PAVEMENT!
PAVEMENT!
PAVEMENT!

Why won’t anyone give them credit for being a catalyst in the indie/slacker rock movement? I guess it’s because nirvana got all the credit for that.

Every album Pavement has recorded is genius, there has not been a single dispensable track in their repertoire. Steven Malkmus was another generation’s Kurt Cobain.

PAVEMENT!
PAVEMENT!
PAVEM ENT!

Why won’t anyone give them credit for being a catalyst in the indie/slacker rock movement? I guess it’s because nirvana got all the credit for that.

Every album Pavement has recorded is genius, there has not been a single dispensable track in their repertoire. Steven Malkmus was another generation’s Kurt Cobain.

This was one crappy list. Seems like Rolling Stones just took the chance to name some artist they just wanted to name… Like Tom Petty is underappreciated…. Practically all of these guys have an established, noted career. I’ll make you a top 6 underappreciated artists, that’s more accurate:

1. Lindsey Buckingham
2. Hazel O’Connor
3. Kim Carnes
4. Jackie DeShannon
5. Jim Steinman
6. France Gall

I think Mylene Farmer is one of the most underestimated singers. Despite being a pop diva, her music has an underground quality.

nick cave?

Judee Sill

What kind of list is this!? they are some glaring MIA’s on there such as Roky Erickson/13th floor elevators, Grant Lee Buffalo, Thin Lizzy, BAD BRAINS!?? dude RS is losing touch.

Hi Claudio,

Drupi????

I can understand a list with some immortals italian artists like Lucio Battisti, Umberto Tozzi or Domenico Modugno but not Drupi here!

The RollingStone critics never have underappreciated Supertramp!

Supertramp was one of the few english progressive rock bands able to obtain an artistic and commercial success in the States!

Musically RollingStone knows very well that the band of Roger Hodgson was one of the best of all times!

However they forgot to list in the “RollingStone 500″ some creative songs like “Crime of the Century”, “Gone Hollywood” “Even in the Quietest Moments”…. and this is unforgivable for a prestigious and competent review like “RollingStone”.

Tom Petty, Bob Seger, The Cars - 3 of the biggest pop rock acts of all time. How can they possibly make such a list?

Mitch Ryder
John Mellencamp
Willy Deville
Waylon Jennings
Calexico
Steve Wynn
Drupi

Concrete Blonde failed to make even this list… they are totally underappreciated! Johnette Napolitano & the band have delivered memorable & powerful music. Her new cd “Scarred” is one of the best of 2007…

1 4 8 9 23 are valid but cheap tranny. what?

I’ve loved the Replacements for 20 years. Their music (Paul Westerberg’s music) has been the sound track to my life.

I think it’s very “classic” Mats, that they came in 2nd in the under-appreciated poll. They can’t even win this… that’s another reason to loved them.

I’ve loved the Replacements for 20 years. Their music (Paul Westerberg’s music) has been the sound track to my life.

I think it’s very “classic” Mats, that they came in 2nd in the under-appreciated poll. They can’t even win this… that’s another reason to loved them.

Swans!!!!!!! They really should be on this list. Very underappreciated and one of the best live bands - ever!

tywsl poli sibhplq zofbirmds ibyr tohv wxkzjv

not on the list but should’ve:

The Church
The Tragically Hip
Cowboy Mouth (before Sanchez’s departure)
Smithereens
Neko Case
Jayhawks
XTC (but they are partialy to blame for never touring after 82)

on the list… (i agree)

Cheap Trick
The Replacements
Warren Zevon

The Godfathers

I’d say y’all need to make room on that list for both Superdrag and Guided By Voices. Amen to #1, 2 and 6, though. Move number 19 up a bit.

This is a conspiracy! This list is only 24 entries long. Rolling Stone is frauding the public! Sure, I got on here for free, but I still feel cheated. With one more additons, we could get 2,000 more posts saying things like, “Dude, NOFX changed everything…” or “I hate to admit it, but Justin Timberlake is really catchy and cool.” Give us # 12!!!!!!

Who is # 12?

What about Young Marble Giants? Tom Waits? He’s not under appreciated? Besides, he’s just a cleaned up Harry Partch with a major label contract.

This list is nonsense… where is XTC? Julian Cope? Robert Wyatt? Nico, anyone? Ferchrissakes, I would even take Black Sabbath, or The Kinks… but if Sonic Youth are an unsung band, then what are Les Rallizes Denudes?

didn’t seem to be able to find Richard Thompson in your list .. i guess Britain’s finest guitarist and songwriter is unappreciated by Rolling Stone as well.

I think it depends on who you talk to…in most circles (maybe not necessarily in the RS circle of trust) anything Bob Mould (who’s website I found this link), Paul Westerberg, J Mascis, Ian Makaye, and Thurston Moore ever touched is highly appreciated. My hope is RS is just kicking the beehive a bit on this one in an attempt to shine a few dusty gems. I’m down with The Silver Bullet Band as well…”Main Street” is a much appreciated tune.

Here’s a real list of unappreciated (or lesser known) artists who should be heard:

Television,Tom Verlaine,Richard Thompson,Bob Mould,Captain Beefheart,Roky Erickson,Flying Saucer Attack, Eleventh Dream Day,Bardo Pond,Low,Windy & Carl,Jessica Bailiff,Steve Wynn,Giant Sand,Matthew Sweet,Dinosaur Jr.,Steve Malkmus,Antietam,Chris Brokaw,Deerhoof,Robin Hitchcock,Alvin “Youngblood” Hart,Yo La Tengo,My Bloody Valentine….
Tom Petty? What are n’t you guys smoking?

The Wipers
X

The Wipers!

This list just shows how out of touch Rolling Stone is now days. 90% of the bands on the list have been quite successful or VERY Successful (Petty,Cars,Cooper).
If you consistently sell out arenas or have had several chart topping hits you are not under appreciated.
Several bands more deserving:
The Stooges, MC5, Roky Erickson, hell you could go on forever with more deserving bands.

creedence clearwater revival definetly deserves its space

i would also add the wallflowers and jackson browne

Elliott Smith
=========
Besides influencing a ton of singer/song writers to pick up a guitar over the past ten years (and not in a shitty way like Dave Mathews did), he got nominated for an academy award in ‘98, and lost to My Heart Will Go On by Céline Dion? Are you fucking kidding me? If that’s not under appreciation, I don’t know what is.

