Overrated: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnston, Hammet, all those guys who forget that the song is the most important thing.
Underrated: Pete Townsend, Paul Weller, Bernard Butler, Rory Gallagher (maybe not underrated as such, but certainly deserves more acclaim), Slash, The Edge, Keith Richards, Steve Marriott, Steve Craddock, Steve Cropper, George Benson, I could go on...
Maybe great songs are just so much bigger than the musicians who play them. If so, terrific, because they should be. Maybe if the Beatles hadn't written such excellent songs, we would only remeber George Harrison's superb if understated playing. Better than average playing gets noticed in a lousy song. Great musicianship in a crap song is like salt and vinegar with no chips!!!!!
Here endeth the outburst
JOE