5 of the Greatest Instrumental Moments in Rock Music History

Instrumentals, solos, and breaks are at the heart of rock music in all its iterations. And some instrumental moments are so legendary and so good that they are remembered for decades. Let’s look at just a few of our favorite instrumental rock music moments!

1. “Eruption” by Van Halen

Let’s be real. This wouldn’t be a list of incredible instrumental rock music moments without mentioning the 1976 song “Eruption” by Van Halen. Eddie Van Halen was the OG guitar hero in many respects, and one of his best arrangements on the guitar can be found on “Eruption”.

The start of the solo is a bit bluesy before Van Halen dives into rapid, passionate 12-bar licks. It’s flashy and wild, and it was the guitar solo that turned many listeners into diehard Van Halen fans.

2. “YYZ” by Rush

Instrumental rock music is at the heart of Rush’s discography. And one of the best instrumental moments of the band’s career can be heard on “YYZ”. It’s a simple song, but the elements they chose to incorporate make it stand out against other prog-rock tunes from the 1980s.

That bass, those drums, the mimicking sounds of Morse code, that tonal wonderland of that solo from Alex Lifeson… “YYZ” is pure art.

3. “Jessica” by The Allman Brothers Band

Jam bands are known for their great instrumentals, but we have to hand it to The Allman Brothers Band for their contribution to the genre in “Jessica”. The back-and-forth conversation between the guitars in this song sounds almost vocal and lyrical in a way. There’s really nothing like a solid guitar duel, after all.

4. “Marwa Blues” by George Harrison

George Harrison’s contribution to our list of incredible instrumental rock music moments is the posthumous release “Marwa Blues”. Harrison adopted the tune from a Hindu song, taking a traditional melody and turning it into something otherworldly on the slide guitar. 

It’s a spiritual and almost agonizing piece of work. Harrison makes his guitar weep in a way that rivals “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.

5. “Star Spangled Banner” by Jimi Hendrix

This is the kind of rendition of an American traditional that sticks with you long after you first hear it. Jimi Hendrix covered “Star Spangled Banner” with nothing but his electric guitar, and what an electrifying performance it was. 

There’s something about a patriotic tune being passionately shredded through with the distortion of an electric guitar that reflected sentiments about the US during the Vietnam War: Broken, disappointed, and emotional.

Photo by Mrs J Sharratt/Shutterstock

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