There is no shortage of celebrated guitar heroes. But, for every well known talent, there are countless others just as superb that fly below the radar. While the three artists below aren’t unknown by any means, they aren’t as heralded for their guitar playing as they should be. Check out our picks for some of the most overlooked guitar heroes.
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3 of the Most Overlooked Guitar Heroes
1. Muddy Waters
If you’re into the history of guitar music, then you likely know the name Muddy Waters. However, if you’re not so well versed in that area, many wouldn’t consider him a household name. We’ve chosen him as the first inclusion on our list of guitar heroes, because of how influential his playing is. Many of rock’s greatest guitar players have cited Waters as a source of inspiration.
Everything gonna be alright this mornin’
Now, when I was a young boy
At the age of five
My mother said I was gonna be
The greatest man alive
But now I’m a man
I’m age twenty-one
I want you to believe me, honey
We having lots of fun
2. Joni Mitchell
Though Joni Mitchell wasn’t prone to hitting a guitar solo, we still consider her a guitar hero. Her unique sense of rhythm made her sound singular–and has prompted countless artists to try and replicate her playing. Her songs are rife with interesting, near mind-blogging finger picking. Revisit the guitar riff in her famed “Case of You,” below.
Oh, you’re in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh, I would still be on my feet
3. Prince
Prince is beloved for many things, but one aspect of his artistry that is criminally overlooked by casual fans is his guitar playing. The R&B/rock icon could shred with the best of them, always adding in a layer of soul that few of his contemporaries could replicate. Use his guest starring role in a performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” to check out his credentials.
I look at the world and I notice it’s turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake, we must surely be learning
Still, my guitar gently weeps
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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