pat metheney is extremely overrated

Underrated - Prince and Carlos Santana.

I think Cobain is my pick as the most overrated.

I don't think Slash has received enough votes, so add one for him!

...and to those who say Jimmy Page is OVERRATED.. HAH! No f'n way. The man is flat out amazing. You do realize that his style of play is what created the inspiration for most other rock music that you enjoy, right?

It makes you wonder where rock would be without Zeppelin..

Overrated would have to fall in the category of someone who can play guitar, but really isn't anything special, yet everyone currently holds on a high pedestal yet probably won't be remembered 20 years from now.

Jack White is one of them... I've heard the White Stripes, and as someone who can appreciate and spot talent, I'd have to say they aren't anything special... he might be decent at it to the point where he has a mainstream music career, but he's definitely NOT someone who will be remembered 100 years from now as a great guitarist. No more special than the guitarist from... say, Staind (or pick any other current mainstream band).

Kurt Cobain might not've been an innovative guitar player, but goddamn were his songs amazing. He took very simple power chords and made some of the greatest songs from them with ease. No, he didn't have amazing solos like Page/Slash, but when he played.. it was simple, raw, powerful, and to the point.. and IMO, that is what makes him a great guitar player. Yeah, anyone could play Smells Like Teen Spirit.. but when that song came out, no one had ever heard anything so raw and powerful.

Jimmy Page, on the other hand, WILL be remembered for a LOOOOOOOONG time, and rightfully so because he's amazing.

Underrated would be those people that really SHOULD be regarded as the greatest guitar players.. IMO, Slash is underrated. Slash is just awesome. His riffs are just some of the most memorable in rock. Most solos sound sloppy, kind of out of place, but when Slash plays a solo, you really get kicked in the ass with it.

I read an interview with Myron Grombacher (Pat Benatar's drummer) asking about his favorite guitarists, and he named Townshend as one saying (paraphrased) "he doesn't take a lot of leads, but he plays a lot of guitar". I would agree with that, and in fact I saw some recent live concert footage of him playing with the remains of The Who at some charity event or something, and he did some soloing. It just sounded wrong because it was so un-Townshend-like.

I agree with those who said Alex Lifeson was underrated. I don't much like what Rush has become these days, but the man can play. He still has it too -- check out the Rush in Rio DVD for numerous examples (mostly on their older songs, though).

Yeah Stevie Ray Vaughn is way overated, especially if you consider most of his licks he stole from Albert King.

Ritchie Blackmore - i wouldnt say underrated but i dont think he gets enough credit for his playing

Agreed: Prince is one of the most underrated guitarists ever. I saw him on the George Harrison tribute thingy playing the solo from "while my guitar gently weeps." Blew my mind.

But here it is:
Underrated: Bill Haley
Overrated: BB King

Yeah I saw that Prince thing too...okay now...

Anyone saying Hendrix, Paige, Gilmour, Van Halen, Carlos Santana, Clapton etc. are overrated aren't listening enough...who sounds like them? Not many if there are any. They're good...they worked hard at making good music..they deserve all the praise they get.

Underrated...hmm...I definitely have to agree with Prince, Mike McCready, Slash, anyone who's ever played for the Allmans, Trey Anastacio (he's getting love now though), Supertramps Guitarist has played some really great guitar solos in his day like on Don't Leave Me Now, I like Justin Haywards playing a lot too..dunno if he's THAT good though. I basically like Guitarists who play words with their guitars...the solos are like mini songs in themselves...Why I like Gilmour so damn much...Robby Krieger rarely ever gets mentioned..he's quite good. John Popper and Chan Kinchia of Blues Traveler are pretty good, Leslie West, CCR and Lynard Skynard probably have 4 of the most underrated ever as well mainly cause they look at the whole band instead of individuals. Almost forgot Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top..theres more though I know...LOTS more...I just can't think right now.

Overrated? Hmm Mark Tremonti formerly of Creed now of Alter Bridge I'd say is pretty overrated...I truely realized it when I heard his pathetic attempt at a guitar solo on Alter Bridge's video. Why do people think speedy playing = good? If yer playin that card ya gotta do more than just play fast. After seeing where Jack White placed on Rolling Stones list I'd have to say he's pretty overrated too though I don't think he holds himself in such high regards. I think I'll stop there

Also I gotta add there are a few BRAND new bands that have some good guitarists that show some promise...The Darkness's Justin & Dan Hawkings are quite good...Justin is a little too show boaty at times but he has potential...Los Lonely Boys Henry Garza has some really nice licks..ain't really heard that in a while good sound too. Theres more...I just can't think of em right now.

Asta!!

Oh man, Brian May is definately underrated. Page is definately NOT overrated.
How the hell are people comparing? By overall talent? In relationship to each other? Or simply in the respect they deserve?

Rating following the last rule would make a lot more sense to me.

While I'm a huge fan of Les Paul and Angus Young I can't really say that they are underrated as some people have mentioned. They may not be on the radio and TV much anymore but they've both got their names on guitars, pretty famous ones at that, and that seems like plenty of recognition to me.

Mark Knopfler should be better known but I think it's mainly that people don't know his name. Guarantee you though that the majority of people could recognise his style though. Who can't pick out a Dire Straits song by the first few notes of his guitar. When it comes to famous guitars too, what about his steel guitar from back in the day, thats a really famous one too.

A guitar player who really impressed me but you rarely hear anything about is Django Reinhardt. To think about the solos he churned out with only two fingers is simply mind blowing.

Page and Hendrix get the correct amount of respect from the public, but not enough from guitarists. I bet if they had used crappy looping speed tricks like modern guitarists they could shred effortlessly. I really have no doubt that if he had known of it Page would have mastered sweep-picking and two handed tapping.

Underrated - Pete Townshend, Tom Morello. Great rhythm guitar = instant good song. Eddie Van Halen is underrated thanks to hairmetal. The guy invented two-handed tapping, and is seemingly incapable of not being perfectly clean.

Overrated - Yngwie. He's completely incapable of using his speed effectively. Speed is meaningless if you can't use it. That's why Steve Vai is great, and everyone hates Yngwie...well, maybe it's because he's always "UNLEASHING THE FOCKING FURY".

See above post

most under rated is Eric McFadden. Gitar playa in George Clintons funkadelic. Has about 10 other bands and puts out 2 or 3 solo albums a year. The guy is the shit.

Overrated is a tie between Knopfler and Clapton. Once great players that had their soul sucked dry by corporate cash.


Oh yeah, Ry Cooder is pretty fuckin under rated as well.

that´s ericmcfadden.com boys and girls. well worth your while.

over - hammet's, havent heard anything from metallica with amazing guitar

under - alexi laiho, adrian smith and dave murray