Guided By Voices
=============
I defy you to find any, ANY band, in your local record stores ‘Indie’ bin that doesn’t owe everything to this pioneering band, and doesn’t list them as an influence. Watch the documentary DVD on their Hardcore UFOs box set, and then tell me that this band shouldn’t be the textbook blueprint for what every band’s ethos should be. You can’t. Maybe you just get it if you play in bands, or if music is more to you than what your radio spouts out in the form of top 40 pop or classic rock. Listen to your local college radio station. Good music is out there, but is must be found… it will not be fed to you.

Mission of Burma
=============
When Sonic Youth lists your band as an influence, you are doing something right. Has RS ever done an article on this band? Talk about being under rated, and how about an under rated guitar player! Fender should be making $200 Roger Miller signature series guitars, not $50,000 Eric Clapton ones! This band IS punk rock! Not makeup or hair product or spikes and chains… although those are all well and fine. And then to come out of ‘retirement’ as such, and put out one of your best albums (2006’s Obliteratii), this isn’t just a band, this is ‘How your band should be 101’

Velvet Underground
==============
I suppose they are appreciated in a select few circles (mostly comprised of musicians in bands that play around their local towns, or record store employees), but on the whole, this band has never gotten their full amount of due. Who, of today’s crop of under appreciated bands, hasn’t VU influenced? Over the course of the past 40+ years, this band has been the catalyst for a multitude of young men and women to start writing songs, poetry, starting up bands amongst friends, painting, graphic design, getting involved in artistic ventures, stepping back and looking at their social and political surroundings. They really did, for their short run, take people by their ears and open up their eyes. A crazy cast of mismatched characters, all of them, and they came together so wonderfully. And for all their greatness, all you ever hear on your radio, and all anyone ever knows is “Take A Walk On The Wild Side.” Not even VU, but Transformer Lou. Go find a record bin, NOW!

Built To Spill
==========
This might just be more of a personal viewpoint of what I feel is a truly under appreciated band, but I can’t find a single flaw with anything BTS has ever done. They’ve always made music they way they’ve wanted to, and it has always, on every album, been an experience and treat for the listener. You can follow them from beginning to present, and it’s like a journey of growing up and finding your way in the music industry, and as a person. And best of all, all the songs, even some of the rougher ones, are great! Very few, and I mean VERY VERY FEW guitar players out there making music today, can actually convey emotion with their instruments (including their voice), but somehow, BTS never fails to deliver on this. The cast of players are all outstanding, but Doug Martch especially with his unique “Neil Young” compared voice and absolutely outstanding guitar work (which although outstanding, truly comes alive when interacting with the rest of the band, I can’t stress that enough, how much of a true ‘band’ effort BTS seems to be). I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them a good number of times at Slim’s in SF and once in Sacramento at a small club called Harlow’s, and whether the crowd is large or small, they are always taken back by how good this band sounds and how they interact; both within the band amongst its members, as well as how the music itself interacts with the audience.

Emitt Rhodes
===========
A home recorded pop genius! For certain, more looked over than any other artist I’ve mentioned here. If Capital records had pulled their heads out of their asses back in 1970/71 and picked this guy up and put him on a label contract with full creative control, I have no doubt that he would have not only out sold McCartney’s first solo album by a far cry (wouldn’t have taken much), but also, he would still be producing hits today, and would probably be touring with Neil Young or Tom Waits. Shit, maybe even with McCartney! If you don’t have the outstanding compilation “Daisy-Fresh From Hawthorne, California,” a capsule of Emitt’s work, then you are doing yourself an great injustice. If nothing else, hear what can be done with a four track real to real in your basement! Pro tools my ass!

The Muffs
========
No other woman has vocals that can touch the soft caring/harsh brutality of LA’s Kim Shattuck of the Muff’s. Few things in this world make as visceral a sound as the powerful voice of this careening beauty. If you’ve never seen them live, than you’ve not seen the power that three people, who are 100% on at their craft, can truly do. I’m not sure if Roy McDonald is still their current line up drummer, but if not, find out what band he is in, and go watch them! Combine that with the understated and perfect bass lines of bassist Ron Barnett, and you have the makings of just about the best power-pop punk trio you’ve ever seen live!

I’d be interested to hear any comments or feendback on my ammendment list…

tim@monsterlabaudio.c om

i g g y

p o p

The Church. They dropped off the commercial map in the early ’90s, but they’re still touring, still releasing incredible material. The acoustic “El Momento Siguiente” and electric “Uninvited, Like the Clouds” are blinders, to borrow a phrase from Mr. Kilbey.

I am number 12. They forgot me.

am I the only one that is wondering where #12 on the list is? right now it is the RS Top 25 (but we really mean 24) Underappreciated Artists.

My choices:

Fishbone
Morphine
Oi ngo Boingo
Digable Planets
Khoiba
Gin Blossoms
Nada Surf
Helmet
Soul Asylum
Sublime

By the way, RS´s list of underappreciated artists consists mostly of canonized critical darlings, anyway.

Smokey Robinson
Joe Tex
Neville Brothers
Professor Longhair
Allan Toussaint
Terence Trent Darby
Johnny Adams

Talk about cultural apartheid… or are we coons not considered Artists?

Talk about cultural apartheid…

Smokey Robinson
Joe Tex
Johnny Adams
Professor Longhair
Terence Trent D’Arby
The Neville Brothers

That’s just for starters.
Or are we coons not considered Artists?

the Church,Flamin’groovies and the sound

Wow -are the church still going ? Vote for the just on their past stuff

Incubus! Nu-metal, rap-rock, alternative… attempts to categorise Incubus have often failed because they’ve never tried to fit into the 15-minute-fame-box (so very shiny, so very impermanent) so when many other bands in their time have returned to the land of obscurity they’ll still be rocking. What’s wrong with romantic rockers? Romance made Jeff Buckley great. What’s wrong with experimentation? That’s what made Bjork… well… Bjork. They’ve evolved over the years and never repeated themselves. The riffs, the swells, the ups and the downs in their albums, often labelled as inconsistencies are precisely what saves us from monotony. Kilmore distinguishes himself from other band djs, Boyd’s voice is unique (in a good way) and Michael Einziger rocks the guitar. All this sans the look-at-me-I’m-brooding eye-liner/dog-collars and the I’m-quirky-so-my-yummy-indiepo p-synthesiser’s-overheating approach. A crow left of the murder… an elephant left of the herd. Hurrah Incubus!

