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10/1/07, 4:32 pm EST

The Twenty-Five Most Underrated Guitarists


Statistics show that the average rock fan spends roughly 4.7 hours per year arguing over who’s the greatest guitarist of all time (see: Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time). We asked you who’s most criminally left out of those discussions — in other words, who are the most underrated guitarists ever? Here are the results:

1. Prince
2. Kurt Cobain
3. Neil Young
4. George Harrison
5. Ace Frehley
6. Mike McCready
7. Lindsey Buckingham
8. Mick Taylor
9. Nels Cline
10. Johnny Greenwood
11. Tom Verlaine
12. Carrie Brownstein
13. Mick Jones
14. Robert Fripp
15. Johnny Marr
16. John Frusciante
17. Izzy Stradlin
18. Daniel Johns
19. Vernon Reid
20. Robbie Robertson
21. Mick Ronson
22. Billy Corgan
23. Elliott Smith
24. Eddie Hazel
25. Phil Keaggy

[Photo: Getty]

-- Rolling Stone

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Comments

Senor Fronz | 10/10/2007, 6:52 pm EST

ok so, this entire thing is retarded. they have eddie van halen at 70,wtf? They have randy rhoads at 85. they dont have slash OR dimebag darrel on there. i dont know the names of the dragonforce guys, but they are insanely awesome. and buckethead should be on there too. this list is just flat out stupid.

zeebo | 10/10/2007, 3:26 pm EST

Good to see Nels Cline up there - see him live with the Nels Cline Singers if you ever get the chance.
I would have liked to have seen Bill Frisell, Adrian Belew if only for his work with the Talking Heads, and Jeff Tweedy (I mean come on, listen to what he did on A Ghost Is Born).

Sean | 10/10/2007, 1:53 pm EST

I’m sorry, but Kurt Cobain is incredibly overrated as a guitar player.

THE HONEYDRIPPER | 10/10/2007, 5:15 am EST

WHAT ABOUT JIMMY NOLAN, JESSE JOHNSON, WHY IS EVERYONE ON THE LIST WHITE/ WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PRINCE AND JIMI. THEIR IS A LOT WRONG AND DISREPECTFUL ABOUT THIS LIST. CURT COBAIN BUT NOT MUDDY WATERS,SON SEALS, BOBBY WOMACK, CURTIS MAYFIELD. IF PRINCE AND THE OTHERS WERE WHITE THEY WOULD GET MORE PROPS AND THIER MUCH DUE RESPECT AS SOME OF THE GREATEST GUITARIST THAT EVER LIVED. WHERE DO YOU THINK THESE OTHER SO CALLED GREATS GOT IT FROM?

LEKAIN | 10/10/2007, 4:48 am EST

T-BONE WALKER, EARL HOOKER, FREDDIE KING,VERNON RIED, BUDDY GUY, OTIS RUSH, MAGIC SAM, ALBERT KING, ALBERT COLLINS, IKE TURNER, GRANT GREEN, THESE ARE SOME OF THE GREATEST GUITAR PLAYERS OF ALL TIME. WITHOUT THEM THERE WOULD NOT BE A LIST. THEY COULD PLAY IT ALL. DO YOUR HOMEWORK PEOPLE AND STOP BEING SO SHALLOW.

Marv | 10/10/2007, 3:15 am EST

Ronnie Montrose
Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers
Uncle Ted Nugent

Heck..If Ace Frehley makes the list, replace Kurt Cobain with Rick Nielsen

Marv | 10/10/2007, 3:14 am EST

Ronnie Montrose
Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers
Uncle Ted Nugent

Heck..If Ace Frehley makes the list, replace Kurt Cobain with Rick Nielsen

derek | 10/9/2007, 4:33 pm EST

what about alexi laiho and michael amott?

Tim Slash Nash | 10/9/2007, 3:08 pm EST

Here in fly over country(Minnesota) we have more gunslingers than just Prince. How about Bob Mould(Husker Du),Paul Westerberg and Bob Stinson(Replacements).

BillB | 10/9/2007, 12:31 pm EST

Robben Ford
Boz Scaggs
Coco Montoya
Vince Gill
Will Bernard

icewood | 10/9/2007, 1:39 am EST

Robby Krieger of the Doors pioneered sonic landscapes that have yet to be matched for their otherworldliness, disturbing chordal patterns and quiet compositional genius. Hmm, I guess I just stated the reasons why he never makes these lists…

ac | 10/8/2007, 2:32 pm EST

FRANK ZAPPA YOU IDIOTS!

Dan | 10/8/2007, 8:18 am EST

Rolling Stone just simply doesn’t make sense. No wonder why we see more people canceling their subscriptions.

First they put Kurt Cobain as #12 on their list of the 100 Best Guitarists, making him better than Carlos Santana, Tom Morello, Brian May, Pete Townshend, Joe Perry and David Gilmour.

Now they are saying that Kurt Cobain is UNDERATED?? Are you kidding RS?? You are the ones who made Kurt Cobain OVERATED!!

Quasibozo, Jazz and Blues Buff | 10/7/2007, 12:31 pm EST

Every time I see an article on “determining” “Who’s The Greatest So and So” I can reliably predict the maturity of responses. Most of the posts are from contributors who are so deeply entrenched into a particular genre that their judgment is biased and often based on their minimal recording collection. Now if the subject was to “vote” for your “favorite” as greatest so and so, then I’d give their judgement due respect. The fact is no one will ever know who, impirically, is the greatest because that unfortunate gem was never discovered. Consider how many monster guitar players have only done studio gigs, played back up to singers, or due to circumstances never made it out of the wedding and state fair circuit.
Then too. how many of the contributing posters qualify the greatest by speed, licks, scales, or technique. The “greatest” has heart and soul and plays his or her heart out as a voice. I once saw an Austin City Limits production that featured some country and western studio guitarists together on stage jammin. They played incredible, outrageous jazz, blues and rock, beside country…and no one knows who they are.

Bbender | 10/6/2007, 9:00 pm EST

Answer to “DrJ”. You asked “What is the purpose of guitar playing? Is it to move people emotionally..” or “..to give guitar players opportunities to show off and admire one another’s chops?” Well, there’s no single right answer to that, since each individual listener (or guitarist) probably has his/her own personal opinion.. But I would personally answer “why not both?!” There doesn’t have to be a contradiction between these two; real great guitarists can certainly both move people emotionally AND “show off” too! And additionally, guitar playing also can have a lot of other purposes, but I won’t try to list them all.. Bbender

scootdig | 10/6/2007, 5:14 pm EST

Peter Buck

Cas | 10/6/2007, 5:03 pm EST

So What about Ani Difranco.

This Punk-folk heroine has a unique, thrilling acoustic sound.
She’s a woman and she is definitely underrated

www.erosioncanada@myspace.com | 10/6/2007, 5:27 am EST

kurt john and billy rock!

troyr | 10/6/2007, 2:24 am EST

so i just read where someone said cobain was #12 on all time greatest guitarist list, grew up in aberdeen when kurt did, he was not known as even one of the good guitar players in the area, however he became an amazing success as we all know and probably the most influencial or iconic musician since john lennon, although kurt is an ordinary average guitar player he did develop a unique guitar sound that we all recognize, as did angus young with his simple riffs and melodic guitar solos, i guess it all depends on what you mean when you say greatest, does that mean technical like satriani, vai, van halen, randy rhodes,hendrix, then theres the likes of stevie ray,clapton and all the great 80s guitarist from scorps, priest, dokken, etc.. we could feel most of this list with 80s guitarists, everyone has an opinion on what deems someone the greatest, to me its not about technicality but about how the music makes you personally feel, i love seeing eddie shred live but enjoy angus and his melodic solos more and prefer stevie rays incredible blues guitar playing ove satrianis amazing technicality, but still love and appreciate eddie and joes talent…

troyr | 10/6/2007, 1:54 am EST

I have been to between 75 to 100 concerts in the last 20+ yrs, seen many 80s bands that icluded eddie vh, vai, vandenberg, and so on from scorps, dokken, ac/dc, triumph, rush, whitesnake, ozzy, hagar etc… and also many grunge, country, classic rock shows. but I have to say as great as ac/dc, the eagles,hagar and pink floyd are live, some of the best shows i had seen to this point. the last 2 shows i have seen have blown me away that are both underrated guitarists they are keith urban (who plays his guitar like a rock star), is an incredible singer and an amazing talent and live performer, the place was packed of course huge stadium, and then i had the pleasure 1 week later to see jonny lang just a couple thousand people at this one, was right near the front (got to love the fact that most people have poor taste in music and you can see someone with the talent of jonny in a small venue) so dont tell anyone… anyway WOW amazingly incredible indescribable performance, jonny lang is an amazing performer, much better than on record as is keith, if you appreciate great musicianship and talent these are defitely must see guitarists. hagar is also an underated guitar player and song writer..

