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I don't think you can classify Hendrix, Clapton, Paige, Van Halen, and several others as over-rated just because of how we compare them to other guitars players of today. When they got huge with their playing it was because no one had ever heard anyone play like that, they basically invented a new way to play the instrument, so to speak. Sure they probably started out copying their idols but eventually they surpassed them and went way beyond everything else that was out there at the time. You have to remember the context and place in time of when these players came about. For instance, in the eighties when playing guitar proficiently was hugely popular you had most players all doing the same thing, they all copied each other and a lot do actually sound the same, if someone said that the guitar player from (pick one from a hair metal band...Warrant perhaps) was the greatest player ever then I'd have to say that he's overrated because he played just like everyone else of his day. Was he a good guitar player because of his technical skills, of course there's no doubt about it, but there wasn't anything special about his playing, he played just like everyone else around him. However, this doesn't always apply. For example, in Cobain's case, sure he didn't play like everyone else which made him innovative, but was he actually very good at playing guitar, I would have to say no (power chords will rarely win you points with guitar critics). Basically, if you improved on the playing that came before you and went way beyond it I don't think you can be classified as over-rated. So assuming that all makes sense since I probably got lost in there some where, I'll end with my picks.
Over-rated: Kurt Cobain
Under-rated: Prince, Alex Lifeson, Brian May
Oh yeah, and I don't think that Eric Johnson is under-rated, anyone that's heard his playing knows he incredibly fucking good.
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"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" -- Albert Einstein
"A clear indication of women's superiority over man is their refusal to play air guitar." --Frank Zappa
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