Guster.

311.
fishbone.
anything that mike patton touches.

this list is wack…

I like Waits, Seger, Cooper, Petty, and The Band being on this list. I have to wonder, though, why this magazine seems to have never heard of Guster, a group that deserves so much more fame than they’ve got. Also, what about Captain Beefheart? I seriously know like 2 people who have ever even heard of him and His Magic Band.

The Church!
The Church!
The Church!
The Church!
NO other Australian band has existed for so long, still producing mind blowing music of such quality.

The Church will top my list, you’ll never find a better guitar duo than Willson-Piper and Koppes. Afghan Whigs should be on this list as well, I’ll never know why they never made it big.

Most of your list people lead a very comfortable millionaire’s life financed by general appreciation.

XTC
The Church
Judee Sill

Although The Cars are indeed a great band, along with most of the other artists listed, they have ALL had quite a bit of attention recently. I wouldn’t say they are that “under-appreciated.” This list is however missing a TRULY under-appreciated band…THE CHURCH!! Seriously, this is a group that deserves a LOT more recognition. They are incredible people and a huge influence to many bands today. Thank you for your consideration.

Is there a more under-appreciated band (at least with the masses) than The Church? Its baffling at times how many lesser bands get so much more attention. For any of those of you who aren’t familiar with their work, it spans 25 years and their recent material is up with their best.

This list is missing The Church, which should be on top of the list. In fact, it should not be so under-appraciated and thus get on this list to begin with. Very few bands lasted this long, with so many great ablums, new and exciting styles, constantly re-inventing themselves. Pristine lyrics, unique vocals, and most of all, unparalleled guitar work second to none. Rare to find such bands these days, yet Steve Kilbey, Marty Willson-Piper, Peter Koppes, and Tim Powles are still fascinating, exhilirating, and geniuses in their own right!

Well i thought about this and about who deserved to be appreciated more than any band I can think of and it was an easy choice - The Church - totally under-appreciated in their own country and, despite the band being still around for over 25yrs having never broken up, still produce quality atmospherically charged music in the studio and live on stage, have a brilliant original, yes original, lyricist lead singer/bass player Steve Kilbey, two damn good guitar players Peter Koppes and Marty Willson-Piper and a hot drummer Tim Powles, have still not been recognised for their contribution to the music industry. I dont know what they have to do to get recognition. Isnt it about time they at the very least got inducted into the Hall of Fame? If they ever did, i would tell them to not even accept unless the ARIA people had the decency to give them top billing on the night, anything less would be a huge insult.

C’mon, Tom Waits underappreciated? You gotta be kidding. Even my old dad knows who that is.

KYUSS
KYUSS
KYUSS

um…Gram Parsons?

After going through the list I see nobody picked one of the most left off had great originality.
############################ #####
KANSAS
###################### ###########
They said it right with
the song
all we are is
DUST IN THE WIND
I guess they are the unappreciated

No one has mentioned Sha Na Na yet?
What gives?

Why people keep writing these next letters?

X T C

The way RS skewed the results of this doesn’t surprise me. Think back to all the other lists they’ve posted online and in print. When was the last time anyone was satisfied? And marnr67, “Century City” and HCMG are awesome…it’s beyond me why “Century City” wasn’t a hit. But TP does have way too many STUPID fans that only want to hear the monster hits. I stay away from them. I wonder how many people have more than just the Hits package. Not too many, I’d bet.

Angelo Badalamenti; Chris Isaak.

Cat Stevens

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE I SAY !!!! DIG !!! ANTON!!! JOEL !!!MATT !!!

How about a little ‘ol band called Saint Vitus?

Nazareth, Budgie, Clutch, Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, Tripping Daisy, super-early pre sell-out Scorpions.

Little Feat
Climax Blues Band
Nils Lofgren (with Grin & E-Street)
Mott the Hoople

I see several people mention Leonard Cohen. I am a huge & longtime fan of Cohen, but I don’t think he’s that underappreciated. The people who count know & love him. He doesn’t want to be a pop star. They made a movie last year of artists covering (& appreciating) his music.

How many times is Bob going to post Ween, when they’re already on the list?!

Re: (champ | 5/1/2007), by that logic DRAMARAMA needs to be on there. Everyone, & I mean EVERYone knows the song “Anything Anything” (”I’ll give you candy, give you diamonds, give you pills, I’ll give you anything you want, hundred-dollar bills!”) but most people don’t know who it is.

But there is something to be said for people having the following they want. Let’s not forget that artists being appreciated is dependent upon artists appreciating their fans.

I think it should be specified that it’s ‘Alice Cooper’ the band which deserves appreciation. Alice Cooper the guy (Vincent Furnier) is kind of a goob. Neal Smith, Dennis Dunnaway, Glen Buxton & Michael Bruce, these were the good part of Alice Cooper.
Has anyone ever heard of Red Lorry Yellow Lorry? The Wedding Present? Chocolate Zulu? Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. Poster Children. The Rosemarys. The Lightning Seeds. I also agree that Nick friggin Drake deserves a shot.
Many of these ‘additions’ have had their moment in the sun. The glory can’t last forever. Like Jane’s Addiction. They were huge for a while. They were like NIN or Chili Peppers, played on every station. & I’m sure the Beasties get their props. But no list can be perfect since everyone’s got an asshole. I mean opinion.

Good call on Ween and Wilco.
What about Richard Hell and My Morning Jacket?

Steve Morse & The Dixie Dregs
Ronnie Montrose
NRPS

…all not obscure but highly underrated.