Bryan | 10/6/2007, 12:08 am EST

I love john Frusciante, but everyone knows he is a guitar god.

I was blown away (in a good way) that Daniel Johns made this list, Silverchair has under-the-radar produced two (Diorama, Young MOdern) of the best albums of this century so far. And having seen both RHCP and Silverchair live, there is no comparison, SILVERCHAIR IS ELECTRIC.Period.

Katie | 10/6/2007, 12:03 am EST

fucking eh kurt cobain, fuckin eh

Steve | 10/5/2007, 3:57 pm EST

Greg Sage of the Wipers is definitely one of the most underated and inventive players ever.

Bunny | 10/5/2007, 2:50 pm EST

Is there no love for:
1. Dave Navarro
2. Billy Zoom
3. Jonny Lang
4. Omar Rodriguez- Lopez
5. Derek Trucks

BARNEYTHEPUPPY | 10/5/2007, 2:44 pm EST

THE PROBLEM IS PRINCE DOES EVERYTHING SO PEOPLE FORGET HOW GOOD HE IS ON THE GUITAR. YOU CAN’T ALWAYS TELL BY THE ALBUMS, YOU HAVE TO SEE OR HEAR HIM LIVE. THE PROBLEM WITH THESE LISTS ARE THEY REFLECT A MOMENT IN TIME, HAVE A LOOK AT ANY OLD BEST OF THIS OR THAT LISTS AND YOU THINK WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE NOW.

ASJNYC | 10/5/2007, 1:02 pm EST

These lists were not put together by players(or someone over 25). Jeff Beck at 14! No Gary Moore! That Johnny Ramone is on the list is a joke. Bill Nelson from BeBop Deluxe could play rings around most of these guys. No Michael Schenker(check UFO’s Obsession album. Peter Green at #30. EVH way down the list. JOKE!

John cavarie | 10/5/2007, 11:30 am EST

Eet Syharanie Bagus!!!!

John cavarie | 10/5/2007, 11:30 am EST

Eet Syharanie Bagus!!!!

anon | 10/5/2007, 10:24 am EST

Kurt Cobain was no 12 on the original top 100 list wasn’t he? How does that make him underrated.

Jonny Greenwood is on there as well, equal with Ed O’Brien - I’m sure Ed himself would be the first to admit he shouldn’t be anywhere near that list, but I guess it’s not always that obvious who plays lead guitar in Radiohead.

John Squire’s ommission from both lists is criminal, as is Bernard Butler’s (Suede). Also a mention to Graham Coxon (Blur).

max_webber | 10/5/2007, 8:33 am EST

rolling stones lost its credibility a long time ago (1991, RS gave the Nevermind album 3 out of 5 stars). While it bashes MTV for its lack of focus on the music, RS is actually crappy as rock critics. The top 100 guitarists is a prime example.
Better find other sources. Other lists are better, for example in Mojo’s top 100 guitarists. Prince is ranked 33 and Kurt 60, which is reasonable. I’m just here for this nice forum to talk about music and voice my opinion to others and not to RS cuz they don’t consider your votes, I don’t even think they really read the comments, maybe just browsed hastily, cuz they think they’re above us all.

I think this post will be deleted.

Seamster | 10/5/2007, 7:10 am EST

I also saw Madonna live and was incredibly surprised by her playing, it was fluid, melodic, this woman should also be on the list !! Maybe her being a woman guitarist hurts her reputation, but I was very very impressed. Sha can flat out playyyyyyyyy.

Ancient rocker | 10/5/2007, 5:52 am EST

OK, how about Dave Edmunds - formerly of Rockpile, etc. Listen to his rendition of Saber Dance sometime - yeah, it’s classical, but damm, that guy can pump it out……

Seamster | 10/5/2007, 4:13 am EST

Enough with all of the grunge guitarists…

They got it right here, McCready is the standout and most underrated from the bunch…the rest, aside from maybe Thayil (Soundgarden), are/were pretty ordinary guitarists in the big scheme. Cobain’s stuff is really really ordinary.

scott barr | 10/5/2007, 2:44 am EST

i Have to go against the grain here and say that daniel johns is not underrated at all as a guitarist….he is underrated as a songwriter and vocalist but definitely not as a guitarist i have seen silverchair numerous times live and always come away underwhelmed with what he does on guitar but blown away by his vocals….hE IS A GOOD RHYTHM PLAYER BUT HIS LEAD PLAYING IS USUALLY FAIRLY BORING AND SLOPPY

kilgoretuna | 10/5/2007, 2:33 am EST

The biggest problem with trying to create an all encompassing list of the greatest guitarists is that you have to start by weighing the players’ talents. Ask yourself what is more important, technical ability or songwriting prowess? The players who excell at both belong at the top of the list.

scott barr | 10/5/2007, 2:19 am EST

Frank Zappa and Dave Gilmour…..Zappa usually manages to make it into greatest guitarists lists but always well down the list behind such people as Kurt cobain and Jack White…..anybody that thinks zappa should be anywhere but alongside clapton, hendix and vaughan should have their head read. the saem goes for dave gilmour from the glorious floyd

Dana | 10/5/2007, 1:14 am EST

the reason people don’t think Cobain belongs on these lists is because they DO listen to his playing and realize that he’s very average at best.

dersh | 10/4/2007, 11:15 pm EST

alot of people give a hissy fit when Kurt Cobain ends up on these lists.

the thing is you dont listen to his playing. the grunge overdubs make it difficult to really grasp the full potential his riffs create

watch him play

his style is unique and the way he makes his progressions flow is astounding.

undiscovered | 10/4/2007, 9:19 pm EST

I nominate all the unknown and underrated guitarists you see and hear playing in front of the liquor stores, in the subway stations, and on the streets, who take cash donations from passers-by.

DrJ | 10/4/2007, 9:04 pm EST

I was relieved to hit the link and confirm that “Mick Jones” is the one from the Clash, and not the guy from Foreigner. As for the expected comments from people like the guy who wrote about the views of “guitarists and other who knows what guitar playing is about,” let me ask you: what is the purpose of guitar playing? Is it to move people emotionally, regardless of whether they happen to be musicians themselves, or is it to give guitar players opportunities to show off and admire one another’s “chops”? I’m inclined toward the first explanation.

Me | 10/4/2007, 7:22 pm EST

Ani DIFranco.

Mickey O'Leary | 10/4/2007, 7:07 pm EST

Adrian Belew, for sure!

Thomas | 10/4/2007, 5:34 pm EST

Alan Sparhawk from Low is criminally underrated!

B0x3r | 10/4/2007, 5:30 pm EST

Hey idiots its not metal this
Daniel johns rocks

mpsdmystify | 10/4/2007, 2:33 pm EST

I can’t believe you didn’t include Ralf Glowna from the 70s funk band Glownisteria

oliver | 10/4/2007, 2:23 pm EST

What about Kieth Levene of PiL? He seemed to be to the original post-punk guitar sound what Toni Iommi was to what became heavy metal as we know it, but Levene barely gets any credit for this (use of flangers, etc.) Leven briefly was in The Clash, too, before leaving for PiL.

Drucifer | 10/4/2007, 2:14 pm EST

COBAIN come on, Stradlin,Harrison, none of these guys belong on this list.I am happy to see Johns, McCready, and Young though. David Gilmore, Alex Lifeson, Adam Jones, Tom Morello, JerryCantrell, Dimebag,Joe Walsh should all be on the list. But the man who should’ve been #1 on your little list is DEAN WEEN aka Micky Moist or Mickey Melchiondo. If you don’t think so, check out Ween live in Chicago

Da-man | 10/4/2007, 1:50 pm EST

Fucking Billy Corgan and that douchebag from the Red Hot Chili Peckers, Frusciante? What the fuck????

Rynom | 10/4/2007, 1:02 pm EST

Trey Anastasio should be #1

Joey | 10/4/2007, 12:45 pm EST

I know that RS isn’t big into metal, but what about:
Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
Kerry King (Slayer)
Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
Tony Iommi and Randy Rhoads (Both were on the list but in the 80’s)
Zakk Wylde (Ozzy, BLS)
Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters Rock, But he really shows his chops with the diversity of style that plays so well on his PROBOT album that shows that he should definitly be on the list)
Darrion Malkain (System Of A Down)

Net | 10/4/2007, 12:23 pm EST

Prince not in the original list!….um um um they need to have a re-do, a make-up session, a complete over haul on this! are u serious RS?! what kind of team was working to put this list together? they need to take a better listen to this man’s abundance(quality and quantity) of work here! i know they are really mistaken here. shame shame.

