The most influential guitar solos revolutionized rock music through technical innovation and emotional depth, from Jimi Hendrix’s psychedelic mastery in “All Along the Watchtower” to David Gilmour’s expressive “Comfortably Numb.” Virtuosos like Eddie Van Halen, Slash, and Jimmy Page transformed the landscape with groundbreaking techniques such as tapping, harmonics, and multi-layered recordings, while masters like Mark Knopfler, Ritchie Blackmore, and Carlos Santana added their unique voices to this musical evolution. These legendary performances continue to shape modern guitar playing and inspire new generations of musicians. Read on to discover the 20 guitar solos that changed rock history forever.
Jimi Hendrix: All Along the Watchtower Guitar Solo
Jimi Hendrix’s guitar solo in “All Along the Watchtower” revolutionized rock music through its groundbreaking psychedelic techniques.
Take a break and check out my new improvised jazz guitar preludes on Spotify:
Hendrix elevated Dylan’s original folk composition through his transformative electric guitar work at Record Plant studios in New York. The final recording was selected from the twenty-seventh take, showcasing the guitarist’s perfectionist approach to capturing the ideal performance.
The guitarist blended traditional blues scales with modern effects pedals, creating layers of sound through his signature wah-wah pedal and fuzz distortion.
His innovative playing techniques, including dynamic hammer-ons and pull-offs, established melodic conversations within the solo sections.
This pioneering performance resonated deeply within rock music, earning recognition as the 47th Greatest Song by Rolling Stone magazine.
David Gilmour: Comfortably Numb Guitar Solo
David Gilmour’s guitar solo in “Comfortably Numb” is widely regarded as one of rock’s greatest guitar performances, defined by its emotional depth and technical brilliance.
The guitar solo connects Gilmour’s virtuosity with Pink Floyd’s musical legacy. The B minor pentatonic scale forms the foundation of the performance, while Gilmour’s distinctive style shapes the melodic journey. Many guitarists find that breaking the solo into chunks helps master its complex passages.
His playing technique combines controlled string bends, measured triplet sequences, and strategic use of space. The solo evolves organically, starting with subtle phrases before reaching powerful crescendos.
Gilmour’s restrained bluesy approach demonstrates masterful musicianship, creating an iconic moment that influenced countless guitarists and remains a benchmark for expressive rock guitar playing.
Eddie Van Halen: Eruption Guitar Solo
“Eruption” was a revolutionary guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen that transformed guitar playing techniques when released in 1978.
The instrumental track came to life when producer Ted Templeman discovered Van Halen practicing in the studio, leading to its inclusion on Van Halen’s debut album.
Through his Marshall amplifier setup, Eddie Van Halen created the piece using minimal effects while introducing his pioneering two-handed tapping technique. Van Halen famously recorded the track in just one first take, complete with a minor mistake that added to its raw appeal.
The guitarist’s raw talent generated rapid-fire scales and his trademark “brown sound” tone, which became a defining influence for an entire generation of guitarists in the 1980s and subsequent decades.
His innovative approach to sound manipulation continues to inspire modern guitarists who push the boundaries of traditional playing styles.
Slash: Sweet Child O Mine Guitar Solo
Slash’s guitar solo in “Sweet Child O’ Mine” combines technical skill and emotional depth through his Les Paul guitar and Marshall amp, creating one of rock’s most celebrated solos. The performance flows through D Mixolydian and E Aeolian modes, demonstrating his innovative approach to lead guitar work. The use of fast wah pedal techniques during intricate sections adds distinctive tonal character.
The spontaneous creation captures both melodic sophistication and raw energy, establishing a benchmark for rock guitar craftsmanship.
- Complex pattern repetition starting at the ninth fret on the G string
- Strategic use of bends at the 15th fret with release and pull-offs
- Integration of modal and pentatonic scales throughout the performance
- Innovative string interaction between G and B strings for unique tonality
The distinctive sound emerges from Slash’s guitar interacting with his amplifier, while his fingering techniques connect modal passages with emotional expression.
His fretboard navigation merges classical influences with blues-based rock, creating fluid transitions between technical sections and melodic phrases. The solo’s structure builds from precise pattern work to soaring melodic peaks, demonstrating masterful control over dynamics and tone.
