The greatest guitar solos of all time

[jw5]

What makes a guitar solo great goes beyond a guitarist's technical ability. A guitar solo is a personal expression through an instrument, and the notes guitarists play and how they play them complement the song in a particular way and convey a plethora of emotions. The message can be simple or complex, the techniques classic or innovative, but the result is always unique. And we, as listeners, resonate with the human element of the guitar solo.

 

[jw5]

'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen -

Brian May's solo in 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is one of the elements that make this song one of Queen's greatest masterpieces. It's used as a bridge to the operatic part of the song and it does so marvelously.

 

[jw5]

'Eruption' by Van Halen -

The year was 1978 and Eddie Van Halen showed the world he was no ordinary guitarist. Technique-wise, there are two-hand tapping, legato hammer‑ons and pull-offs, whammy-bar dives, pinched harmonics—you name it! 'Eruption' is, to this day, one of the go-to solos for advanced guitar students.

 

[jw5]

'Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd -

David Gilmour's iconic solos mix blues and prog-rock elements and combine rhythm, melody, and expression like no other. What's more, the tone of his iconic Fender Strat is just unbelievable.

 

[jw5]

'Stairway To Heaven' by Led Zeppelin -

Led Zeppelin's famous ballad wouldn't be the same without Jimmy Page's epic guitar solo. Three takes of the solo (all improvised, minus the first part) were recorded and this is the one that made the final cut.

 

[jw5]

'Hotel California' by Eagles -

'Hotel California' is one the greatest, and most fun, solos to play with two guitars. The licks harmonized by guitarists Don Felder and Joe Walsh are absolute classics!

 

[jw5]

'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns N' Roses -

Slash's most famous solo has it all. It goes from a warm bluesy feel with cool bends to aggressive and fast Wah pedal licks. 'Sweet Child O' Mine' is one of the greatest solos of all time.

 

[GOD IS MY DOG]

lindsey buckingham's ''big love'' live performance is the best.................one guy playing like there's 3 guitarists..............and got to sing too........

 

[Leongsam]

lindsey buckingham's ''big love'' live performance is the best.................one guy playing like there's 3 guitarists..............and got to sing too........

They left out one of the most outstanding performances of all time by Prince.... "While my Guitar gently Weeps".

 

[mahjongking]

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'Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd -

David Gilmour's iconic solos mix blues and prog-rock elements and combine rhythm, melody, and expression like no other. What's more, the tone of his iconic Fender Strat is just unbelievable.

this guy is peerless

 

[Loofydralb]

They left out one of the most outstanding performances of all time by Prince.... "While my Guitar gently Weeps".

Nope. There's a reason other great guitarists seldom mention or collaborate with this guy.
He is mediocre and his peers do not see him as a talent. Just a showman.

 

[Leongsam]

Nope. There's a reason other great guitarists seldom mention or collaborate with this guy.
He is mediocre and his peers do not see him as a talent. Just a showman.

He was an ass but that does not mean he was mediocre. He was never a "collaboration" sort of guy. Just look at the way he strutted off the stage after he finished.

https://www.jambase.com/article/dogs-in-a-pile-10-things-learned-from-touring-in-2024

 

[Loofydralb]

He was an ass but that does not mean he was mediocre. He was never a "collaboration" sort of guy. Just look at the way he strutted off the stage after he finished.

https://www.jambase.com/article/dogs-in-a-pile-10-things-learned-from-touring-in-2024

Exactly. He isn't one of the greats.
The great ones always collaborate because that is how they learn from each other to be even better.

 

[Buckethead]

 

[bobby]

 

[jw5]

'Sultans of Swing' by Dire Straits -

Guitar students from all around the world try to emulate Mark Knopfler's famous fingerpicked arpeggios on 'Sultans of Swing.'

 

[jw5]

'Free Bird' by Lynyrd Skynyrd -

Like 'Hotel California,' the long solo in 'Free Bird' is a great one to play with a fellow guitarist. Though parts of the live version of the epic 143-bar solo are shared by two guitarists, this masterpiece was actually played and recorded by one man only—Allen Collins (L).

 

[knowwhatyouwantinlife]

Where's Alex Lifeson and Rory Gallagher?

 

[Loofydralb]

They left out one of the most outstanding performances of all time by Prince.... "While my Guitar gently Weeps".

And also why no one with an ounce of pride will do a cover on his music.
Don't find it in the internet.

 

[jw5]

'Beat It' by Michael Jackson -

No, Michael Jackson didn't play the 'Beat It' solo, Eddie Van Halen did. The guitarist walked into the studio, recorded two takes in 20 minutes, and the rest is history. Eddie Van Halen actually changed the structure of the song, and MJ thanked him for it.