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Top 5 underrated prog guitarists

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Topic: Top 5 underrated prog guitarists
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Subject: Top 5 underrated prog guitarists
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 14:18
Time for another T5.

1. Piotr Grudzinski (Riverside)
2. Brett Kull (Echolyn)
3. Mike Keneally (Zappa, solo)
4. Phil Miller (Matching Mole, Hatfield & the North)
5. John Mitchell (Arena, Frost*, Lonely Robot)



Replies:
Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 14:30
1. Allan Holdsworth - Bruford, UK , Solo
2. Steve Morse - Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple
3. Steve Rothery - Marillion
4. Mike Rutherford - Genesis 
5. Michael Dunford - Renaissance



Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 14:44
Allan and Steve are in my top 5 of all time, but underrated?


Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 14:56
Not really underrated , maybe just not as well known as some others. (Howe, Hackett, Fripp, Zappa...) 


Posted By: Fischman
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 15:31
Originally posted by Argo2112 Argo2112 wrote:

1. Allan Holdsworth - Bruford, UK , Solo
2. Steve Morse - Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple
3. Steve Rothery - Marillion
4. Mike Rutherford - Genesis 
5. Michael Dunford - Renaissance


I LOVE Morse.  Dude can do (and has done) it all.  But he's hardly underrated.  He's got more "best guitarist" poll wins than anyone else I know of (from various current year polls, not necessarily "best ever" polls which are invariably carried by Jimi Hendrix).  And for his resume, must include his solo/Steve Morse Band work, which rivals or beats any of the listed groups, as well as his most recent gig with Flying Colors.  

Holdsworth is another one who may be underrated in the sense that he's not a household name, but is held in highest esteem by aficionados and fellow musicians. 


Posted By: patrickq
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 15:38
How about Rabin? He probably has a higher actual quality than perceived quality, which is one way to define “underrated.”


Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 16:00
^ A consummate professional.



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"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy


Posted By: Fischman
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 16:17
Jan Akkerman (Focus, Solo)
Jim Matheos (Fates Warning, Solo)
Martin Barre (Jethro Tull, Solo)
Roine Stolt (Transatlantic, Flower Kings, The Tangent, Fantasia, Kalpa, Agents of Mercy, The Sea Within, Anderson/Stolt, Solo)
and yes.... Alex Lifeson!


Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 17:09
Alex is in my top 5 of all time killer guitarists, but too well know to be underrated.

Peace man


Posted By: Ridgeback
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 17:49
Scott Henderson
Shawn Lane
Bjorn Riis (Airbag)
Nick Barret (Pendragon)


Posted By: Fischman
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 18:20
Well known doesn't mean he gets the accolades he's deserved.  He's not often in the convo for best ever discussions, so to me that means underrated.  


Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 18:58
Jean Dorais (Octobre)

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Posted By: twosteves
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 21:58
Originally posted by patrickq patrickq wrote:

How about Rabin? He probably has a higher actual quality than perceived quality, which is one way to define “underrated.”

he's technically good but not original ---and doesn't have the feeling a great original prog guitarist should have..nor the rock a great rock guitarist should have--he's not Howe or Van Halen.Smile


Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 22:07
I'm a jazz-rock fusion fan at heart, so my list includes:

a) John Goodsall of Brand X 
b) Frank Gambale of Chick Corea's band
c) Daryl Stuermer of Jean Luc Ponty & Genesis 
d) Shawn Lane, RIP 
e) Peter Banks, RIP 




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I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!


Posted By: uduwudu
Date Posted: July 11 2019 at 22:58
Michael Karoli
Roger Trigaux
Mike Rutherford
Jan Akkerman
Phil Manzanera


Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 12 2019 at 00:06
1. Stephen Caudel
2. Mike Holmes (IQ)
3. Edgar Froese
4. Chris Fry (Magenta)
5. John Mitchell

I'm sure there are others and it will annoy me that I forgot about them!


Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: July 12 2019 at 00:39
In no particular order:
Russ Ballard (Argent)
Franco Mussida (PFM)
Sándor Cziránku (Barbaro)
Robbie Krieger (the Doors)
David Byrne (Talking Heads)


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Posted By: progmatic
Date Posted: July 12 2019 at 02:47
1. John Goodsall
2. Steve Rothery
3. Frank Bornemann


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PROGMATIC


Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: July 12 2019 at 07:31
Martin Barre, Franco Mussida, Mick Box, Niels Van Der Steenhoven and Tomi Bolin. 


Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: July 12 2019 at 17:12
Tony MacAlpine
Larry Carlton
Greg Howe
Earl Klugh (needs more notice for his electric guitar playing - if you can find it)
Richie Kotzen


Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: July 12 2019 at 18:40
Christian Boulé
Roman Bunka
Roland Schaeffer
Chris Karrer
Dieter Bornschlegel


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A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta


Posted By: Fischman
Date Posted: July 13 2019 at 09:37
Originally posted by dwill123 dwill123 wrote:

Tony MacAlpine
Larry Carlton
Greg Howe
Earl Klugh (needs more notice for his electric guitar playing - if you can find it)
Richie Kotzen

Not much progginess there, but that is a fleet-fingered fivesome.  

I always love to see the inclusion of Larry Carlton.  

Of the shred bunch (Howe, McAlpine, Kotzen), I'd happily replace Kotzen with Michael Lee Firkins and maybe Howe with Michael Fath. 



Posted By: BarryGlibb
Date Posted: July 14 2019 at 04:29
Johnny Fean...Horslips


Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: July 14 2019 at 05:29
Trevor Rabin
Linsey Buckingham
William Reid
Christopher Parkening
Neil Young




Posted By: jamesbaldwin
Date Posted: July 14 2019 at 17:31
Charles Whytney (Family)


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"Happiness is real only when shared"


Posted By: Fischman
Date Posted: July 14 2019 at 18:44
Originally posted by omphaloskepsis omphaloskepsis wrote:

Trevor Rabin
Linsey Buckingham
William Reid
Christopher Parkening
Neil Young



Parkening!  Not prog, but a great choice nonetheless.  My favorite Classical guitarist bar none.  


Posted By: Ridgeback
Date Posted: July 15 2019 at 19:20
Johnny Fein - Horeslips? Wow. That’s a blast from the past. The song king of the Faeries was a very fast enjoyable song. Great band from Ireland.


Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: July 15 2019 at 19:25
Andy Latimer 
Roine Stolt Peter Banks
Mike Holmes
Gary Green
Martin Barre


Posted By: Magog2112
Date Posted: July 25 2023 at 11:34
1. Roine Stolt
2. Steve Rothery
3. John Mitchell
4. Alex Lifeson
5. Nick Barrett


Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: July 25 2023 at 14:03
Originally posted by Magog2112 Magog2112 wrote:

2. Steve Rothery
4. Alex Lifeson

Totally agree with these two choices. Tongue


Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: July 25 2023 at 14:04
Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

Andy Latimer 
Peter Banks

again, I agree here. Smile


Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: July 25 2023 at 14:27
Phil Miller (Hatfield & TN)
Fred Frith (Henry Cow)
Roger Trigaux (Present)
Mike Johnson (Thinking Plague)
Tony McPhee (Groundhogs)



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Ian

Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com

https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/


Posted By: terramystic
Date Posted: July 25 2023 at 16:53
Ian Crichton (Saga)
Vlatko Stefanovski (Leb i sol,...)


Posted By: Awesoreno
Date Posted: July 25 2023 at 23:28
Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

Originally posted by Magog2112 Magog2112 wrote:

2. Steve Rothery
4. Alex Lifeson

Totally agree with these two choices. Tongue
In no way are these two underrated on PA. The latter isn't even underrated by general music listeners. All three members of Rush regularly appear in Top ___ lists in publications, online comments, YouTube videos, blogs, etc.


