🎸Best Guitar Solos of All Time

Stairway to Heaven Solo▲ Rising

Jimmy Page builds from delicate arpeggios into a soaring climax that defined 1970s rock. The final ascending runs deliver pure catharsis after eight minutes of tension. No other solo has been more requested at guitar shops.

Year: 1971Length: 62 sAlbum: Led Zeppelin IVGuitarist: Jimmy PageIconic Rating: 9.8/10

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Hotel California Solo▲ Rising

Don Felder and Joe Walsh trade harmonized lines that mirror the song's haunting narrative. The 1976 outro solo resolves the track's tension with country-tinged bends. It is the definitive dual-guitar climax.

Year: 1976Length: 95 sAlbum: Hotel CaliforniaGuitarist: Don Felder & Joe WalshIconic Rating: 9.5/10

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Since I've Been Loving You Solo▲ Rising

Jimmy Page stretches blues phrasing across Led Zeppelin's slow burner with vocal-like bends. The 1970 solo sits inside the band's heaviest ballad. It captures Page at his most expressive.

Year: 1970Length: 85 sAlbum: Led Zeppelin IIIGuitarist: Jimmy PageIconic Rating: 8.1/10

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November Rain Solo▲ Rising

Slash delivers two contrasting solos that shift from lyrical to frantic. The 1991 track's extended middle section showcases both feel and speed. It proved epic solos still belonged in the grunge era.

Year: 1991Length: 78 sAlbum: Use Your Illusion IGuitarist: SlashIconic Rating: 9.3/10

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Comfortably Numb Solo

David Gilmour's second solo on The Wall cuts through with sustained bends and impeccable tone. The 1979 performance captures quiet despair turning into defiant release. It remains the gold standard for emotional phrasing.

Year: 1979Length: 52 sAlbum: The WallGuitarist: David GilmourIconic Rating: 9.7/10

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Crossroads Solo

Eric Clapton channels Robert Johnson through blistering blues runs on the Cream version. The 1968 live recording captures peak speed and phrasing. It remains the benchmark for British blues-rock lead.

Year: 1968Length: 72 sAlbum: Wheels of FireGuitarist: Eric ClaptonIconic Rating: 9.1/10

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Money Solo▲ Rising

David Gilmour's clean, bluesy bends ride Pink Floyd's odd-time groove with effortless cool. The 1973 solo proves space can be as powerful as speed. It is the sound of restraint done perfectly.

Year: 1973Length: 42 sAlbum: The Dark Side of the MoonGuitarist: David GilmourIconic Rating: 8.8/10

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Bohemian Rhapsody Solo

Brian May's multitracked harmonies create a mini-orchestra within Queen's operatic epic. The 1975 solo bridges the ballad and hard-rock sections seamlessly. It proved guitar could carry theatrical rock.

Year: 1975Length: 35 sAlbum: A Night at the OperaGuitarist: Brian MayIconic Rating: 8.4/10

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Master of Puppets Solo▲ Rising

Kirk Hammett weaves neoclassical runs through Metallica's thrash masterpiece. The 1986 solo maintains the song's relentless intensity while adding melodic hooks. It set the bar for 80s metal leads.

Year: 1986Length: 52 sAlbum: Master of PuppetsGuitarist: Kirk HammettIconic Rating: 8.3/10

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Free Bird Solo

Allen Collins and Gary Rossington trade extended southern-rock leads that close the track in glory. The 1973 song's three-guitar finale became a concert ritual. Length alone makes it a statement piece.

Year: 1973Length: 280 sAlbum: Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérdGuitarist: Allen Collins & Gary RossingtonIconic Rating: 8.9/10

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Smells Like Teen Spirit Solo

Kurt Cobain's simple, noisy lead captures grunge's anti-hero stance. The 1991 solo rejects virtuosity for raw attitude. It proved less can be more in the right context.

Year: 1991Length: 18 sAlbum: NevermindGuitarist: Kurt CobainIconic Rating: 7.5/10

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All Along the Watchtower Solo

Jimi Hendrix transforms Dylan's folk song with wah-wah fury and controlled feedback. The 1968 Electric Ladyland take remains the definitive rock reinterpretation. His aggressive yet musical phrasing set the template for psychedelic lead work.

Year: 1968Length: 65 sAlbum: Electric LadylandGuitarist: Jimi HendrixIconic Rating: 9.2/10

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Crazy Train Solo▲ Rising

Randy Rhoads combines neoclassical scales with metal bite in Ozzy's breakout hit. The 1980 solo's rapid alternate picking and whammy dives announced a new guitar hero. It still inspires metal players today.

