The 10 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time
In the great world of rock, there’s nothing more majestic than a guitar solo. From gentle intros to formative middle sections and epic outros, solo guitar work always makes an impact. These 10 songs represent some of the best solo guitar work of all time.
#1
When it comes to memorable guitar solos, it's hard to beat "Stairway to Heaven." Created by the legendary Led Zeppelin in 1971, this track took centerstage on the band's widely acclaimed fourth album. This meandering eight-minute song was composed in three separate sections. While you have to wait for it, the final portion has perhaps the best guitar solo of all time.
The original idea for "Stairway to Heaven" came from guitarist Jimmy Page. The music was written over a long period, with the first part recorded on cassette from various sections of taped music. The final guitar solo was one of three improvised takes played on a 1959 Fender Telecaster, which was given to Page by Jeff Beck. The song "Stairway to Heaven" has been likened to an orgasm by Page, with the solo acting as the climax and the final vocal line bringing sweet release.
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#2
When they speak of modern guitar heroes, Eddie Van Halen is always mentioned. As the chief guitarist and songwriter in Van Halen, he's responsible for some of the most recognized guitar riffs, licks, and solos of his generation. "Eruption" is the second song on Van Halen's self-titled debut album. And it features one of the best guitar solos of them all.
Van Halen's solo was the highlight of an already memorable track, and it showcased a number of technical innovations. The guitar work on "Eruption" is known to have popularized tapping, a fretting technique that sets the guitar strings into vibration. This guitar solo was unique at the time of its release in 1978. And, incredibly, it also morphed into a cover of "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks.
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#3
"Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd is one of the most recognized songs in the world. From its great lyrics to its dreamy atmosphere and unique arrangement, this beloved track is memorable for many reasons. Perhaps more than anything else, however, it's the guitar work of David Gilmour that stop many people in their tracks.
This radio favorite was written by Gilmour, with Roger Waters only laying down the lyrics. It was composed by Gilmour from existing fragments caught on tape, with a little improvisation thrown in for good measure. He used a Big Muff distortion pedal together with a delay effect, which created a full yet dreamy sound. This track also features orchestral instrumentation, which fills the main part of the track before Gilmour's stripped-down guitar-based mix.
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#4
Originally composed and released by Bob Dylan, "All Along the Watchtower" became one of Jimi Hendrix's most popular songs. It features a conversation between a joker and a thief, with Hendrix adding a rocking guitar solo to the thoughtful lyrics. This track was released in 1968 by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, on their third studio album Electric Ladyland. Interestingly, the Hendrix version came out just six months after the original recording.
This track is thought by many to have the best guitar solo of all time. Along with being a musical highlight, it plays an important role in distinguishing Hendrix's version from the original. In this song, Hendrix replaces Dylan's gentle harmonica with a raging lead guitar. This imparts a unique tonal quality, boosting the song's energy levels with expansive dynamics. Along with guitar, the Hendrix Experience version adds high-frequency content with cymbals and deep lows with a bass guitar and kick drum.
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#5
This beloved song has been a radio staple for decades. Written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey, it sits proudly front and center in the Eagles' distinguished discography. "Hotel California" is known for many things, from its catchy melody and memorable lyrics to its iconic guitar solo. The track concludes with 2 minutes and 12 seconds of electric guitar bliss, which is performed by the band's two guitarists – Don Felder and Joe Walsh.
Don Felder plays a Gibson Les Paul Gibson EDS-1275 double neck, and Joe Walsh plays a Fender Telecaster. They take turns throughout the extended solo, and both guitars join in harmony before fading out into the arpeggio section. While the lyrics of this great song get most of the attention, the guitar solo at the end is definitely its crowning achievement.
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#6
"Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd is the band's signature song, released on their 1973 debut. It's their longest and most epic track, making it perfect for finishing live concerts. While the single version doesn't even reach 5 minutes, the album version goes for 9 and the live version regularly stretches to 14 minutes. The guitar solo occurs at the end of the song. And, according to legend, it was originally added to give singer Van Zant a chance to rest.