Jimmy Page: Stairway To Heaven Guitar Solo
Jimmy Page created one of rock’s most iconic guitar solos in “Stairway to Heaven,” defining a pivotal moment in music history.
The guitar performance emerged from Page’s masterful use of a Telecaster guitar, delivering its characteristic sharp tone throughout the solo. Engineer Andy Johns witnessed Page achieve an unbelievable final take after initial struggles with the recording. The musical passage demonstrates Page’s improvisational abilities combined with deliberate structural choices in phrasing and dynamics.
Page wove the solo around the A minor pentatonic scale, employing sophisticated string bending and pull-off techniques that showcase his technical prowess.
The guitar work’s enduring influence and artistic merit have secured its position among rock music’s most celebrated instrumental performances.
Eric Clapton: Layla Guitar Solo
Eric Clapton’s guitar solo in “Layla” masterfully combines blues and flamenco styles to create one of rock music’s most influential guitar performances.
The solo exhibits Clapton’s virtuosity by connecting D minor tonality with emotional expression through precise fingerwork and dynamic phrasing. The performance particularly shines in the fifth and sixth frets, where he outlines the foundational D minor triad.
Through this iconic recording, Clapton demonstrates his ability to merge traditional blues elements with Mediterranean musical influences, resulting in a groundbreaking rock guitar achievement that captures both technical skill and raw emotion.
- Features intricate double stops and emotive string bends
- Utilizes both minor blues and natural minor scales
- Showcases advanced techniques like slides and vibrato
- Built around a simple yet effective chord progression of Dm-C-Bb
Brian May: Bohemian Rhapsody Guitar Solo
Brian May’s guitar solo in “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a landmark example of classical-influenced rock guitar virtuosity that diverges from traditional blues-based approaches.
Combining Eb major pentatonic scales with melodic phrasing creates the foundational structure of the solo’s opening section. The Red Special guitar creates May’s distinctive sound through melodic phrases and technical elements. May utilizes pre-bends and trills while moving through Eb major scales, both pentatonic and diatonic.
His tremolo picking technique adds precision to the performance, while the theatrical progression of notes mirrors the song’s operatic qualities.
The solo’s composition demonstrates May’s classical music background, integrating these influences with rock guitar techniques to produce a solo that enhances the song’s dramatic character.
Mark Knopfler: Sultans Of Swing Guitar Solo
The guitar solo in “Sultans of Swing” exemplifies Mark Knopfler’s masterful fingerpicking technique that became his signature style.
Knopfler crafted the original composition using a National Steel guitar before transitioning to a 1961 Fender Stratocaster. This pivotal change enabled Knopfler to develop the distinctive sound combining precise hammer-ons with calculated pull-offs. His early fascination with blues deeply influenced his innovative playing approach.
The Stratocaster allowed him to create economic phrases that elevated the solo to legendary status among rock guitarists.
- Ranked No. 22 on Guitar World’s list of greatest guitar solos
- Features a unique synthesis of fingerpicking and plectrum-style effects
- Influenced by rhythm and blues legends like Chet Atkins and B.B. King
- Live versions often extend into epic 11-minute improvisational performances
Ritchie Blackmore: Smoke On The Water Guitar Solo
Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar solo in “Smoke on the Water” is renowned for transforming a simple chord progression into an iconic rock moment through modal techniques and skillful playing.
Blackmore employs G minor to F movement as his foundation, building layers through pentatonic and blues scales in Montreux’s recording space. His guitar work connects modal elements from Aeolian and Dorian traditions while using the spatial placement of his instrument in the left channel. The performance received thunderous applause from audiences worldwide, cementing its legendary status.
The Revox tape echo enhances his distinct tone, creating a guitar sound that established new standards for rock solos and influenced countless musicians who followed.
Carlos Santana: Europa Guitar Solo
Carlos Santana’s “Europa” guitar solo masterfully combines jazz sophistication with emotional expression through structured descending chord progressions and dynamic volume control.
The solo showcases his commitment to bridging diverse genres, drawing from his extensive work with jazz legends and rock musicians alike. Santana connects musical elements through precise control and thoughtful composition. His approach avoids improvisational excess in favor of carefully constructed melodic passages.
The distinctive tone comes from strategic pickup choices and volume manipulation, while his phrasing bridges multiple musical traditions into a cohesive, expressive performance.