Herb | 10/4/2007, 12:13 pm EST

Alex Lifeson is so underrated that he can’t even make this list.

Shimmy | 10/4/2007, 11:36 am EST

Daniel Johns deserves to be on the 100 Greastest Guitarist list. Why is Kurt Cobain on the Under appreciated list? He’s number 12 on the Greatest Guitarist list!! I don’t think that makes him underappreciated, take him off of this list.

Brien Comerford | 10/4/2007, 11:25 am EST

Chicago’ Don (The Dalai Dona) Moreland is the most underated country-rock guitarist. He is influenced by Chet Atkins but has a dynanic tone and riffs akin to Brad Paisley.

masbas | 10/4/2007, 10:58 am EST

Prince is AMAZING live. Plays it all. If you haven’t seen him live, you don’t know.

Mookieblaylock | 10/4/2007, 10:18 am EST

Agree with the statement about certain people being retarded, its THE MOST UNDERRATED GUITARISTS clowns. Stone Gossard and Mike Mcready rock. Also Kurt Cobain guitar playing apparently sucks yet everyones talking about him, he must have done something right.

Hugo | 10/4/2007, 9:35 am EST

What about Dimebag Darrell ?!

Sauerkraut | 10/4/2007, 8:20 am EST

I miss many guitarists…even some that aren’t huge in history…YET

Anonymous | 10/4/2007, 8:10 am EST

thank gooood for daniel johns hes a LEGEND .. should be even higher

Neil - Anglesey | 10/4/2007, 8:08 am EST

Dave Navarro anyone?
J Mascis?

Dana A New York Doll | 10/4/2007, 5:06 am EST

With the notable exception of Chris Cornell, there have been no group of guitarists more OVERRATED than those from the Seattle scene of the early 90s.

f-rollingstone | 10/4/2007, 4:09 am EST

no prince hello purple rain ,bamb, 17day, america those solo are almost as nasty as that first list but i guess when your writes only watch mtv stop looking at music and start listening

vancouver galleries | 10/4/2007, 3:33 am EST

yeah yeah yeah and everybody from Seattle who was in a music store and stared at a guitar for more than 8 seconds.

Fuckin’ provincial slave jerk!

Bbender | 10/4/2007, 2:52 am EST

Underrated by who? There are hundreds of much better guitarists than these that are not even mentioned in the infamous “100 greatest” list from 2003, so they’re definitely underrated by the people who made this list. But by fellow guitarists, the players I’m talking about are very highly rated, f.ex. Steve Vai, Steve Morse, John Petrucci, Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, and my list could go on and on.. For guitarists and other who knows what guitar playing is about, these RS lists are almost meaningless and comic. Yes there are some really good names, but to place f.ex. Cobain on 12th, Johnny Ramone on 16th, compared to people like John McLaughlin on 49th, I mean, hello..? Maybe you should make a new list over the most overrated guitarists, too..

Bbender, Norway

Blulou | 10/4/2007, 2:30 am EST

McCready finally gets a nod here!

He is an awesome player…one of the best from the last 20 years!

The following guys should also be there…Kim Thayil, Jerry Cantrell, Gary Lee Connor and of course Stone Gossard!

I’m glad for Daniel Johns, a little from left field, and well deserved!

blobby | 10/4/2007, 2:24 am EST

It’s great to see Daniel and Elliott make it on there. Two of my favorite songwriter/guitarists of all time. And major props for Carrie being the only girl on the list. She’s fucking awesome.

FinallyLSU#1 | 10/4/2007, 1:10 am EST

Seriously, Corgan >>>> Cobain.

Once again, he gets the shaft. As far as that genre goes, everyone who plays guitar can’t deny that Corgan’s style is more complex, creative, & distinct than Cobain’s. Not to mention, Corgan’s guitar compostitions cover a broad range of rock, such as 70’s metal, dream-pop, acoustic, electronica, psychedelic and progressive.

Typical media-bias favoring Cobain over all the other musicians who had a creative influence on alt. rock. If this list was greatest 25 guitar players, I bet RS would have Cobain up there = which would dismiss Cobain from the underrated argument. I’m suprised another RS fav, Jack White, is not on this list

Otherwise, pretty good list. However, I would add Jerry Cantrell, Kevin Shields, David Gilmore, & Dimebag.

Rob | 10/4/2007, 12:35 am EST

Yeah Kurt Cobain isnt really a “good” guitar player…Frusciante on the other hand rips it up on Stadium Arcadium

ST | 10/4/2007, 12:28 am EST

Ok fuck the person who said Pearl Jam sucks, obviously they haven’t heard Mike McCready rip notes apart in Alive!!

Also why the hell are all you people arguing over Kurt he doesn’t give a shit he shot himself a long fucking time ago, because of this very same shit right here!

Also agreed Tom Morello?????
But way to go Daniel Johns!!!

sharkz | 10/4/2007, 12:27 am EST

Jerry Cantrell SO deserves to be on this list - I don’t see him listed on RS’s top 100 either.

Anonymous | 10/4/2007, 12:26 am EST

Prince’s albums (with few exceptions) do not adequately display his guitar skills, which is one reason he may be underrated. It’s a shame because I’ve never heard anyone better live. He’s amazing, and only getting better when it comes to guitar. How RS could leave him out of the Top 20 (let alone the Top 100) after that Hall of Fame induction performance is beyond me (”While My Guitar Gently Weeps”). People who’ve only heard his records were blown away by his live Super Bowl and Grammy performances, but that ain’t anything compared to the live shows and after shows. Obviously, he really pissed off some RS editors.

JAWS | 10/4/2007, 12:21 am EST

What about Jerry Cantrell?

JAWS | 10/4/2007, 12:21 am EST

What about Jerry Cantrell?

Billiam. | 10/3/2007, 11:54 pm EST

YES!
Daniel Johns! Woot woot.
He deserves more attention, as does Silverchair in general.
They are amazing, unlike most of the shitty talent today getting attention. *cough*paramore*cough. Yes.

DD | 10/3/2007, 11:51 pm EST

Where is Joey Santiago of The Pixies?

Kara | 10/3/2007, 11:34 pm EST

Yes…Daniel Johns is a guitar GOD! He should have taken the number 1 spot though, that’s where he belongs!

Rachel | 10/3/2007, 11:30 pm EST

It’s great to see Daniel Johns on here. I saw Silverchair this summer and they are amazing live. Really…a great experience

brismuso | 10/3/2007, 11:21 pm EST

I saw Prince in Brisbane in 2003. It was an experience I’ll never forget….check out his solo in “Joy In Repetition” on his ‘One Nite Alone’ live album. Now that’s a solo Jimi Hendrix would have been proud of..

Chris | 10/3/2007, 11:10 pm EST

We got it right- Prince is without a doubt the best guitarist not on the original list. RS should make an apology for that exclusion.

Desiree | 10/3/2007, 11:04 pm EST

It’s about time Carrie Brownstein got come recognition. Fantastic list

SuTeBeN | 10/3/2007, 10:59 pm EST

It’s awesome to see Daniel Johns on here. Should be higher on the list. He definitely deserves it. He truly is an artist! You guys should also update the silverchair section on here. Young Modern in stores now!

the correct answer | 10/3/2007, 10:55 pm EST

people who were left off, and shouldn’t have been:

donald ‘buck dharma’ roeser (blue oyster cult)
jack rose (pelt, solo)
robyn hitchcock (soft boys, solo)
richard bishop (sun city girls, solo)
dean ween (ween)
david pajo (slint, tortoise, solo)
chris brokaw (come, pullman, solo)
wata (boris)
buzz osbourne (melvins)
greg lisher (camper van beethoven)
marc ribot (tom waits, elvis costello, john zorn, solo)

if nels cline was still slumming w/ the geraldine fibbers, no one would know his name.

Me!!!! | 10/3/2007, 10:40 pm EST

What about me??? I should be first on that list… Non the less… Kurt Kubain doesn’t fit this list. One thing is a “guitarist” another is “a-guy-that-plays-guitar”. Curious topic must say… Keep up!

Rebecca | 10/3/2007, 10:33 pm EST

Cool to see Daniel Johns, been a fan from the beginning, Silverchair is THE most underrated band. If you haven’t, you MUST see them live!

Also, that’s cool that you have George Harrison but he’s listed 21 on the official list and then 4 on the 25 list. OOPS!

Stephen Bayne | 10/3/2007, 10:17 pm EST

Good to see Billy Corgan on that list. About 10 spots too low on that list but on there none the less.