Posted By: Necrotica
Date Posted: July 26 2023 at 00:01
Originally posted by Awesoreno Awesoreno wrote:

Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

Originally posted by Magog2112 Magog2112 wrote:

2. Steve Rothery
4. Alex Lifeson

Totally agree with these two choices. Tongue
In no way are these two underrated on PA. The latter isn't even underrated by general music listeners. All three members of Rush regularly appear in Top ___ lists in publications, online comments, YouTube videos, blogs, etc.

Agreed. The only reason people tend to consider Alex underrated is due to the spotlight Geddy Lee and Neil Peart receive in their respective fields, but he still makes it onto numerous "best guitarist" lists and is considered a big influence in his own right


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Take me down, to the underground
Won't you take me down, to the underground
Why oh why, there is no light
And if I can't sleep, can you hold my life

https://www.youtube.com/@CocoonMasterBrendan-wh3sd


Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: July 26 2023 at 16:41
Franco Mussida from PFM
Reine Fiske : Landberk, Kallocaine.... he sounds like no one else
Jimmy Glazer : Jean Luc Ponty band
Frank Marino


Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: July 26 2023 at 18:28
I'm always astonished at how little people here on PA appreciate/know the talent and skill of Pat Metheny. He's Howe, Fripp, Malmsteen, and John McLaughlin with unparalleled melodic sense and control.

Jan Akkerman, Roye Albrighton, Roy Buchanan, and Jeff Beck are all, in my opinion, grossly under-appreciated. I think that they should be in every conversation about the greatest guitar players of all-time, but they rarely are.



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Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/


Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: July 26 2023 at 18:49
Originally posted by BrufordFreak BrufordFreak wrote:

I'm always astonished at how little people here on PA appreciate/know the talent and skill of Pat Metheny. He's Howe, Fripp, Malmsteen, and John McLaughlin with unparalleled melodic sense and control.

Jan Akkerman, Roye Albrighton, Roy Buchanan, and Jeff Beck are all, in my opinion, grossly under-appreciated. I think that they should be in every conversation about the greatest guitar players of all-time, but they rarely are.


and Roman Bunka. most people don't even know his name. his death about a year ago (Jun 12th 2022) went pretty much unnoticed on this site.


the guitar is on fire in this track


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A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta


Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: July 26 2023 at 18:56
Originally posted by BrufordFreak BrufordFreak wrote:

I'm always astonished at how little people here on PA appreciate/know the talent and skill of Pat Metheny.
I've been amazed by Pat's talent since 1978. And he gets better with age.


Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: July 27 2023 at 02:40
Originally posted by Awesoreno Awesoreno wrote:

Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

Originally posted by Magog2112 Magog2112 wrote:

2. Steve Rothery
4. Alex Lifeson

Totally agree with these two choices. Tongue
In no way are these two underrated on PA. The latter isn't even underrated by general music listeners. All three members of Rush regularly appear in Top ___ lists in publications, online comments, YouTube videos, blogs, etc.

Then I must have missed the praise for Lifeson. It's usually Peart that gets a lot of praise and Geddy performing both bass and keyboards and singing. True, Geddy is great. It seems to me some people seem to forget what a great player Alex is, he deserves more appreciation and praise IMO. 


Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: July 27 2023 at 02:53
Gary Green
Denis Jalbert


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Posted By: terramystic
Date Posted: July 27 2023 at 03:13
Also R. M. Tocak (Smak).

A legend in his homeland but less known internationally.

Ulazak u harem (Entrance to Harem, live 1992):


The same solo played 30 years later. The old man still rocks!


Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: July 27 2023 at 03:26
..or underappreciated:

Terje Rypdal
Chris Spedding
Janne Schaffer
Volker Kriegel
Steve Hillage



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Posted By: O666
Date Posted: July 27 2023 at 06:59
Frank Usher
Robin Bolt
.... Absolutely underrated 


Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: July 27 2023 at 07:27
Originally posted by someone_else someone_else wrote:

Gary Green
Denis Jalbert

Gary Green .. indeed !


Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: July 27 2023 at 07:32
Originally posted by O666 O666 wrote:

Frank Usher
Robin Bolt
.... Absolutely underrated 


yep
For more than 15 years, Frank Usher kept Fish at bay ( )


Posted By: O666
Date Posted: July 27 2023 at 12:59
Originally posted by mellotronwave mellotronwave wrote:

Originally posted by O666 O666 wrote:

Frank Usher
Robin Bolt
.... Absolutely underrated 


yep
For more than 15 years, Frank Usher kept Fish at bay ( )
Yes and honestly he did it pretty good....


Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 30 2023 at 19:44
Dave Kerzner is another one who gets a bit overlooked. I've been listening to his 'rock opera' New World a lot recently. Very heavily influenced by Gilmour on both guitar and vocal but does it well.


Posted By: Cambus741
Date Posted: July 31 2023 at 06:10
Bryan Josh springs to mind. 
I'll also give a mention to Mike Oldfield as I don't think he gets the recognition he deserves as a guitar player.


Posted By: tszirmay
Date Posted: July 31 2023 at 11:19
Dave BAINBRIDGE

Jean Pierre LOUVETON

Eddie MULDER

Lee ABRAHAM

Dave BRONS



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I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.


Posted By: barbera
Date Posted: August 03 2023 at 16:38
Franco Mussida above all, also for his composing abilities of creating a unique genre within a genre.
Ian Akkerman, could have been easily playing in a top band...
I also feel Latimer is underrated. Very.



Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: August 04 2023 at 05:02
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

Dave Kerzner is another one who gets a bit overlooked. I've been listening to his 'rock opera' New World a lot recently. Very heavily influenced by Gilmour on both guitar and vocal but does it well.


Do you think DK played the lead guitar ?


Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 04 2023 at 19:34
Originally posted by mellotronwave mellotronwave wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

Dave Kerzner is another one who gets a bit overlooked. I've been listening to his 'rock opera' New World a lot recently. Very heavily influenced by Gilmour on both guitar and vocal but does it well.


Do you think DK played the lead guitar ?

Funny thing ''yes'', but looking at the credits it was shared mainly between Steve Hackett, Francis Dunnery and a couple of other less well known guys.
I can scrub Kerzner then although still love that album.Smile


Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: August 24 2023 at 11:16
A couple of (imo) underrated guitar players, don't think they were already mentioned :

Niklas Barker : Anekdoten, My brother the wind

Mike Rogers from Manfred Mann's Earthband (listen to his guitar works on the Solar Fire, Good Earth and Ningtingales LPs)



Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: August 24 2023 at 12:04
Originally posted by jamesbaldwin jamesbaldwin wrote:

Charles Whitney (Family)(Streetwalkers)


Originally posted by Nogbad_The_Bad Nogbad_The_Bad wrote:

Tony McPhee (Groundhogs)

Hi,

Thanks for adding these ... I love listening to these two and how they used their instrument to illuminate the piece of music they did, and helped make the music special. 

I was really sad to read that TM passed away recently ... I went straight to "Crosscut Saw" and "Black Diamond" ... twice each ... and the guitar work in it is so far out ... but around here we like thrashing and not taste!

NP: Live Right


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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com


Posted By: Lesanderd
Date Posted: August 27 2023 at 08:10
Andy Latimer 
Jim Matheos
Frank Marino
Chris DeGarmo
John Mitchell


Posted By: Thierry
Date Posted: February 03 2024 at 09:15
Hassan Hajdi - Ange
Gilbert Gandil - Pulsar, Siiilk
Jean-Pierre Louveton - Nemo, JPL



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Progressively yours,

Thierry

http://aciddragon.eu


Posted By: Hugh Manatee
Date Posted: February 04 2024 at 19:21
Originally posted by mellotronwave mellotronwave wrote:

A couple of (imo) underrated guitar players, don't think they were already mentioned :

Niklas Barker : Anekdoten, My brother the wind

Mike Rogers from Manfred Mann's Earthband (listen to his guitar works on the Solar Fire, Good Earth and Ningtingales LPs)


Totally agree with Mick Rogers.

Since he hasn't been mentioned yet I would say Justin Hayward.




