Best guitar solo of all time in a song? (1 Viewer)

[Tusken Raider]

Impossible to answer.......but Sweet Child of Mine? It is a great solo. But I do not have it ranked as high as you.

Some fantastic solo's in no particular order

1) Comfortably Numb (live)

This version? Solo starts around 2:05.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

"Maggot Brain" - Funkadelic

George Harrison wasn't even the best lead in his own band, but I always loved his solos - they fit in his songs better than almost anyone else's I can think of.

The most iconic and influential, ever - Chuck Berry's "Johnny B Goode"

 

[17seconds]

Stairway is an incredible song but the solo is overrated in my very humble opinion.

I have to disagree......it is such an integral part of the climax of that song......it's overrrated because the song is so overplayed. The emotion that pours out of that guitar solo and the passion of the rhythm section behind him.....it's magic. To me the best guitar solo's are not the techically great ones nor the speed and the sheer amount of notes etc.

A truly great guitar solo is an extension of the melody of the song. Making your guitar sing and pull emotional strings is really what a great guitar solo means to me.

I've actually been listening to the Stairway solo a lot lately. Gonna learn it when I have time, there's some really good youtubes on it.

That song builds like no other and they way that solo cuts through and takes center stage is just so awesome.

 

[Apple Jack]

Stairway is an incredible song but the solo is overrated in my very humble opinion.

I have to disagree......it is such an integral part of the climax of that song......it's overrrated because the song is so overplayed. The emotion that pours out of that guitar solo and the passion of the rhythm section behind him.....it's magic. To me the best guitar solo's are not the techically great ones nor the speed and the sheer amount of notes etc.

A truly great guitar solo is an extension of the melody of the song. Making your guitar sing and pull emotional strings is really what a great guitar solo means to me.

I've actually been listening to the Stairway solo a lot lately. Gonna learn it when I have time, there's some really good youtubes on it.

That song builds like no other and they way that solo cuts through and takes center stage is just so awesome.

Every few years I fall in love with that song all over again. Such a great piece. And yeah, while I've never been all that high on JP's soloing (love everything else he does), that one is fantastic.

 

[Todem]

Comfortably Numb live and studio are essentially the same, no? Gilmour didn't improvise much with the latter era Floyd stuff. But yeah, CN has to be in any discussion like this. Hendrix's Watchtower solo. SRV's Life Without You solo was always great. Slash's second solo in Sweet Child O Mine is fantastic. As much as I love me some Izzy, Slash's emotive playing was probably the most integral component of the x-factor in that band. Always love Ira's freakouts in Yo La Tengo's We're An American Band. Lifeson's solo in Limelight is a work of art. I remember being blown away by one of the Machine Guns on the Band of Gypsies Fillmore release.

It's not even close to the same. Check out the one on the Pulse DVD for a great example.

Also at people bringing Pearl Jam into this discussion.

Are you a musician and or guitarist?

If you are and can't appreciate some of McCready's great guitar work on Ten and Temple of the Dog....you have me scratching my head a little.

But he most certainly is in a discussion as one hell of a gutarist. Guitar driven rock music was still going strong for a lot of us well through the 90's.......and even today with some great bands still around (Porcupine Tree, Muse, Dream Theatre). Early Pearl Jam (first two albums to be exact) and Temple of the Dog has some incredible, emotive, ripping, grooving guitar work.

Fantastic stuff.

McCready is good, but not in the discussion for greatest guitar solo of ALL TIME.

McCready was a serviceable guitar player. He should not be even sniffing any "greatest" lists.

We are not talking about greatst guitarist's.......we are specifcally talking about guitar solo's.

Music emotes many diffrent feelings and emotions for every person. Again very subjective.

Alive's guitar solo is tremendous......just tremendous.

And to classify a great player like McCready as servicable......is really an insult to guitar players around the world......people forget it's more than just the playing.....it's the writing. That guy has written numerous great riffs and solo's.

So much more to it than just the skill of actually playing. A guitar solo can be very easy to play.....but incredibly difficult to compose. It is such an emotional and most of the time spontaneous moment.

