Top 15 Greatest Guitar Solos of all Time

Top 15 Greatest Guitar Solos of all Time – The electric guitar solo is one of the most iconic elements of rock music. A great guitar solo can elevate a good song into an anthem, making it absolutely unforgettable. From the bluesy bends of guitar legends like B.B. King to the lightning-fast shreds of heavy metal virtuosos, the art of the guitar solo has evolved dramatically over the decades. In rock history there are countless solos that stand out as pinnacles of technical mastery and creative genius. After much debate and careful consideration, here are my picks for the top 15 greatest guitar solos of all time.Top 15 Greatest Guitar Solos of all Time

The Top 15 Greatest Guitar Solos of all Time Are:

#15: “One” by Metallica – Kirk Hammett

Featured on Metallica’s 1988 album “…And Justice for All”, Kirk Hammett’s solo on “One” is a masterclass in building tension and emotion through a guitar solo. The song itself is dark and heavy, dealing with the agony of a soldier who has been blown apart by a landmine and lost his limbs, sight, speech and hearing. Hammett makes his guitar truly weep and wail throughout the solo, using techniques like palm muting, whammy bar dives and high squealing bends to evoke anguish and despair. The solo memorably ends on an emotional crescendo, cementing “One” as one of Metallica’s greatest achievements.

Location: about 4 minutes into the 7 minute song

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#14: “Ship of Fools” by Robert Plant – Jimmy Page

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were both at the peak of their creative powers when they recorded this bluesy epic for Led Zeppelin’s 1975 album Physical Graffiti. Page busts out his signature “violin” bow on the guitar during the solo, making it sing with soulful sustain and crying bends. His phrasing draws deeply from Delta and Chicago blues, bending and wringing each note for maximum emotional impact. The solo builds beautifully from mournful moans to an uplifting climax, showing why Page is revered as a guitar god.

Location: About 5 minutes into the 6 minute song

#13: “Hotel California” by Eagles – Don Felder/Joe Walsh

The dueling guitar solos in the Eagles classic “Hotel California” are etched in rock history. Don Felder and Joe Walsh trade off solos at the end of the song, backed by one of the most iconic guitar dual riffs ever recorded. Felder unleashes an upper register masterpiece full of melodic twists and shrieking high notes. Walsh responds with a lower register solo that growls and bites in perfect contrast. The harmonic chemistry between the two guitarists has never been equaled. It’s no wonder “Hotel California“ is still considered a pillar of guitar rock.

Location: After the 5 minute mark in the 6:30 minute song

#12: “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses – Slash

When Slash emerges from the somber piano intro of “November Rain” with his Les Paul wailing, it’s pure magic. His solo in this 1992 Guns N’ Roses epic is dripping with emotion, the notes bending and soaring above the orchestral arrangement. Slash combines influences from classical, flamenco and of course blues rock to deliver one of his most iconic solos. His technique is impeccable, employing legato and alternate picking to build intensity. The solo reaches a climax with a blazing upper-register run that has become a slice of rock history.

Location: Starts around 5:50 in the 8:57 minute song

#11: “Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughan

One of the greatest blues guitarists of all time, Stevie Ray Vaughan positively rips through his solo on this Larry Davis cover that appeared on his 1983 debut album Texas Flood. Vaughan squeezes every ounce of feeling from each note, blending influences from guitarists like Albert King, Buddy Guy and Jimi Hendrix. The solo simmers with understated intensity until Vaughan unleashes a torrent of tasty licks during call-and-response interplay with his drummer near the end. Vaughan earned the title of guitar god with solos like this.

Location: Starts at 2:40 in the 5:25 minute song

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#10: “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan

This blues rocker from Texas Flood also features one of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s most celebrated solos. From the first crying notes that drip from his strings, you know you’re hearing something transcendent. Vaughan’s use of vibrato and space is masterful, letting notes hang just long enough to feel their emotion. His phrasing intertwines perfectly with the groove underneath. When he finally cuts loose with a barrage of notes, he chooses each one impeccably to tell a musical story. SRV could play lightning-fast, but he poured his whole soul into each note.

Location: From 2:53 onward in the 3:44 minute song

#9: “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix

Though this Bob Dylan classic had already been covered by numerous artists, Jimi Hendrix made it legendary with his unforgettable solo. The studio version on 1968’s Electric Ladyland is astounding enough, featuring Hendrix unleashing wave after wave of innovative sounds from his Stratocaster through a chorus pedal and beyond. But it’s Hendrix’s live Woodstock version that cement its place in guitar history, where he soloed extensively in a cosmic, psychedelic exploration that encapsulated the otherworldly essence of his playing.

