Saw Satriani opening for AC/DC in Lisbon back in the 90s, dude was insane. Grabbed a new guitar for every song, played at least a dozen song set and we still wanted more.
Maggie’s Best Guitar Solo
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If you’re a fan of slide guitar, have to throw Derek Trucks in the ring. With Allman brothers roots, he’s arguably the best slide guitarist currently. Solo at 03:25
Surfing With The Alien was a transformative event in my playing career. I mean, he taught Steve Vai and Kirk Hammett how to play...
A different genre, but Roy Clark is amazing to listen to.
Jerry Reed was good too
Jerry Reed was good too
TBH I can’t knock ANY of the guitar player that have been mentioned here.
Another 'old school' not on this list that is pretty much legend is Joe Walsh, and 78 years old now 2025, learned all the tricks . The man has laid down some of the most incredible memorable guitar licks in rock history that everyone just instantly recognizes.
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Joe Walsh
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Stevie Ray Vaughn's version of Little Wing.
Nice rig. I had a Blackface Super Reverb, and a slightly later one called a Super Six Reverb. Played a PRS Custom with Birds until it all got ripped off.
Finally someone got to the master. There was Jimi and there was everybody else. I always liked Cassady/Kaukonen on this opening.
I agree - all posted are the best ever.
A couple of my favorites are Jeff Beck, Cause we've ended as Lovers, and Gary Moore Parisienne Walkways. The songs as a whole.
A couple of my favorites are Jeff Beck, Cause we've ended as Lovers, and Gary Moore Parisienne Walkways. The songs as a whole.
I think guitarists are kinda like racing drivers - "best" depends on discipline.
People can argue Schumacher vs. Earnhardt all day long, but they raced different kinds of cars in different racing disciplines.
Vai & Malmsteen play guitar like Hendrix and Clapton play guitar...but they play guitar *differently*. Classical shredding is a lot different IMO than blues guitar, which is different than 60-70s rock guitar, which is different than contemporary jazz guitar, which is different than 80s hard rock/metal.
People can argue Schumacher vs. Earnhardt all day long, but they raced different kinds of cars in different racing disciplines.
Vai & Malmsteen play guitar like Hendrix and Clapton play guitar...but they play guitar *differently*. Classical shredding is a lot different IMO than blues guitar, which is different than 60-70s rock guitar, which is different than contemporary jazz guitar, which is different than 80s hard rock/metal.
Because it's music/art, and everyone's taste is a little different, I do think you can split this into several different categories.
There is a difference between being able to play incredibly technically and fast, injecting massive amounts of soul, the best song writers, the most unique, different, and innovative techniques, etc., etc.
Frank Zappa said that Steve Vai was the best guitarist he's ever heard. How they met was that Vai took one of Zappa's wild, free wheeling jams, wrote it all down note-for-note in musical notation, and mailed it to him. Before he had heard a single riff from Vai's guitar he knew that this was an incredibly gifted person, and when he asked him to come play with him he said he was as blown away as he had hoped when he saw his own jam in musical notation that he could have never transcribed.
There is a difference between being able to play incredibly technically and fast, injecting massive amounts of soul, the best song writers, the most unique, different, and innovative techniques, etc., etc.
Frank Zappa said that Steve Vai was the best guitarist he's ever heard. How they met was that Vai took one of Zappa's wild, free wheeling jams, wrote it all down note-for-note in musical notation, and mailed it to him. Before he had heard a single riff from Vai's guitar he knew that this was an incredibly gifted person, and when he asked him to come play with him he said he was as blown away as he had hoped when he saw his own jam in musical notation that he could have never transcribed.
I saw Frank Zappa live in Boston a long time ago. After that concert, I had no doubt who was the absolute guitar master.
“Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar” contains all the best guitar solos in history.
Full stop
TOTALLY AGREE
I encourage you to check out the entire song, but here is just the solo and outro. Otherworldly.
I also think this one is one of the best all-time solos. (begins at 1:46)
Honorable mention. The solo begins at 5:39 and last until 9:44...yes it's a 4+ minute solo in a 16 minute song.
I also think this one is one of the best all-time solos. (begins at 1:46)
Honorable mention. The solo begins at 5:39 and last until 9:44...yes it's a 4+ minute solo in a 16 minute song.
Hey, man - I've got news for you...the folks that think Eddie or Vai are the best are silver-haired too, now!
But to be honest, the title of the thread was "Best Solo", not Best Guitarist, and often some of the greatest solos aren't always played by the greatest guitarists. I doubt anyone would argue someone like Gilmour (including Gilmour himself) could play on a technical level with Eddie or Val, or a few hundred others out there, but it doesn't mean that some of his "solos" don't belong in a discussion of the greatest. That's my take, anyway. And certainly Eddie and Vai have works of their own that belong in that same discussion.
On that topic, here's another one I can't believe I haven't seen mentioned. Absolutely insane player, and "Extremely" well-rounded in his approach with elements of Funk, Blues, Classical, and Shred all woven in to his own thing that defines him on his own level (see what I did there?).
Nuno, back in the day!
2:30 - 3:30-ish:
And recently:
2:20 - 3:20-ish
And one more from back in the day. Just trying to play the RHYTHM guitar riff on this one, and maintain the groove and feel he gets out of it, will drive you insane. There's a cool Intro, but the actual song and riff I'm talking about begin at 1:39:
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And how about Neal Schon?
All those Journey solos he did where everyone in the audience actually sings along on every note of the solo itself! You know you’re reaching people with your playing when they’re doing that.
All those Journey solos he did where everyone in the audience actually sings along on every note of the solo itself! You know you’re reaching people with your playing when they’re doing that.
Hey, man - I've got news for you...the folks that think Eddie or Vai are the best are silver-haired too, now!
But to be honest, the title of the thread was "Best Solo", not Best Guitarist, and often some of the greatest solos aren't always played by the greatest guitarists. I doubt anyone would argue someone like Gilmour (including Gilmour himself) could play on a technical level with Eddie or Val, or a few hundred others out there, but it doesn't mean that some of his "solos" don't belong in a discussion of the greatest. That's my take, anyway. And certainly Eddie and Vai have works of their own that belong in that same discussion.
On that topic, here's another one I can't believe I haven't seen mentioned. Absolutely insane player, and "Extremely" well-rounded in his approach with elements of Funk, Blues, Classical, and Shred all woven in to his own thing that defines him on his own level (see what I did there?).
Nuno, back in the day!
2:30 - 3:30-ish:
And recently:
2:20 - 3:20-ish
And one more from back in the day. Just trying to play the RHYTHM guitar riff on this one, and maintain the groove and feel he gets out of it, will drive you insane. There's a cool Intro, but the actual song and riff I'm talking about begin at 1:39:
Came in to post Rise for a recent great solo.
Tina S. style reminds me of the way Jascha Heifetz played violin - cold, focused, emotionless.
The sound was miraculous.....
To all that have posted. If you aren't subscribed to Rick Beato YouTube channel, you should. He has interviewed quite a few names mentioned.
Nuno bettencourt, Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett, yngwie malmsteen, Billy strings, Tommy Emmanuel, pat metheny, Dominic Miller, Steve lukather, Mateo mancuso, Joe bonamassa, Andy summers, Eric Johnson, Peter frampton, Daniel lanois, Derek trucks, Brian may, Tim Henson, dweezil zappa, Mateus asato, Mike dawes, George benson, John petrucci, Tobin abasi, Devin Townsend, Mike dawes, Paul Gilbert, Chris cross, Alan Parsons, kiko loureiro, Robert deleo, Jerry Cantrell, Al di meola, Nathaniel Murphy, Marty Friedman, Joe satriani, Larry Carlton, Julian lage, Greg Koch, Skunk Baxter, John Schofield, Keith urban, Paul Reed Smith, Leland sklar, Bela fleck, Mike Stern, Ian thornley, and many more (these are guitar/bass related only).
Playlist of interviews
Nuno bettencourt, Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett, yngwie malmsteen, Billy strings, Tommy Emmanuel, pat metheny, Dominic Miller, Steve lukather, Mateo mancuso, Joe bonamassa, Andy summers, Eric Johnson, Peter frampton, Daniel lanois, Derek trucks, