After a whole lot of thinking about how we should present this massive list of Underrated guitarists, really, after all, the only way is to just present it as is. Over the past week, I considered chopping the list into smaller lists, asking for insights as to why each guitarist might be overlooked or underrated. We got some but certainly not a lot to make this more sprightly than it should be. No matter. The list DOES speak for itself. Many of you are already aware of many of these names. Our job is to bring some light to them. I hope that we did just that. After all this, you'll note that Alex Lifeson of Rush was the runaway selection as Most Underrated Guitarist.

This was a massive participation. It took me days to ponder, and hours to put together in this final form. I hope that you'll forgive me if this is the ONLY thing I post today. There are lots of names here with many commentaries to go along with the entries.

My hope is that you'll actively peruse the list, and discover the artists that you may have missed . As we grow older, our slip into complacency becomes more and more pronounced. The things that excited us as we grew are just now shadows. Our job is to spur your interest to seek out the music that originated in many of your youths. Or to encourage further exploration. There is a vast majority of young, musically interested individuals and we also hope to deliver our acquired tastes to them, also with the hopes of further exploration. This list, I hope, will do just that. Perhaps Friday, I'll be back to rambling on whatever crosses my mind again.

The Underrated Guitarist Poll List (as submitted by readers of MusicTAP):

1. Tommy Iommi (Black Sabbath) (1): "Not only the king of riffs, but an exceedingly atmospheric and tasteful player. And he's playing without the tips of two fingers!"
2. Alex Lifeson (Rush) (14): " An amazing and versatile player that's proven himself time and again, but is rarely listed with the big boys."; " Geddy Lee and Neil Peart get a lot of attention on bass and drums, but Alex seems to get left behind."; "He is often overlooked, but not always.  He is one of the best guitarists working in rock.  Rush would not be complete without him and he has some of the tastiest solo's ever - "Limelight" might be the best solo ever recorded.  Funnily enough, he has gotten more dissonant and harder as he gets older, although his playing is becoming more ariculate.  If you see them live (or on video), you realize how much he contributes and how comfortable he is with the instrument."; "...appreciated by hardcore musicians and fans of Rush but he would not show up on most people's lists and given the fact that this group has been shunned by the HOF perhaps he does qualify as underrated."
3. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) (2):
4. Rik Emmett (Triumph) (4): "He seems to have no problem playing everything from metal to classical and plays them all very well."; " Yep, the former lead guitarist from Triumph who has put out a slew of records ranging from jazz to blues to flamenco and classical and everything inbetween.  His versatility was displayed after he left the Arena and began performing locally (in Toronto) for the love of music."; "extraordinary!"
5. Don Felder (Eagles) (2): "his work is flat out pristine!"
6. Tommy Shaw (Styx/Damn Yankees) (1)
7. Steve Hackett (Genesis) (2)
8. Mike Rutherford (Genesis/Mike+The Mechanics) (1)
9. Daryl Stuermer (touring guitarist for Genesis 1978-1992 and 2007/Jean Luc Ponty/Phil Collins) (1)
10. Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead/Solo) (2): "acoustic or electric, pedal steel or banjo, bluegrass or blues, rock or jazz and he did it all while missing a finger."
11. Kerry Livgren (Kansas) (1)
12. Rich Williams (Kansas) (1)
13. K K Downing (Judas Priest) (2)
14. Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest) (2)
15. Doc Watson (1)
16. Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) (2)
17. Dave Murray (Iron Maiden) (2)
18. Brad Whitford (Aerosmith) (1)
19. Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) (1)
20. Janick Gers (Iron Maiden) (1)
21. Chris DeGarmo (Queensryche) (1)
22. Michael Wilton (Queensryche) (1)
23. Billy Squier (Piper/Solo) (1)
24. Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd) (2)
25. Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) (1): " ...Tilbrook, as lead guitarist for the band, knows when to get in a good solo that adds heft to the song without overstaying its welcome. He even does this great acoustically - he's very precise, and I'm often left a little shocked as to how on point he is."
26. Andy Taylor (Duran Duran/Power Station) (1): "...what an asset Andy Taylor was to the group. It was nothing too fancy in the early days of the band, (a lot of riffing, and the occasional straightforward solo), but he did a heck of a job adding a much-needed edge to a band that no self-respecting male rock fan would have paid attention to in the 1980s. After he left, and Warren Cuccurullo (ex-Missing Persons guitarist) took his place and added a lot of squealy solos, Andy was missed even more.
27. Nile Rodgers (Chic) (1): "he's not a rock-solo type at all, but his work with CHIC, Diana Ross, David Bowie and others is some of the best funky stuff there is. And his guitar part on "Good Times" got sampled in "Rapper's Delight," which helped bridge the gap between mainstream audiences and rap (for better or worse)."
28. Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) (1): "I hardly ever see Billy mentioned in these types of discussions, but he always lays down subtle and tasty leads and knocks out some really great and sometimes equally subtle rhythm guitar."
29. Frank Zappa (Mothers of Invention/Solo) (2): " Zappa fans know how great Frank's lead playing was, but the sheer obtuseness of his music have kept the multitudes from recognizing that aspect of his genius. No amount of music theory could explain why Frank did what he did during one of his guitar solos."; "Nuff said.  Never makes the guitar lists, even though he has several albums (compilations) dedicated to his live soloing."
30. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen) (1): " Even though Eddie Van Halen is always listed in a Top 2-3 discussion, it always amazes me that people rarely talk about his rhythm guitar. People focus on learning the pyrotechnic aspect of his playing, but his rhythms can be extraordinarily difficult to figure and leaves me scratching my head as to why and how he took his riffs where he did."
31. Jerry Douglas (1): "People don't think of him as a guitarist for some reason, because he plays the dobro, but Jerry Douglas has to be considered as truly underappreciated outside of the bluegrass world."
32. Jeff Lynne (Move/ELO/Traveling Wilburys) (1)
33. Steve Morse (Sessions/Dixie Dregs/Kansas/Deep Purple) (1)
34. Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd/RossingtonCollins Band) (1)
35. Mick Ronson (Spiders From Mars - David Bowie/Mott the Hoople/Ian Hunter/David Cassidy/Solo) (5): "his work with Bowie should have his name associated with it more openly than just the standard catch-phrase "Bowie's glitter period."
36. Robert Quine (Session Guitarist) (1)
37. Steve Hillage (Gong/System 7) (2)
38. Prince (5): "The dude can flat out play. He's probably the most underrated musician, period."; " A lot of folks have never and probably will never know what he is capable of in many directions as an artist because of some notion they have of him while having hardly heard any of his material. He can burn, he can make you blue, he can make you feel and truly DESTROYED my mind in about 8 measures at an aftershow  gig at a club in Dallas back in the 90's."
39. Monte Montgomery (1): "WOW! Unbelievable talent. Great song writer as well. A way better player on stage than in the studio."
40. Roine Stolt (Flower Kings) (1): "Very tasteful. Amazing phrasing. Always has the right solo for the song. Never a note out of place."
41. Michael Romeo (Symphony X) (1)
42. Dick Wagner (Lou Reed)
43. Steve Hunter (Lou Reed) (1): "Sweet Jane Intro – WOW"
44. Alex Skolnik (Testament) (1)
45. Joe Walsh (James Gang/Solo/Eagles) (3)
46. Tommy Bolin (James Gang/Deep Purple/Solo (4)
47. Hershel Yatovitz (Chris Isaak) (1)
48. Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) (2): "Great work with Billy Idol and the Atomic Playboys.  Forgotten and relegated to the night club circuit."
49. Lenny Kravitz (1)
50. Tony Rice (1)
51. Matthias Jab (Scorpions) (1)
52. Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown) (2): "tremendously under rated" "One of the better guitarists in his time, and no one (NO ONE) knew him!"
53. Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots) (1)
54. Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) (1)
55. Ronnie Wood (Jeff Beck Group/Small Faces/Faces/Solo/The Rolling Stones) (3): "compare his work with Faces and then The Rolling Stones...this man is held back. A true definition of underrated."; " As good as Keith Richards is, in my opinion Ronnie Wood is a better player and is every bit as responsible as Mick and Keith for making the Stones a continued success through the 70's and in to the 80's."
56. Lindsay Buckingham (BuckinghamNicks/Fleetwood Mac/Solo) (6): "damned by his excellence as a producer to be forever underrated as a guitarist..."; "While the group is well known and well respected not many people would list him on their great guitarist list." "...this should be a no-brainer..."
57. John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers/Solo) (2)
58. Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush) (2): "Incredibly underrated..."
59. Mike Slamer (City Boy) (1): "why weren't they the biggest band of the mid/late 70s?!?"
60. Ronnie Montrose (Montrose/Solo) (4): "From Montrose to his solo stuff to Gamma. Gamma 1 & Gamma 2 albums are two of the best guitar-sounding albums around back then."
61. James Burton (1)
62. Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) (1)
63. Paul Bremner (1): "guitarist most people haven’t heard of in the New York band Izz.  He’s a Scot transplanted to Brooklyn , and plays every style well – from metal shredding to delicate Celtic and just plain great hard rock.  His solo album, Wombsong (2003) is absolutely stunning."
64. Steve Rothery (Marillion) (3): "Criminally underrated"; "Great guitarist in much the same vein as Lifeson.  Fills the role in Marillion perfectly and contributes some of the most amazing guitar work."; "For over 20 years, Rothery has been crafting memorable solos and subtle fret work.  He can do David Gilmour like solos or Jeff Beck like speed and deft.  Words do not do him justice.  Give his work a listen. Here are some key moments from the master that speak for themselves: 