Chuck | 10/3/2007, 10:07 pm EST

it’s cool to see i’m not the only guy named chuck who digs silverchair. that guy is amazing. when i saw them live they extended lever out to like eight minutes long and he just went crazy. it was amazing.. especially after downing about a half a bottle of jim beam on stage… maybe it helps him play better. also, i like the call on shiftlet from the foo. that guy is good. check out his band jackson united if you’ve never heard them.

Fox | 10/3/2007, 9:42 pm EST

IZZY IZZY IZZZZZY

Anonymous | 10/3/2007, 9:36 pm EST

Matthew Bellamy from Muse, John Frusciante of Chili Peppers, and Chris Cheney of The Living End… all deserving of places on this list.

chuck | 10/3/2007, 9:11 pm EST

Daniel Johns?? AMAZING…Of course I agree, (he should be even higher,) but it’s even more amazing he was even put on this list. LOVE it. Silverchair is one of the most underrated bands of all time in my opinion

chuck | 10/3/2007, 9:10 pm EST

Daniel Johns?? AMAZING…Of course I agree, (he should be even higher,) but it’s even more amazing he was even put on this list. LOVE it. Silverchair is one of the most underrated bands of all time in my opinion

jimmy | 10/3/2007, 9:06 pm EST

Hell, yeh Dan shouldve been number one, i love his teeth solos and singing into pickups although is not really guitar playing. But what about Kim Thayl from soundgarden and definately Matt Bellamy! I think Kurt Cobain is mainly recognised as a guitarist because of the riffs he invented in different tunings which alternative bands have adopted. Dave Grohl and Chris shiflet from the Fooeys should also get a mention.

Pete | 10/3/2007, 9:03 pm EST

Are you people retarded?

This list is for the most UNDERRATED guitarists. Not the ones we all already know are great.

That’s why you don’t see any hugely, ginormously well known guitarists that you are complaining about.

patrizia | 10/3/2007, 8:55 pm EST

go johnsy!!
musical genius

patrizia | 10/3/2007, 8:54 pm EST

go johnsy!!
musical genius

Autumn | 10/3/2007, 8:54 pm EST

Thank god for daniel johns

Autumn | 10/3/2007, 8:54 pm EST

Thank god for daniel johns

Jed | 10/3/2007, 8:39 pm EST

i’m sick of this kurt cobain can play guitar rant

Jason | 10/3/2007, 8:33 pm EST

Glad to Mr. Nelson at the top of the list.

Jose | 10/3/2007, 8:33 pm EST

Uh, excuse me?

Matthew Bellamy?
Jeff Buckley?
John Butler?

I dont see why they’re not on the TOP 100 LIST, let alone this one. Lordy…

Kae | 10/3/2007, 8:04 pm EST

Nice to see Daniel Johns is on the list, where is Matt Belemy??? Billy Corgan??? really? and where in the world are Iha and Howerdel?

jessica | 10/3/2007, 8:03 pm EST

um. hellOOOO. tom morello!

also, yes, definitely jeff buckley. definitely.

jessica | 10/3/2007, 8:02 pm EST

um. hellOOOO. tom morello!

also, yes, definitely jeff buckley. definitely.

Jay | 10/3/2007, 7:50 pm EST

Jeff Buckley…nuff said.

Jess | 10/3/2007, 7:46 pm EST

hell yeah daniel johns, he’s incredible

Ash from Oz | 10/3/2007, 7:46 pm EST

i definately agree with the peeps saying CHRIS CHEENEY (the living end..aussie band) and MATT BELLAMY (muse). also JOHN BUTLER is a sick guitarist and plays slide and banjo like a demon.
and the person that said dimebag is underrated is a massive tool, everyone knows hes one of the greatest guitarists ever that is why he is NOT underrated and NOT on this list.

Mandah | 10/3/2007, 7:38 pm EST

Daniel Johns is an amazing guitarist…he should have been #1 but I’m glad to see he at LEAST made it on the list. Rock on.

Courtney | 10/3/2007, 7:25 pm EST

Nice to see Daniel Johns is here ahhh what a legend.

darshan | 10/3/2007, 7:16 pm EST

Because Prince is an all rounder he typically gets ignored in these types of lists. Anyone who saw him at one of his ‘21 Nights In London’ Aftershow gigs will tell you what an amazing guitarist he is. Its criminal that RS ignored him from the original 100 but not surprising; they have always undervalued Prince’s contribution to music. RS need to realise Prince isn’t just the most underrated guitarist, but the most underrated artist there’s ever been, PERIOD.

ThatsMyFuckedUpFord | 10/3/2007, 6:22 pm EST

No Reverend Horton Heat?!

For shame…

Freddie Lives! | 10/3/2007, 5:06 pm EST

Wait, he made it on top 100 guitarists at 39. He’s still not occasionally brought up in conversation about guitar gods though.

Freddie Lives! | 10/3/2007, 5:00 pm EST

Brian May anyone?

beat takeshi | 10/3/2007, 4:02 pm EST

bob dylan

Take | 10/3/2007, 3:53 pm EST

cobain? yeah I agree he is great for compose and lyrics. and also the grunge movemnt at the era. but as a guitarist…? well.. how about Lennon?

Where is Ron Wood, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Lenny Kravitz, Nuno Bettencourt, Wes Montgomery and John Mayer? They are obviously underrated.

PujaM | 10/3/2007, 3:51 pm EST

some of these are definitely NOT underrated, but basically highly rated. Kurt, Neil Young, John F etc. all very worthy but definitely not underrated by you, RS. One guitarist that is DEFINITELY underrated and who i always look for in your magazine is Mike Einziger of Incubus.

gg sakurai | 10/3/2007, 3:33 pm EST

Where is Pete Cosey’s name!

Dana A New York Doll | 10/3/2007, 2:53 pm EST

Neil Young yaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn!!!

I’m very disappointed by this list and I guess I won’t be able to see what’s on this Friday’s because I’m probably going to visit a friend in Canada. I still think Ace Frehley got hosed!

waterface | 10/3/2007, 2:37 pm EST

Ok, Neil Young should be number one in that other list, great guitarists are everywhere, but ORIGINAL players like Neil are very hard to find, you can tell it’s Neil playing a solo from the first listen. Tommy Bolin was like that also, of course Hendrix too.
Hey, try to listen to Neil’s and Eric Clapton’s solos in that Dylan 30th anniversary concert when the whole band plays “My back pages”, you’ll know what I mean.

debutrans | 10/3/2007, 2:12 pm EST

where the hell are john petrucci, joe satriani, omar rodriguez lopez, mauro pawlowski, josh homme and daron malakian?

CUCHO PERU | 10/3/2007, 12:51 pm EST

MICK RONSON , MICK TAYLOR ,IZZY STARDLIN

NICE LIST

NEIL YOUNG AND PRINCE ARE OFF TJE WALL

PHU | 10/3/2007, 12:49 pm EST

This No,1…Exactly so!!!

Jason | 10/3/2007, 12:27 pm EST

Mike Campbell… yes “music people” should know who he is - if not - lead guitarist for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers… every great lick you’ve heard from this band - 98% chance it came from his guitar.

NPG | 10/3/2007, 11:32 am EST

Maybey it’s because He gives away FREE his music 2 the people that He isn’t on the list.

He and His guitar R like butterscotch clouds and rain ….

2gether

night wish | 10/3/2007, 10:43 am EST

Gary Moore…. why not listed..

SH | 10/3/2007, 10:39 am EST

Where’s J. Mascis?

And Carrie Brownstein’s in Sleater-Kinney, and she does deserve to be on this list.

Duke Duke | 10/3/2007, 10:30 am EST

Andy Summers (The Police), pleeeeeease!!
ANDY, ANDY, ANDY, ANDY!!!!

sonic nadeau | 10/3/2007, 10:12 am EST

my favorite guitarist is very underrated. robert quine (richard hell and the voidoids, lou reed *blue mask/legendary hearts etc.

Bukowski | 10/3/2007, 10:08 am EST

Absolutely

Chewie | 10/3/2007, 10:06 am EST

Um. Neal Schon?

I know “music people” realize he’s a fantastic guitar player, but the average public has no clue how great he is.

Anyone who has Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton fighting to get you in their band at the age of 16 is something special.

Bukowski Resurrected | 10/3/2007, 8:10 am EST

what a fucked up list. half of these guys don’t even play anymore

JvG | 10/3/2007, 7:37 am EST

They forgot the heroes
Ben Harper and John Frusciante.

dutchguy | 10/3/2007, 7:11 am EST

Ty Tabor of King’s X. Criminally underrated.
Saw Brian Robertson mentioned a few times, and I couldn’t agree more.

Smashing up guitars does not make you an underrated guitarist, or a guitarist per se. Cobain should definitely go in the (vastly) overrated guitarists list. And near the top!