Most of the greatest guitar solo's were done on one or two takes.

 

[DocHolliday]

Stairway is an incredible song but the solo is overrated in my very humble opinion.

I have to disagree......it is such an integral part of the climax of that song......it's overrrated because the song is so overplayed. The emotion that pours out of that guitar solo and the passion of the rhythm section behind him.....it's magic. To me the best guitar solo's are not the techically great ones nor the speed and the sheer amount of notes etc.

A truly great guitar solo is an extension of the melody of the song. Making your guitar sing and pull emotional strings is really what a great guitar solo means to me.

I've actually been listening to the Stairway solo a lot lately. Gonna learn it when I have time, there's some really good youtubes on it.

That song builds like no other and they way that solo cuts through and takes center stage is just so awesome.

I learned it last year. It does not impress me as much now. That being said, Jimmy Page is in my top 3 guitar players of all time. He is so great because he can do it all. He had crushing riffs and memorable solos. Someone discussed EVH like that earlier in this thread. Angus Young is another riff beast that has some classic solos.

 

[Ghost Rider]

GIlmour's solos in Time and Comfortably Numb (both solos) are all in contention.

Alex Lifeson's in La Villa Strangiato, as well.

But, thinking outside the box here, I'll go with Roine Stolt's solo in The Flower Kings' song All You Can Save:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=D0WOH5Oofpo#t=210

 

[Mr. Ected]

Where does the duel solo in Hotel California come? About 4:00 on this track.

How about Brian May in Bohemian Rhapsody?

Zamboni, Can you pick a 'best' one for Rik Emmett?

 

[Todem]

Where does the duel solo in Hotel California come? About 4:00 on this track.

How about Brian May in Bohemian Rhapsody?

Zamboni, Can you pick a 'best' one for Rik Emmett?

I love Lay It On The Line from Emmett.....so good.

 

[-fish-]

some good picks in here. shine on you crazy diamond is probably my favorite, but someone needs to mention SRV...Texas Flood, maybe.

and McCready is very underrated.

 

[Jagov]

I'm a huge Gary Moore fan but I'm having a hard time picking his best.

Still Got the Blues For You is my favorite song but Parisienne Walkways may top it for his guitar work.Need Your Love So Bad is also a classic.

This - - - - - > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U9Q3UlO5gM

Top of my list and IMO Garys best

The tepid reaction of the crowd after he lays down an epic performance always freaks me out. I would have been standing on the table cheering like crazy

 

[SteevieG]

Michael Schenker.......U.F.O.....Rock Bottom

VERY VERY Exactly what I coming in to say.. The studio version is great, but the live version on Strangers in the Night is phenomenal and the best I've ever heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0OatiI5XcE

Solo starts at about 3:45

 

[ffldrew]

here is another good one

Danny Gatton - Harlem Nocturne

 

[NCCommish]

The song that made me want to play guitar was 10 Years After - I'd Love to Change the World. IIRC Alvin Lee on guitar.

 

[ChiefD]

The guitar solo on My Sharona.

Starts at about 2:43.

Underrated, imo.

 

[tom22406]

I'm a huge Gary Moore fan but I'm having a hard time picking his best.

Still Got the Blues For You is my favorite song but Parisienne Walkways may top it for his guitar work.Need Your Love So Bad is also a classic.

This - - - - - > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U9Q3UlO5gM

Top of my list and IMO Garys best

The tepid reaction of the crowd after he lays down an epic performance always freaks me out. I would have been standing on the table cheering like crazy

As I said he has so many great songs it's hard to pick one but without any doubts that is one of his best.

Excellent choice

 

[Anarchy99]

Clapton on While my Guitar Gently Weeps makes the song.

Young Clapton with the Beatles and George Martin producing.

Done and done.

Now before I get flamed for even SUGGESTING the following, please at least watch or listen to it before people turn their collective noses up at the following.