    "Sugar Mice" From the album Clutching at Straws - 2:14 in
    "Easter" From the album Seasons End - 2:25 in
    "Born To Run" From the album Radiation - 2:40 in
    "The Great Escape/ Falling From The Moon" From the album Brave - 4:53 in
    "One Fine Day" From the album This Strange Engine - 3:15 in
    "Fantastic Place" From the album Marbles - 4:10 in
    "This Train Is My Life" From the album Happiness Is The Road: Volume 1 - 3:45 in
    You can get a free download with a few of these songs to prove it at http://www.marillion.com/music/racket/crash.htm

65. Phil Keaggy (Glass Harp/Solo) (2)
66. Mike Esposito (The Blues Magoos) (1)
67. Jan Akkerman (Focus) (2): "Who knows who this guy is? And yet..."
68. Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash) (2): "If you listen to anything by Wishbone Ash, you will understand why this man is underrated."
69. Norman Blake (1)
70. Todd Rundgren (Runt/Solo/Utopia) (1): "Give the Utopia album P.O.V. a listen, or even his version of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'."
71. Porl Thompson (The Cure) (1): "Thompson never was out front so he was usually seen as the guy in a dress that played behind  Robert Smith.  Usually he is playing rhythm so Robert Smith can do his thing but if you've seen the Cure live you'll have noticed that he has enormous talent.   Jimmy Page and  Robert Plant realized this and took him on the road for the 'Un-Ledded" tour back in the early 90's."
72. Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd/RossingtonCollins Band) (1)
73. Vinni Reilly (Durutti Column) (1): "He has a unique, recognizable style."
74. Paul Kossoff (Free/Back Street Crawler) (3): "I shudder to think what this man would have become had he not died so young..."; "...considered one of England ’s finest Blues Guitarist."; " This guy should never be considered an obscurity."
75. Terry Kath (Chicago) (5): " everyone I know says "Terry Who?".. Those first nine Chicago studio albums and the 2 live albums (Carnegie Hall and Japan) show what an extraordinary, versatile guitarist he really was."; "Some of my favorite all-time studio guitar solos.  Adapted to many different styles of music from 1969 - 1977, and pulled off great guitar solos every time.  Many different styles of playing, and I have always enjoyed listening to him.  He was working on his first solo album when he passed away.  On studio guitar solos alone, he was easily in my top five favorites in all of classic rock.  Live, he was killer, but played by feeling, so he had many hits and missed on his solos, but in the studio, OUTSTANDING!!! I don't know who else likes him, except those that listen to the non-faced group he used to be a member of.  Peter Frampton listed him as one of his favorite guitarest (top three for one year; I can't remeber what year) during one of VH1's "year in review" shows. One of his most famous guitar solos would be from 1970's "24 or 6 to 4".  He rarely had other guitar solos on the groups hits, so it is usually one the hard-core fans of his group that ever knew he existed.  And when he passed away, the band he was in never fully recovered as far as guitar players go.  They had some good ones, but never close to what Terry could do.  An album with his name on it, "The Innovative Guitar of Terry Kath," is out of print and sometimes sells for good money on eBay." ; " Even Hendrix had some good words for him!";
76. Mick Taylor (John Mayall's Bluesbreakers/The Rolling Stones/Solo) (3): "The general populace knows the brand name of The Rolling Stones, but the majority of people don't know why it is that the time when Mick Taylor was a part of the band is held in such high regard by diehards.  They don't even know who Taylor is."
77. Michael Gurley (Dada) (1)
78. Brian Sutton (1)
79. Peter Green (John Mayall's Bluesbreakers/Fleetwood Mac/Splinter Group/Gass) (4): "All women know is the Buckingham/Nicks Era of the band.  I only know of one woman who truly appreciates the Peter Green Era of the band.  This is a travesty.  This guy should be spoken of with the same reverence as Hendrix, Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page & Jeff Beck."
80. Dave Gregory (XTC) (1) w/Andy Partridge: "One of their finest moments together, to these ears, is the last song, "Books Are Burning", on the band's 'Nonsuch' release from 1991 or thereabouts, where they trade solos back and forth to the song's fadeout. Still gets me after nearly 20 years (ouch!)."
