Most underrated guitarists ever: number 7 We continue our countdown of the definitive list (definitive, yes, because it's my list) of most underrated guitarists ever. Clocking in at number 7 is Billy Zoom
I wrote about Billy Zoom earlier, for my debut entry into the musical chairs collective, so there's no need for me to drone on here. So pardon me while I drone on.
Billy Zoom took the roots of rock and roll and transplanted them into the LA punk scene as the guitarist for X. Sure, it was the beat poetry of co-lead singers Exene Cervenka and John Doe that gave X its one-of-a-kind style, but you've got to credit Zoom and drummer DJ Bonebrake for giving the band a solid rockabilly foundation -- and a style that shook foundations. Exene and John may have been the heart and soul of X, but Billy Zoom was the nervous system. Or something like that.
Yes, bro, X was sloppy, crude, rough -- hey, it's punk rock; what'd you expect? -- but a hell of a lot of fun. Crank up the sound and have a listen to this raucous live version of "Los Angeles" and hear for yourself: