The Unappreciated

Mr. Lonesome:

Ladies & Germs. I’ve been listening to The Cars over the last couple days. And it made me, almost instantly, think of this topic: what would a band do if it weren’t for this member? Basically, I’d like to discuss those musicians who get little-to-no fanfare, yet their respective bands just wouldn’t sound, or be, the same without them. Which leads us to:

The Cars: Elliot Easton – Lead Guitar. I’ve spoken about him in the past, and I’m speaking about him now. Elliot Easton rocks. I’m not sure this guy has ever not played the perfect note. Great examples of his solos are “Just What I Needed” and “Shake It Up” – both have that rock backbone but with pop melody. I actually liken him to the New Wave David Gilmour, in the sense that you can absolutely sing his solos. I also liken him to the antithesis of Andy Summers.  Both had their short sections to do something within the song. Where Summers would usually try some weird soundscape (i.e. the “solo’ section in Synchronicity II), Easton would maximize those quick eight bars with perfection. Band besides The Cars I wish he was in: Television. A Berklee-trained guitarist, I’d have loved to hear what he could have done with more space and improvisation.

Who’d like to have a go-‘round at this? Who you got?

Mr. Mean:

Since I am not a musician, I may not answer this correctly but I will take a stab with what I think about two drummers:

Dude, huge case in point is Rush. With John Rutsey, they were just another Led Zep ripoff. Don’t get me wrong…I like the first Rush album. But I LOVE the ones Neil Peart is on. His style is amazing, frantic, intricate. And, he gave Rush their identity as prog rockers with his lyrical content. I know you mentioned the musicians who get little or no fanfare, but as a band, Peart changed them so much and for the better. They are recognized as one of the all-time greats because he came aboard. A lesser known one – Les Binks in Judas Priest. He totally revolutionized metal drumming and was sacked because they wanted a less-technical drummer, so they brought in Dave Holland. Metal drummers owe Binks a huge debt.

Mr. Lonesome:

I think that’s a very valid response. I really dug Rutsey’s drumming too, especially on “Working Man.” But Peart really did redefine who Rush was. And yeah, they really wouldn’t be the same bad without him.

To be honest, I was sort of hoping you would go on a Jon Lord lovefest with this topic. When I hear Deep Purple, he’s the first one that comes to mind as far as helping define their “sound” – case in point is Rainbow. Same songwriter, but I would never mistake Rainbow for Deep Purple.

Mr. Mean:

Funny you mention Jon Lord. I am listening to The Stranglers right now and, like Lord, I think they too had an organist who defined their sound: Dave Greenfield. First wave punk was not known for having organ players, and the youngest member of the band was 25 when their debut record came out, which is pretty old by punk standards at the time. Greenfield was nearly 30 and brought the whole Ray Manzarek feel to the band. Further, I think their sound was defined by JJ Burnel’s bass as well. The songs are rough, the lyrical content perverse and dark, and Burnel added a very “in your face” sound. I can hear him playing and know immediately that it is him. Same goes for Peter Hook of Joy Division/New Order. He plays bass like an electric guitar – you would not even know it was a bass sometimes, but it totally defined their sound.

Mr. On'ry:

I’ve got three right off the top of my head:

Geezer Butler – Yes, Tony Iommi is one of the greatest guitar players of all time and his riffs invented metal.  But Black Sabbath would not be Black Sabbath without Geezer’s bass lines.  They really are the backbone of the beast.  Plus he wrote all the lyrics on the eight studio albums Ozzy sang on.  When you think about it Geezer really has always been the heart and soul of that band.

Robby Krieger – It’s hard for me to imagine the lone guitar player in one of the greatest rock bands of all time not getting his due but when you think of The Doors, who do you think of?  Morrison.  Then who?  Ray Manzarek is probably next.  Krieger is one of the most underrated guitar players in the history of modern music in my book.  He was so technically proficient it’s ridiculous to watch in the live setting (which I had the chance to do in Philly a long time ago).  But The Doors sound is predicated on Morrison’s crooning and the keyboards being way out in front, especially on a lot of their singles.  So much so that to me Krieger’s playing is lost on a lot of people.  (By the by, I could be arguing the same exact thing about John Densmore.)

Jorma Kaukonen – I feel pretty safe in saying that when you talk about underrated musicians that Jorma Kaukonen should be towards the top of everyone’s list.  His work with Jefferson Airplane was fantastic, but again when you think of the Airplane, who do you think of?  Grace Slick?  Marty Balin?  Paul Kantner?  Hell, even Spencer Dryden?  Most people don’t even know who Jorma was or that he was in the band.  But he really was the one who brought the fantastic Blues elements into the band, as proven in his later works with Hot Tuna.  Criminally underrated musician in my book. 

I’ll add more as I think of them but for now I’ll close with:  Rush sucks. 


Mr. Mean:

Two words: Hot Tuna. Brilliant call, man.


