Top 10 Best Guitar Solos of All Time

Lynyrd Skynyrd was an American rock band that became popular in the early 1970s with a mix of country, boogie and hard rock. Their best-known song is the power ballad 'Free Bird' from 1974. 'Free Bird' starts very quietly until halfway through the band's guitarists (three in total) increase the tempo and follow each other with wavy solos. The tension is built up with high notes and after the drummer joins the band continues, after which more solos follow. Lynyrd Skynyrd usually played 'Free Bird' as a climax during concerts, where a length of 14 minutes could easily be achieved if the guitarists had inspiration. In the United States, it has been an ironic tradition for decades to shout "Free Bird" as a request during a break between songs at any band's concert.

For a while, Guns N' Roses from Los Angeles seemed like an inconspicuous hard rock band that would never really break through. Their debut album had already been released for a year when the single Sweet Child o' Mine became a world hit in 1988. Guitarist Slash initially saw nothing in the song, but during a jam session his jokes with the opening riff grew into a serious song with an epic solo that is carefully built up until singer Axl Rose joins in again in a characteristic way.

The British band Dire Straits would immediately make a name for themselves with their debut single 'Sultans of Swing' in 1978. Singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler, who mainly uses his thumb instead of a pick, managed to decorate the song with a number of guitar solos that stood out for their clear sound and exciting twists. During performances, for example during Live Aid, the song was eagerly stretched to more than ten minutes with Knopfler adding even more peaks and valleys.

The debut album by the American hard rock band Van Halen would have a major influence on glam rock and metal. The short instrumental song 'Eruption' in particular would influence generations of guitarists. After a short introduction, guitarist Eddie Van Halen takes control with a virtuoso solo in which he perfects the so-called tapping technique (he hammers on the strings with his left hand, while the right hand plays along on the guitar neck.) The fast notes that Van Halen produces in this way are perfect for a kind of baroque melody.

Jimi Hendrix is ​​one of the key musicians of the sixties who unfortunately died too early. Hendrix would unleash a musical revolution by using his guitar in all kinds of new ways. He sometimes played with his teeth, managed to create new sounds and set his guitar on fire during a performance. His oeuvre is full of great guitar solos and that of 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' is one of the roughest.

Pink Floyd's double album The Wall (1979) has been a favorite of many rock fans for years. The album tells a complete story about a rock star who slowly goes crazy and starts a career as a dictator. 'Comfortably Numb' is a turnaround in the story and guitarist David Gilmour seizes the opportunity to end the song with an emotional solo.

Eric Clapton was once asked what it was like to be the best guitarist in the world. To this he replied “no idea, you have to ask Prince.” No wonder because this complete musician was a gifted guitarist. In 1984, the ballad 'Purple Rain' became a world hit, partly thanks to a guitar solo that rivals the classics of rock music. Prince played the song on almost all of his tours, stretching the solo well past ten minutes.

Eric Clapton is generally considered one of the best rock guitarists in the world. After success in Cream and a short adventure with the band Blind Faith, he founded Derek & The Domino's. He only recorded one album because the band quickly fell apart due to drug use and arguments. But at least one of the songs, 'Layla', would become a rock classic. 'Layla' is a love song about George Harrison's wife, with whom Clapton fell in love. The long high guitar solo with which 'Layla' ends is a perfect example of playing with feeling.

"Little Wing" is a ballad by Jimi Hendrix. Since Hendrix is ​​held in high esteem by most guitarists, there are many cover versions of his songs. Stevie Ray Vaughan was a gifted blues guitarist who loved a natural sound. After his tragic death in a helicopter accident in 1990, the album The Sky is Crying was released, including an impressive instrumental version of 'Little Wing', which Vaughan developed into a long, subdued solo.

“On a dark desert highway…” Everyone knows 'Hotel California' by Eagles, which consistently ends up high in the Top 2000. The popularity can be explained by the mysterious lyrics and atmosphere, but would of course never be so great without the long guitar solo with which the song ends. Actually, guitarists Joe Walsh and Don Felder play a number of solos that sometimes complement each other.