Rock music has produced some of history’s most iconic guitar players. Names like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page are known worldwide for their incredible skills. But for every famous guitarist, many more don’t get the recognition they deserve. These hidden gems have shaped rock music in their own ways, influencing countless other musicians and creating unforgettable sounds.
For this slideshow, I want to highlight 18 underrated rock guitarists who deserve more attention. These talented artists have significantly impacted the music world, even if they’re not household names.
Steve Rothery
Steve Rothery is the lead guitarist of the British rock band Marillion. He’s known for his emotional and melodic playing style. Rothery’s solos are carefully crafted, focusing on feeling rather than speed. His effects and atmospheric sounds have influenced many progressive rock guitarists. Rothery’s work on albums like “Misplaced Childhood” showcases his ability to create rich, layered guitar parts.
Andy Partridge
As XTC’s primary songwriter and guitarist, Andy Partridge has created some of the most exciting guitar parts in new wave and alternative rock. His playing style mixes punk energy with complex chord voicings and unusual rhythms. Partridge’s work on songs like “Senses Working Overtime” shows his knack for catchy, intricate guitar lines. His influence can be heard in many modern indie rock bands.
Reb Beach
Reb Beach gained fame as the lead guitarist for Winger, but his skills go far beyond that band’s pop-metal hits. Beach is a master of technical playing, known for his fast, precise solos and innovative tapping techniques. He’s also a versatile player, comfortable in various styles from hard rock to fusion. His work with Whitesnake and Dokken has shown his ability to adapt to different musical contexts.
Reeves Gabrels
Best known for his work with David Bowie, Reeves Gabrels is a guitarist who pushes boundaries. His experimental approach combines rock techniques with avant-garde sounds and electronic effects. Gabrels’ playing on Bowie’s albums in the 1990s helped redefine the rock guitar sound for a new era. His solo work and collaborations with The Cure show his range as a player and composer.
Uli Jon Roth
Uli Jon Roth first gained attention as a member of the Scorpions in the 1970s. His playing style blends classical influences with hard rock power. Roth’s use of neo-classical scales and arpeggios in rock contexts was groundbreaking. His work inspired many metal guitarists, particularly in the shred and neo-classical genres. Roth continues to push himself as a player, exploring new musical territory in his solo career.
John Sykes
John Sykes made his name as a Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake member, but his guitar skills deserve wider recognition. Sykes combines a bluesy feel with technical precision and a knack for memorable riffs. His work on Whitesnake’s 1987 album showcases his ability to craft powerful, radio-friendly guitar parts. Sykes’ tone and phrasing have influenced many hard rock and metal guitarists who followed him.
Pepper Keenan
As the guitarist for Corrosion of Conformity and Down, Pepper Keenan has helped shape the sound of southern metal. His riff-heavy playing style combines blues-rock influences with heavy metal power. Keenan’s work on albums like “Deliverance” shows his skill at creating groove-oriented metal riffs. His approach to rhythm guitar has influenced many stoner rock and sludge metal bands.
Snowy White
Snowy White has played with Pink Floyd, Thin Lizzy, and Peter Green, yet remains underappreciated. His blues-based style is characterized by tasteful phrasing and emotive bends. White’s solo on Pink Floyd’s “Pigs on the Wing” is a masterclass in melodic playing. His work as a solo artist showcases his ability to blend blues, rock, and pop influences into a unique sound.
Paul Kossoff
Paul Kossoff, guitarist for Free, left a lasting impact despite his short career. His playing style was marked by intense vibrato and soulful phrasing. Kossoff’s work on songs like “All Right Now” shows his ability to craft memorable, bluesy solos. His approach to the guitar-influenced many players in the 1970s blues-rock scene and beyond.
Mick Ronson
Mick Ronson is best known as David Bowie’s guitarist during the Ziggy Stardust era, but his influence goes beyond that. Ronson’s playing combined glam rock flash with a solid foundation in blues and hard rock. His arrangements and guitar parts shaped Bowie’s sound in the early 1970s. Ronson’s solo work and productions for other artists show his range as a musician and arranger.
Harvey Mandel
Harvey Mandel, known as “The Snake,” has pushed guitar boundaries since the 1960s. His sustained notes and two-handed tapping predated the techniques’ popularity in rock. Mandel’s work with Canned Heat and John Mayall shows his ability to blend blues traditions with psychedelic experimentation. His innovative approach to guitar effects has influenced many players in various genres.
Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren is known more as a songwriter and producer, but his guitar skills are equally impressive. Rundgren’s playing combines pop sensibilities with progressive rock complexity. His work with Utopia showcases his ability to craft intricate, layered guitar parts. Rundgren’s diverse skills as a musician and producer have allowed him to create a unique guitar style that defies easy categorization.
Jorma Kaukonen
As a founding Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna member, Jorma Kaukonen has left a lasting mark on rock guitar. His fingerpicking style blends folk, blues, and psychedelic rock influences. Kaukonen’s work on songs like “Embryonic Journey” shows his skill at creating complex acoustic guitar arrangements. His electric playing with Hot Tuna demonstrates his ability to adapt his style to different musical contexts.
Robert Fripp
Robert Fripp, the founder of King Crimson, is a true innovator on the guitar. His playing style combines technical precision with avant-garde experimentation. Fripp’s use of unusual tunings and electronic effects has expanded the guitar’s sonic possibilities. His work on albums like “Red” and his collaborations with Brian Eno showcase his unique approach to creating soundscapes with the guitar.
Trevor Rabin
Trevor Rabin is best known for his work with Yes in the 1980s, but his guitar skills deserve wider recognition. Rabin’s playing combines prog-rock complexity with pop-rock accessibility. His work on songs like “Owner of a Lonely Heart” shows his ability to craft memorable guitar hooks. Rabin’s career as a film composer has further showcased his versatility as a musician and arranger.
Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett’s work with Genesis in the 1970s helped define the sound of progressive rock guitar. His use of tapping techniques and classical influences was groundbreaking at the time. Hackett’s solo career has allowed him to explore his unique guitar style further, blending rock, classical, and world music influences. His continuing innovation and exploring the guitar’s possibilities make him a true unsung rock hero.
Lenny Breau
Lenny Breau’s impact on guitar playing extends beyond rock, influencing jazz and country players. Breau’s incredible technique allowed him to play complex chord melodies and improvise with stunning fluidity. His use of artificial harmonics and ability to imitate other instruments on the guitar was revolutionary. Breau’s work, though not widely known, has profoundly impacted guitarists in multiple genres.
Alvin Lee
Image Credit: “Alvin Lee” by Jim Summaria, http://www.jimsummariaphoto.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Alvin Lee, best known as the frontman of Ten Years After, was a blazingly fast player with deep blues roots. His performance at Woodstock, particularly on “I’m Going Home,” showcased his incredible speed and stamina. Lee’s playing style combined blues feeling with hard rock energy and psychedelic experimentation. His influence can be heard in many guitarists who followed, particularly in the blues-rock and southern rock scenes.
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