Mr. Lonesome:

I started this with one musician, and I sent with just Easton to sort of facilitate the conversation. But I also had three. Mr On’ry, you nailed one of them:

The Doors: Robbie Krieger – Guitar. I agree with everything you said. Krieger is ridiculously talented. Just listening to something like “Spanish Caravan” makes me wonder why more people don’t talk about his gifts. I can’t think of so many songs without his input: “The End” or “Love Me Two Times” or “Break on Through” or “People Are Strange” or “Insert Any Doors Song Here” – love me some RK.

Led Zeppelin: JPJ – everything. John Paul Jones is, to me, the most valuable person in Led Zeppelin. If for no other reason than his virtuostic versatility. He is always the last person mentioned when Zep comes up. And that’s fair enough, everyone in the band was genius. I mean who are we kidding: they are in fact the greatest rock band of all time! But back to JPJ: three defining moments for me: the bass line in “Dazed and Confused” – the key-intro in “No Quarter” – the GD recorders in “Stairway to Heaven” – the dude is a legend, but he will never be legend enough.

This guy was awesome.  Eff Mr. Mean.

 Mr. Mean:

Totally not on board with you guys as far as Kreiger. I immediately think Ray Manzarek. He is the reason I love The Doors so much. Not Morrison, not Krieger, not Densmore, not Lonnie Mack (look it up). The sound of The Doors is completely Manzarek and you both are idiots.

Mr. Lonesome:

I think the point on Krieger is that he is not immediately thought of when it comes to The Doors. Just like John Paul Jones, and Geezer Butler – there are two other bandmates that get the attention over him.  

Mr. On'ry:

Ding-dong, the topic is what musicians don’t get enough credit in what they added to the sound of the band…nice job proving our point about Krieger.  Is the only song you are thinking of right now “Light My Fire”?  Moron.  

Mr. Mean:

Fine. Not agreeing with you goons on Kreiger though. He was pretty run of the mill for a guitar player from what my ears are hearing. Get your lips off each other’s butts and carry on.

Mr. On'ry:

O.k. so I’m going to guess that I’m the only one of us that actually got to see him perform live, no?  You’d change your tune if you saw what I saw…or maybe not because you’re a stubborn little turd.

Mr. Lonesome:

There really is nothing run-of-the-mill about his guitar playing. He’s up there with people like Alex Lifeson and Lindsey Buckingham – really gifted guitarists who are overlooked because of the Brits.

Mr. On'ry:

No, Lindsey Buckingham is overlooked because he appeared on some truly horrible Fleetwood Mac albums. 

Mr. Lonesome:

Bad as they may be, I’ve never seen anyone play quite like he does. His use of fingers in lieu of a pick is insane when he solos. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. He also has incredible control of his thumb when playing the bass note while fingerpicking.

But I digress: Mr Mean is an idiot.

Mr. On'ry:

That didn’t help make Fleetwood Mac be any better…

Mr. Lonesome:

Oh, I’m not so sure that’s true. I think his songs were pretty strong, but his performances were where he shined. Youtube “I’m So Afraid” from their The Dance tour, watch/listen to him solo on that one. It’s pretty mesmerizing – like, chill-inducing. For me at least. And his solo performances from the same tour of “Big Love” and “Go Insane” (the latter coming from a solo and not Mac album), it’s obvious how ridiculously gifted he is.

Mr. On'ry:

I’m not denying he’s an amazing guitar player…I just effing hate Fleetwood Mac…

At least he had a nice 'fro. 

Mr. Lonesome:

Haha  you wont get any arguments from me, sir. I think Christine McVie may be the worst popular songwriter of all time, while “Don’t Stop” is maybe the most overrated song ever. I want to punch baby kangaroos (Joeys, if you will) anytime I hear it. Few songs induce such vitriol in me.

Mr. Mean:

I know you idiots hate The Smiths, but Johnny Marr is exceptional. Watch how he plays and listen, if you can get your heads out of each other’s butts long enough to do so and not wax poetic about how much you hate Morrissey.

Mr. Lonesome:

You are an idiot.

Not because of Marr. I think Marr is fantastic. But so do a lot of people, including most British guitarists from the 90s to now. You’re not opening any eyes, dude.

Though I’m super intrigued how you can pick up the nuances of Marr but not Krieger??

 Mr. On'ry:

You clearly don’t listen to a word that comes out of my mouth…or keyboard.  I know Johnny Marr is an exceptional guitar player.  I don’t hate The Smiths…I hate Morrissey.  He ruins every single Smiths song he has ever opened his fat, stupid mouth for. 

But Marr gets his due so what the hell does that have to do with the topic, expect open old wounds of Morrissey hate.  Screw you.  Two can play that game. – BEATLES!  METALLICA! 

There.  Suck it.

Mr. Lonesome:

/End Topic

Mr. Mean:

Morons. Now end it. Dumb bastards.

*Who are your favorite criminally underrated musicians?