Anonymous | 10/3/2007, 6:19 am EST

No Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter on either list? Hmm…

Frenk_from SLO | 10/3/2007, 5:12 am EST

Sorry! Malmsteen

Frenk_from SLO | 10/3/2007, 5:10 am EST

Ingwie Molmstein

Anonymous | 10/3/2007, 4:42 am EST

Good to see Daniel Johns get some much deserved cred superb guitarist/songwriter. Elliott Smith as well.

chid | 10/3/2007, 3:16 am EST

rolling stone doesn’t know anything about music if they can’t recognise Prince as one of the greatest guitarists.

Spencer | 10/3/2007, 3:04 am EST

no peter green? boggles my mind…

maggie | 10/3/2007, 12:39 am EST

JOHN FRUSCIANTE.

It warms my heart to run through all of these comments and find a few that love him. He’s done so much for music and puts more heart into his guitar than just about anyone and he’s loved for it.

m | 10/3/2007, 12:27 am EST

Daniel Johns…

Paul | 10/3/2007, 12:26 am EST

Gotta put Prince on that top list. Not to mention that at 49 he’s still doing it.
Go to his website http://www.3121.com/joy/ and catch the latest video from his last night on his recent 21 show London gigs. The guitar comes out at the end of the first song and Fender screams for the next two of the three song stream.

Paul | 10/3/2007, 12:24 am EST

Gotta put Prince on that top list. Not to mention that at 49 he’s still doing it.
Go to his website and catch the latest video from his last night on his recent 21 show London gigs. The guitar comes out at the end of the first song and Fender screams for the next two of the three song stream.

JJ | 10/2/2007, 11:32 pm EST

RollingStone should flat out APOLOGISE to Prince and it’s readers for not putting Prince in the top 10 of it’s original list.

…oh and they should get rid of Kobain, no matter how in love with him they are as a performer or whatever, he wasn’t a great guitar player. Prince without a shadow of a doubt IS a great player. Anyone who has witnessed one of his concerts or an aftershow would agree 100%.

Shame on you, RollingStone.

paul | 10/2/2007, 11:31 pm EST

PRINCE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE GREATEST GUITARIST OUT THERE RIGHT NOW I M 50 YERARS OLD AND AM A BIG CLAPTON FAN BUT PRINCE PLAYING LIVE JUST TAKES YOU OUT OF YOUR SEAT

Aliver | 10/2/2007, 10:33 pm EST

No Brian May?!

Oh, yes | 10/2/2007, 10:09 pm EST

“Prince is without a doubt the greatest guitar player of all time.”

Yeah, OOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAYYYYYY Y, buddy! It sounds like you have a CD collection of about 4. Maybe you should get your hands on Zeppelin and Hendrix.

Don’t waste your time with Pearl Jam, though. That’s a bunch of crap!

Larry H. | 10/2/2007, 9:47 pm EST

MICK RONSON!AWESOME!

Jon | 10/2/2007, 9:35 pm EST

Oops I got too excited, change it to Dean Ween and my comment made will be right.

Brien Comerford | 10/2/2007, 9:31 pm EST

Steve Vai did not even make the top 100 list. Jeff Beck was number 14. NOT, NOT, NOT !
Five Best Living Guitarists!
1) Jeff Beck
2) Eric Clapton
3) Steve Howe
4) Steve Vai
5) Eric Johnson

Jon | 10/2/2007, 9:27 pm EST

What is up with rolling stone? Gene Ween (of Ween and Moistboyz) is one of the most underrated guitarists! Check out his work. Great sound and tones.

Brien Comerford | 10/2/2007, 9:26 pm EST

Tom Scholz of Boston is the most overlooked guitar virtuoso. He has great riffs, tone and songwriting skills. He’s also invented key components to enhance guitars. Scholz is additionally a charitable humanitarian and animal loving vegetarian.

Yuppers | 10/2/2007, 9:17 pm EST

Yes, because Prince was not in the top 5 of the original list, it warrants him being the most underrated. Like a few other posts, once you see him live you are an instant convert.

Yuppers | 10/2/2007, 9:17 pm EST

Yes, because Prince was not in the top 5 of the original list, it warrants him being the most underrated. Like a few other posts, once you see him live you are an instant convert.

tim | 10/2/2007, 8:55 pm EST

good call with izzy

great guitar player and songwriter

Steve G | 10/2/2007, 8:48 pm EST

Prince is without a doubt the greatest guitar player of all time. His name/symbol is synonomis with music and the guitar. But, being the best, awards and charts doesn’t drive him…the music does…that’s what makes him not only the the greatest guitarist, but the most prolific artist of our time. Hendrix has always been the standard as a guitarist, but Prince past him up about 13 years ago when everyone was fixated on the name change to notice the music…Shout out to Nuno B as well…there’s more to him and Extreme than more than words…ashame Japan and Korea get it and America doesn’t. Maybe that’s why England got 21 nights of P also. Open your mind to the music and not the hype.

the nerve | 10/2/2007, 8:32 pm EST

still strikes like a double-edged irony, as observed by these comments. To be underrated and misunderstood is to remain cutting-edge.

Stan | 10/2/2007, 8:14 pm EST

Um, David Gilmore? Of Pink Floyd? He rarely gets press, rarely even makes any of these “lists”. It’s always Jimmy Page this, Jimi Hendrix that. And don’t get me started on Robert Zimmerman, the loxist god of music (pffft).

Jackson | 10/2/2007, 7:52 pm EST

I’ve been playing guitar for almost 15 years now and I agree with the comments about Cobain being “overrated” not just as a guitar player, but overall! I don’t believe Corgan belongs on any list, he’s just not good at all in my opinion. The rest of the list I pretty much agree with, Prince is amazing and Daniel Johns and George Harrison are both proof that you don’t need over the top guitar solos to be a skilled player.

Petter Aagaard | 10/2/2007, 7:05 pm EST

Prince and Buckehead is AMAZING!
Seen both of them live, WOW…

Prince should be Nr. 1 (!!!)
Buckethead, in the top 20…

McPhudd | 10/2/2007, 7:04 pm EST

I have an idea. lets take a guy that we just called a guitar god, and throw in half a dozen guitarists from some of the biggest bands of all time who have gotten libraries worth of critical acclaim and fan support, and call them underrated just to please these close minded fucks who still support these dead old bands and would rather argue that these guitarists are just as good as everyone has already said they were, instead of listening to something new. shit. scared if you took a peek at zakk wylde’s library you’d have to mothball that kiss T and buy something new? jesus tittyfucking christ kurt cobain played powerchords. i mean nirvana made amazing music that touched my life along with just about everyone else’s, but any acnefaced teen can pick up a guitar and hack out smells like teen spirit. i know everyone has their own preferances, but this isn’t even funny.

justin | 10/2/2007, 6:57 pm EST

totally agreed, jack from bayside for the win.

and the boys from coheed and cambria, as well as Thomas Erack from The Fall of Troy

desiree | 10/2/2007, 6:43 pm EST

jack o’shea from bayside is pretty much the most underrated guitarist from the east coast.

totally agree with this list though.

Anonymous | 10/2/2007, 6:21 pm EST

Alexi Laiho from children of bodom
Mr. Brett from Bad Religion

arjunmusic.com | 10/2/2007, 6:12 pm EST

big ups to Prince!!!!
I was more pissed off than anyone else when I didn’t see him on the original list. So f’in stupid!!!
People get so side tracked by the flamboyant pop star that he is. They don’t see what a brilliant guitarist/musician he is. Go see him in cocert. He’s on fire. And he’s playing a hell of a lot of guitar. And it’s real loud too!!!
some others:
Marc Ribot
Bill Frisell
Nels Cline

You have to check these 3 out. The are among the best on the
planet!!!!!

oh yeah, i know john frusciante made the original list, but not the the 6 solo albums that he put out in 6 months. A brilliant guitarist/musician he!!!

scotcmills | 10/2/2007, 6:09 pm EST

BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD

nuff said
(dont forget about Jaco !)

Uncle Deercamp | 10/2/2007, 5:53 pm EST

Queensryche’s Chris DeGarmo.

Bill Braskey | 10/2/2007, 5:42 pm EST

i vote for Bill Braskey

Ryan 182 | 10/2/2007, 5:42 pm EST

Teppei Teranishi is amazing, he should be on this list.

Crush this! | 10/2/2007, 4:59 pm EST

RE:I will crush RUSH | 10/2/2007, 2:42 am EST

I’m sorry to hear about your brain cancer. We all hope it’s terminal!

Git-fiddler | 10/2/2007, 4:26 pm EST

Underrated=those who don’t get the cred they deserve. i.e. van hagar, morello, buckethead…anyone who knows of these guys realizes they are badarsemofos.

