In my opinion, Prince deserves more credit than he gets. He is creative, energetic, unique, and not really all that weird after all.

Tawk amongst yourselves . . .

Susan

Well, he's great but, he's gotten a ton of recognition. He sold millions of records, had a big ol' run on MTV and all that, denied his own name for a while and still was successful and played the Super Bowl in recent memory. Now Webb Wilder on the other hand...Well, like I always say,"Loved by dozens." Prince is great but, last time I checked he was still a big ol' star. WW

Time for me to backtrack and fix my mess, I guess. I like and appreciate Prince, but I am not obsessed with him. In fact, I could live without Prince's music, but I can't live without Webb Wilder's music. Right now I have in my car's CD player: Eddie Money, Rick Springfield, Michael MacDonald, Webb Wilder, Webb Wilder, and Webb Wilder. The first three are great, but I get bored with them very quickly. As for the other three, I listen to them on the way to school when I am getting psyched up to deal with the high schoolers. (My booger eater struck again today; I thought I was going to lose it.) I listened to the same three when I leave school and want to forget the high schoolers. My question should have been: "Who is among the most underrated musical artists?" Stupid me; now I really do have to consider joining the Witness Protection Program. I'm sorry.

Susan

No, no, no. My only point is that I think Prince (who I think is very talented) HAS gotten a lot of recognition. I certainly appreciate all the "air time" I'm getting in the Susan-Mobile, too! WW

Maybe Sue thinks that most consider him a "pop" music maker and not looked at so much as a musician and song writer... Didn't he play all the instruments on the 1999 album??

He is a very talented artist.... you know the artist formerly known as Prince, formerly known as squiggly mark, now known as ... well... Prince. Recognition - he got it, Underrated - maybe, Rich... well he's definitely got that one covered.... Guess I'll put on my Rasberry Beret, get in my Little Red Corvette, and drive across the Grafiti Bridge, thru the Purple Rain, listening for waht it sounds like When the Doves Cry ... ok I'll stop now.... Help me Movax0 - I'm losing it here... and it's all Susan's fault.

As far as underated musical artist - naturally my vote is for our very own Webb Wilder.

E

There is a female artist by the name of Marcella Detroit that I am rather found of. She was once in a band called "Shakespears Sister". She was kicked out of the pop duo and went solo. She has never come even close to the former success she had with "SS", but is still a talented artist in my honest opinion.

I also dig Julian Lennon who just couldn't shake the long shadow of his father.

There is also this cat by the name of Webb Wilder who is just a little too obscure, even for this board. I call him the cure for the modern music virus. The virus seems to have infected most of the airwaves today. But nothing a quick injection of Swampadelic Mississippi Mo'dern Animalist Rock & Roll Bop can't cure with a quick hypo to the head by simply inserting the disc into your closest binary translator and pushing the play button.

Fred

Generally speaking over the years, NRBQ was KNOWN for being unknown! Their great stuff is Beatle quality. their other stuff is always interesting! Sadly, they might not even perform any more as NRBQ but, the various members are around and Terry Adams has his own thing goin'. WW

Hey Fred...I first saw Marcella Detroit when I was in college in Tulsa, OK. It was 1972 or 73, and she was the lead singer of the Marcy Levy Band. Also in the band were drummer David Teegarten and bassist Carl Radle. Marcy was quite young and cute (despite having some acne scars) and had a big, bluesy voice. The band was very popular in the area but never got a recording contract. At some point Bonnie and Delaney Bramlett heard the band play and stole Radle to join Delaney, Bonnie & Friends. Eric Clapton joined that band after the Blind Faith fiasco, and when he left to form Derek & the Dominos he swiped Radle, drummer Jim Gordon and keybord player Bobby Whitlock from the Bramletts. The Dominos ran their course, Eric went through a bad heroin habit, and when he re-formed his band for the 361 Ocean Blvd. album and tour he wanted a couple of female backup singers. He hired Evonne Elliman (from Jesus Christ Superstar) and Radle, who had been working with Marcy again in Oklahoma, suggested her to Clapton. She recorded and toured with him for quite a while and co-wrote the hit "Lay Down Sally". Eventually Clapton broke up that band. After a period of reflection she decided to change her image, renamed herself Marcella Detroit (after her home town), cut a few years off her age in her bio, joined Shakespeares Sister and had a whole new career.
I don't know the full story but that's an outline. She is apparently back in Oklahoma and released a CD in 2006 credited to the Marcy Levy Blues Band. Pretty wild, huh?