Add:

Roddy Frame
Graham Parker
Richard Thompson
Prefab Sprout

Just a Few Off the top of my head..
Leonard Cohen
Nick Cave
Social Distortion
Soul Asylum
Buffalo Tom
Okkervill River
Screaming Trees
Misfits(Danzig era only)
Ryan Adams
Violent Femmes
Dogs D’amour
Waylon Jennings
Counting Crows
Mazzy Star
Rancid
Pixies
Joseph Arthur….Okay I’ll shut up now

Soul Coughing and their frontman Mike Doughty!

The Kinks, X, XTC, Squeeze, Go-Go’s, English Beat. Also the 2 “Mermaid Avenue” albums of unfinished Woody Guthrie songs by Billy Bragg & Wilco were modern day classics - a shame that they’ve been more or less ignored by the mainstream. Check them out.

Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Social Distortion
Waylon Jennings
Definately agree with Tom at #1 Though…Oh and don’t forget the Pixies whom Nirvana completely ripped off..and did I mention Waylon Jennings?

You include a couple inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on your list of Most “Underappreciated” Artists? And I thought your political opinions were comical.

The Klezmatics!

I am trully amazed that no one has included “The Hollies”. This band has been hugely successful for more than 40 years, are still touring to-day and fill most of their venues, selling out some. Constantly they are overlooked and should surely be included in the R&R hall of fame for recognition of their acheivments. There is no better Guitarist than Tony Hicks or frontman vocalist than Alan Clarke

Laura Nyro had an influence on a lot of female artists. Ever listen to Eli and the Thirteenth Confession? You’d never guess it was released some 40 years ago. She was a tremendous song writer who wasn’t afraid to take risks with her instrument.

The Monkees are the most underrated bands ever. They had Mickey onE of the best rock and roll singers ever Davey inventor of the axl dance and some of the best songs written by some of the best song writers ever.. Gotta love them MONKEES

I sitting here listening to Billy Joel’s “Turnstiles,” on vinyl, and I’m thinking: Hmmm…maybe he should have been added to this list….

Tom Petty tried to take the drums out of rock music. His later music is all drum machine crap. Nirvana not only drove the hair bands out of music but drove out the likes of Tom Petty and the other tired classic rock stars who reduced the roles of their band mates by using session musicians and drum machines.

I have to agree with those who said Fishbone, King’s X, Zappa, Los Lobos and Gov’t Mule. I would add Living Colour, Galactic, and Clutch.

cheap trick is the reason of the excistence of smashing pumpkins,soundgarden,guns and roses,pearl jam,motley,etc,etc…they are still sooo great!viva cheap trick carajoooo!!!

KISS is the name your stupid list should start and end with, since your crap mag has never given them one ioata of respect. Also, Pearl Jam is ten times the band Nirvana ever thought of being.

How did you miss these three?
1.Daniel Johnston
2.Jonathan Richman and the modern lovers
3.Animal Collective

Tech N9ne

Peter Hammill.

But who’s the comedian who suggested Paris Hilton? Best joke ui’ve heard all day LOL

Without a doubt…

NRBQ!!!

John Paul Jones. Probably the most versatile and gifted member of the most gifted band, Led Zeppelin. Totally agree with ‘by fans or media’s comment.

Butthole Surfers: “Hairway to Steven” deserves to be recognized as one of the most profound albums of the 20th century. These guys did it their own way, and made some of the most beautiful demented music ever. If you have not been satisfied with music for a long time, and something inside you is a little “twisted” then you must seek out the Butthole Surfers. Get anything up to and including “Pioughd.”

Jellyfish
Thomas Dolby
Klaatu
Godley & Creme
King’s X

A deuce for your top 50 greats & underrated lists.
George Martin, Phil Spector ain’t got nothin’on him.
Randy Newman, brilliant songwriter, overlooked by that joke in Cleveland too. There’s Dylan, Lennon-McCartney and Newman. Not Simon. Not Springsteen.

maybe the Talking Heads didn’t sell so many records, but they always enjoyed critical acclaim and a huge fan following. XTC, however, didn’t sell one tenth as much and are as important and influential as them were. and more important, they’re still playing!

agree with all who mentioned THE CHURCH. Steve Kilbey is one of the best lyricists ever, and the guitar work in the band is truly amazing. A very special band, and definitely under appreciated. Reat artists making gorgeous and challenging music…

THE CHURCH. maybe most under appreciated band going. They are are still making exciting music, full of artistry and integrity. very hard not to love them, if you know them…

The Partridge Family
The Brady Kids
The Bananna Splits
Bay City Rollers
The DeFranco Family
Starland Vocal Band
G.G. Allin

yep i absolutely *agree* with Tom Waits as numero uno.
well done!

yep Tom Waits is the *perfect* numero uno.
well-done!

yep Tom Waits is the perfect number one.
well done!

Wings (Paul McCartney) what I think happen is the bad reputation McCartney have with his solo work dont make people look further to his work.which is simply brilliant and containts more gems than any other solo artits. People are lazy! Yes Band On The Run was very good.but he did lots of other albums that are so diversified. He was a genius in The Beatles why cant he be alone too?.

and SUPERTRAMP! those are what musicianship is all about….

i agree with most of the list very nice of you to include the cramps, but it is missing people who go from the norm, cheap trick? bob segar? not a chance, records sales say they are pretty well appreciated. the list is missing silverchair, nick cave and the bad seeds, danzig, and maybe megadeath, but just maybe

Bands & people I like who you’ve probably never heard of…so they would fall into the broad GrandCanyon of under-appreciated…

1.John ny Japes and his Jesticles.
2.Some Girls.
3.The Deaths.
4.Pedal Steel Transmission
5.Tin Huey
6.Steve Forbert
7.Chelsea on Fire
8.Dennis Linde
9.the Hellecasters

Born an orphan in Ireland 1953 and not finding out this precious snippet of info until I was a raging rock and roll mythalogical alcoholic 40 something going through a costly [emotional and phiscal] divorce, and both my mothers [maternal and adoptive] dieing in the same month of the same year September 95. I reached for the people who stood by me in troubled times. Brothers and sisters? [I had none] true friends of the local kind? all gone thier own separate ways and had thier own shit to culture. The needle scratched and Dylan returned,I hadn’t heard him for so long and like all true friends he appeared without request so did Cohen and above all Tom Waites, he placed his music and words at my feet and I walked with him into my future with Dylan and Cohen just a couple of steps behind and as the road spread out before us I heard Young, Taylor, Browne and Seger all speaking thier peace for my soul to recover from the ravages of this unapreciating world. I stood alone amongst them and thanked myself for keeping them alive in me and within thier conciet my life is no longer a dream and so I move along the road. To all of them I send my appreciation and greatfull thanks.
Peace Tom ‘O

to the guy that said Paul McCartney is unappreciated: What the hell are you taking about man? NO WAY is Band on the Run anyway near as good as anything Lennon released. But Paul has still gotten plenty of appreciation. Ask his ex, she took half of it.

