To say that the subject of the best guitar solos of all time is fiercely debated would, of course, be an understatement. A guitar solo can mean something different for different people and evoke special memories that only they can understand.
In this blog post, we will outline our list of the 5 best guitar solos of all time. The songs included in this list all rank as some of the most popular and impactful of all time, and their solos are a central reason for that. Let’s get started with #5 on the list.
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
There are arguments here that Sweet Child O’ Mine isn’t even the best guitar solo from Slash, but it’s a true classic that we couldn’t ignore. For the first half of this solo, the vibe is laid back, with an Eb minor scale that ramps up in the second half to a sound far more aggressive. It reaches an incredible crescendo that is temporarily brought back down to earth by Axl Rose’s “Where do we go” lines.
- All Along the Watchtower
Is there a better guitar solo in a cover version of a song? If so, we haven’t heard it! Jimi Hendrix’s version of Bob Dylan’s classic song goes in a very different direction and includes some unforgettable guitar solos.
The rhythm of Hendrix’s playing is quite astounding and the opening of the song is completely unmistakable. If you’ve watched a movie about the Vietnam War before, chances are you’ve heard this song played in it.
- Free Bird
If you’re looking for an epic guitar solo, then look no further than Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Originally, the solo was added to the song to give Ronnie Van Zant’s vocal cords a rest between songs on their tour.
Allen Collins’ solo hits all of the right notes and has become a firm favorite for people all around the world in the decades since its release in 1974.
- Comfortably Numb
Another band with more amazing guitar solos than most is Pink Floyd, and their 1979 track Comfortably Numb is an all-time great. David Gilmour’s greatness quite literally came through in waves with the 2 guitar solos on this track.
Long bends, tons of reverb and sustain help to put this song at #2 on our list. Which of the solos in this song is best is a question for you to answer.
- Stairway to Heaven
At #1, we have gone for Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin, which is universally lauded. Jimmy Page’s iconic solo is truly heaven-sent.
Page recorded a number of improvised recordings for the song and had to make a decision about which one to include. We’ve got to say that he chose well!
Interested in creating your own guitar solos? View this collection of electric guitars here.
The Best Guitar Solos of All Time
So, there you have it, the 5 greatest guitar solos of all time. Do you agree with our list or are there other solos that you feel deserve mentioning?
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