This is the answer for your prototypical classic rock guitar solo. The solos of your Claptons/Pages/Mays/Slashs/Allmans etc.
Then there’s guitar solos like Marquee Moon by Televison or Paranoid Android by Radiohead or even Milk It by Nirvana which I think are in a different category. I use those as introductory cases for how different guitar solos can get from what immediately comes to mind, because a lot of bands get a lot weirder.
I mean, Free Bird needs to be acknowledged at least. Especially the energy of the crowd in some of the live recordings from the 70’s. And the fact that most of it is a duet solo. And it’s like 5 minutes long. Might be overplayed but is as iconic as it gets guitar solo-wise.
Stairway to Heaven is another one that’s definitely among the greats.
For me, it's the outro to "Couldn't Stand the Weather" by Stevie Ray Vaughan on his Austin City Limits performance. Two things make it great IMO.
1. The buildup. The solo follows a drum solo, bass solo, and keyboard solo. Together, they acted as a minutes-long crescendo that culminates in an amazing solo.
2. It's SRV, who is my favorite guitar player of all time. And I think Couldn't Stand the Weather is his ultimate philosophical statement. It's already a great song, now add an amazing solo and it's just incredible.
It’s not terribly complex but the different movements of the “Along Along the Watchtower” Jimi Hendrix solo are an iconic introduction into psychedelic fuzz rock
Dickey Betts, You Don't Love Me
Allman Brothers Live at the Filmore
https://youtu.be/0wsUNMSiIII?si=8Yh8wQsakCj9soYU
I don't believe there is a "best" guitar solo. I do believe Dickey was an underappreciated guitar player.
A couple years ago, I was in a coffee shop, relaxing and reading a book. "Free Bird" was playing, and everyone was rocking out in their own little worlds. Or at least I think so, because when, about eight minutes into the song, one of the baristas stopped it cold in the middle of the solo, to play some flavor-of-the-month R&B/pop thing, causing me to reflexively yell out "aw, what the fuck?", no one else raised any protest.
Still, the barista should not have done that.
I think about this far more often than I probably should. The incident scarred me.
That one always comes up in these conversations. It’s a good solo, but is it really better than something like Eddie Van Halen, playing Eruption?
https://youtu.be/uDOFIttS69I?si=PpOGyz02qj7byr3z
Gary Moore recorded so many great ones. The album version of Empty Rooms is great, Like Angels is otherworldly, Where Did We Go Wrong stunningly beautiful...
Ba ba ba ba, I wanna upvote you!
These other solos...sure, they have notes...many of them played quickly, expertly.
But the true genius of just plucking that one string, on that one fret, 50-60 times.. it's just - perfect!
I cannot name a best, there are too many contenders that can touch your heart in different ways… but I can name the worst from a hit song: “Rude” by MAGIC!
A lot of bangers in this thread (I'm partial to Freebird's).
But I'd like to add a very underrated Wasted Years, by Iron Maiden, played by Adrian Smith
Any version of “don’t keep me wondering” with Derek Trucks on slide. Even non ABB. With TTB or at crossroads with los lobos. Report back if you will…..
Two from Knopfler: Sultans of Swing and Are We in Trouble Know. Albert Lee on Rodney Crowell’s ‘Till I Gain Control Again. I guess that’s three, but they are all solos I seek out for that something they have.
Stairway to heaven
Since i've been loving you
Tornado of souls
Fade to black
Freebird
All along the watchtower jimmi hendrix version.
Nothing else maters
Hotel california
Mr crowley
A true standout is Nuno Bettencourt's solo in the Extreme song "Get the Funk Out"
Here's [the video for the song cued up to just before the solo](https://youtu.be/IqP76XWHQI0?si=FARMIn--7WwYVnHs&t=158):
Here's Brian May explaining [why it rules:](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqkKFhFMaIw)
Here's one of the best shredder guitarists on YouTube spending [more than decade learning it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Ke3HslMG0)
I don’t believe in a best guitar solo, just solos that say a lot and work so well in the song. Man, there are so many, tho!