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I should have been a pair of ragged claws
Scuttling across the floors of uncertain seas


Posted By: Golden Mean
Date Posted: February 05 2024 at 07:45
John Goodsall (Brand X) 
Andy Latimer (Camel)
Justin Hayward (The Moody Blues)
Franco Mussida (PFM)
Josip Boček (Korni Grupa)



Posted By: Archisorcerus
Date Posted: February 05 2024 at 08:55
I'll not make a Top 5, however I think that Stéphan Forté is a hugely underrated guitar virtuoso, even within the prog metal domains.

This solo of him is among my absolute favourite guitar solos.






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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: February 05 2024 at 12:05
Hi,

I can't make out a favorite, because there are so many different things out there and the way some of these folks play is just too good and far out.

Here's my list of some folks I can listen to anywhere including my death bed! )In no specific order)

Jan Akkerman (Focus)
Michael Karoli (Can)
Robby Krieger (The Doors) (remember he mostly did this with just a drummer and voice!)
John Weinzierl and Chris Karrer (Amon Duul 2)
Charles Whitney (Family/Streetwalkers)
Tony McPhee (Groundhogs)
Roye Albrighton (Nektar)
Jeff Beck



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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com


Posted By: RockHound
Date Posted: February 05 2024 at 12:24
For me, the standard for progressive music are ones I consider all-time greats, most of whom are underappreciated by the public in general but well appreciated in prog and fusion circles:

Steve Howe
Robert Fripp
Steve Hackett
Steve Morse
Jeff Beck
Pat Metheny
John McLaughlin
Larry Coryell
Alan Holdsworth
Al Dimeola, to name some major ones.

A selection of guitarists who are incredible but way underknown includes:
David Torn
Roine Stolt
Rikard Sjöblom
John Goodsall
Dewa Budjana
Nick Barrett
Peter Maunu



Posted By: RockHound
Date Posted: February 05 2024 at 12:30
I would also include Steve Unruh in the underappreciated category.


Posted By: TenYearsAfter
Date Posted: February 05 2024 at 19:16
Robby Krieger is so underrated that people write Robbie Krieger ...


Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: February 05 2024 at 23:13
Dave Gregory (XTC, Big Big Train, Tin Spirits)


Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: February 06 2024 at 07:38
Eric Gillette
Jean Pierre Louveton
Dave Gregory


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The Prog Corner


Posted By: Hector Enrique
Date Posted: February 16 2024 at 14:22
- Alex Lifeson (except on progressive circuits, he is a very underrated guitarist)
- Steve Rothery (despite having some truly inspired solos, he often seems to be invisible to the general public)
- Andy Latimer (never seen in any count of valuable guitarists, another invisible one)
- Piotr Grudzinski (incredibly good, his work on "Out of Myself" and "Second Life Syndrome" on Riverside is superb) RIP
- Franco Mussida (the Italian from PFM did not transcend much despite his great quality)

Bonuses
- Jeff Beck (recognized among his peers and by some specialized media, but never by the general public)
- Rory Gallagher


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Héctor Enrique


Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 16 2024 at 15:48
Ian Crichton
Phil Miller
Alex Machacek
Tony MacAlpine
Ron Jarzombek



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"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy


Posted By: TenYearsAfter
Date Posted: February 16 2024 at 16:59
If I take a look at several Top 25 lists of Best Guitarists Of All Time on the Internet my list of underrated guitarists is:

- Al DiMeola
- Phil Manzanera
- Rory Gallagher
- Steve Hackett
- Alex Lifeson




Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: February 16 2024 at 17:26
Richard Benson of http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1256" rel="nofollow - "Buon vecchio charlie"


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“On the day of my creation, I fell in love with education. And overcoming all frustration, a teacher I became.”
— Ernest Vong


Posted By: Moyan
Date Posted: March 04 2024 at 18:34
Martin Barre 
Andy Latimer 
Franco Mussida 
Jean-Pierre Louveton 
Phil Miller


Posted By: TenYearsAfter
Date Posted: March 04 2024 at 19:25
I forgot Robby Krieger ...



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