I agree with the Top 10 entirely (and by the way, anyone who disses Tom Waits blindly as I’ve seen should not even be able to hear music let alone write), except that maybe Seger would have to make room for XTC. Truly one of the most underrated bands, moreso than the Cars, man.

The Church
Small Faces
Ronnie Lane
Thin Lizzy-(the original three
Jorma Kaukonen
Moby Grape
Love
Brian Jonestown Massacre

Wake up

Reading this list makes me realize how fortunate we are to have so many great musicians to listen to. I’m happy to see that a few people mentioned who I consider to be most underappreciated: RYAN ADAMS; also his band Whiskytown. I’m in full agreement with JohnGA when he says that ultimately my top fave BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN remains essentially a cult hero.

John Hiatt
Townes Van Zandt
Guy Clark
Steve Earle
Rodney Crowell
Billy Joe Shaver
(these guys are some of the best songwriters and performers of our time and they don’t get the recognition and especially radio airplay that they deserve.)

i like Tom Petty, but he is over-appreciated if you ask me. There are far too many artists left off this list to even begin with. Tom Waits is a great number one though…. however this list does not, and could not, cover the true injustices in music. That is, the bands that could never be even considered because no one even knows of them, and may be some of the best bands in the world. I can think of some and I’m no slouch, but you wouldn’t know who they are anyways, and I’m sure there are some of yours I wouldn’t know of….

RS and you guys seem to forget that many bands simply have a small local or geographical following and thus simply are never heard in many other parts of the world. Doenst mean they are underated, it just means that many of us dont even know they exist.For instance The Tragically Hip have a huge Canadian following, but are almost unheard of in the States, Same goes with Scottish Bands Big Country and Simple Minds, which are huge in the UK and EU but are small influences in North America.
Anyways, thanks for all the bands you listed, 90% of them which I never heard of.Ill try to find some of them at a used record or pawn shop.

SUE MEDLEY ueber alles!!!

Add to the list Peter Frampton who is still doing great work.His last cd,all all instrumental was excellent.Another Artist that goes under appreciated is Walter Trout.Considered to be one of the top 10 best guitarists in the world.

Robert Johnson, Janis Joplin, Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, Syd Barret

The Ramones

I the US oasis are never credited with the influence they have had,
Rolling Stone resolutely refuses to acknowledge this seminal group. In this weeks NME Live Forever was voted teh Greatest Indie Anthem of all time.
Its proably because they are British and cocky with it.

What about Paul Mccartney ??? The guy helped change music and you guys never give him credit because he`s still alive and rockin…Band on the run was as good if not better than any of lennon solo record. and not to mention pauls one of the best players in the world a ace guitarist and keyboard player and song writter and vocalist..you people will be sorry when he`s gone..PAUL IS GOD !!

The Jayhawks!!!!!!

Kudos on Alice Cooper and Devo. How about Alex Harvey, The James Gang, Quicksand, Audience, Blue Oyster Cult, The Glass Harp,UFO, Gary Numan and Canned Heat?

the fact that everyone seems to be coming up with their own list (with similarities and differences) of bands, i think part of the problem is simply picking too small a number to represent some of the vast amount of underappreciated artists. and what defines a musical contribution in whose eyes (the buyer and/or the seller) and what defines a successful career?

Rancid, Sweet, Social Distortion, Powerman 5000, High Frequency, i can write many more but don’t have the time

Kudos to the person mentioning Morphine. Good call man…

And how about Mashmakhan?

The real interesting list to make is of the most overappreciated artists in R&R; oh man! It goes to hundreds. Every week the media names at least 2 or 3.

Bands you have slagged over the years that still have a solid fan base: Iggy Pop and/or The Stooges, Grand Funk Railroad, Concrete Blonde, New York Dolls, Ramones. Tom Petty is not under-appreciated, he’s an over-played Dylan wannabe.

The Ramones are nowhere to be found? Maybe I don’t understand the criteria…

I can’t believe no mention of Dary Hall and John Oates! Their music is so influential and ubiquitous! I hear them constantly, sampled and original. Tak about underappreciated, these guys are the definitive underappreciated band!

Where’s Mott the Hoople, the Minutemen, X, Nick Drake, John Cale, Dave Edmunds, Iggy & the Stooges, Teenage Fanclub, the 3 O’Clock or Sparks, huh?

The Tragically Hip, by far. They just put out the finest disk of their 15 year career.

In my part of the south, people think I’m refering to a medical procedure.

I can’t believe you didn’t list The Blasters. These guys were (and are) the John Steinbecks of Rock ‘n’ Roll– muscular, intelligent, insightful, incisive and thoroughly, gloriously American.

Are you kidding me? Half of the bands listed hre have sold millions upon millions of discs and routinely sell out large halls and arenas. Tom Petty? The Cars? Talking Heads? Bob Segar is so OVER-rated that it is laughable that he should be mentioned. This list reads like the playlist from a 1980’s MOR rock station. The bands that should have made this list were XTC, Captain Beefheart, The Kinks, Love, Brian Eno, Frank Zappa and others who paved the way for so many mediocre bands but never got the acclaim they deserve. Don’t get me wrong, Talking Heads, Wilco and Tom Waits are three of my all time favs, but they have all received nothing but glowing reviews and accolades from the critics and fans. The Replacements, Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr. are deserving and underappreciated.

