There ar some famous guitar player who are best known for their lead guitar playing,yet when it comes to rhythm they suck or they are not so good:

Eric Clapton -if you want a guitar solo you would call him,but what about his rhythm guitar playing?

Slash-when he played with Chic he was lost

BB King has said he's not as good on rhythm as he is at playing lead.

Carlos Santana and B.B. King come to mind immediately

If the thread was:

'famous lead guitar players but even better rhythm guitar players'

I would have to say: Jimi Hendrix for sure and Eddie Van Halen's rhythm playing skill is even greater than his lead playing.

they both are known for their unorthodox solos, but listen to what's going on besides that on the guitar.