Top 10 Guitar Solos

It takes a whole band to rock, but these solos will make you roll. Welcome to Kiker’s Blog, and today I’m listing my top 10 guitar solos. For this list I limited it to one solo per artist/group, and excluded instrumentals.

10. Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple-Highway Star

With Smoke on the Water, the Deep Purple guitarist paved the way for classical music and blues rock; and brought to life one of the most iconic riffs in history. However, when it comes to solos it’s hard to overlook Highway Star.

9. Eric Clapton from Cream-Crossroads

As one of the greatest guitarists of all time, it’s no surprise Clapton has a number of signature solos under his belt. While he made history with Layla’s signature sound, it’s with Crossroad’s solo that he really nails it. In fact, this arrangement of Robert Johnson’s original blues tune is so good; I think he might have signed a deal with the devil too.

8. Randy Rhoads from Ozzy Osbourne-Mr. Crowley

Rhoads exploded into the heavy metal universe after giving Ozzy Osbourne’s music a new life. While Crazy Train features one of the genres most iconic riffs, it’s actually the second single from the same album that captures Rhoads’ guitar skills best. Mr. Crowley contains not one, not two, but three stand out guitar moments, but the masterpiece’s climax is the best solo of the song.

7. Joe Walsh from Eagles-Hotel California

The Eagles produced another number one hit with Hotel California. That record spawned the smooth and soulful title track that classic rock stations won’t let us forget. Aside from its surrealist lyrics, Hotel California showcases some of the most memorable electric guitar chemistry ever between Walsh & Felder.

6. Allen Collins & Gary Rossington from Lynyrd Skynyrd-Freebird

With their defiant solos and remarkable rock and roll swagger, Lynyrd Skynyrd became fixtures of the southern rock scene. It’s because of this that Lynyrd Skynyrd became a household name across America. Due in no small part to its structure, half ballad, half up tempo guitar solo, Freebird also became their second top 40 hit. Keeping crowds pumped for decades.

5. Brian May from Queen-Bohemian Rhapsody

With Freddie Mercury’s theatrical vocals and lively stage presence as with May’s virtuoso guitar abilities, Queen scored big overseas thanks to Bohemian Rhapsody. Featuring elements of hard rock, balladry, and opera, its unconventional style initially baffled critics. Today it’s one of the Brit’s most popular songs. It’s in this melodic chorus less tune that May played one of the most incredible solos ever. And the song wouldn’t be the same without it

4. Jimi Hendrix from the Jimi Hendrix Experience-All Along the Watchtower

Though Purple Haze or Voodoo Child could’ve easily made this list, it’s this iconic guitarist’s legendary cover of All Along the Watchtower that lands a spot on my list. The Jimi Hendrix Experience gave Bob Dylan’s folk rock original a psychedelic rock spin which included a killer guitar solo that helped Hendrix earn his only top 20 American hit. Even Dylan was inspired; his later performances of the track were influenced by Jimi’s version.

3. Slash from Guns N’ Roses-Sweet Child O’ Mine

While Slash stood out on a wide range of songs from Night Train to Welcome to the Jungle, it’s Sweet Child O’ Mine that set the stage for the band’s later work. Though its brilliant riff was conceived as a joke, the track’s chart topping success and incredible solo were anything but a joke. Appetite for Destruction also became the best-selling debut album in American history.

2. Jimmy Paige from Led Zeppelin-Stairway to Heaven

No list of the op guitar solos would be complete without Stairway to Heaven. With Robert Plant’s incredible vocals and Bonham’s thunderous bass drum, you have an unmatched sound blending blues, hard rock, and folk. However, it’s Paige’s complex guitar work that’s truly left a measurable influence on later artists.

Honorable Mentions:

Chuck Berry-Johnny B. Goode

John Frusciante from Red Hot Chili Peppers-Dani California

Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top-Sharp Dressed Man

George Harrison from The Beatles-Twist and Shout

Alex Lifeson from Rush-Limelight

Eddie Van Halen from Van Halen-Hot For Teacher

1. David Gilmour from Pink Floyd-Comfortably Numb

The third single from The Wall ensured fans that they weren’t numb to their music. They may have been known for introspective lyrics, studio experimentation, extravagant shows, but their sound wouldn’t have been the same without Gilmour. His blues inspired guitar on Comfortably Numb’s final solo helped solidify the band’s popularity and success.