I also have to go with Faith No More as an underrated band. They had a huge influence on other artists but are rarely recognized outside of Mike Patton maniacs.

Little Feat
Sonny Landreth

Have to agree with Paul about Gene Clark; if you follow the lineage from Dillard and Clark, you have most of the top American bands in the 60’s through 80’s.
Joni Mitchell, while a “holiness on the FM radio” in the 60’s, is almost totally absent from “oldies” sites today.

Alice Cooper? Tom Petty? The Cars? Those guys get played ALL THE TIME, do HUGE arena shows, and are incredibly well known. Bob Seger is one of the most OVERRATED musicians ever. He’s not awful, but EVERYONE knows who he is. no Blind Melon, no Faith No More, no Mark Lanegan, not even the Pixies, a given looking at this list…this seemed like more of an obvious critical darlings love letter than what it could have been, a cool way to get people’s attention and get them to listen to great music they’ve never heard before. If Blind Melon becomes trendy, suddenly we will hear Rolling Stone singing their praises. Remember, Rolling Stone gave Nevermind THREE STARS. speaking of which, I’m surprised that Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi and The Beatles, judging by what you did (for the most part - props for Pouges, Devo, Cramps and Sonic Youth)

Not good…Not at all. I’ll wait five years for the next one.

Bar far the most underrated overlooked band has got to be Jethro Tull. The R&R Hall of Fame is a complete joke and imo totally irrelevent without this unique and totally original band. Unlike bands like Led Zep which are merely glorified garage bands (i.e great sound but nothing original whatsoever offered), Tull has maintained its originality despite the pressures from rock critics to turn out what Zappa would term “product.”

Peter Gabriel. It’s shameful that he’s still not in the RnR Hall of Fame. He’s been making adventurous, vivacious, progressive music for over 30 years, and working hard to promote other musicians as well.

What about Widespread Panic?

COCTEAU TWINS & Diamanda Galas

Duran Duran. The epitome of underappreciation in the real sense of the word.

new york dolls johnny thunders mc5 stooges

Jellyfish.

Whwere is Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band? They should have been Number 1.

KISS by far…..how is this band NOT in the R’n R Hall of Fame

that list makes me sick. it should be list of under-appreciated AMERICAN artists because clearly thats those are the only artists americans know anything about.

what about the tragically hip? as if they aren’t one of the best bands of all time…. or what about silverchair? (listen to diorama and tell me they aren’t amazing). or what about Sam Roberts? our Our Lady Peace? Alexisonfire?

WEEN?!?!??! what the hell is wrong with you people? thats novelty, not music.

Paris Hilton

LISA GERMANO

umm… What about Mannequin Heads?

is there anything more fun RIGHT NOW (van halen)..then these RS blogs?
Steve Miller is someone I came up with way way later, after I thought about it for awhile.
He’s similar to Bob Seger in that if you don’t know the early stuff, specifically here, Steve Miller #5, you don’t have a good grasp of their rock n roll CREdentials.
XTC. the best at what it is they do…unexplainable phenomena,. WOW.

Procol Harum
XTC

KiSS

They’re all either rich or have squandered their riches. I recognize all the names but a couple, so they have a measure of fame. What criteria, indeed.

Graham Parker. Great for 30 years.

Marc Bolan is the most underrated rock artist of all time, especially by Rolling Stone Magazine, and consequently, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

No Bolan, no half the music from the 70s til today.

The Mars Volta

Most of these acts are over-appreciated not under. What kind of definition are you using?

WHERE IN THE HECK ARE THE GUIDED BY VOICES SUPPORTERS??????
LEAD SINGER SONGWRITER ROBERT POLLARD HAS WRITTEN TONS OF CLASSICS AND THEIR ALBUMS “BEE THOUSAND”, “ALIEN LANES”, AND “ISOLATION DRILLS” ARE ABSOLUTE CLASSICS.
STILL THEY HAVE LOW SALES COMPARED TO SUCH GARBAGE TRIPE LIKE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE(THE POOR MAN’S MICHAEL JACKSON BEFORE MICHAEL WENT BONKERS CREEPY).
THEY STILL HAVE A VERY STRONG FOLLOWING BUT A CULT FOLLOWING AND POLLARD IS A FREAKIN’ GENIUS AND ONE OF THE IF NOT THE MOST PROLIFIC SONGWRITER EVER.

Sleater-Kinney, dumbass.

“Mr.Tim | 5/4/2007, 1:30 am EST

Wow!
No female solo artists or groups!

My vote:
Lucinda Williams”

Idiots make the longest comments on these boards…

Yeah Long Side!! Gun Club!!
It’s funny (well, not really) when an artist dies they either go into legendarium (yes, I believe there’s such a word) or become forgotten about and eventually become members of the Legendarium Club decades later (Nick Drake, Marc Bolan,Gram Parsons)and there are some who have not “crossed over” still waiting for their membership application to be accepted.
These artists are waiting to belong:
Jeffrey Lee Pierce
Kevin Coyne
Alex Harvey

some may consider QOTSA a big band, but if you want real fun and power listen to KYUSS…no other band did it better and yet they never made big bucks…green machine rules!

The very definition of underrated is Slowdive. Their first album was weak but everything else they did was sonic perfection.

Their record company didnt get them so just tried to bury them and hope they disappear. They’re probably more recognized now then the 13 years ago when they changed their name to Mojave 3.

I’M SERIOUS - SLOWDIVE

Wow!
No female solo artists or groups!

My vote:
Lucinda Williams

With an undertaking such as this, you’re bound to get “add-ons,” fans trying to promote their favorite bands.

This is a brilliant list! And Tom Waits at #1…

i like the list, but i gotta agree that Primus should be there, especially in the top 10. if you put tom waits at number one, just think about bone machine. les claypool and tom waits made some abjectly beautiful sounding music.

Better than Ezra…and Ben Folds!

Hasn’t anybody mentioned Manic Street Preachers? Huge everywhere but US. “The Holy Bible” is manditory listening.

Spot-on summary of the Dolls. Early RnR fun plus later RnR fury! Sylvia… How you call your loverboy? TRASH!