Found Marcy's website. Looks like I was not too wrong, except it was 461 Ocean Blvd. Click on her name for her bio.

http://www.marcylevyband.com/

I just saw John Hammond recently. I've been a fan for a long time. The man plays like he's possessed. When I mention his name to most people they have no idea who he is.
Yet everybody knows Clay Aiken, Celine Dion and all of the other mass marketed musical garbage that is out there.

Just one of the problems of the world today.

I heard of NRBQ and Webb Wilder. Whos this Prince?

[quote]Whos this Prince?[/quote]

He's the artist formally known as talented.

The guy who writes Conrail Twitty on the side of coal cars. He is bound to be a musician, and is pretty handy with a piece of chalk.

Nick Low, with or with out the Rockpile, Dave Edmonds, Grahm Parker, NRBQ, the boys that were in the Bad Brains, and Webb Wilder are a few nams that come to mind...I'll add more as I think of them......Leana Lovich.....

wow there are SO MANY

Webb Wilder
Monte Montgomery
Bill Kirchen
Fred Eaglesmith
Delbert Mcclinton (though he has done well)
Elvin Bishop
Rob McNelley(Delbert's Guitarist who has 2 solo CD's)
I'll stop short here...there are TONS though!!

Dennis

Kings X

Aimee Mann deserves far more recognition then she gets.

And it seems as if many know the songs of Harry Nilsson, but don't know who Harry Nilsson is. Now that is a crime.

If Prince is an under rated, under appreciated and under compensated artist then let me add Miley Cyrus to that list. She has worked hard jumping up and down on tour. Who could reisist her admonition to "c'mon guys" or exclaiming "hey guys!" Her tireless efforts on a hot TV set with endless wardrobe and makeup sessions should win an award and posing for all those magazine covers would exaust a lesser human. She gave so much in the concert movie and still kept the theater prices to only $15. So for all you do, here's to you, Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana. Thank you and have a blessed day.

Hey Man From Michigan!
Any reaction to my blathering about the past history of Marcella Detroit? Did you know all that stuff already?
TL

Dear Bluto,
By gosh, I may not have any dignity left, but I can still laugh. That was pretty darn good!
Susan

Oh sorry Tommy, I missed it. Yeah, I did know all that. But only because I have been following her since Shakespear's Sister. Marcella has an active website that has been selling her solo efforts for some time now. It also had a fantastic bio at one time. It gave the history of the SS break-up and Macella's history in the music biz.

http://www.marcelladetroit.com/

I have several of her CDs personally autographed by her.

Thanks for all the info though. I'm sure there are many here that never heard of her let alone her involvement with the likes of Eric Clapton.

Fred

Oh sorry Tommy, I missed it. Yeah, I did know all that. But only because I have been following her since Shakespear's Sister. Marcella has an active website that has been selling her solo efforts for some time now. It also had a fantastic bio at one time. It gave the history of the SS break-up and Macella's history in the music biz.

http://www.marcelladetroit.com/

I have several of her CDs personally autographed by her.

Thanks for all the info though. I'm sure there are many here that never heard of her let alone her involvement with the likes of Eric Clapton.

Fred

From my youth, Slade w/ Noddy Holder. Saw Henry Lee Summer numerous tmes around Louisville and southern Inndiana BEFORE he was a one hit wonder. HE COULD ROCK! The late Jeff Healey. Lastly, one awesome cajun, Joel Sonnier!!

The Bel Airs (from Columbia, MO) and The Skeletons aka Morells (from Springfield, MO) both really excellent bands who we listen to frequently. Great live acts, if you ever get the chance to see them, don't miss it.

FYI: The Bel Airs will be at Knucklehead's on May 23rd the week before Webb & the Beatnecks come to town. I'd love to see The Skeletons aka The Morells there sometime.

Henry Lee Summer keeps poppnig up both here as an underated artist and on the one hit wonder list... ("Wish I had a Girl" - is a great tune, I always liked it and my oldest son Alex and I used to sing it together in my truck)

But to get to the point - didn't our very own Beatneck - Tony Bowles play Guitar for Henry Lee ??? Tony has gotten around in his young career and could be considered an under appreciated/underrated guitarist.... but not here in Webb Land.

