The 80s Guitarists Who Did Not Get the Recognition They Deserved!

If you search “guitarist” in YouTube, you’ll be sent back a slew of videos showing bedroom guitarists doing things on the instrument you may have thought impossible. Most of these YouTube guitarists will be able to trace their inspiration back to the 80s, when playing guitar became something of a sport.

During the decade, axemen like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Eddie Van Halen reshaped the instrument. They were not alone, and you didn’t need to look far in the 80s to find a stellar guitar player. Sure, the 70s helped build the guitar as a soloist’s tool, but it was the 80s that defined guitar as “Hey, look at me” instrument in the band.

However, because there were so many amazing 80s guitar players, some players get swept under the rug. These underappreciated guitarists are the subject of this article.

1980s, the Time of Excess

To understand how guitar changed in the 80s, it’s interesting to look at the decade itself. This was a time when excess was cool. Music was bombastic, clothes were large and colourful, TV was high-octane, casinos were becoming resorts, and people played fast and loose with finances.

Interestingly, many of the excess of the 80s remains today, they have just moved online. Music, buying clothes, TV, and even casinos are now available online. Speaking of online casinos, getting the best deal is important which is why many players use a Caesars Casino bonus code, and other promos. It seems at least financial management has gotten a little bit better since the 80s!

So, let’s get started with the list of the top 3 underrated 80s guitarists.

Vito Bratta

White Lion is one of those 80s bands that never reached the great heights of their rivals. However, like many rock acts of the time, they had an amazing guitarist. In fact, Vito Bratta was one of the best guitarists that emerged from the style pioneered by Eddie Van Halen. If he had remined in the spotlight, Bratta would almost certainly be classed as one of the best.

Certainly, Bratta was widely appreciated at his peak, winning Guitar World’s “Best New Guitar Player” in 1988 and reaching the top 20 of the decade from the same magazine. His feel for melody combined with technical accuracy made his solos and riffs memorable. Injury ultimately ended his career and Bratta has become forgotten by even most rock fans.

Jake E. Lee

Jake E. Lee was a guitarist that had plenty of chops and crafted some amazing guitar solos. When remembering him as a great, he faces a couple of issues. Firstly, the former Ozzy Osbourne axeman is competing against Ozzy’s most established player, Zakk Wylde and, of course, Randy Rhoads.

Secondly, E. Lee has not really had a lot of high-profile output. After his short tenure with Ozzy, he has been confined to lesser known works. Still, Jake remains much respected amongst the guitar fraternity, but many casual rock fans may have forgotten all about him. Replacing the iconic Rhoads after his untimely death in 1982 did not help Lee and his relationship with Ozzy was rocky. He ultimately paved the way for Wydle, but it is arguable he is a better guitarist than his successor.

Richie Sambora

This choice needs a couple of disclaimers. Firstly, most fans of 1980s rock appreciate Sambora and know who he is as Bon Jovi’s longtime player. Second, it may be a stretch to say a guitarist who co-wrote some of rock’s biggest hits, sold over 120 million albums, and played 3,000 live shows (many of them in stadiums) is underrated.

However, Sambora occupies a weird space. He is well-known and much-loved but has never been put up against the great guitar players. Sure, casual listeners and Bon Jovi fans alike know he is the musical glue of the band and appreciate his feel for melody and his ability to tie a song together with his guitar work.

But Richie has never been discussed in the conversation with other amazing guitarists of the 80s. That’s a shame because he arguably transcended the musical trends of the time. He would play across genres, avoided virtuoso playing, and did not copy Eddie Van Halen. Without being a technical great, Sambora is something else… a true musician.