If you ask any guitarist, they will tell you that playing a guitar solo is one of the most exhilarating experiences in the world. There’s something about being able to play a melody with your own fingers that can’t be replicated by anything else. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the greatest guitar solos of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine.
1. “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
It’s hard to talk about guitar solos without mentioning “Stairway to Heaven.” This iconic solo by Jimmy Page is considered by many to be the greatest guitar solo of all time. It’s a masterpiece that starts off slow and builds up to a powerful climax that will leave you breathless.
2. “Eruption” – Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption” is a guitar solo that changed the game forever. It’s a lightning-fast, two-minute instrumental that showcases Van Halen’s incredible technical skills. It’s a solo that every aspiring guitarist has tried to master at some point in their career.
3. “Freebird” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Freebird” is a classic rock staple that features a soaring guitar solo by Allen Collins and Gary Rossington. It’s a solo that starts off slow and builds up to a wild, frenzied climax that will leave you pumped up and ready to take on the world.
4. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
David Gilmour’s solo in “Comfortably Numb” is a masterpiece that showcases his incredible emotional range on the guitar. It’s a solo that starts off with a simple melody and builds up to a powerful, emotional climax that will leave you in awe.
5. “All Along the Watchtower” – Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix’s version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” features one of the most iconic guitar solos in history. It’s a solo that’s both beautiful and haunting, showcasing Hendrix’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
6. “Hotel California” – The Eagles
“Hotel California” is a song that needs no introduction. It’s a classic rock staple that features an incredible guitar solo by Joe Walsh and Don Felder. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing the Eagles’ incredible musicianship.
7. “Texas Flood” – Stevie Ray Vaughan
“Texas Flood” is a blues classic that features an incredible guitar solo by the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan. It’s a solo that’s both soulful and powerful, showcasing Vaughan’s incredible blues chops.
8. “November Rain” – Guns N’ Roses
“November Rain” is a power ballad that features an incredible guitar solo by Slash. It’s a solo that’s both beautiful and powerful, showcasing Slash’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
9. “One” – Metallica
“One” is a classic Metallica song that features an incredible guitar solo by Kirk Hammett. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Hammett’s incredible technical skills on the guitar.
10. “Little Wing” – Jimi Hendrix
“Little Wing” is a beautiful song that features an incredible guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix. It’s a solo that’s both soulful and powerful, showcasing Hendrix’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
11. “Crossroads” – Cream
“Crossroads” is a blues classic that features an incredible guitar solo by Eric Clapton. It’s a solo that’s both soulful and powerful, showcasing Clapton’s incredible blues chops.
12. “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits
“Sultans of Swing” is a classic rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Mark Knopfler. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Knopfler’s incredible technical skills on the guitar.
13. “Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne
“Crazy Train” is a classic heavy metal song that features an incredible guitar solo by Randy Rhoads. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Rhoads’ incredible technical skills on the guitar.
14. “Highway Star” – Deep Purple
“Highway Star” is a classic hard rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Ritchie Blackmore. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Blackmore’s incredible technical skills on the guitar.
15. “Cliffs of Dover” – Eric Johnson
“Cliffs of Dover” is an instrumental rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Eric Johnson. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and beautiful, showcasing Johnson’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
16. “Stranglehold” – Ted Nugent
“Stranglehold” is a classic rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Ted Nugent. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Nugent’s incredible technical skills on the guitar.
17. “Black Star” – Yngwie Malmsteen
“Black Star” is a neo-classical metal song that features an incredible guitar solo by Yngwie Malmsteen. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Malmsteen’s incredible technical skills on the guitar.
18. “Jessica” – The Allman Brothers Band
“Jessica” is an instrumental rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Dickey Betts. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and beautiful, showcasing Betts’ incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
19. “Floods” – Pantera
“Floods” is a heavy metal song that features an incredible guitar solo by Dimebag Darrell. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Darrell’s incredible technical skills on the guitar.
20. “Europa” – Santana
“Europa” is a Latin rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Carlos Santana. It’s a solo that’s both soulful and powerful, showcasing Santana’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
21. “Machine Gun” – Jimi Hendrix
“Machine Gun” is a live recording by Jimi Hendrix that features an incredible guitar solo. It’s a solo that’s both powerful and emotional, showcasing Hendrix’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
22. “Flood” – Joe Satriani
“Flood” is an instrumental rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Joe Satriani. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and beautiful, showcasing Satriani’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
23. “Little Wing” – Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version of “Little Wing” features an incredible guitar solo that’s both soulful and powerful. It’s a solo that showcases Vaughan’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
24. “La Grange” – ZZ Top
“La Grange” is a classic rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Billy Gibbons. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Gibbons’ incredible technical skills on the guitar.
25. “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers” – Jeff Beck
“Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers” is an instrumental rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Jeff Beck. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and beautiful, showcasing Beck’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
26. “Pearly Gates” – ZZ Top
“Pearly Gates” is a classic rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Billy Gibbons. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Gibbons’ incredible technical skills on the guitar.
27. “Little Wing” – Derek and the Dominos
Derek and the Dominos’ version of “Little Wing” features an incredible guitar solo by Eric Clapton. It’s a solo that’s both soulful and powerful, showcasing Clapton’s incredible talent and creativity on the guitar.
28. “Heartbreaker” – Led Zeppelin
“Heartbreaker” is a classic rock song that features an incredible guitar solo by Jimmy Page. It’s a solo that’s both intricate and powerful, showcasing Page’s incredible technical skills on the guitar.