Kurt Cobain IS underrated thanks to asshats like tc down there. He played with more soul and energy than the majority of guitarists pas and present. He was a far better player than most people think, thus underrated.

tc | 10/2/2007, 4:11 pm EST

Man, this is stupid…Kurt Cobain is underrated? That man is glorified way beyond his ability.

Evan | 10/2/2007, 4:03 pm EST

YES!

Elliott Smith!

Sorry, it’s exciting to see him plugged.

plastic77 | 10/2/2007, 4:02 pm EST

Cozmo — I totally agree, and I don’t even like Van Halen in the least. Not a guitarist either, but what’s obvious is obvious, you know? You can tell it’s a “critic’s” list ’cause they list the guitarists from freakin’ Sonic Youth at 33 and 34, way ahead of many other players with way more soul and technical expertise. I’ll bet even Lee Rinaldo and Thurston Moore got a big chuckle over that one.

Cozmo | 10/2/2007, 3:52 pm EST

This is about the most asinine thing in the world. I hate when aging hippies at the head of a major magazine take it upon themselves to publish a list of the greatest guitarists. It’s CERTAIN to be majorly skewed. Anybody who would put (purely for example) Eddie Van Halen at #70 AND include the likes of Derek Trucks and Joan Jett on a list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All time, obviously doesn’t have a clue. Not to mention leaving off a few of the choices in the 25 Most Underrated Guitarists, as well as MANY in the comments above (I totally agree, John Petrucci rules!). Ridiculous!!! These kinds of lists are better left to GUITAR magazines, not pop culture magazines.

Sunnylady | 10/2/2007, 3:36 pm EST

Prince and his guitar R 1!!!! There is nothing but love when he plays. I LUV U Prince. Ur the real deal there just fakin the funk. Dont U ever stop the music!!!

Sunnylady | 10/2/2007, 3:36 pm EST

Prince and his guitar R 1!!!! There is nothing but love when he plays. I LUV U Prince. Ur the real deal there just fakin the funk. Dont U ever stop the music!!!

Mike | 10/2/2007, 2:59 pm EST

I din’t like Prince until my friend took me to a concert, i was blown away. He should be up there in the top 5 in the other top 100.

He was doing stuff that only Hendrix can, and i saw Hendrix 5 times!

Steve | 10/2/2007, 2:58 pm EST

Steve Hackett
Mark Curry (not the hanging with mr cooper guy)
Chris Whitley

Bruce | 10/2/2007, 2:24 pm EST

Frank Zappa, Greg Ginn, J Mascis, Dr Know, Tom Morello, James Iha, Billy Corgan, Bob Stinson, Alex Lifeson, Brad Nowell, Kim Thayil, Vernon Reid, Trey Anastasio, Jerry Cantrell, Steve Howe, Kaleo Wassman, James Baluyut…the list could go on…so many people not mentioned that should have been mentioned, but then that’s why these lists come out, so people can continuously discuss and counter them and hopefully, in the process, turn others on to the talent they suggest

Nick | 10/2/2007, 2:20 pm EST

VERNON REID! DAMN RIGHT. However, Kurt Cobain and Ace Frehley are both overrated, and Prince is overrated in his underratedness.

Jovon | 10/2/2007, 1:53 pm EST

I think Josh Homme from Queens of The Stone Age is an awesome rhythm and lead guitarist.

sararb319 | 10/2/2007, 1:34 pm EST

Of, course PRINCE is #1. Should have been for years!! The man is a genius!! LOVE PRINCE!!!

Harold | 10/2/2007, 1:10 pm EST

…oh yeah, nice push on Tim Reynolds, cornelius! knew i forgot someone.

Harold | 10/2/2007, 1:07 pm EST

Cobain will be forever loved & hated, so he musta done something special.

absent from the list:
Buckethead
Shawn Lane, R.I.P.
Bill Frisell
Chet Atkins, R.I.P.
Danny Gatton, R.I.P.
Mattias “IA” Eklundh
Reggie Wooten
Al Di Meola
John Petrucci

thanks to all for posting - helping the rest explore guitar talent!!

dustyfloors | 10/2/2007, 1:01 pm EST

Teppei Teranishi

cornelius | 10/2/2007, 12:59 pm EST

why does tim reynolds never get any recognition?

Raka | 10/2/2007, 12:53 pm EST

Prince not only is a great lead guitarist and his imaginative use of rhythm guitar is just as underrated. This is a guy that can play latin rhythms on lead like Carlos Santana and shifts octaves on a Gibson guitar like Wes Montgomery. Also Wes Montgomery should be on this list. That brotha played jazz guitar with as much as virtuoso and feel as any guitarist on that list.

Steven | 10/2/2007, 12:52 pm EST

How about Matthew Bellamy from muse or maybe Teppei Teranishi of Thrice. Thrice’s new album/project will blow people away.

Jay | 10/2/2007, 12:32 pm EST

How could they even consider leaving Prince off the original list?? He is a mad man on the guitar! Didnt they see the Superbowl performance???

James | 10/2/2007, 12:05 pm EST

How can you leave both John Petrucci, Andy Timmons, and Alex Skolnick off both these lists?!

James | 10/2/2007, 12:05 pm EST

How can you leave both John Petrucci and Andy Timmons off both these lists?!

nate kotzmoyer | 10/2/2007, 11:06 am EST

i think Mike Bloomfield should be at least in the top five dont you guys remember the little song called like a rolling stone by Bob Dylan Mikes guitar playin is magic

Gene Geter | 10/2/2007, 10:17 am EST

Rolling Stone should be ASHAMED of themselves leaving Prince off the list!

the speakers | 10/2/2007, 10:05 am EST

you guys BETTER be talking about Mick Jones from the Clash, not from fucking foreigner. RS gives a link to the foreigner guy, but i’m fairly sure they mean the GOOD musician from the Clash.

or I’ll stop reading RS.

jacstar | 10/2/2007, 9:16 am EST

Woo go Daniel Johns!

jony lawson | 10/2/2007, 9:01 am EST

prince? stone cold genius-im gonna say it loud and proud-the GREATEST guitarist of all time inc hendrix-have u seen him live?

Psychedelicide | 10/2/2007, 8:33 am EST

I saw Prince in Paris 20 years ago at an aftershow doing Hendrix -as good as Jimi himself. His concert repertoir is to clean and too brief. You have to see him at a small club to really see him play…

Miguel | 10/2/2007, 8:24 am EST

What about Nuno Bettencourt and Stevie salas?!?

Pete | 10/2/2007, 7:46 am EST

RORY GALLAGHER was a guitarist’s guitarist’s. Unpretentous, passionate and gifted. Quite an insult that he wasn’t in the top ten, let alone the top 100!..But I guess with R.S. and their readership, we’re talking primarily about ‘Pop’ music rather than the ‘Blues’ …. Great vocalist also.

Alobar | 10/2/2007, 7:37 am EST

I saw Bruce Cockburn at a festival a couple of years back. That man can play guitar like you wouldn’t believe!

RP | 10/2/2007, 7:36 am EST

Dimebag Darrell. RS never mentions him.

sam | 10/2/2007, 7:20 am EST

Where is John Squire and Dave Davies?

Roger Nelson | 10/2/2007, 6:45 am EST

What about Kevin Shields? He should be number two.

My favorite Prince guitar work is on his version of ‘What If God Was One Of Us’

Vincent | 10/2/2007, 5:29 am EST

PRINCE… easy in top 10 of all time.

Cynthia Rose | 10/2/2007, 4:56 am EST

Prince and Kurt both rock!

‘I might be small but so is dynamite’

Dorothy Parker | 10/2/2007, 4:52 am EST

Ahhh Prince looks so cute in that pic :)

Roberta | 10/2/2007, 4:43 am EST

Daron Malakian.
And a vote for Stone Gossard too.

Eric | 10/2/2007, 3:16 am EST

I’ll second the Chris Cheney comment. He plays in a band (The Living End) that isn’t big enough here in the states to get him enough attention for even this list. But fuck if he isn’t one of the best in the world right now.

yakety yak | 10/2/2007, 2:58 am EST

The very badmouthing of Kurt’s playing is what makes him underrated, goofs. Guitar is more than “wow man, that dude can play alot of notes”. Kurt constructed songs beautifully, his guitar leading the way. Every song was memorable because of his riffs. People keep on mentioning those 2 silly Pearl Jam guys, pfff, perfect example of guys who “can play” but do nothing with it. It’s why Pearl Jam has that murky totally unremarkable sound. They can “play” but have no sense of song construction. Their playing is instantly forgettable. Gimme a Chuck Berry 3 chord sequence anyday, anydayyyyyyy.