"Free Bird" was written by lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, but there's more than one guitar involved. Gary Rossington played slide guitar during the recording, and Allen Collins double tracked the solo. There's also a third guitar playing rhythms. Gary Rossington played a cherry 1969 Gibson SG Standard on this celebrated track, using a small bottle of tablets as the slide on his middle finger.
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#7
Released in 1987, this song defined a generation. Like many great guitar-based tracks, "Sweet Child O' Mine" came from an extended jam session. Drummer Steven Adler was playing around with lead guitarist Slash, who started playing a circus-like melody while making funny faces. Rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin liked what he heard, so he asked Slash to repeat the melody until it had stuck. Accompanying guitar chords were quickly added, and Duff McKagan added a bassline to fill out the beat.
While the famous guitar solo in "Sweet Child O' Mine" wasn't part of the original jam, it quickly became an integral part of the song. Slash wrote the solo and bridge sections the next day at the studio, creating a unique sound that has inspired listeners and musicians alike. While this famous guitar solo isn't particularly fast or complex, the intricate vibrato sections and bends are difficult for a guitarist to master.
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#8
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen has a little bit of everything. From opera to pop and everything in between, this iconic track manages to transcend musical genres. While Queen's magnum opus isn't particularly known for its guitar solo, the nine-bar solo plays an incredibly important role. As a short and very sweet musical interlude, it bridges the verses and creates anticipation for the famous opera section.
As a piece of popular music, "Bohemian Rhapsody" shouldn't really work. There's little to no repetition, lots of strange lyrics, and not even a hint of a chorus. Brian May’s solo plays a big role gluing the sound together, with his loose phrasing moving naturally in expressive soulful bursts. Within the complex structure that is "Bohemian Rhapsody," this famous guitar solo really works.
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#9
You can't have a "best guitar solo" list without AC/DC, rock 'n' roll's most stalwart champions. Guitarist Angus Young has been strutting the stage for decades, and nothing gets the crowd pumping more than "Back in Black." Like much of the band's output, this guitar solo highlights the power of simplicity. It was played on a 1970s SG Standard through a Marshall amp and Schaffer-Vega Diversity System, and everything was turned up to 11.
Young winds up in classic style as the song progresses, before ripping out an opening line and repetition. As he reaches the fourth position of the E minor pentatonic scale, listeners are very much invested. He then climbs higher, hitting the first position an octave up at the 12th fret. Young remains at this lofty position for the remainder of the solo, sitting atop his rock throne before he goes back to the opening motif.
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#10
When it comes to musical vision and technique, one name stands taller than most. Prince was a true musical genius with a staggering output, including the majestic track "Purple Rain." His guitar work is often overshadowed by his keyboard and studio skills, not to mention his amazing stage presence. Make no mistake, however. Prince was an incredibly talented guitarist.
The solo on "Purple Rain" is an epic example of his talents, delivered in perfect over-the-top style. Situated in the outro section of the song, it takes up almost two-thirds of its length. This guitar solo sees the great Purple One wailing away in G minor pentatonic, before dancing around 2nd and minor 3rd intervals as he sets up the vocal melody. This is not a busy show-off solo by any measure, with Prince leaving lots of space for his unique soul to shine through.
Prince Merch
Playlist of Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time
![Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven (Live at Earls Court 1975) [Official Video]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ly6ZhQVnVow/maxresdefault.jpg "The Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time | rBeatz 1")
![Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video) [HD]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/09839DpTctU/maxresdefault.jpg "The Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time | rBeatz 5")
Final Thoughts
From the emotive tones of “Purple Rain” to the heavy impact of AC/DC and Hendrix, there are many ways to make a guitar sing. If you want to explore this iconic instrument in all its glory, the songs listed above are the perfect place to start. Make a playlist, turn up your stereo, and strap yourself in – this is rock ‘n’ roll.