81. Justin Hayward (Moody Blues) (2): "Why? The opening riff to The Story in Your Eyes (it’s even better live). Listen to the pyrotechnics on “higher & higher” off of Children’s, Children’s, Children.  The guitar work on the over looked “Deep” off of  Sur La Mer, and of course the heartfelt bluesy riffs of the Blue Jays' song “Blue Guitar” And don’t get me started on his Acoustic Guitar work like the simple beauty of “Who Are You Now” another Blue Jays' tune or “Never Comes The Day” from Every Good Boy. I think the 12-string explosion that starts “Question” should remove any doubt that Justin Hayward is a extremely talented & underappreciated & underrated guitarist."
82. Roger McGuinn (Byrds/Solo) (1): "...used a flat pick and two finger picks to produce the jingle jangle sound of the mid sixties on an electric 12 string guitar and also those soaring Coltrane solo's on eight miles high where the Rickenbackeremulates a saxophone ! the man is never on the list as the great guitar player that he really is !!!  what a shame!  His influence runs wide and deep in the music world."
83. Andy Summers (The Police) (1): "Sting always got the credit but truth be told he is probably the least talented member of the Police.  That's not a slam on Sting but rather a testiment to the quality percussion of  Stewart Copeland and the amazing guitar work of  Andy Summers.  Some of his guitar riffs are incredibly difficult and require reach that alot of people just can't duplicate.  He is also is responsible or some of the most really innovative gutiar sounds and textures of the 80's."
84. Jim Babjak (The Smithereens) (1): "In an era of guitar tappers and how many notes can you play how fast, Jim Babjak stood out by playing less, and making the most of what he did play.  Part Johnny Ramone slashing, part Townshend power, part Harrison taste, he impresses without showing off, consistently coming up with just the right solo for the song.  He continues to do this show after show with The Smithereens to this day."
85. Marc Bolan (T-Rex) (2): "Not exactly the prototypical rock guitarist but man, this guy could work a fuzz pedal."
86. Stevie Ray Vaughn (Double Trouble/Solo): "Of course."
87. Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt (Iron Butterfly/Captain Beyond) (1)
88. Alan Murphy (Solo/Kate Bush/Go West/Level 42) (1): "...if you ever hear him and are paying attention you won't forget his tone, feel, economy, or precision. Sadly lost to AIDS-related pneumonia in 1989."
89. Robin Trower (Procol Harum/Solo) (3): "Still can burn even on the same old material." "ask women and kids if they know who this is and they'll look at you with an open mouth agape."
90. Tim Reynolds (Dave Matthews Band) (1): "  Dave Matthews' sometimes acoustic companion and often records with the DMB. Can be subtle or fry...!"
91. Russ Barenberg (1)
92. Jeff Buckley (2): " Unfortunately, I have never found any recording official or otherwise the approaches the majesty of what I heard in most every song or solo he played in Austin spring of '95. It's actually kinda weird. I hunted for an example or recreation of this sort of playing for years to no avail. Plenty of spine tingling vocals but nothing close to what I heard in his playing that night."
93. Johnny Winter (And/Solo) (2): "This man can flat out play...and who knows this?"; " Not so much any more but 20-25 years ago. HELL YEAH..."
94. Warren Cuccurullo (Zappa/Missing Persons/Duran Duran/Solo) (1)
95. Albert Lee (Sessions) (1): "I’ll give you the one guitarist that is SO under-rated with the music BUYING public, tho’ he is a GOD to the music players out there. That person is the one, the only, Albert Lee. The big names know him, love him, and push and shove to play with him. A good bio for Albert is on Wikipedia, naming the superstars he has played with and who adore him. Whether its rock or country, this boy can PICK! "
96. Slash (Guns 'N Roses/Velvet Revolver) (1): "He's never given enough credit for just how good he is on guitar."
97. Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna/Solo) (3): "I'm shocked by the lack of praise for him!"
98. Neil Young (Buffalo Springfield/CSNY/StillsYoung Band/Crazy Horse/Solo) (4): " There's a certain gift for making so many different, rich sounds out of so few chords."; " the purists hate the 'messiness' but for  pure passion and creativity, the ragged glory gets me every time. Listening to him finish up Cortez is like listening to the most brilliant sunset you've ever seen, it's cinematic."; "...may not be the most technically accomplished but has such a great feel, and sense of dynamics ... and he writes such good songs to play electric guitar on He has often had such fantastic players to work with, particularly the guys in Crazy Horse of course."
99. Martin Barre (Jethro Tull/Solo) (4): "... he certainly falls under the radar."; "Listen to his excellent 2003 solo album "Stage Left"."; "Tull albums that he shines on are "Stand Up" and "Crest of a Knave."