Year: 1980Length: 38 sAlbum: Blizzard of OzzGuitarist: Randy RhoadsIconic Rating: 9/10

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One Solo

Kirk Hammett layers melodic leads over Metallica's thrash structure with tasteful whammy work. The 1988 solo balances aggression and melody in the band's darkest song. It showed metal could still sing.

Year: 1988Length: 48 sAlbum: ...And Justice for AllGuitarist: Kirk HammettIconic Rating: 8.6/10

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Fade to Black Solo▲ Rising

Kirk Hammett adds mournful leads to Metallica's acoustic-to-heavy ballad. The 1984 solo mirrors the song's emotional descent and rise. It proved metal guitar could carry ballads.

Year: 1984Length: 42 sAlbum: Ride the LightningGuitarist: Kirk HammettIconic Rating: 7.9/10

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Sweet Child O' Mine Solo

Slash turns a simple descending riff into a bluesy, high-register explosion. The 1987 Appetite solo arrives exactly when the song needs release. It became the calling card for 80s hard rock.

Year: 1987Length: 48 sAlbum: Appetite for DestructionGuitarist: SlashIconic Rating: 9.4/10

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Sultans of Swing Solo

Mark Knopfler delivers fingerstyle precision and jazz-inflected runs over Dire Straits' groove. The 1978 solo rewards close listening with subtle dynamics. It elevated pub rock into something sophisticated.

Year: 1978Length: 55 sAlbum: Dire StraitsGuitarist: Mark KnopflerIconic Rating: 8.7/10

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Johnny B. Goode Solo

Chuck Berry's double-stop runs and bends defined rock guitar vocabulary. The 1958 solo is the blueprint every later guitarist studied. Its simplicity and swing remain unmatched.

Year: 1958Length: 32 sAlbum: Chuck Berry Is on TopGuitarist: Chuck BerryIconic Rating: 7.7/10

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Eruption

Eddie Van Halen unleashed two-handed tapping and dive-bomb harmonics in under two minutes. The 1978 track rewrote what electric guitar could do. Every modern shredder traces lineage to this eruption.

Year: 1978Length: 102 sAlbum: Van HalenGuitarist: Eddie Van HalenIconic Rating: 9.6/10

added by IJREruption

Wish You Were Here Solo

David Gilmour's acoustic-to-electric transition solo carries pure longing. The 1975 track's sparse arrangement spotlights every bend. It is the sound of absence made audible.

Year: 1975Length: 48 sAlbum: Wish You Were HereGuitarist: David GilmourIconic Rating: 7.8/10

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Purple Rain Solo

Prince blends blues bends with funk rhythm in a soaring live climax. The 1984 solo closes the song with gospel-tinged release. It remains one of the greatest live guitar moments captured.

Year: 1984Length: 95 sAlbum: Purple RainGuitarist: PrinceIconic Rating: 7.4/10

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Voodoo Child (Slight Return) Solo

Jimi Hendrix bends and wahs through an extended psychedelic statement. The 1968 track closes Electric Ladyland with pure guitar-as-orchestra power. It remains the ultimate Hendrix showcase.

Year: 1968Length: 180 sAlbum: Electric LadylandGuitarist: Jimi HendrixIconic Rating: 8.5/10

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Alive Solo

Mike McCready channels classic rock phrasing into Pearl Jam's breakthrough. The 1991 solo lifts the grunge track into anthemic territory. It showed 90s guitar could still shred with heart.

Year: 1991Length: 65 sAlbum: TenGuitarist: Mike McCreadyIconic Rating: 8.2/10

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Blackbird Solo

Paul McCartney's fingerstyle acoustic lines function as both melody and solo. The 1968 track uses classical technique in a pop context. It showed guitar could stand alone without electricity.

Year: 1968Length: 25 sAlbum: The Beatles (White Album)Guitarist: Paul McCartneyIconic Rating: 7.6/10

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Little Wing Solo▼ Falling

Jimi Hendrix paints a compact, chord-melody masterpiece with gentle wah and clean tone. The 1967 solo feels like an entire song in miniature. It remains the model for tasteful, economical lead playing.

Year: 1967Length: 28 sAlbum: Axis: Bold as LoveGuitarist: Jimi HendrixIconic Rating: 8/10

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La Villa Strangiato Solo

Alex Lifeson weaves progressive runs through Rush's instrumental showcase. The 1978 solo mixes jazz, rock, and classical in tight precision. It represents peak prog guitar complexity.

Year: 1978Length: 68 sAlbum: HemispheresGuitarist: Alex LifesonIconic Rating: 7.3/10

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