E

Poi Dog Pondering - - fabulous world music band who I have only seen once -opening for Cheap Trick in Chicago a few yrs back. Never heard anything else on them in the mainstream since.... I see they are supposed to be at 3rd & Lindsley coming up in June. Too bad I don't live in Tennessee -- I seem to keep repeating that sentiment for several shows.... Webb!

http://www.poidogpondering.com/

Yes Eric I believe Tony did at one time, play with Henry. Tony and I are the same age, both graduating high school in 77 in Louisville. I saw Tony many times around town when he played with the The Mighty Water Kings. BTW Eric, Drop me an email if you would, I would like to get some info if you don't mind. Dori & Mike somepig@Alltel.net

Christina, I believe that you saw Poi Dog after they had their hit. They haven't hit much. They ARE good though. They left Texas for Chitown in the 90's. I have a friend (Jackie) that probably played bass with them when you saw them, what's a few years back?. Was it a chick? If not is was Bruce Hughes who now plays bass with Fastball. Sometimes my life just seems like a giant circle!

My hat is off to any band that plays 100+ shows per year and "leaves it all on the stage", especially those that have done it year after year in "secondary" markets and the smaller venues. All them cats are underrated!

11

Hey Pammy Lee, great to hear you appriciate The Bel-Airs and the Morells/Skeletons. Both great Missouri Bands. With that said, I'll throw in the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Another great Missouri Band still doing it.

Webb probably knows Michael Henderson in Nashville. He used to play with the Bel-Airs.

Hey Kew - The Daredevils are another good one, although somewhat more well known. Known 'Supe' since college ...
he's written a book of memoirs about the band, "It Shined" to be released soon.

in country I always thought Foster and Lloyd was very underated

Kevv, You and I have several things in common. I grew up on Slade and OMD, Larry Lee, Rune Walle still have all the LPs. It'll Shine. Car Over The Lake etc. I spent a good bit of 2002 or 2003 in Mexico Missouri dismantaling a magnet wire company, Nexans. Brought about 40 machines to Nexans in KY and installed. KY plant shut down about 15 million dollars and a year and a half later. Go figure, only in America!

From days past, I always felt Brownsville Station never got their due. Cub Koda was a rock/blues guitar inspiration for me. Today, I think musicians like Eleni Mandell and Th' Legendary Shack Shakers are mounds above the rest...but still second fiddle to Webb! 'Course, we all know Robert Johnson created it all...!

New Grass Revival, McBride and the Ride, Restless Heart.....yes I am a bluegrass and country fan.

Hey kychopperfamily, I know the Plant your speaking of in Mexico MO, It's still basically vacant. I've seen the Daredevils several times over the years. Great band!

Nese- I didn't realize Poi ever had a hit-- I saw them back in 2001. I do believe it was a girl playing bass - they had so many musicians and it was NYE so my memory is a little cloudy :-P

Here are a few I think are underrated:

Kelly Willis
X w/John Doe
The Subdudes
Keb Mo

I could go on and on, but I'll stop there....oh I agree with Pammylee the Morells what a great band.

Deb, I agree with you - we just saw X in March, they were great! Subdudes and KebMo also favorites

Would love to see X. Dave and I recently watched a documentory on the band it was great. We go through netflix and they have some great stuff to choose from.

Elkie Brooks

Dave Alvin
Tom Russell
Bottle Rockets
Old 97's
Webb
John Hiatt
Greg Brown
Nick Lowe
Peter Case
There is alot more.

Elkie Brooks! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Thanks for that, Snake.

Peter Case and Nick Lowe without a doubt!
Miles Zuniga is one that comes to mind, although most would say it's Tony Scalzo...go figure

kychopperfamily,

I love Slade.

This was the song that got me into them back in the 80's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHoPYLQvnQM

I like the Bottlerockets (Brian Henneman is a great songwriter) and I also like Omar & the Howlers. I think Omar Dykes is from Mississippi. I wonder if Webb knows him. Webb?

Roger - Agree on Bottle Rockets - going to see them on May 3rd!

Roger, Webb has known Omar for a long time. Click on "Search the Webb Board" in the upper right corner of this page and enter his name to find out more.

Ditto on those Bottle Rockets. Sweet Tater and I are going with Tommy and Pammy Lee to see them in St. Louis on the 3rd!

Tommy Lee--that is a cool feature. Thanks for the head's up. I thought of some other groups: Big Lazy from NY, the Derailers, Cowboy Junkies, Morphine, and Twinemen (the 2 living members of Morphine with a cool chick singer). The best artists usually don't get wealthy, and some real no-talent people sometimes get filthy rich..............??????