Who’s Your Guitar Hero?

Whether it's shredding guitar or a melodic tear-jerker, these guitar solos create some of the most memorable moments in music. From legendary guitar players to iconic songs and remarkable performances, the guitar has created some of the most well-known moments in music history. With that in mind, here are 20 of the most iconic guitar solos that left audiences shook.

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1. Bohemian Rhapsody

Brian May's guitar solo in Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) is characterized by classical phrasing and rock virtuosity. Its melodic phrasing matches the song's operatic interlude and delivers emotional impact. Praised for its accuracy, tone, and integration, the solo is a key component in one of rock's most iconic masterpieces.

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2. Hotel California

The interplay between Don Felder and Joe Walsh on Hotel California (1977) is a masterclass in twin guitar harmony. The two weave in and out with impeccably synchronized lines, producing a soaring, almost cinematic climax to the track. It's often cited as one of the greatest for its technical prowess, memorability, and emotional resonance.

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3. Comfortably Numb

David Gilmour's solos on Comfortably Numb (1979) are famous for their soulful bends and expressive phrasing. The solos ebb and flow, creating tension and release that mirror the song's haunting lyrics. The solos' emotional resonance and melodic quality make them timeless in the annals of rock.

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4. Eruption

Eruption (1978) by Eddie Van Halen is an instrumental solo that is known for its tapping, speed, and technical proficiency. The solo showcases Van Halen's virtuosic playing and is considered to be one of the most influential guitar solos in rock music. Eruption has been praised for its groundbreaking sound and energy.

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5. Stairway to Heaven

Jimmy Page's solo in Stairway to Heaven (1971) weaves tension and melody. It climaxes the song with fluid runs and expressive phrasing. A blend of technique and musicality, it has become a benchmark for rock guitarists.

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6. Sweet Child O’ Mine

Slash's solo on Sweet Child O' Mine (1988) is both emotional and technically impressive. The phrasing is melodic and complements the riff well. The solo is known for its catchy hooks and expressive vibrato.

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7. Crazy Train

Randy Rhoads' solo in Crazy Train (1980) is a whirlwind of speed and technique. Tons of fast notes, articulate playing, and a raw, aggressive tone make the solo stand out. It's one of the all-time best solos because of the technical prowess and metal guitar influence.

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8. Free Bird

Allen Collins' extended solo in Free Bird (1974) is a guitar marathon. Beginning melodic, it builds to a shredding climax. The length, passion, and memorability are legendary.

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9. Beat It

Eddie Van Halen's solo on Beat It (1982) exposed pop fans to rock guitar. Fast, aggressive licks pepper the song without dominating it. The solo's technical prowess and crossover success made it one of Van Halen's most recognizable solos.

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10. Sultans of Swing

Mark Knopfler's fingerstyle solo in Sultans of Swing (1977) is clean, fluid, and rhythmically tight. With jazzy phrasing and dynamic subtlety, the solo has a conversational quality. The solo is praised for its restraint and musical storytelling.

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11. Purple Rain

Prince's solo in Purple Rain (1984) is emotive, soaring, and deeply expressive. A combination of rock power, soulful bends, and sustain makes it one of the most emotionally resonant solos in pop and rock history.

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12. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Eric Clapton's bluesy solo in While My Guitar Gently Weeps (1968) brings soul to a Beatles classic. It's phrased with feeling, meshing with Harrison's sorrowful song. The solo is celebrated for its raw emotion and tasteful showmanship.

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13. All Along the Watchtower

Jimi Hendrix's cover of All Along the Watchtower (1968) is explosive and psychedelic. His solo is fluid, innovative, and expressive with bends. It's often ranked as one of the best solos due to its creativity, intensity, and influence on rock guitar.

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14. Highway Star

Ritchie Blackmore's solo in Highway Star (1972) is an adrenaline-fueled burst of high-speed metal. It's tightly controlled and technical, drawing influence from classical music. The solo perfectly matches the frenetic tempo of the song and has become an iconic example of virtuosic, aggressive guitar solos.

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15. Fade to Black

Kirk Hammett's solos on Fade to Black (1984) go from melodic to frenzied as the song builds emotion. He balances the phrases with mournful bends and raging metal runs. They are lauded for both their emotional and metal virtuosity.

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16. Blackbird

The dual guitar harmonies in Blackbird (2007) highlight the melody of Tremonti and Kennedy's leads, and their skills and technique. The harmonized solos at the end of the song add an epic scale to the build-up and release. The song's solos are said to be some of the best in modern rock for their intricacy and emotional power.

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17. Still Got the Blues

Gary Moore's solo in Still Got the Blues (1990) is soulful, expressive, and steeped in blues tradition. Every bend and vibrato communicates deep emotion. Its combination of technical mastery and heartfelt feeling makes it a standout blues-rock solo.

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18. Reapers

Matt Bellamy's solo on Reapers (2015) is a blast of pure speed, accuracy, and futuristic sounds. With a style that merges rock shredding with sci-fi effects and digital textures, the solo is often celebrated for its technical innovation and electrifying energy.

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19. Back in Black

Angus Young's solo in Back in Black (1980) is short and to the point, a mini explosion of hot licks that fit the groove of the song like a glove. The phrasing has a blues-rock attitude, and the licks themselves are easily recognizable and memorable. The solo is high on punch, attitude, and rock 'n' roll spirit.

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20. For the Love of God

Steve Vai's solo on For the Love of God (1990) is a masterclass in speed, emotion, and technicality. Each note is purposeful, taking the listener on a spiritual, soaring journey. It's one of the best for its innovative and precise technique, combined with raw, powerful expression.

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