"Stairway to Heaven," Led Zeppelin (1971): Epic rock masterpiece with gentle acoustic start, fantastical lyrics, and a fiery peak, featuring Jimmy Page's wailing solo on a distinctive Fender Telecaster.
"The Star Spangled Banner," Jimi Hendrix (1970):Iconic Woodstock moment with Hendrix's instrumental anthem cover, starting faithful before diving into feedback-drenched jamming, a mind-bending psychedelic journey.
"Don’t Fear the Reaper," Blue Öyster Cult (1976): Spooky classic rock track famous for SNL's cowbell sketch. Singer/guitarist Buck Dharma's explosive solo, nailed in one take, adds rapid-fire climax to poetic lyrics about imminent death.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nirvana (1991):Kurt Cobain's simple yet cathartic solo on the breakout hit, mimicking the vocal melody on his Fender Mustang. The chorus effect-drenched tone and impassioned playing make it a grunge anthem.
"Reelin’ in the Years," Steely Dan (1972): Uncharacteristically boisterous for Steely Dan, featuring a jazzy solo by session musician Elliott Randall on a wiry, distorted tone, declared by Jimmy Page as his favorite solo.