Jason Ringenberg (a true songsmith)
Jason and the Scorchers

and definately
WEBB WILDER *The last of the full
grown men

T e l i v i s i o n

Morphine

Bad Brains

If anyone thinks Tom Petty is not underappreciated, then you are stupid. Him AND his band have been rock solid for thirty years, and still no one thinks of anything but free fallin’ and mary jane’s last dance (granted, great classic songs). Branch out to his other songs and maybe you’ll agree.

Where the heck is Primus? Their bassist has to be the best that ever lived and they get NO credit whatsoever.

O.M.D.
The Stranglers
Ministry (both early and newer stuff).

the Dead Milkmen

Led Zeppelin, despite most media(yes, including rs) doing everything to ignore them, they became one of the most popular bands anyhow. Just imagine how much more popular they would have become if they had been given as much media hype as rollingstone reserved for, say Bob Dylan, the beatles, et al.

Not that this list means anything but the one group that deserves all the praise and respect is the Super Furry Animals. That band is amazing in every aspect and 99% of people have no clue who they are. Its a shame. Bob Seger just blows…

Tim Easton, Kathleen Edwards, Doug Kwartler, Jay Farrar

UPP
Connor
Tomcraft

Gene Clark is by far and away the most underappreciated artist ever. Clark was the true creative genius behind the Byrds. Clark wrote those gorgeous melodies and incredible lyrics for the early Byrds albums. Before the Byrds, there was Frankie Vali and Dion. How bad was that? Gene Clark and the Byrds led the American rock revolution in the sixties, influencing everyone, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield (with Neil Young, Stephen Stills, etc.), Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, REM, etc.

Also heavily influenced by Clark (Dillard and Clark), the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers were country rock bands like the Eagles and Poco, and country performers like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

Clark’s solo album, No Other, is undeniably among the very best ever, and certainly the most underappreciated.

I have to say, that while the Hearbreakers were a great band, and Tom Petty was probably the most dedicated of Byrds-influence performers, Petty is vastly over-appreciated.

Not a list without Greg Dulli and the Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers.

the feelies

Saw Fogerty in Spokane in 04; danced my ass off… almost had a heart attack (I’m 65) it would have been worth it. What more can you say?

How about Rufus Wainwright and Nick Cave? Defintely two of the greatest underappreciated artists of our time.

bob seger definitely
the pixies
matthew good band (they are big in Canada)
feist

ELLIOTT SMITH!!!!!!

FLOATER!!!!!

well one thing i have to say is awesome call putting the cramps on the list. that is truly an underrated band.

Although I don’t think it’s fitting to mention someone who is in the RNR Hall of Fame, what about Steely Dan ??? Is it just me, or is this another one of those forgotten groups (like CCR) ??? Steely Dan also made it look pretty easy.

Who keeps mentioning Our Lady Peace?? You must be joking.

Whiny, blatant Smashing Pumpkins ripoffs. The only reason they made any impact is because canadian content laws force-fed them down our throats.

Uncle Tupelo anyone?

Ween should at least be in the top 5…WTF

..Oh yeah, Jesus and Mary chain,
Joy Division/New Order, definately,,

also Gene loves Jezabel..

hmmm… I was going to mention Bauhaus/Love and Rockets… Jesus and Mary Chain deserve a mention, as well as Joy Division/New Order.

DADA
JELLYFISH
XTC
LIGHTNIN G SEEDS
BAUHAUS/LOVE AND ROCKETS/
/TONES ON TAIL

It’s nice to see The Church getting such high praise. I got their best-of last Christmas, and I enjoyed it a lot. There are quite a few bands out there that were underappreciated in their time, and they are more appreciated now than they were then. That is certainly the case for The Church, and others like Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths, The Jam, Violent Femmes (whose debut album is timeless)… even Elvis Costello. These guys were hugely influential in the late 70’s and through the 80’s. One cannot listen to the latest efforts by the Kaiser Chiefs and Hot Hot Heat and not hear The Jam. Another personal favorite of mine who should have been more popular back in the day was The Smithereens, which surprises me that nobody mentioned them so far. And for those Pittsburgh fans, there’s the Iron City Houserockers, the best damn bar band nobody ever heard of.

i read some of the comments and no one mentions Jethro Tull,,how bout DREDG, Meshuggah, or even clutch…

Steve Kilbey, the vocalist, lyricist and bass player for the Church is the most underappreciated individual in rock music. In addition to being the frontman for the Church for the past 27 years he has also recorded several refined and dynamic solo CDs and he has fronted for quality bands called Jack Frost. Isidore and Gilt Trip. In addition to being a great vocalist whose voice is a hybrid of David Gilmour and Bono, Steve kilbey can play myriad instruments and has recorded three all instrumental CDs. He is a fantastic solo acoustic performer who garnered rave reviews for his concert at World Vegan Day in Australia 2006.

Television Personalities?
The Fall?
Black Lips?
The Brian Jonestown Massacre?
Amon Duul II?
Wire?
The Walkmen?

ANI DIFRANCO!!!!

Ani is one of the best songwriters alive today. She deserves credit for being so kickass - check her out!!!!

Warren Zevon should definately be at the top of that list

“Julian Banks” from the Apaches of Paris in Austin Tx — The greatest unsung Female Vocalist and songwriter in America.

Me.

I am underappreciated.

No one understands.

Van Morrison.

‘Nuff said.

QUEEN - Lauded the world over except in the USA

Violent Femmes

1 Queen
2 Genesis
3 Electric Light Orchestra

A LOT of people forget easily that in the 70´s with Led Zeppelin on the rock side and ABBA on the pop one, these guys (especially the ELO) rocked the decade in an amazing way.

The Blues Brothers.

If you listen very closley, you can actually hear goat piss turning into gasoline.

I isn’t never heard of nair’n of these peoples. Whar’s Nickelback, Creed and Toby Keef? Now that’s whut I call music! Feel bad for you RS!!!