Location: About halfway through the 4 minute studio version, much longer in live versions

#8: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen – Brian May

The epic 6-minute 1975 masterpiece “Bohemian Rhapsody” contains one of rock’s most celebrated guitar solos, courtesy of Queen guitarist Brian May. For his solo spotlight, May matches the intense operatic mood with a solo that builds to an emotional, shredding climax. His tone has a biting, sustained quality almost like a violin thanks to his treble booster effect. The solo’s composition itself conveys a musical narrative, ascending to euphoric heights before gradually descending again. Though iconic, it does serve the song rather than just showboating, which is the mark of great guitar work.Good morning My Love Message

Location: Starts at 3:32 in the 5:55 minute song

#7: “Voodoo Child” by Jimi Hendrix

Hendrix was at the peak of his powers when he unleashed this epic 15-minute blues jam on 1968’s Electric Ladyland. The entire track is brimming with Hendrix’s wizardry on Stratocaster. But it’s the solo about 7 minutes in where he truly takes flight, making sounds no one realized were possible from a guitar. The intensity builds as Hendrix incorporates rock riffs, blues licks, chordal accents, wah-wah, and even some of his famed behind-the-back and between-the-legs playing. It remains spellbinding and nearly supernatural.JAMB portal

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Location: Starts around 7 minutes into the 15 minute song

#6: “Time” by Pink Floyd – David Gilmour

Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour has countless amazing solos under his belt, but none quite as universally beloved as the soaring run on “Time” from 1973’s The Dark Side of the Moon. The song itself is a meditation on the passage of time and the loss that comes with it. Gilmour’s solo reinforces that theme with its mix of sorrow and beauty. With power and precision he builds from crystalline notes to expressive bends to a quick climactic run. His phrasing and tone perfectly match the emotional weight of the song.Information guide Nigeria

Location: Starts after the 2nd verse, at 3:31 in the 6:53 minute song

#5: “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin – Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page cemented his legacy as one of the all-time guitar greats with his iconic solo in Led Zeppelin’s 1971 classic “Stairway to Heaven.” After Robert Plant’s mystical lyrics reach their climax, Page responds with a solo that begins as an acoustic guitar instrumental. As it progresses, his playing incorporates more intensity and electric tones, ultimately reaching an epic crescendo. He records layers of guitar tracks here to build a solo with depth and power to match the song’s meaning. It remains the most celebrated guitar solo in rock radio history.

Location: Starts at 5:56 in the 8:02 minute song

#4: “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix

This delicate ballad from 1968’s Axis: Bold As Love shows Jimi Hendrix could be incredibly thoughtful and melodic as a soloist. His phrasing here has a poignancy that sometimes gets lost in his more ferocious soloing. Patiently letting each note sing, Hendrix conjures everything from drizzling rain to church bells in the listener’s mind. Then he delivers a solo of almost vocal-like sustain that flows gracefully through quick chord changes. It’s a reminder that Hendrix could touch the spirit as profoundly as he could the senses.NYSC Portal

Location: Starts at 1:42 in the 2:37 minute song

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#3: “Crossroads” by Cream – Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton has had a long, celebrated career but he was at his innovative best when he delivered this legendary solo on Cream’s 1968 live version of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads.” Clapton adapted Johnson’s blues original into a full-throttle rock epic, proving his virtuoso mastery of the form. During his solo spots, he mixes fluid, melodic passages with the rapid-fire pentatonic runs that became his signature. His tone bites sharply with a hint of distortion, driving the energy higher. It remains an awe-inspiring demonstration of rock guitar firepower.

Location: Starts about 2:15 into the 4:15 minute song

#2: “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd – David Gilmour

David Gilmour’s two solos on Pink Floyd’s 1979 progressive rock masterpiece “Comfortably Numb” contain some of his most emotive, cathartic playing ever. In the setting of the song about an addict longing for sensation, the solos perfectly match the delirious, gripping feeling. Gilmour’s touch and tone are transcendent, wringing unbelievable feeling from long, keening bends and soulful vibrato. The second solo builds from melancholy reflection to an exhilarating, shrieking climax. For sheer emotional power, no rock guitar solo tops “Comfortably Numb.”Romantic love message

Locations: first solo from 2:38 onward, second from 4:56 onward in the 6:21 minute song

#1: “Eruption” by Van Halen – Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen simply changed the game for rock guitar with his legendary solo instrumental “Eruption” from Van Halen’s 1978 self-titled debut. No one had ever heard these kinds of sounds from a guitar before. Van Halen popularized innovative techniques like two-handed tapping, whammy bar dives, harmonics, and rapid tremolo picking, executing them with a precision and style no one could match. During the 1:42 minute runtime of “Eruption”, he showcases these along with sheer blistering shredding power. It made him a guitar god overnight and still stands as a beacon of technical brilliance that guitarists aspire to.

Location: The entire 1:42 minute long instrumental track

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Conclusion

While it’s nearly impossible to crown any one guitar solo as the absolute “best”, the solos on this list represent some of the most important, iconic moments that have shaped rock history. The technical ability and creative artistry on display is simply unparalleled. These solos demonstrate the heights achievable by the greatest guitar virtuosos the genre has known, setting the bar astronomically high. From Hendrix to Van Halen to Gilmour, rock simply would not be the same without the dazzling fretwork and timeless melodies these solos have contributed. Any one of them is proof that an unforgettable guitar solo elevates a song from great to legendary.

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