I would say that Prince (of all people) NAILS the solo at the end of While My Guitar Gently Weeps in the following video. It's like off the charts good. Too bad he didn't play more guitar for other artists. The man has skills (even if a lot of people can't stand his music). Solo starts roughly 3:30 in and runs the rest of the way. I wouldn't put Prince and The Beatles in the same sentence either, but the proof is in the pudding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

 

[Leroy Hoard]

worst guitar solos!

http://www.guitarworld.com/100_worst_guitar_solos

some great descriptions of them in there.

 

[Johnnymac]

Mark Knopfler, "Sultans of Swing" live version is pretty damn good.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Clapton on While my Guitar Gently Weeps makes the song.

Young Clapton with the Beatles and George Martin producing.

Done and done.

Now before I get flamed for even SUGGESTING the following, please at least watch or listen to it before people turn their collective noses up at the following.

I would say that Prince (of all people) NAILS the solo at the end of While My Guitar Gently Weeps in the following video. It's like off the charts good. Too bad he didn't play more guitar for other artists. The man has skills (even if a lot of people can't stand his music). Solo starts roughly 3:30 in and runs the rest of the way. I wouldn't put Prince and The Beatles in the same sentence either, but the proof is in the pudding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

Who has the first run of solos (before Prince)?

 

[17seconds]

In terms of soloing that is not overly dexterous yet fits the song perfectly, is there anything better than Sultans of Swing?

BTW also a big fan of Slash's solos. That guy really put a lot of effort into writing them for that type of music, you can tell.

 

[Chaos Commish]

"Maggot Brain" - Funkadelic

It's somewhat arrogant for any of us to say we're sure this or that solo is the greatest ever. But I don't know another that can move me like this. I wonder though if it should be classified as a solo, maybe a series of solos? At any rate, I was about to draft it in another thread and then post it here.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Clapton on While my Guitar Gently Weeps makes the song.

Young Clapton with the Beatles and George Martin producing.

Done and done.

Now before I get flamed for even SUGGESTING the following, please at least watch or listen to it before people turn their collective noses up at the following.

I would say that Prince (of all people) NAILS the solo at the end of While My Guitar Gently Weeps in the following video. It's like off the charts good. Too bad he didn't play more guitar for other artists. The man has skills (even if a lot of people can't stand his music). Solo starts roughly 3:30 in and runs the rest of the way. I wouldn't put Prince and The Beatles in the same sentence either, but the proof is in the pudding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

No reason to qualify Prince's guitar playing with worries about what others think. He is a rare genius with that axe of his. He's our Mozart and will be lionized long after we've been buried with our inferior musicians.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Just to be an iconoclast, I'll name solos from great guitarists already mentioned in this thread that I like better than the solos for which they've already been mentioned :

Slash - "Estranged" (made an otherwise somewhat boring song listenable by way of some of the best lead melodies I've ever heard.)

Gilmour - "On the Turning Away"

Van Halen - "Ice Cream Man"

Rhoads - "Over The Mountain"

Hendrix - "Little Wing"

Page - "In the Evening"

 

[zamboni]

"Maggot Brain" - Funkadelic

It's somewhat arrogant for any of us to say we're sure this or that solo is the greatest ever. But I don't know another that can move me like this. I wonder though if it should be classified as a solo, maybe a series of solos? At any rate, I was about to draft it in another thread and then post it here.

I was *this* close to using Maggot Brain in our draft for 1971, but opted against it only since I had too many long solo instrumental songs.

 

[zamboni]

Where does the duel solo in Hotel California come? About 4:00 on

Emmett has so much great stuff. Lay is great, but my fave is Fight The Good Fight.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

"Maggot Brain" - Funkadelic

It's somewhat arrogant for any of us to say we're sure this or that solo is the greatest ever. But I don't know another that can move me like this. I wonder though if it should be classified as a solo, maybe a series of solos? At any rate, I was about to draft it in another thread and then post it here.

I hear you on whether it's a "solo" (i.e. a guitar run in between vocal lines), but there are too many exceptions that prove the rule (stupid, fleet-fingered picking that have nothing to do with the melody of its song) for me to leave it out.

I'd rather include "Eruption" than most of EVH's idiotic solos that could have been in any song ever written and have had as much to do with them as the songs they were placed in. He ruined at least two generations of leads in white rock. EVH's "Beat It" solo, however, made sense and is a worthy inclusion.