- Emphasizes sustaining notes and melodic lines over technical flash
- Relies heavily on neck pickup settings for rich tonal qualities
- Incorporates precise volume control, ranging from 6 to 10
- Demonstrates bridging of jazz and rock traditions through fluid phrasing
Prince: Purple Rain Guitar Solo
The guitar solo in Prince’s “Purple Rain” is widely regarded as one of rock music’s most emotive and technically accomplished guitar performances.
Prince connects musical elements through the key of B flat, expressing his artistry through the G minor pentatonic and B flat major scales.
The guitarist employs precise string bends and vibrato techniques to convey deep feeling, while his equipment choices blend clean and overdriven amplifier sounds.
His methodical approach to dynamics and phrasing established a performance that continues to shape modern guitar playing and has become a benchmark for rock solos. Live versions of the song often feature extended improvisational sections that showcase Prince’s masterful command of the instrument.
Kirk Hammett: Master Of Puppets Guitar Solo
Kirk Hammett’s guitar solo in “Master of Puppets” revolutionized heavy metal guitar playing through its technical complexity and melodic innovation.
While Hammett has expressed that performing the same solo becomes monotonous, he continues to deliver powerful performances that resonate with audiences. His performance connects masterful guitar techniques with creative expression. The solo demonstrates his signature style through precise timing and intricate patterns. His approach draws from Jimi Hendrix’s tonal influences, particularly evident in the “Purple Haze” similarities. Much like boundary-pushing guitarists such as Omar Rodríguez-López, Hammett’s work challenged conventional playing styles.
The performance alternates between flowing melodies and intense technical sections, becoming a consistent highlight during Metallica’s concerts where Hammett often adds spontaneous variations.
- Complex fingering patterns and precise timing demonstrate advanced technical proficiency
- Influenced by Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” tonal qualities
- Features dynamic shifts between melodic passages and intense shredding
- Regular highlight of Metallica’s live performances, often with improvisational elements
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Texas Flood Guitar Solo
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar solo in “Texas Flood” represents a masterful fusion of blues techniques and personal innovation that helped define modern electric blues.
Vaughan performed this iconic recording at Jackson Browne’s studio, where his Fender Vibroverb amplifier delivered his characteristic tone. The extraordinary recording was completed in just two recording days with absolutely no overdubs. The guitarist’s intense playing style, marked by powerful vibrato and aggressive attack, played a crucial role in blues music’s renewed popularity during the 1980s.
His performance in A-flat major demonstrates his technical command through deliberate string manipulation and dynamic control, contributing to the album’s commercial success and double-platinum certification.
Angus Young: Back In Black Guitar Solo
Angus Young’s guitar solo in “Back in Black” exemplifies masterful rock guitar playing through its controlled intensity and melodic progression.
The solo embodies AC/DC’s signature sound through Young’s Gibson SG tone, combining bluesy phrases with rock energy. Released in 1980 as a tribute to former lead singer Bon Scott, the solo stands as a powerful testament to the band’s resilience. His approach connects pentatonic scale patterns with emotional string manipulation, creating a powerful musical narrative that builds tension and release.
The performance showcases his distinctive playing style while maintaining the band’s raw, direct musical approach, establishing a benchmark for rock guitar solos.
- Utilizes dynamic double stops and precise note selection for maximum impact
- Combines major and minor pentatonic scales with bluesy inflections
- Features a strategic build-up from quiet passages to intense climaxes
- Demonstrates Young’s characteristic Gibson SG tone and restrained virtuosity
Pete Townshend: Won’t Get Fooled Again Guitar Solo
Pete Townshend’s guitar solo in “Won’t Get Fooled Again” delivers a powerful bridge between the synthesizer breakdown and Roger Daltrey’s famous scream.
The performance connects Townshend’s distinctive windmill strumming to the song’s climactic moments through precise power chord progressions. The song’s rich production features panning and layering techniques that enhance the guitar solo’s depth and impact.
The guitar work weaves multiple recorded layers with intricate arpeggios, while maintaining spontaneous elements that mesh with Keith Moon’s intense drum patterns.
Townshend’s approach combines studio precision with raw energy, creating a solo that captures both technical skill and emotional intensity.