King’s X
King’s X
King’s X
These guys have been working their assess off for 20+ years, making the best hard rock, and getting snubbed by the industry.

god who could forget Concrete Blonde. Maybe the greatest rock vocalist (Johnette Napolitano) of all time, and they are relegated to a little cult following

I always think of an underappreciated band in terms of a band that is known for one or two huge hits, while the rest of their work goes almost completely unnoticed, even though it’s even better than “the hits”. These come to mind:

Aimee Mann
Our Lady Peace (in the 90’s)
Midnight Oil
Faith No More

Cooper, Petty and The Dolls, all mentioned?! OMG, Rollingstone you finally got something right!

i agree with monsieur, mike patton is fantastic, tomahawk, peeping tom, fantomas, faith no more, mr bungle, patton/kaada, it is fantastic!!!

It all depends upon how one describes underappreciated. By whom? Critics, Rolling Stone, the record buying public, radio? Led Zeppelin went largely ignorned while the press told us every time Mick and Keiff sneezed. Van Halen was lambasted by the media and critics alike.

Uncle Tupelo
Son Volt
Neil Young&CRAZY HORSE
Ween
Bottle Rockets
Concrete Blonde
Drivin n Cryin

hum

And allow me to add:

Joe Henry
Guadalcanal Diary
Magazine
Jane Siberry
Wire
Killing Joke
Stranglers
Penetration

Bill Nelson
Sam Philips
Throwing Muses
Tom Robinson
HP Lovecraft
The Move
Siouxsie and the Banshees
The Neats
Dada
Folk Implosion
Silverchair
Blinke r The Star
Plastics
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Klaatu
Innocense Mission
Suburban Lawns
Telex
Our Lady Peace
Grant Lee Buffalo
Godley and Creme
His Name Is Alive
Jim Carroll
Deep Purple
Firehose

bla ,bla, none of you talk to musicians..because if you do they will tell you: LIVING COLOUR!

LIVING COLOUR!!

soo obvious

Don´t forget Scritti Politti! Anyway, I´m glad RS did such a crappy list, otherwise we wouldn´t have this entertaining debate and get reminded about all these great bands!

BECK!!!!!!
frank zappa
beck
flaming lips
beck
captain beefheart
beck
pj harvey
beck
bjork

does anybody realise that alot of the stuff you call “wierd” is actually very enjoyable if you just accept it for what it is???
these artists are very creative, and therefore very entertaining.
its a shame they dont get the recognition they deserve =]
ps- in case you couldnt tell… i think beck is pretty underrated….duh.

My BLood Valentine?

It really is a trajedy that no one knows about

BILL MALLONEE (Vigilantes of Love)

A true and wonderful artist

guided by voices.

nuff said.

Gene Clark
John Martyn
House of Love
Moody Blues
Love
Built to Spill
Supergrass

I love the concept, and most of the list. A good criteria for an underappreciated band is when they appear in national ads years after their music was recorded. Examples include:

Buzzcocks (VW)
Clash (Cadillac??!!)
Jam (Start is a great, great song)
They Might be Giants (VW, I think)
Ramones (a zillion ads and a zillion sporting events)
Romantics (what I like about you never was a hit).

I also agree with artists that recorded a lot of albums, and still tour, like XTC, Elvis Costello, Graham Parker, Marshall Crenshaw.

Cheap Trick is so influential, I was glad to see them on the list.

Frank Stallone or maybe Rick Springfield

del amitri, del amitri, and del amitri. how this band can remain unknown, let alone underappreciated, rattles my brain.

del amitri, del amitri, and also del amitri. how this band remains not only underappreciated but almost entirely unknown rattles my brain.

Apocalypse.

Tragically under-rated, these South London boys paved the way for the likes of The Stone Roses, Oasis, and pretty much any band of consequence to come out of England since their halcyon days in 1981/82.

“Going Up In The World” remains one of the songs that defines a very particular period in British music.

For an all too brief period they shone like stars in the summer night.

Tom Petty, Bob Seger and The Cars?!?!?! 1. Petty’s classic but not underappreciated. 2. Bob Seger is OVERappreciated, if anything (though he does have some classic tunes), 3. The Cars were huge!

How about: Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, Steve Earle, Nick Drake, Damien Jurado, The Gourds, Townes Van Zandt and maybe T. Rex.

Lord, RS is so budget.

Actually I think that the love hate for Tom Waits is more 15% love, 20% hate, 65% various degrees of like. And yeah CCR are critically under-rated. I think because they made it look so easy.

if their so underrated…write about them,rolling stone.

The Hoodoo Gurus
Rush
Drivin n Cryin
Mother’s Finest (early years)

Oh Yeah
Uncle Tupelo

“not bad. at least you got two of mine in there”

thats rolling stone for ya. always safe. never going out on a limb. just trying to sell, sell, sell.

There are a lot of millionaires on this list. Tom Petty’s not really starving for appreciation. More than a few of these artists could have been bumped for folks like Townes Van Zandt, Luna, Mark Lanegan, Neutral Milk Hotel, the Pernice Bros., Whiskeytown, Shout Out Louds, and Steve Earle.

whoever thinks that Tom Petty is underappreciated is an idiot. that list is a joke

Cheap Trick? There was a time when I was a kid when they were huge! T-Rex, however, barely a ripple. Always thought that Marc Bolan was just some glam wannabe, but it turns out the man was an extremely focused & talented musician who never got his due in the States. Electric Warrior alone should have placed him on this list.

What about The Embarrassment? Quite possibly one of the best bands you’ve never heard of,,, They were around for just a short time in the late 70’s-early 80’s, Great lyrics, excellent playing, and one of the best bands to see live,,
Check out “Heyday” by them sometime,, then add them to your list.

Jeff Buckley, end of story.

Jeff Buckley. The end.

Buckner and Garcia
of “pac-man fever” fame

XTC!!!!! come on!

How about a list of the stupidest lists of all time?

The Eels
Radio Birdman ( late 70’s u tube - “New Race” awesome)
The Sunnyboys (early 80’s debut self titled album. Utube - “Happy Man” very cool)
The Jam
The Church
Tragically Hip
Fugazi
Pavement
Bob Mould
Buffalo Tom
You Am I

Seger and Tom Waits and the Cars make sense, but Wilco might be the most overrated band of the last 10 years. History will shake them out of its hair.
And whoever said Elvis Costello is underrated is mistaken, since that guy will do anything — tribute albums, duets, TV commercials — but his job.