Much of rock music is centered around a powerful guitar solo. Few genres have such a reliance on a single instrument. There have been many famous guitar solos throughout the decades, but the four below have reached unprecedented heights. The have nearly transcended the songs they are from. Revisit them, below.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Free Bird” (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Even if you don’t know “Free Bird”–which would put you in the minority of music listeners–you’d likely know the guitar solo that rounds out this rock classic. It’s long, but not at all tiresome. In fact, we could do with five more minutes of this guitar greatness. Allen Collins and Gary Rossington more than earned their spots in Lynyrd Skynyrd with this incomparable solo.
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
‘Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see
But if I stay here with you, girl
Things just couldn’t be the same
“Hotel California” (Eagles)
“Hotel California” is instantly recognizable for many reasons, but a major one is the powerful guitar solo, performed by Don Felder and Joe Walsh. The two expert guitarists play this solo in octaves, delivering one of the most famous solos of all time. Guitarists dream of being able to play this solo and put their best effort into learning it. It’s as much the stuff of rock legend as the musicians that made it famous.
On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim, I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway, I heard the mission bell
And I was thinkin’ to myself, “This could be heaven or this could be hell”
“Crazy Train” (Ozzy Osbourne)
Randy Rhoads’ playing on the “Crazy Train” guitar solo is mind-boggling. Beginner guitarist would listen to this song and shudder. It certainly showcases a mastery of the instrument. Rhoads expertly blends in the memorable chorus of “Crazy Train” and his own melodic elements. It’s a marvel of technical skill.
Crazy, but that’s how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it’s not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate
Mental wounds not healing
Life’s a bitter shame
“Stairway to Heaven” (Led Zeppelin)
On the softer end of the sonic spectrum, we have Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” While this song features less of a solo and more of a memorable refrain, we still chose to feature it. The opening riff is instantly recognizable. Even those outside of rock’s typical listenership know this bit of guitar history.
There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold
And she’s buying a stairway to Heaven
When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed
With a word she can get what she came for
(Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)
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