark. Every list includes Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Beck etc. but I feel many who are every bit as influencial get overlooked.

One guitarist I would add to the list is Andy Summers. He played with the No.1 band in the world in the early eighties. His style has been copied by many. He has a totally original approach and sound. He re-invented what a trio should or could be with his less-is-more textural approach. He only showed a fraction of what he could do while with The Police and was the biggest part of their sound. I believe he was the biggest musical influence of the eighties.

Let's hear your favorite underrated picker picks.evilGuitar:

 

[Welladjusted]

Sticking with guitarists in trios...

Ty Tabor holds the dubious distinction of being the guitarist for the band most commonly recognized as "criminally overlooked". He has monster chops and tone to match and he's a great pop songwriter. It's a difficult feat to be catchy and heavy in the same song

 

[david henman]

frank marino
vince gill - it is truly astounding that he has never graced the cover of guitar player!
kim mitchell
wendell ferguson
colin linden
doyle bramhall II
rick gunn (local toronto guy)

 

[PaulS]

frank marino
vince gill - it is truly astounding that he has never graced the cover of guitar player!
kim mitchell
wendell ferguson
colin linden
doyle bramhall II
rick gunn (local toronto guy)

I've heard some pretty wicked stuff from Vince Gill, I agree he doesn't get the recognition as a guitar player.... +1 on Linden and Bramhall II.
Playing a guitar strung upside down seems to give him a very interesting approach .

 

[SCREEM]

For blues to name a couple

Roy Buchanan
Smokin' Joe Kubek

 

[mario]

There are so many, but I'll put Rory Gallagher up there. He was an amazing player! Check out "Live at the BBC".

 

[Beatles]

George Harrison

 

[MaxWedge]

Jerry Garcia, particularly for his steel guitar on 'Teach Your Children' with CSN&Y. I'm not sure about this, but apparently this was Jerry's first go at steel. Did a fantastic job, imho.

 

[Milkman]

Well I'd have to say Lenny Breau.

He was a guitarist's guitarist for sure so the fact that the general public is largely oblivious to his genius is no surprise.

He was on a different level than most normal people, in fact he was almost a savant.

 

[david henman]

Well I'd have to say Lenny Breau.
He was a guitarist's guitarist for sure so the fact that the general public is largely oblivious to his genius is no surprise.
He was on a different level than most normal people, in fact he was almost a savant.

...in a somewhat different context, perhaps, but i kind of think of danny gatton in the same way. gatton's musical vocabulary seems entirely out of whack for a blues and rockabilly picker - ergo, the savant analogy. i can't even compare him to jeff beck - again, an entirely different context. gatton is very much a telecaster speed picker, and there are no shortage of those. there may even be a few that are in gatton's equal. not merely for speed, of course, but for the combination of speed, taste, imagination and musical vocabulary. for me, gatton is downright scary. i'd love to know if there are other (living) players that are in his league.

-dh

 

[Milkman]

...in a somewhat different context, perhaps, but i kind of think of danny gatton in the same way. gatton's musical vocabulary seems entirely out of whack for a blues and rockabilly picker - ergo, the savant analogy. i can't even compare him to jeff beck - again, an entirely different context. gatton is very much a telecaster speed picker, and there are no shortage of those. there may even be a few that are in gatton's equal. not merely for speed, of course, but for the combination of speed, taste, imagination and musical vocabulary. for me, gatton is downright scary. i'd love to know if there are other (living) players that are in his league.

-dh

Yup, Gatton was indeed a monster and was largely ignored by the general public.

I'd wager that there are many players like these guys who just never make it as big as they should.

Then again, you have the view this in the context of the type of "artist" that does make it big.

Remember, the American public made stars out of M & M, Ashley Simpson, Fifty cent and many others of dubious talent. It would be out of character for them to support real talent to the same extent.

 

[mario]

Yeah, Danny Gatton was a monster player. Still have 2 picks he gave me after a show.

 

[Emohawk]

How about Brian Setzer? He does get some props, but not near what he deserves in my opinion.

Ritchie Sambora can play his ass off, but unfortunately he's generally associated with his JBJ work. His first solo album is fantastic.

Joe Perry is another one. The early Aerosmith stuff just works for me. It's like someone took all those late 60's/early 70's guitarists we all love & rolled them into one package.

And I always think about guys like Brian Robertson & Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy. Understated but tasteful players.

And a big +1 on Frank Marino.

 

[faracaster]

A big +1 on Gatton

Pat Thrall is my fav underated rock player.

 

[sysexguy]

if you really really really like old aerosmith, Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner should be at the top of all unsung heroes lists.

Between the yardbirds in the 60's and ozzy in 80's, Phil Lynott's the one who introduced the best crop of new talent from one source

Andy

 

[Lester B. Flat]

Yeah, I'd definitely include Lenny Breau and Danny Gatton. The first time I heard Gatton was on TV where he was billed as "the world's best unknown guitar player". He was also unusual in being a telecaster "specialist". He knew how to play a guitar better than most, but knew how to play a tele better than anyone. Lenny Breau remains unsurpassed.

 

[Robert1950]

The late Domenic Troiano. First saw him in January '66. Blew my mind. Last time was in 1979 - he was playing in another dimension by then.

 

[famouspogs]

Larry Lalonde and Steve hackett

 

[keefsdad]

Tommy Emmanuel

 

[rippinglickfest]

Under rated

Alex Lifeson is very under rated as is Keith Scott for Bryan Adams..........a fine guitar player who plays for the song and just oozes melody.
All of the Thin Lizzy guys for sure Especially John Sykes.
And Shawn Lane who isnt with us anymore.
Ray