One theme that keeps recurring on this site is bitterness about 'recognition'. Many of the people I admire working in different media and genres are marginal figures of one kind or another. The fact that I love what they do doesn't blind me to the knowledge they are an acquired taste, or they lack crossover appeal or fall between stools of one kind or another.
If people pursue a passion with an expectation of appreciation there's a good chance they'll be disappointed, it doesn't matter how 'talented' they are, popularity and genius were never easy bedfellows.

Perhaps it's time we stopped criticising people based soley on their public persona. Mike Harding isn't my cup of tea but I respect that he's done more good than harm for the tradition.