Wah Wah | 10/2/2007, 2:46 am EST

I agree with Prince. He should be bu up there in the top 3 in the other top 100. I saw him play a powertrio set on 28th august that rivals Hendrix’s best days…he’s amazing!!

I will crush RUSH | 10/2/2007, 2:42 am EST

I remember when I was about 16 all the doper duuuuuuuudes started playing RUSH during their smoking breaks in high school. Even at 16 I somehow knew their blend of new age lyrics, “musicianship”, and have to be heard to be believed yelping voice was a god awful mess. There was a classic Freaks and Geeks where “Nick” the stoner dude plays along to a RUSH song, lol. It captured a RUSH fan perfectly. God knows why lower middleclass white people love them so much, it’s some note, a sound that they have, it captures white people’s ears……..THIS….IS……OU R…..MUSIC !
Geddy or whatever the knuckleheads name is, good lord, it really is the worst voice or even SOUND ever recorded. What do I compare it to ? The high pitch of mating dolphins ? Metal furniture being dragged across a floor ? The only competition he has for worst singer ever is Yoko Ono, Joan Baez, and William Shatner. But the sheer grating sound of his voice, damn, he wins.
RUSH - WORST BAND IN THE WOOOOOOOOOOORLD ! Thanks Keith Oberman ;)

The B-Man | 10/2/2007, 2:29 am EST

ALEX LIFESON is so underrated that he’s not even on the Top 25 underrated list!

F.Y.I. he’s the guitarist for RUSH.

Bop Gun Jr. | 10/2/2007, 2:29 am EST

Best thing about Buckethead ?
Under that bucket he’s got 3 wings, 3 breasts, coleslaw, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, and a handy wipe…….he’s delicious !

Bob | 10/2/2007, 1:37 am EST

Prince is definitely the most underrated of all time, but What about Peter Buck, Adam Jones, Dimebag and Buckethead?

Bop Gun Jr. | 10/2/2007, 1:14 am EST

What’s a Johnny Greenwood ? The hillbilly who did “I’m Proud to be an American” ? Man they played that way too much after 9/11. Er, he kinda sounds like a baseball player from the 1920’s. “At third base, batting second, JOHNNY GREENWOOOOOOOOOOOD” !!!

stokesaustin | 10/2/2007, 12:45 am EST

For a magazine so rooted in the 70’s I’m surprised they left out Waddy Wachtel and David Lindley…

ChiliPepper | 10/2/2007, 12:28 am EST

Where is Omar A. Rodriquez-Lopez of The Mars Volta? Easily one of the greatest guitarists of the 00’s so far.

Matt | 10/1/2007, 11:45 pm EST

Steve Hilalge

empyrelounge | 10/1/2007, 11:25 pm EST

how is cobain underrated??? rollingstone constantly tells us how good he was

Amanda | 10/1/2007, 11:11 pm EST

TOM MORELLO

lou | 10/1/2007, 11:10 pm EST

i COMPLETELY disagree about kurt cobain. first of all he is NOT underrated, not even as a guitarist. second of all, i agree that being a great guitarist is not about technical ability, (so good choice on prince, g. harrison, neil young, etc.), but come on, there’s a limit! also great pick on mike mccready, he really is underrated.

JB | 10/1/2007, 10:14 pm EST

Adam Jones- Tool

Kim Thayil- Soundgarden

Omar A Rodriguez-Lopez- The Mars Volta

Ilovermont | 10/1/2007, 10:09 pm EST

NICK DRAKE. Acoustics are guitars too!

Emily | 10/1/2007, 10:01 pm EST

yeah kurt cobain is vastly OVER rated

Joey | 10/1/2007, 9:42 pm EST

How about Dimebag Darrell or Zakk Wylde? I know that RS doesn’t like show to any love to metal but they seem to act as if Pantera never existed, even though Dimebag influenced almost every hard rock band playing today, even Fall Out Boy say that Dimebag was the person who made them want to pick up guitars. So when you influence everyone from Lamb Of God to Fall Out Boy, yet wasn’t even on the list I’d say that he was underrated.

Gene | 10/1/2007, 9:10 pm EST

Come on, what happened?

The KISS ARMY was alerted and deployed, and Ace gets completely robbed. There’s nothing wrong with a little devotion from loyal fans!

I wouldn’t been nice to see his picture up there in his spacesuit and silver make up pursing his lips as he’s playing a solo.

At least he’s never wore cutouts to show off his ass! Yuck!

Come on, Rolling Stone. Loosen up a little!

David Duchony | 10/1/2007, 8:44 pm EST

Where is that fantastic guitarist from ABBA? I guess I’ll comfort myself by pretending I’m a man.

Ben Stiller | 10/1/2007, 8:42 pm EST

Peter Buck? What are you fucking kidding me? who rocks harder than him?

Factotum | 10/1/2007, 8:39 pm EST

Ritchie Blackmore?

I wanted to tell you folks about the day I had after I got the terrible news, but . . .

Stretchnut | 10/1/2007, 8:39 pm EST

Aussie i meant

Stretchnut | 10/1/2007, 8:38 pm EST

I think rocker Chris Cheney is an underrated guitarist. He’s the guitarists and singer in Assie band The Living End. Hear him play E boogie live, and you’ll know.

DVS | 10/1/2007, 8:31 pm EST

Peter Buck (R.E.M.) and Thurston Moore/Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) - These guys invented their own style like Eddie Van Halen and have been just as influential.

D. | 10/1/2007, 8:30 pm EST

MICHAEL LANDAU

.

ana | 10/1/2007, 8:29 pm EST

you people must listen JOHN FRUSCIANTE. pay attention! this man is the genius of our era. and SO underrated. if you prefer, forget about red hot music. listen his solo albums.
i think Brian Robertson should be in the list. and i don’t believe George Harrison is underrated. c’mon

Jojo | 10/1/2007, 8:25 pm EST

Nils Lofgren
John Jorgenson (Desert Rose Band)
Lawrence Juber (Wings)

Bop Gun Jr. | 10/1/2007, 8:21 pm EST

James “Honeyman” Scott
Steve Jones
Johnny Thunders
Kurt was a terrible guitarist ? LOL. Guess if you play 3 chords you suck using this theory, sorry Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Johnny Ramone, Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley, Mick Jones, you all suck apparently (heavy sacrasm). So I guess Steve Fucking Vai etc, are “great” guitar players, er…no.

R n' R | 10/1/2007, 8:18 pm EST

I agree, JOHN SQUIRE. Go find a few discs of The Stone Roses and find out for yourself.

Henry Chinaski (Factotum) | 10/1/2007, 8:16 pm EST

Well, fuck. I was really pissed when Ritchie Blackmore didn’t make the list.

But I feel better after smashing David Duchovny and Ben Stiller in the face repeatedly with a small color TV set!

Anonymous | 10/1/2007, 8:05 pm EST

Nils Lofgren
John Jorgenson (Desert Rose Band)
Lawrence Juber (Wings)

Anonymous | 10/1/2007, 8:05 pm EST

I’m kinda pissed that STAR Jones didn’t make the list. She fuckin’ rocks!

did you ever hear her cover of “Smoke on the Water?”

She makes Ritchie Blackmore look pathetic!

Zachra | 10/1/2007, 8:01 pm EST

Nels Cline is a fucking monster!

And I cannot wait for the return of Johnny “Guitar” Greenwood.

Britt | 10/1/2007, 7:58 pm EST

DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!!
Steve Jones isnt on this list.
What the hell?!

XXY | 10/1/2007, 7:46 pm EST

yardjockey,

i think you made some pretty good picks myself. but what do I know? I like Ace Frehley (not a joke)!

XXY | 10/1/2007, 7:42 pm EST

I guess 10th just wasn’t quite good enough, Keith. I’m just sad that he didn’t finish first (extreme sarcasm)!

Keith | 10/1/2007, 7:33 pm EST

KURT COBAIN UNDERRATED? Are you kidding me Rolling Stone? You rated him TENTH all time on your list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists. How does that make him overrated?

SS fan | 10/1/2007, 7:31 pm EST

stephen stills has some killer riffs

mORRISON pISS AND vINEGAR | 10/1/2007, 7:30 pm EST

YOU’RE ALL A BUNCH OF FUCKIN’ SLAVES!!!

Who Knew # 5? | 10/1/2007, 7:26 pm EST

the fix is in!

Who Knew # 2? | 10/1/2007, 7:25 pm EST

“Greg Sage from The Wipers?”

Cobain’s number one influence on guitar was a band called “The Wipers? I guess that’s why he was such an innovative guitar player!