    Tull albums that he shines on are "Stand Up" and "Crest of a Knave."; "Aqualung solo, 'nuff said!"
100. Brian May (Queen) (1): "distinctive, accomplished..."
101. Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) (2): "... some of his work equals that of the greats."; "Great work with Extreme, did an amazing solo project, produced for a while.  Worked with Dweezil Zappa (another one that belongs on the list), reformed Extreme.  He is a great songwriter and amazing guitarist that somehow got lost in the shuffle."
102. Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits/Solo) (1): "can play the hell out of anything thrown at him.  ANYTHING." (used for Benson as well.)
103. Hilton Valentine (The Animals) (1)
104. Roy Buchanan (2): "I may be the only one who understands and appreciates this man's guitar genius..."
105. Francis Rossi (Status Quo) (1): "one listen to  his  extraordinary  solo  on the song  “ Just Take Me ”  from their album entitled  ‘ QUO ’  and you’ll know EXACTLY what I’m talking about."; "The ‘STATUS QUO Live’ double album from 1976 is chock-full of Francis Rossi at his best, featuring the definitive version of Roadhouse Blues that will emphatically demonstrate why this guitarist is an artist EVERY guitar aficionado should be familiar with."
106. Peter Frampton (Frampton's Camel/Humble Pie/Solo) (3): " Get past the once-big hair, the Sgt. Pepper movie stint, and the WAY over-exposed (but none-the-less tasty) Comes Alive set, and you will hear a fret board virtuoso who can make you weep….  Going back to his work with Humble Pie through his Grammy-winning Fingerprints outing, he has the ability to play very tasty leads, as well as the ability to power-chord with the best of them.  This is not just another pretty-boy guitar slinger; this man can PLAY!"
107. Tom Scholz (Boston) (1)
108. Barry Goudreau (Boston) (1): " The duo (Scholz/Goudreau) who gave us many unforgettable riffs (Air Guitar never played better)."
109. Nils Lofgren (Grin/Solo/E Street Band) (2): "likely the most overlooked and underappreciated guitar player in Rock History."
110. Andrew Latimer (Camel) (2): "...one listen to the song "Ice" should be enough!"; "distinctive guitar..."
111. George Kooymans (Golden Earring) (1): "...none can match George Kooymans...who for over 40 years now is still dazzling in BOTH playing and songwriting categories."; "Kooymans, as is the case with Rossi, isn’t only a GREAT (and, obviously, unappreciated) guitarist and master of the fretboard, but (as is, again, the case of Rossi) also serves as vocalist in Golden Earring whenever a different take from regular singer Barry Hay is required. Kooymans at his best can be seen, oddly enough, via the NAKED TRUTH ‘unplugged’ concert CDs and DVDs, with his instrumental expertise on display along with his genius in arranging songs for an acoustic approach. Studio-wise, “Prisoner of the Night” (or “Long Blonde Animal,” depending upon the country of purchase) is from top to bottom one of the ALL TIME best albums EVER recorded (heck, just read a few of the reviews on Amazon) and Kooymans is the primary reason for that achievement."
112. Rick Nielsen (Fuse/Cheap Trick) (1)
113. Dave Meniketti (Y&T) (1): "The 1st two "Yesterday and Today" albums are killer and he just got better was they went on."
114. Sammy Hagar (Montrose/Van Halen/Solo) (1): "I think a lot of people just think of Sammy as the vocalist who replaced David Lee Roth in VH and not a guitarist. But the guy had a bunch of killer solo albums before joining VH and after."
115. Clarence White (1)
116. Pat Travers (Pat Travers Band) (1): "The #1 most underrated guitarist back then in my opinion. When "Makin' Magic" came out, I must of wore down a couple needles playing that album. Just a great all round guitarist from rock to the blues."
117. Danny Gatton (2): " a tremendous talent that passed away much too soon………..I had seen him several times and he blew me away every time………..I always loved his trick of playing with a beer bottle or mug…..If any liquid spilled on the fretboard, he would pick up a rag and wipe it down by draping it over his fingers while still playing flawlessly"
118. Ian Bairnson (Alan Parsons Project/Pilot) (1)
119. Pete Townshend (The Who/Solo) (2)
120. Roy Harper (1)
121. Ted Nugent (Amboy Dukes/Solo/Damn Yankees) (1): "I think his 'motor-city madman' persona gets in his way - awesome player!"
122. Earl Slick (The Earl Slick Band/Sessions/Solo) (1): " session guitarist for many (such as Bowie) and once a member of the all too short-lived Phantom, Rocker & Slick (just listen to Slick ’ s incredibly indulgent opening guitar riffs to the great MEN WITHOUT SHAME song) who is certainly  ‘ underrated …"
