Battle of the Underrated Guitarists Achrieve

[OldFogey]

no stupidass joke entries and Mustaine, Taylor, and Buckethead are all well rated

My problem with these discussion is always -- how do we establish rating? And just being highly rated doesn't preclude being underrated.

Underrated to me has always meant "doesn't get the popular attention or praise he/he deserves." By that criterion, if you compare the praise/acclaim that the "big three" of English guitarists (Clapton, Beck and Page) from Mick's era are rated with what the four of them actually do -- then Taylor is way underrated.

But if you want no doubt completely underrated, consider Steve Morse, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos and Joe Bonamassa. Steve Morse gets plenty of critical acclaim, but for a guitarist of his ability he is way underrated by the public at large. Of all these, the guy that I think most captures the spirit of "I had no idea he was this good" is Hidalgo. Consider that Clapton has invited him to both Crossroads festivals now. Bonamassa is just not very well known -- but those who do know him recognize how insanely good he is. And Morse works with a band that is widely believed to be past its prime (Deep Purple) -- which is probably true, but doesn't take away from the fact this guy is as good as it gets in rock.

[Rockbandfan23467]

I said Cobain because outside of that Rolling Stone list, he's always believed to be horrible. Kurt is overrated as a person, but not as a guitarist.

[Hastyl3]

I said Cobain because outside of that Rolling Stone list, he's always believed to be horrible. Kurt is overrated as a person, but not as a guitarist.

No, he's pretty overrated as a guitarist considering Smells Like Teen Spirit was voted to have one of the top 30 guitar solos... also, James Iha is underrated for a reason, Billy Corgan is simply just a better guitarist. James Iha isn't the one doing the better solos by the Pumpkins in case you didn't know.

[Rockbandfan23467]

No he's underrated. He gets tons of hate on boards like this.

[WhiffleBallTony]

You should include Janick Gers. He is HIGHLY underrated.

[back_blows]

You should include Janick Gers. He is HIGHLY underrated.

I agree. He's always been in the shadows of Adrian and Dave and many fans, incorrectly place blame on him and Blaze for Maiden's downward slide.

[tommysparxxx]

since wen is johnny ramone consider underratted? i always thought he was well known for kickin ass

[wreckem279]

Alex Lifeson anyone? He's terribly underrated.

[Hastyl3]

No he's underrated. He gets tons of hate on boards like this.

I've never seen anything but love guy. More people ask for him to come back to the Pumpkins than D'Arcy.

[Rockbandfan23467]

I've never seen anything but love guy. More people ask for him to come back to the Pumpkins than D'Arcy.

I was talking about Kurt, not James Iha.