Kevin | 10/1/2007, 7:23 pm EST

J

D | 10/1/2007, 6:46 pm EST

Mike Campbell of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. His studio work is tight and creative - listen to Runnin’ Down A Dream - that solo was his first attempt after only hearing the song once previously and they don’t come much better than that. And in concert he is phenomenal, flawless and has never played a sour note.

chuck | 10/1/2007, 6:43 pm EST

Matt Andres of Jo Jo Gunne
Lowell George of Little Feat

yardjockey | 10/1/2007, 6:27 pm EST

1. Michael Schenker (UFO, solo)
2. Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy)
3. The late Terry Kath (Chicago)
4. James Burton (Elvis)
5. Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
6. Graham Coxon (Blur, solo)
7. Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
8. Neal Schon (Journey)
9. The late Jimmy Mchulloch (Wings)
10. Tommy Bolin

I’d like some feedback from you freaks on my list, go ahead, fire away.

Keith | 10/1/2007, 6:11 pm EST

Just a thought for those who think the poll is slightly skewed:

I think they just hit Ctrl+F and tally up how many times each name appears rather than reading each post.

So if you said Prince/Cobain/etc were trash it probably counted.

dsanders4fun | 10/1/2007, 6:11 pm EST

Nancy Wilson of Heart…

Monsieur | 10/1/2007, 6:07 pm EST

Marc Ribot
Trey Spruance
Bill Frisell
Jeff Tweedy
Buzz Osborne
Wata from Boris
Fred Frith

mothballs | 10/1/2007, 6:07 pm EST

John Squire

ASB | 10/1/2007, 6:02 pm EST

How come Josh Homme never gets any love on lists like this? Listen to Kyuss and then QOTSA, like night and day but both are cool as hell, and he completely switched up his style. Underrated a tad, me thinks. Also Doug Martsch from Built to Spill, he is a genius.

Bobby B | 10/1/2007, 6:00 pm EST

Better add Stone Gossard to that list. The fact him and Mike McCready were absent from your initial list will be Rolling Stone’s eternal shame. And what’s Kurt Cobain doing on this list? For one thing, he was in the top 20 of your initial 100 greatest guitarists. KC was many things, but a great guitar player he wasn’t.

Joey | 10/1/2007, 5:53 pm EST

Buckethead!!!!!

trent | 10/1/2007, 5:48 pm EST

I think Dean deleo should be on the list. He is highly underrated as a guitarist and songwriter

Seth the Stallion | 10/1/2007, 5:47 pm EST

Dean Fuckin’ Ween
(aka Mickey Melchiondo)

Steve | 10/1/2007, 5:38 pm EST

Everyone always ignores Robby Krieger from the Doors. Ok it was Ray’s organ that gave them their distinctive sound but have you listened to Robby’s solos, not to mention the variety of different styles he could play. Really you’re gonna put Kurt Cobain on the list but not Robby.

JohnR | 10/1/2007, 5:24 pm EST

what needs to be determined is… are we talking about songwritting or guitar playing skills? Kurt was not a guitar player and since when is Frusciante not mentioned these days? Trey Anastasio does not get enough credit for being one of the top rock guitarists of all time. No guitar player in the last two decades can touch Trey and he never gets any mention…

Carmo | 10/1/2007, 5:23 pm EST

Mikey from Incubus

Toby | 10/1/2007, 5:22 pm EST

Tom Verlaine (Television)
Rowland S Howard (The Birthday Party)
Mick Ronson (Bowie)
Malcom Young ( AC/DC)
Brad Whitford (Aerosmith)

Bigsby | 10/1/2007, 5:21 pm EST

Bernard Butler from Suede.

Jim | 10/1/2007, 5:21 pm EST

Hey Anon,
Carrie Bronstein is with Sleater-Kinney.
Other underrated guitarist:
Joni Mitchell

Rudie | 10/1/2007, 5:20 pm EST

Why not Joe Walsh? He’s always forgotten.

Keith Talent | 10/1/2007, 5:16 pm EST

Wither thou…

-Graham Coxon (a startling ommission)
-J Mascis
-Kevin Shields
-any of the guitarists in any line-up of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band (except in the 1974 easy listening period)

john bull | 10/1/2007, 5:09 pm EST

Kurt Cobain? lol. I know more chords than he did. Lindsey Buckingham & Prince, definitely. Corgan too. But Kurt Cobain, lol!

Wipers fan | 10/1/2007, 5:09 pm EST

Don’t forget Kurt’s hero: Greg Sage from The Wipers

Chris Hansen | 10/1/2007, 5:07 pm EST

Lindsey Buckingham, actually anybody who doesn’t use a pick, is more than a great guitarist. He shouldn’t be on that list. Prince should be. Mr. Cobain however, should not, he had some good ideas with alternative tunings.

Richard M Nixon | 10/1/2007, 5:05 pm EST

Yeah didn’t Sissy Spacek play Carrie Bronstein, in that 1976 killer flick? Hey, maybe next time, i’ll just vote for my fucking self!

It’s wasn’t all bad, though. I think I mighta been rapping with the real Slash. Well, if it wasn’t, it was pretty fucking entertaining nontheless!

It was nice break from the bombardment of rocks thrown in my direction!

Kevo | 10/1/2007, 5:04 pm EST

You know Rolling Stone, just when I think you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this… and totally redeem yourself.

Kurt Cobain was about 89 spots too high on your 100 Greatest Guitarists list, and somehow, you guys ranked him as underrated. Wow. I realize the monkey who posted this entry probably had little to do with that Top 100 list, but either this is a really bad employment of sarcasm, or you need to stop reporting on music forever.

forSea | 10/1/2007, 5:03 pm EST

“Kurt had an ethic towards his fans that was rooted in the punk rock way of thinking: No band is special; no player royalty. If you’ve got a guitar, and a lot of soul, just bang something out and mean it - you are the superstar. Plug in the tones and rhythms that are universally human. Music. Heck, use your guitar as a drum. Just catch a groove and let it flow out of your heart. That’s the level that Kurt spoke to us on: in our hearts.”

- Krist Novoselic

kent | 10/1/2007, 5:01 pm EST

John Frusciante is definitely underrated. Not so much for his work on Red Hot Chili Peppers, but for his solo stuff. His solo recordings are awesome and you can hear that he is a guitar legend after you listen to them. Anyone out there looking for some great guitar albums should pick up some of his stuff. I would recommend starting with the Record Collection series.

Bob Joseph | 10/1/2007, 5:00 pm EST

Philip “the Beast” Cambell of Motorhead. Criminally underrated. One of the best ever.

Richard M Nixon | 10/1/2007, 4:58 pm EST

Yes, yes. This reminds me of 1960 election when I got hosed in favor of Jack Kennedy. Something stinks here.

i don’t remember 10 votes from Cobain, I do remember Kiss fans showing up in force. I think you need to do this shit over. I think the vote counters took a lot of fuckin’ liberties. All ya gotta do is count the fuckers! What is soooooooo fucking difficult about that?

Matt S | 10/1/2007, 4:56 pm EST

Oh, but you did at least get the top spot right. Big ups to Prince.

Matt S | 10/1/2007, 4:55 pm EST

Kurt Cobain is god awful. Seriously Rolling Stone, are you trying to kill your credibility? He couldn’t play guitar. He wasn’t innovative. One of the most criminally OVER RATED guitar players ever.

Define what you mean by guitar player, because as much as I love Izzy Stradlin, he shouldn’t be on this list as I see it. Amazing songwriter yes, amazing guitarist no.

A-Syd | 10/1/2007, 4:55 pm EST

Wow, some of these are a little ridiculous. I mean, Cobain? THE guitarist for Nirvana, under appreciated? George Harrison, lead guitarist for The Beatles? John Frusciante, the guy who was just on the cover of RS for being a great guitarist, not to mention the savior of The Chillis after that terrible stint with Navarro?
Some of these are great picks: Prince at #1, Johnny Marr of the Smiths and Modest Mouse. Mr. Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac is a great pick, along with Maggot Brain maestro Eddie Hazel, but c’mon guys, I’m sure you could’ve done better. And listened to us a little more as well…

Rocky | 10/1/2007, 4:50 pm EST

Kurt Cobain is awful!

Petr | 10/1/2007, 4:46 pm EST

Yeah, Prince deserves the top spot! He is the guitar guru! I loved to see him play his guitar in London!!! He seems to be totally in love with the instrument, and his technique is amazing!!! So effordless, so fast, so imaginative!

kilgoretrout | 10/1/2007, 4:45 pm EST

neil young is da BOMB!!! Johnny GreenWood is DA bomb!!! fuck Billy Corgan for being really bald tho

Anonymous | 10/1/2007, 4:43 pm EST

these aren’t the results, you morons. you didn’t even pay attention to what we wrote. who the heck is carrie bronstein?

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