123. Kirby (Curved Air) (1): " there is the AMAZING, soulful and melodic genius of  ‘ Kirby ’  (that ’ s right, merely  “ Kirby ’ ) who was astonishing while briefly employed in Curved Air (good luck in finding any of their material) , who really showed his talent while in the GREATEST UNDERRATED BAND (also ‘ unknown ’  band) ever,  ‘ Stretch, ’  and had a great run of three albums in the 70 ’ s. Thanks to Guy Ritchie for bringing Stretch back from the dead in his movies,  but even such prominent help  –  Kirby remains well below  ‘ underrated, ’ instead a  leading  candidate for the  ‘ YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS GUY  –  Hall Of Fame."
124. Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (Blue Oyster Cult) (1)
125. Colin James (The Hoodoo Men) (1)
126. Johnny Greenwood (Radiohead) (1): "Again because he is not out front Johnny Greenwood gets very little attention but in my opinion his playing is what makes Radiohead a great band.  And his talent is not limited to just the guitar he also makes most of the other non-guitar and drum "noise" on Radiohead's albums."
127. Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkel/Solo) (1): "for his acoustic guitar playing"
128. Danny Heines (2): "very, very underrated...can do amazing things with a guitar"
129. Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield/CSN/CSN&Y/Manassas/Still-Young Band/Solo) (1)
130. Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) (1)
131. Gene Cornish (Young Rascals) (1)
132. Dick Dale (1): " the king of the surf guitar yes, but a major innovator and influence on Townshend and other power chord practitioners out there.  Saw him..., still brings the power in his 70s"
133. Greg Leisz (Sessions) (1): "amazing pedal steel player, take a listen to "Why Not Your Baby' from Velvet Crush."
134. Mike Bloomfield (Paul Butterfield Blues Band/Electric Flag/Dylan/Solo) (1): "just for his work with Dylan on those seminal 60s electric sessions"
135. Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers Band/Solo) (2): "such a sweet sound."
136. Randy Bachman (Guess Who/BTO) (1): "...a great rocker, a jazz virtuoso, a pop song wizard and a fellow Canuck.  Never gets his due.  Listen to "Blue Collar" or "Let It Ride."
137. Graham Russell (Air Supply) (1): "Too easily dismissed as a soft rock guy, I think he’s one of the best for the following – 1) He doesn’t play power chords and then come up with 30 – 45 second solos.  He plays in every song all the way through.
     2) Take away all the other stuff – vocals, drums, keyboards, etc and it would be still great to listen to
     3) He plays a right hand guitar upside down – I mean, how do you even try that??
138. Steve Marriott (Small Faces/Humble Pie/Solo) (1)
139. Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins/Solo) (2): "Never has so much been done with so little. I guess it is not so much the quality of his playing that I like as much as it is his use of effects to make the guitar sound so different."; "...a sound like no other."  
140. Dave Davies (Kinks) (1)
141. Joni Mitchell (1): "for her open tunings---very creative.  Maybe more of a songwriting craft, but still very inspired."
142. Ric Witkowski (Crack the Sky) (1):
143. Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention/Solo) (5): "almost nobody knows who he is..."
144. Clarence White (Byrds) (1): "Bluegrass, Country and some Django Rheinhart"
145. Vernon Reid (Living Colour) (1)
146. John McGeoch (Magazine/Souxie and the Banshees) (2): "Influential guitarist even gave The Edge something to think about."
147. Robert Fripp (King Crimson/League of Gentlemen/Solo) (5): "What?!"
148. Dick Taylor (Pretty Things) (1)
149. Al Dimeola (Return to Forever/Solo) (1)
150. Gary Green (Gentle Giant) (1)
151. Steve Howe (Yes/Asia/Solo) (1): "...could play everything well."
152. Walter Becker (Steely Dan) (1)
153. James Gurley (Big Brother and The Holding Company) (1)
154. Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam/Mother Love Bone) (1)
155. Tommy Tedesco (The Wrecking Crew) (1): "One of the many hidden sidemen who made Beach Boys fans 'SMiLe'.  Tedesco rode the guitar like a Little Deuce Coup and helped give some grunt to Brian Wilson's angel voice harmonies."
156. Leslie West (Mountain/West Bruce & Laing) (1)
157. Dave Lambert (Strawbs) (1)
158. Pat Metheny (Solo) (3): "gets a lot of recognition but most of the people  who get rated above him are not fit to carry his case."; "no one can touch him for virtuosity. He & his group would be my “desert island” selection." 
159. Carl Wilson (Beach Boys/Solo) (1): "duh! They wouldn’t have sounded the same without him. And don’t get me started on his voice from Heaven.)"
160. Randy California (Spirit) (2)
161. Jeremy Spencer (Fleetwood Mac) (1)
162. Sam Andrew (Big Brother and The Holding Company) (1)
163. Bill Harkleroad (Zoot Horn Rollo) (1)
164. Gary Moore (Skid Row/Thin Lizzy/Solo) (1)
165. Steuart Smith (Sessions) (1)
166. Ronnie Earl (Roomful of Blues) (1)
167. John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messinger Service/Man) (2): "Garcia and Santana weren't the only great guitar players out of San Francisco."
168. George Harrison (Beatles/Solo) (2): "Added the spicy chilly to Lennon's 'Imagine' omelette.  'Just Gimme Some Truth' wouldn't work if not for the Dark Horse's tearing solo."
169. Robby Krieger (Doors) (1)
170. John Martyn (Sessions) (1): "Took the semi-acoustic to new heights with the Echoplex."
171. Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones) (2)
172. Jay Graydon (Steely Dan) (1): "'Peg'.  Nuff said."
173. Paul Chapman (UFO) (1): "...had the unenviable  task of replacing the truly great Michael Schenker in UFO; most of us know that the  ‘ Chapman Years ’  with UFO provided some of the greatest tunes ever, mostly because of Paul ’ s exceptional ability as BOTH a ‘ tunesmith ’  and technical fretboard wizard."; "Chapman’s laudatory legacy is found in one simple truism: the unenviable task of following Guitar God Michael Schenker and doing so with aplomb within the boundaries of legendary rock band UFO. ‘The Wild, Willing and the Innocent,’ filled with Chapman’s ideas, melodies and blazing fingers flying around all 6 six strings, is just one example of his many great contributions; and you have never heard the classic‘Mystery Train’ until you hear what Chapman does with it on UFO’s “No Place To Run” album. LOVE these three artists and you will too, guaranteed, once you catch a sample for yourself."
174. Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine) (1): "I can't even explain what Kevin Shields does or describe the sounds he makes on the guitar.  Just listen to the album  LOVELESS.  It sounds like no record before or any record since."
175. James Mankey (Concrete Blonde) (1)
176. Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music/Solo) (2): "Great solo work reveals great guitars"
177. David Hildalgo (1)
178. Allan Holdsworth (Soft Machine/UK) (1)
179. Francis Lickerish (The Enid) (1): "Often overlooked in preference to the main Enid axeman, Steve Stewart - but Lickerish was the band's 'dreamer', using the guitar to transport listeners to a heady realm of pre-raphaelite fantasy."
180. Rory Gallagher (Solo) (2): "another name who should be bigger beyond just music circles."
181. Eddie Hazel (Funkadelic/Parliament/George Clinton) (2): "...a funk pioneer if there ever was one."
182. Neal Schon (Santana/Journey/Solo) (4): " He definitely shows on this one  that he has some serious talent that has been suppressed for many years!"
183. George Benson (1): "can play the hell out of anything thrown at him. ANYTHING.
184. Pete Ham (Badfinger) (1): "he wasn't just a tragic ending to a story.  He was a great player as well."
185. Frederic l'Epee (1): "I missed Philharmonie originally but have been listening to them a lot recently.  He should be as famous as Pat Metheny, if he could get exposure outside of France.  Current project is YANG."
186. Izzy Stradlin (Guns 'N Roses/Solo) (1): "Incredible blues guitarist, to rival Keith Richards.  First solo record is astounding."
187. Michael Hampton (Funkadelic (1)
188. Adrian Belew (Sessions/King Crimson/Solo) (1)
189. Steve Lukather (Sessions/Toto/Solo) (3): "Session musician to beat them all.  Listen to the guitar work in the Toto recordings and you will see a true genius at work."
190. Kim Mitchell (Max Webster) (1): "More Canadian Content.  One of the best guitarists that still tours and has the chops to prove it.  His songwriting might be a little mainstream, but put him on stage and he is amazing."
191. Tim Renwick (Sessions/Sutherland Brothers & Quiver) (2)
192. Snowy White (Sessions) (1): "When Peter Green takes you seriously, you know you've made it.  Green gave White his Les Paul."
193. Tom Verlaine (Television/Solo) (2)
194. Robbin Ford (Solo/The Yellowjackets) (1)
195. Rick Derringer (The McCoys/Derringer/Edgar Winter Group/Solo): "a lot of people just don't like him, but a forgotten monster of a player."
196. Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers Band/Solo) (2)
197. "Silver" Kouloris (Aphrodite's Child) (2): "Anyone who plays guitar in a band where Vangelis is on keys has got to have balls of solid Athenian marble.  Listen to Aphrodite's Child's '666' and you will know that Kouloris exceeds this brief.  Truly one of the greatest wah-wah meisters of all time."
198. Ernie Isley (The Isley Brothers) (1)
199. Bill Nelson (Be Bop Deluxe) (2)

