one guitarist who is very talented that i dont think many people know of, Phil Keaggy www.philkeaggy.com he played with the band Dispatch at their farwell concert, and was a very talented in my opinion, anyone ever hear of him??
^I haven't heard much of Keaggy's stuff but enough to think highly of him. Jan Akkerman (Focus) is great too! Reading through these pages boggles my mind... This thread's title is "little known guitarists" and people are spouting off big names like Jimmy Page and David Gilmour? Maybe it's just me, but somehow the phrase "little known guitarist" doesn't quite equate with "being on the covers of mainstream pop-music rags (Rolling Stone, etc.) and regularly referenced/featured in guitar magazines". Hmm... Regarding the OP question, how about Steve Hillage, Ax Geinrich (Guru Guru), Andy Latimer (Camel), Manuel Gottsching (Ash Ra Tempel), Peter Wolbrandt (Kraan), or Christian Boule?
Maybe it's just me, but the only time I saw Jimmy page was in the first post. I had a 3/4 scale Baby Taylor signed by Phil Keaggy. Great guitarist. Also, Lonnie Donegan. I just found out he died in 2002. John Denver, also someone we lost in a plane accident... I also forgot to mention Adrian Legg. I have his CD, Guitars and Other Cathedrals. I just listened to it. My grandmother was a big fan of his. Also a great songwriter and guitarist, John Fogerty... I don't care for a lot of country stuff, but Vince Gill is pretty damn good on the Telecaster and Jerry Douglas is a hell of a dobro player. James Taylor is also a great guitarist and songwriter. Another favorite of mine is Union Station, playing with Jerry Douglas this year. Dan Tyminsky and Ron Block are awesome guitarists. If you've heard I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow on O Brother Where Art Thou, that was Dan Tyminsky and the Soggy Bottom Boys... I like folk and bluegrass stuff quite a bit. Les Paul is the... I don't know what I would call him. The wizard of modern day music and recording technique.
I agree, but think the other guitarist of sonic youth, Lee whathisname, is better Edit: Lee Ranaldo is his name
Melvin Sparks - grandfather of the 'acid jazz' sound Ivan 'boogaloo joe' Jones Danny Gatten Steve Sweeney (ekoostik hookah)
your right, Lee is amazing as well, thanks for adding that =) I always think of Kim and Thurston because of all the influence they had on 90's alternative/indie rock.
Sonic Youth in the 80's early 90's were in my opinion revolutionary. i thought they lost the magic as the 90's went on. I still remember how blown away I was when i saw them on the "GOO" tour, they made it seem that the world was melting aweay outisde of the club...a perfect mix of punk energy and psychedelic experimentation
I've been getting into Ekoostik Hookah lately. Their stuff is awesome. Just wish they toured a little more widespread.
Steve Cropper, one of my faves, never gets any mention, but is beyond great Scotty Moore, if you have ever heard an Elvis record, youve probably heard Scottys impeccable riffs Les Paul - hands up, who has actually heard his recordings? He did everything that could be done with or to a guitar by 1962, and moved on to making them so others could play too. Robbie Krieger - Doors guitarist with the smooth slide and providing the riffs for the hits Jorma Kaukonen - those in the know love him, those that dont should look him up Tony Iommi - powered Sabbath without the tips of his freakin fingers! Great chops for four decades, and also a super jazz player when he lets it show. Tee Tot Payne - hes as obscure as they come, but taught one of the greatest to play his songs. If you have heard Hank Williams Srs music, you owe the notes to Teetot Richard Thompson is great, I love his work with Fairport Also mentioned was James Gurley, known as the first man in space for his freakout playing. Mick Taylor, the american Stone, has a great sound and smooth slide, but never get any mentions either.
Otis Rush - One of the best from the Chicago Blues scene, I don't understand why he's not better known. Michael Karoli - Can fans (myself included) think he's one of the very best, ever. Phil Manzanera - The Roxy Music and 801 guitarrist. Amazingly underrated. Robert Fripp - King Crimson is very famous, but his incredible guitar playing is often overlooked, or hidden behind all of the King's splendor. Mick Bolton - The first guitarrist from UFO (he only played in the first two albums, but UFO was never the same after he left). Alvin Lee - One of the highlights of the Woodstock film was Lee's amazing solo while fronting Ten Years After. Forgotten soon after that.