2007-08-31 08:18:13 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Rock and Pop
Roy Buchanan may have been the greatest guitar player ever. (for those in the know) Eric Johnson is phenomenal.
My vote goes to Monte Montgomery
2007-08-31 12:53:18 · answer #1 · answered by Ben R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you mean by best. Comparing someone like Michael Schenker to Joe Pass would be like comparing apples to oranges. Not only do they have totally different playing styles, but they are from different genres as well.
Anyone who's a seasoned listener or player knows all about Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Steve Howe, Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton, etc, so I wont waste your time with them.
I guess this really depends on how old you are, what you're into, and what you know, or perceive as "a lead guitarist that few people have ever heard of". Here's a few players (mostly from the 70's) that are of the same styles as the guys mentioned above, that perhaps you may not have heard of. Any aspiring guitarist honing his/her chops in the 70's - early 80's will recognize most of these names. That's if you weren't one of those Motley Crew posers!
Most are either of the 70's hard rock/metal, progressive rock, jazz fusion, or blues genres. They are all fairly well known and recognized players to someone old like me. I could list a sh*t load of obscure guitarists that very few people have heard of, but I think these will be a little more accessible for most ;
Glen Phillips
Jan Akkerman
Ollie Halsall
Harvey Mandel
Michael Schenker
John McLaughlin
Peter Green
Allan Holdsworth
Mick Box
Jukka Tolonen
Caleb Quaye
Mick Moody
Mike Pinera
Joe Pass
Robert Fripp
Peter Banks
Mick Taylor
Adrian Gurvitz
Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter
Neil Schon
Larry 'Rhino' Rheinhart
Robbie Blunt
Carlos Alamar
Paul Chapman
Al Dimeola
Bernie Torme
Peter Hesslein
Roy Buchanan
John Nitzinger
Dave 'Clem' Clempson
Stan Webb
Daryl Stuermer
Martin Barre
Ax Genrich
Dickie Betts
Pete Tolson
Bill Connors
Manuel Gottsching
Leigh Stephens
Danny Lowe
Randy California
Richard Thompson
Peter Kaukonen
Jorma Kaukonen
Lee Ritenour
Mick Abrahams
Andy Latimer
Mike Bloomfield
Andy Powell
Ted Turner
Dirk Steffens
Tommy Bolin
Jim McCarty
Elliot Easton
Johnny Winter
Deniz Tek
Fred 'SONIC' Smith
Wayne Kramer
Eddie Phillips
Alvin Taylor
Charlie Whitney
Laurie Wisefield
Rory Gallagher
Paco de LucÃa
Roy Albrighton
Tony Bourge
Ricky Medlocke
Larry Wallis
Jim Cregan
Steve Morse
Floyd Radford
Pat Metheny
Frank Marino
Kazuo Takeda
Larry Coryell
Robin Trower
Steve Hackett
Phillipe Catherine
Gary Moore
Rick Emmett
Walter Rossi
Velvet Turner
John Sykes
Luther Grosvenor(Ariel Bender)
Rich Williams
Les Harvey
Frank Zappa
Tom Verlaine
Gary Green
Domenic Troiano
Steve Hillage
Lowell George
Dick Wagner
Phil Manzanera
Pat Travers
Alvin Lee
Uli Roth
John Spathos
I could spend a couple weeks compiling this list, but these are some that I feel deserve to be mentioned.
I never bothered listing any 80's or 90's metal or shred players, because they pretty much owe everything to the guys I've listed above.
2007-08-31 18:06:35 · answer #2 · answered by ramboweasle 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sad to say, many young people never heard of Jerry Garcia. And he did it less one finger.
Most people have heard of Eric Clapton. Without a doubt the best.
But that wasn't your question.
The best unknown? John Lindren with Shakey Jake and the All Stars.
Ok, he wasn't all that great, but he owes me 300 bucks and I figure if I can help him get a gig, I might get some back.
2007-08-31 15:30:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jerry Donahue, The Hellecasters
2007-08-31 15:24:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lead guitarists from Chiodos and Saosin
2007-09-01 00:19:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A local friend of mine from Boise... Ned Evett.
Than again, The bass has been argued to become the next lead instrument next to the Banjo...
Just ask Victor Wooten & Bela Fleck.
Great question.
2007-09-01 16:05:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eric Johnson
2007-08-31 15:35:50 · answer #7 · answered by I want my *old* MTV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wont be soo cliche and name the people that everyone else will!!!
I will say Tom Morello.....This guys is a master when it comes to playing the toggle switch with the whammy Pedals!!
Also Alexi Lahio...he keeps on reinventing himself on every album that comes out!!
I'll just keep it with these two....You dont want me to give you a whole book on great guitarist!!!
2007-08-31 16:06:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Issac Brock from Modest Mouse
2007-08-31 15:27:28 · answer #9 · answered by Honorary Walrus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steve Howe
2007-08-31 15:23:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