If you have anything to discuss about any name on this list, please feel free to participate.

Hope you had a chance to check out Rykarda Parasol. We'll see you again on Wednesday.

Real World Production Limited will release the new Peter Gabriel album (as if you didn't know this), Scratch My Back, on March 2 in both CD and a Special Edition CD.

Caroline Records has two Be Bop Deluxe DDs (Digitial Downloads) coming on February 23. The titles are Air Age Anthology, and Raiding the Divine Archives.

Atlantic Records will reissue three Pantera titles on vinyl LP scheduled for April 17. The titles include Cowboys From Hell (1990), Vulgar Display of Power (1992), and Far Beyond Driven (1994).

Rhino Records will release Emotion & Commotion on vinyl LP by Jeff Beck, also on April 17.

Virgin Records will release Last Stand from Adelita's Way in CD and DD formats on February 23.

Tooth & Nail Records will release Disappearing World by Fair on DD (CD earlier) on February 23.

There is a BBC In Concert title for Culture Club that had been released on Feb 2 as DD, if you're interested.

Nuclear Blast America has a Testament CD arriving on February 23 called The Formation of Damnation.

New West Records will release The Open Road by John Hiatt on March 2.

ATO Records will release In the Dark by The Whigs on March 16.

Hip-O Select will reissue Meet The Supremes, the 1962 Motown debut for The Supremes. this reissue will be available on May 18.

AAO Records will release a CD for Led Zeppelin called Rock Biographies: Led Zeppelin on March 23.