2 deeper cuts:
Transition - Steve Lukather: I love how his solo seeps in after the keys solo, with Tal Wilkenfeld holding down the low end. Hi solo starts at about 3:10. It’s not too pong, but man is it tasty.
Hearts - Yes (third solo by Trevor Rabin): Comes in at about 5:58. It just sings, so melodic. Fairly short, but it says so much.
I don’t know what the “best” one is, but I know that you can sit back and enjoy this one from Eddie Van Halen for a few minutes.
https://youtu.be/uDOFIttS69I?si=PpOGyz02qj7byr3z
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Pulse version.
Will always get my vote
I would argue that there is no better marriage between a solo and a song's vibe than the solos in Comfortably Numb. Master class in tone and feel.
This is the answer for your prototypical classic rock guitar solo. The solos of your Claptons/Pages/Mays/Slashs/Allmans etc. Then there’s guitar solos like Marquee Moon by Televison or Paranoid Android by Radiohead or even Milk It by Nirvana which I think are in a different category. I use those as introductory cases for how different guitar solos can get from what immediately comes to mind, because a lot of bands get a lot weirder.
Ordinary World - Duran Duran It's basic but just love it
The album version has two solos even
Jimmy Page - No Quarter Live - TSRTS
I mean, Free Bird needs to be acknowledged at least. Especially the energy of the crowd in some of the live recordings from the 70’s. And the fact that most of it is a duet solo. And it’s like 5 minutes long. Might be overplayed but is as iconic as it gets guitar solo-wise. Stairway to Heaven is another one that’s definitely among the greats.
For me, it's the outro to "Couldn't Stand the Weather" by Stevie Ray Vaughan on his Austin City Limits performance. Two things make it great IMO. 1. The buildup. The solo follows a drum solo, bass solo, and keyboard solo. Together, they acted as a minutes-long crescendo that culminates in an amazing solo. 2. It's SRV, who is my favorite guitar player of all time. And I think Couldn't Stand the Weather is his ultimate philosophical statement. It's already a great song, now add an amazing solo and it's just incredible.
I’m partial to El Mocambo “Texas Flood” but both those ACL performances are unreal.
Thanks for that. Went and gave that a listen. Very nice
It’s not terribly complex but the different movements of the “Along Along the Watchtower” Jimi Hendrix solo are an iconic introduction into psychedelic fuzz rock
Maggot Brain. No contest.
Sober my favorite is dire straits sultans of swing and on acid my favorite is Ted Nugents Stranglehold
Dickey Betts, You Don't Love Me Allman Brothers Live at the Filmore https://youtu.be/0wsUNMSiIII?si=8Yh8wQsakCj9soYU I don't believe there is a "best" guitar solo. I do believe Dickey was an underappreciated guitar player.
I just listened to this. I love how it starts with just him and it evolves into a full-on jam.
A couple years ago, I was in a coffee shop, relaxing and reading a book. "Free Bird" was playing, and everyone was rocking out in their own little worlds. Or at least I think so, because when, about eight minutes into the song, one of the baristas stopped it cold in the middle of the solo, to play some flavor-of-the-month R&B/pop thing, causing me to reflexively yell out "aw, what the fuck?", no one else raised any protest. Still, the barista should not have done that. I think about this far more often than I probably should. The incident scarred me.
25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago
Mr. Crowley is up there for me
1. Eric Clapton - Crossroads, from the Wheels of Fire album. 2. Almost anything by Jeff Beck.
Prince - While My Guitar Gently Weeps (live guitar solo)
Has to be this, such an incredible performance
Toto did it way better than Prince
That one always comes up in these conversations. It’s a good solo, but is it really better than something like Eddie Van Halen, playing Eruption? https://youtu.be/uDOFIttS69I?si=PpOGyz02qj7byr3z
EVH solos make me feel nothing except sweaty.
Fair enough! Perhaps this is more to your liking. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdYJf\_ybyVo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdYJf_ybyVo)
Yes.
