Was it just a strange coincidence?
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.
In this gallery, we've compiled some of the greatest guitar solos of all time. We don't rank them, because to do so wouldn't really be fair. The list of great guitar solos is extensive, but here are 30 of the best. Click on and see if you agree.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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!
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.
Guitar students from all around the world try to emulate Mark Knopfler's famous fingerpicked arpeggios on 'Sultans of Swing.'
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).
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.
Randy Rhoads is still regarded as one of the most talented rock and metal guitarists ever. Unlike many of his peers who were mostly influenced by the blues, Ozzy's guitarist had a classical guitar background. The solo on 'Crazy Train' is a perfect example of his unique style.
Jimi Hendrix changed the guitar game when he burst onto the scene. The way he played his instrument, mixing rhythm and lead in an exotic way, changed rock n' roll history. 'All Along The Watchtower' is a quintessential Jimi Hendrix track.
Prince's talent as a guitarist is undisputed. The long outro to 'Purple Rain' is as epic as it gets when it comes to emotional guitar solos. The Purple One would extend the solo for several minutes in live performances.
Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is the man behind the six-string axe in this amazing solo. Released in 1972, the solo of 'Highway Star' set the template for the neoclassical style that emerged in the following decade.
Guitarist Eric Clapton recorded the beautiful solo in this Beatles song. Written by his friend George Harrison, 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' certainly deserves a place on this list.
In 1984, Metallica released their second album, 'Ride the Lightning.' They released their first-ever ballad too. 'Fade to Black' includes acoustic guitars and a poignant outro solo crafted by Kirk Hammett.
We could have picked many of the legendary solos played by Angus Young, but 'Back In Black' just sounds mean and it's probably the most recognizable one, even for non-AC/DC fans.
Gary Moore is a guitar hero and the intro solo on 'Still Got The Blues' is the epitome of his style and skill. Moore repeats the iconic lick throughout the song until he plays a full-blown solo that melts everyone's hearts.
Of course, guitar virtuoso Steve Vai had to be on this list. The solo of 'For the Love of God' showcases his incredible technical proficiency.
Not many guitar players can say they won a Grammy for their instrumental songs. Eric Johnson is an exceptional guitarist, and 'Cliffs of Dover' attests to his talent.
The first Megadeth album with guitarist Marty Friedman came out in 1990. His playing is quite exotic, and the solo on 'Hanger 18' is as good as it gets.
Carlos Santana is a phenomenal guitarist and this instrumental is one of his most famous songs. The opening lick is classic Santana, and for five minutes he takes us on a guitar journey like no other.
Steve Hackett's solo on 'Firth of Fifth' is marked by the long sustained notes and the use of harmonic minor sounds. "For me, this was the closest thing to adagio rock guitar that can be done, with slow melodies," he said.
Many people think that the iconic solo on 'Layla' was played by Eric Clapton, but it wasn't. The beautiful outro slide solo was actually played by Duane Allman.
Alex Lifeson's bending technique and his use of the whammy bar on this solo are second to none. Overall, the solo just flows beautifully.
Rock n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry delivers such a cool solo on his classic tune 'Johnny B. Goode.' Though not as technically complex as others on this list, Chuck Berry set the template for guitar-based music.
Guitarist Mike McCready's contribution to the '90s Seattle rock sound is undisputed. The 'Alive' is a tribute to Ace Frehley's solo in Kiss' song 'She.' And the solo in 'She' was itself a copy of Robby Krieger's solo in The Doors' song 'Five To One.'
'Something' was written by the band's guitarist George Harrison. The solo is simple and beautiful, just like the song.
'Blackbird' has Alter Bridge's front man Myles Kennedy (L) and guitarist Mark Tremonti soloing, and it couldn't sound better. "It had such a sad classical feel to it," said Tremonti.
Billy Gibbons is the grandfather of pinched harmonics and 'La Grange' really rocks!
Matt Bellamy's solo makes this song from Muse's 2015 album 'Drones' a guitar masterpiece.
Sources: (Guitar World) (Guitar Player)
The greatest guitar solos of all time
From bluesy licks to extreme shredding
MUSIC Guitarists
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.
In this gallery, we've compiled some of the greatest guitar solos of all time. We don't rank them, because to do so wouldn't really be fair. The list of great guitar solos is extensive, but here are 30 of the best. Click on and see if you agree.