Nancy Wilson: Crazy On You Guitar Solo
Nancy Wilson’s acoustic guitar solo in “Crazy On You” demonstrates innovative hybrid picking techniques and intricate fingering patterns that revolutionized rock music.
Wilson’s artistry connects to Paul Simon’s fingerpicking style through her adaptation of “Anji” techniques. The 1970s cultural landscape shaped her creation of this groundbreaking introduction, which pushed acoustic guitar boundaries within rock music. Similar to multimedia guitar performances pioneered by later artists like Kaki King, Wilson created a distinctive sonic landscape through her playing.
Her distinctive approach combines technical precision with spontaneous interpretation, establishing a new standard for acoustic performance in rock. The song emerged during a time when female musicians faced intense scrutiny in the male-dominated rock scene.
- Combines flat pick and finger-style techniques for simultaneous string articulation
- Features dynamic elements including slides, pull-offs, and hammer-ons
- Requires meticulous practice to master the varying speeds and complexities
- Demonstrates Wilson’s signature style of never playing it exactly the same way twice
Joe Satriani: Surfing With Alien Guitar Solo
Joe Satriani’s “Surfing with the Alien” guitar solo represents a groundbreaking achievement in electric guitar virtuosity and technical mastery.
Satriani created this iconic instrumental using a combination of advanced techniques and specialized equipment. The recording process involved a malfunctioning Eventide H949 and his preferred Kramer Pacer guitars, through which he demonstrated exceptional legato playing, two-handed tapping, and pinched harmonics. Completed on a budget of $13,000, the album showcased Satriani’s ability to create masterful guitar work even with financial constraints.
His innovative approach to progressive guitar techniques would later influence modern metal artists like Misha Mansoor’s djent movement. The track’s commercial success led to platinum status and Grammy nominations, while permanently influencing the instrumental rock genre and establishing higher standards for shred guitar performance. His innovative approach reshaped guitar soloing techniques and continues to inspire modern guitarists.
Tom Morello: Killing In The Name Guitar Solo
Tom Morello’s guitar solo in “Killing In The Name” features innovative effects and techniques that transformed modern rock guitar playing.
His mastery at blending rock and metal creates a distinctive sound that influenced countless musicians. The solo connects Morello’s signature elements through deliberate design choices. The foundation builds on D minor Pentatonic patterns flowing through a Marshall JCM800 amplifier.
The guitarist crafts unique tonal textures by combining his Whammy pedal’s dramatic two-octave shifts with precise technical execution. The recording captures a stark, immediate sound without reverb or ambient effects.
- Employs the signature killswitch technique for stuttering effects
- Features neck pickup selection for hollow characteristic tones
- Utilizes the DigiTech Whammy pedal for dramatic pitch shifting
- Incorporates “super dry” recording with zero reverb or ambiance
Gary Moore: Parisienne Walkways Guitar Solo
The iconic guitar solo in “Parisienne Walkways” represents Gary Moore’s masterpiece of blues-rock expression and emotional depth.
Moore’s performance centers on his renowned 1959 Les Paul guitar connected to Marshall amplifiers, creating his distinctive sound signature.
The solo demonstrates his technical mastery through fluid legato passages and measured string manipulations. His ability to create emotion through wide, expressive vibrato became a hallmark of his playing style. His command of dynamics moves between quiet moments and powerful crescendos, reflecting the musical heritage of Eric Clapton and Peter Green.
The composition reveals Moore’s ability to blend technical precision with raw emotional power, establishing this solo as a benchmark in rock guitar performance.
Randy Rhoads: Crazy Train Guitar Solo
Randy Rhoads revolutionized heavy metal guitar playing through his masterful solo in “Crazy Train.” Rhoads connects classical music with metal techniques, creating complex melodic patterns that influenced generations of guitarists. The song became a cornerstone of rock music history after its 1980 release.
His innovative approach combines sophisticated musical theory with raw metal energy, while his technical execution demonstrates exceptional control and artistic vision. The recording process enhanced his revolutionary performance through meticulous production techniques.
- Triple-tracked recording method for enhanced depth and complexity
- Extensive use of legato sequences and wide vibrato techniques
- Integration of F# Aeolian motifs with pinch harmonics
- Combination of tapping arpeggios and minor-scale passages