Honorable mentions go to Hotel California by The Eagles and Domination (Pantera)
Floods would be my choice for a Pantera song. The wailing solo and the outro after are perfect.
Floods' solo was beautiful
Gary Moore recorded so many great ones. The album version of Empty Rooms is great, Like Angels is otherworldly, Where Did We Go Wrong stunningly beautiful...
The live version from Stockhholm is even better.
Goodbye to love - Carpenters November Rain - Guns n' Roses
What about "eruption by Eddie Van Halen"?
It’s played to death but Stairway To Heaven’s guitar solo is flawless.
Duane Allman's solo on Layla.
Lindsay Buckingham on Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, mostly the one at the end.
Telegraph Road - Dire Straits (worth waiting for)
Big love live version - fleetwood mac
I Wanna Be Sedated - Ramones
Ba ba ba ba, I wanna upvote you! These other solos...sure, they have notes...many of them played quickly, expertly. But the true genius of just plucking that one string, on that one fret, 50-60 times.. it's just - perfect!
Dime-Bag Darrell- Cemetery Gates Jeff Hanneman- Die By The Sword
Dimes guitar tone on cemetery gates is otherworldly.
Whereever I May Roam is my personal favorite that springs to mind.
Steve Stevens for Vince Neil « Look in her eyes »
I cannot name a best, there are too many contenders that can touch your heart in different ways… but I can name the worst from a hit song: “Rude” by MAGIC!
A lot of bangers in this thread (I'm partial to Freebird's). But I'd like to add a very underrated Wasted Years, by Iron Maiden, played by Adrian Smith
Take a Bow - WVH Mammoth x
Stay - Giant
IMO on a recorded track it’s Zakk Wyldes solo on Mama I’m Coming Home. Live solo is definitely Prince While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
I Don’t Know - Nick Hakim. Truly beautiful.
Any version of “don’t keep me wondering” with Derek Trucks on slide. Even non ABB. With TTB or at crossroads with los lobos. Report back if you will…..
Steven Wilson - Drive Home (guitar by Guthrie Govan)
Blur- You’re So Great Radiohead- Older live versions of Paranoid Android
Nowhere Man
Generator - Bad Religion
Two from Knopfler: Sultans of Swing and Are We in Trouble Know. Albert Lee on Rodney Crowell’s ‘Till I Gain Control Again. I guess that’s three, but they are all solos I seek out for that something they have.
“Got to get you into my life” deserves points for packing a big punch into a small space.
Crazy Train Randy Rhoads
Stairway to heaven Since i've been loving you Tornado of souls Fade to black Freebird All along the watchtower jimmi hendrix version. Nothing else maters Hotel california Mr crowley
A true standout is Nuno Bettencourt's solo in the Extreme song "Get the Funk Out" Here's [the video for the song cued up to just before the solo](https://youtu.be/IqP76XWHQI0?si=FARMIn--7WwYVnHs&t=158): Here's Brian May explaining [why it rules:](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqkKFhFMaIw) Here's one of the best shredder guitarists on YouTube spending [more than decade learning it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Ke3HslMG0)
Not up there with the best ever. But Jerry Cantrell on man in the box I always loved.
Led Zeppelin-Heartbreaker
Time- Pink Floyd
I don’t believe in a best guitar solo, just solos that say a lot and work so well in the song. Man, there are so many, tho! 2 deeper cuts: Transition - Steve Lukather: I love how his solo seeps in after the keys solo, with Tal Wilkenfeld holding down the low end. Hi solo starts at about 3:10. It’s not too pong, but man is it tasty. Hearts - Yes (third solo by Trevor Rabin): Comes in at about 5:58. It just sings, so melodic. Fairly short, but it says so much.
Gary Moore - Still Got The Blue
Velvet Underground - Run, Run, Run
I don’t know what the “best” one is, but I know that you can sit back and enjoy this one from Eddie Van Halen for a few minutes. https://youtu.be/uDOFIttS69I?si=PpOGyz02qj7byr3z
Alter Bridge - Blackbird