There are so many musicians that are unbelievably good but never seem to get the recognition they deserve. The one musician I have loved for years but when I mention him people say "who is he, never heard of him" is Ben Harper. He's amazing, so surprising he's still not widely known. Any others you can think of? Mark Lanegan is another, loved him ever since screaming trees but his solo stuff is amazing too.
King Crimson. I think they are a great band, but they never got radio time. They were a pretty significant contributor to modern prog rock...
I have in the wake of poseidon and in the court of the crimson king on vinyl, not listened to them for years. I have very unusual eclectic tastes btw.
Plenty of people know Ben Harper here in the UK. He sells out big venues every time he plays over here. Mark Lanegan could do with a bit more exposure though. Besides, a lot of bands that considered legends now weren't very successful at the time... what's that Lou Reed quote about how only 50 people bought the Velvet Underground album but they all went out & started bands.
Ben harper is also well known in Australia and extremely highly rated ( rightly so, he is awesome). My contribution, Archie Roach...who?..exactly!
I think Ben Harper is badly overrated, his songs are such boring light queefs of trivial nothing. Someone needs to tell him it's not 1951 anymore. It's like he just lazily decided to make some money and shit out a few mundane poppy love songs, then the worst part is hipsters somehow got the impression it's cool to like him, it would be bad enough if teenage girls liked him, I'd be surprised that teenage girl's didn't demand more bells and whistles from their mindless crap music in this day and age, but scenesters are taking drugs and chilling out to ben harper like it's cool and deep, not even ironically.
Mississippi fred mcdowell - Shake Em On Down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FrE0bUKLbE&feature=related
I will add a few other personal favorites as well. Chris Thile, Rodrigo y Gabriela (both amazing) and also King Buzzo and the Melvins.
Tom Rush - Remember Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yN-6PbqAPM The Childs Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3EyA2WWfpY&feature=related
Everyone I know doesn'thave a clue who he is (except 2 people) and hard to find his stuff in the shops. Not as hard as finding university or errors. Strange since Daevid Allen has a lot of exposure with gong and other later projects. Seems these days Hillage is better known. UoE 2 is great album. Mushroom and cooking with kurt are good sometimes (on inner space label too) but never get their stuff in shops. I am looking forward to the spinnerettes album, hope it doesn't dissappoint. Ween seem to have become more popular which is always good. I think KC court of crimson king in particular was at least 10 years ahead of it's time.