A popular monthly music publication recently made a list of their most underrated guitarists of all time. After a hazy night of cut-throat arguing, The Ruckus staff came up with our top 10 underappreciated six-stringers of all time. Educate yourselves…

10. Malcolm Young – AC/DC
Malcolm Young doesn’t seem to mind that AC/DC fans drool over the unbelievable skill and performances of baby brother Angus, and rightly so. His achievements are substantial but Angus’s wild solos wouldn’t add up to much without the huge riffs and tight groove created by Malcolm’s chugging rhythm. He still has the best guitar sound in rock, period.
9. Daron Malakian – System Of A Down
The rules of heavy guitar were completely re-written once Daron Malakian and SOAD rode out the Nu Metal craze at the start of this decade. Admittedly not the most traditionally skilled or solid live performer, Malakian makes up for it handsomely in innovation, style and studio mastery.”
8. Dean DeLeo – Stone Temple Pilots
Scott Weiland’s well-publicized drug busts in the 90s took the spotlight away from where it really belonged—the music. STP weren’t the greatest band of their era but the DeLeo brothers, Dean in particular, bent the rules of the “grunge” scene with unique melodies and mature songwriting. The 1994 album ‘Purple’ is a great example of the wide variety of sounds and styles DeLeo sampled during his creative peak.
7. Pat Smear – Nirvana/Foo Fighters
Pat Smear has spent his most inspired years in the shadow of at least one member of Nirvana, playing on the Unplugged album from ’94 and also the first two Foo Fighters records. Both groups were greatly improved with Smear in the lineup but he has yet to make a name for himself outside of those powerhouse bands.
6. Steve Bartek – Oingo Boingo
Who? Anyone familiar with the new-wave outfit can probably only name-drop Danny Elfman from the lineup but guitarist/orchestrator/producer Steve Bartek is a true genius in his own right. In terms of technical skill he’s in the same league as Harrison and Robertson but his style is impossible to imitate and completely unique to pop music. Bartek has remained under the radar his whole career only because of the band’s limited success.
5. Robbie Robertson – The Band
One of rock ‘n’ roll’s most sophisticated yet unknown players. Robertson fronted “The Band” for nine years and earned a reputation as a genius songwriter in collaboration with his mates. Robertson is unique in that his most vocal admirers were also his contemporaries; Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Ron Wood, etc.
4. George Harrison – The Beatles
It may seem strange to call one of The Beatles underrated but Harrison didn’t get to really show his stuff until ‘All Things Must Pass’ was released in 1970. His solo career didn’t bear much fruit but Harrison spent his post-Beatles years playing along side Clapton, Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty.
3. Billy Gibbons – ZZ Top
Everyone and their mom knows ZZ Top, but self-professed gear-head Billy Gibbons continues to be the best-kept secret in rock ‘n’ roll. His playing has spanned a myriad of styles including blues, rockabilly, heavy metal, psychedelia and country, but Billy always sounds like Billy. The Top’s 1984 masterpiece ‘Eliminator’ is one of the best guitar albums ever.
2. Brian May – Queen
Mercury’s piano and falsetto vocals took center stage during Queen’s most commercially successful years, but any fan can tell you that May has the goods. His signature tone and innovative use of delay pedals and multi-tracked guitar melodies defined the band’s early sound. Check out the 1974 album ‘Sheer Heart Attack’ or the Wembley Stadium performances from ‘86.
1. Prince
A certifiable guitar God who has never gotten his due after nearly 30 years in the business. Prince’s emphasis on quality compositions and synthetic instrumentation often masks and overpowers his guitar playing on studio albums. The Purple One’s best guitar work is often showcased in live performances. Does the 2007 Super bowl halftime show ring a bell?

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