 

[Chaos Commish]

"Maggot Brain" - Funkadelic

It's somewhat arrogant for any of us to say we're sure this or that solo is the greatest ever. But I don't know another that can move me like this. I wonder though if it should be classified as a solo, maybe a series of solos? At any rate, I was about to draft it in another thread and then post it here.

I was *this* close to using Maggot Brain in our draft for 1971, but opted against it only since I had too many long solo instrumental songs.

Since drafting a long instrumental Pink Floyd in round 1, I've been avoiding more, but after listening to Echoes I decided to just go for it.

 

[zamboni]

FWIW, great thread but it's impossible to pick THE greatest solo - despite what the critics want you to believe. Too much subjectivity.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

"Maggot Brain" - Funkadelic

It's somewhat arrogant for any of us to say we're sure this or that solo is the greatest ever. But I don't know another that can move me like this. I wonder though if it should be classified as a solo, maybe a series of solos? At any rate, I was about to draft it in another thread and then post it here.

I was *this* close to using Maggot Brain in our draft for 1971, but opted against it only since I had too many long solo instrumental songs.

I'm the sole heretic who likes Mike Hampton's version on One Nation better than Hazel's original.

 

[NCCommish]

Clapton on While my Guitar Gently Weeps makes the song.

Young Clapton with the Beatles and George Martin producing.

Done and done.

Now before I get flamed for even SUGGESTING the following, please at least watch or listen to it before people turn their collective noses up at the following.

I would say that Prince (of all people) NAILS the solo at the end of While My Guitar Gently Weeps in the following video. It's like off the charts good. Too bad he didn't play more guitar for other artists. The man has skills (even if a lot of people can't stand his music). Solo starts roughly 3:30 in and runs the rest of the way. I wouldn't put Prince and The Beatles in the same sentence either, but the proof is in the pudding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

No reason to qualify Prince's guitar playing with worries about what others think. He is a rare genius with that axe of his. He's our Mozart and will be lionized long after we've been buried with our inferior musicians.

Yeah the FFA is pretty much down with Prince on the guitar thing.

 

[jon_mx]

I am patiently waiting for the thread of the best performance by a black metal singer.

 

[tom22406]

Gotta show some love for Dimebag here.I picked Revolution is My Name but he has so many good ones it's hard to pick just one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XI1DD_vJuY

 

[Scoresman]

Also going to mention Led Zeppelin's Thank You to the mix, especially the version from the BBC tapes.

 

[E Street Brat]

Where does the duel solo in Hotel California come? About 4:00 on this track.

How about Brian May in Bohemian Rhapsody?

Zamboni, Can you pick a 'best' one for Rik Emmett?

I;m not familiar with many if the deeper Queen tunes, But "Killer Queen" is one of my favorite from Brian May

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I am patiently waiting for the thread of the best performance by a black metal singer.

LaJon Witherspoon of Sevendust would likely dominate that thread. Byron Davis of God Forbid, Corey Glover from Living Colour and Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage) would likely get some love too.

 

[Chaos Commish]

"Maggot Brain" - Funkadelic

It's somewhat arrogant for any of us to say we're sure this or that solo is the greatest ever. But I don't know another that can move me like this. I wonder though if it should be classified as a solo, maybe a series of solos? At any rate, I was about to draft it in another thread and then post it here.

I was *this* close to using Maggot Brain in our draft for 1971, but opted against it only since I had too many long solo instrumental songs.

I'm the sole heretic who likes Mike Hampton's version on One Nation better than Hazel's original.

Both incredible as is Frusciante's ode.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Gotta show some love for Dimebag here.I picked Revolution is My Name but he has so many good ones it's hard to pick just one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XI1DD_vJuY

So so so many great ones. "Domination" might be my favorite, I don't even know.

 

[jon_mx]

Clapton on While my Guitar Gently Weeps makes the song.

Young Clapton with the Beatles and George Martin producing.

Done and done.

Now before I get flamed for even SUGGESTING the following, please at least watch or listen to it before people turn their collective noses up at the following.

I would say that Prince (of all people) NAILS the solo at the end of While My Guitar Gently Weeps in the following video. It's like off the charts good. Too bad he didn't play more guitar for other artists. The man has skills (even if a lot of people can't stand his music). Solo starts roughly 3:30 in and runs the rest of the way. I wouldn't put Prince and The Beatles in the same sentence either, but the proof is in the pudding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

No reason to qualify Prince's guitar playing with worries about what others think. He is a rare genius with that axe of his. He's our Mozart and will be lionized long after we've been buried with our inferior musicians.

Yeah the FFA is pretty much down with Prince on the guitar thing.

That was fantastic...Thanks for posting.

 

[zamboni]

I am patiently waiting for the thread of the best performance by a black metal singer.

LaJon Witherspoon of Sevendust would likely dominate that thread. Byron Davis of God Forbid, Corey Glover from Living Colour and Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage) would likely get some love too.

Thin Lizzy likely won't pass your metal litmus test, but if we extend to hard rock, it's Phil Lynott every day and twice on Sunday.

 

[jon_mx]

I am patiently waiting for the thread of the best performance by a black metal singer.

LaJon Witherspoon of Sevendust would likely dominate that thread. Byron Davis of God Forbid, Corey Glover from Living Colour and Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage) would likely get some love too.

I think you are overlooking DSP.....king of the black metal singers.

 

[McGarnicle]

Clapton on While my Guitar Gently Weeps makes the song.

Young Clapton with the Beatles and George Martin producing.

Done and done.

Now before I get flamed for even SUGGESTING the following, please at least watch or listen to it before people turn their collective noses up at the following.

I would say that Prince (of all people) NAILS the solo at the end of While My Guitar Gently Weeps in the following video. It's like off the charts good. Too bad he didn't play more guitar for other artists. The man has skills (even if a lot of people can't stand his music). Solo starts roughly 3:30 in and runs the rest of the way. I wouldn't put Prince and The Beatles in the same sentence either, but the proof is in the pudding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

Holy crap, and then he throws the guitar in the air and makes it disappear!

That's rock n' roll.

 

[E Street Brat]

Free Bird gets all the Skynyrd love, and its a great solo for the sake of soloing. I think the guitar work in "That Smell" is much better.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Not a fan of everything Buckethead, but this is very tasteful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_klbXJz6tSI

 

[NCCommish]

Duane Allman Melissa.

 

[B-Deep]

worst guitar solos!

http://www.guitarworld.com/100_worst_guitar_solos

some great descriptions of them in there.

this one had me rolling

10 LENNY KRAVITZ

“American Woman”

5 (1998)

GUITARIST: Lenny Kravitz

In this plodding, lethargic remake of the Guess Who hit, Lenny Kravitz sucks all the bounce and air out of Randy Bachman’s classic riff like a vampire performing cunnilingus on a blow-up doll. If songs could give out restraining orders, Kravitz would be forced to stay away from everything recorded between 1960 and 1979.

 

[zamboni]

Not a fan of everything Buckethead, but this is very tasteful.

I picked Nottingham Lace in the music draft.

 

[NCCommish]

worst guitar solos!

http://www.guitarworld.com/100_worst_guitar_solos

some great descriptions of them in there.

this one had me rolling

10 LENNY KRAVITZ

“American Woman”

5 (1998)

GUITARIST: Lenny Kravitz

In this plodding, lethargic remake of the Guess Who hit, Lenny Kravitz sucks all the bounce and air out of Randy Bachman’s classic riff like a vampire performing cunnilingus on a blow-up doll. If songs could give out restraining orders, Kravitz would be forced to stay away from everything recorded between 1960 and 1979.

Not sure I could possibly disagree more with that.

 

[zamboni]

Free Bird gets all the Skynyrd love, and its a great solo for the sake of soloing. I think the guitar work in "That Smell" is much better.

Simple Man probably even better.

 

[NCCommish]

Free Bird gets all the Skynyrd love, and its a great solo for the sake of soloing. I think the guitar work in "That Smell" is much better.

Simple Man probably even better.

A personal favorite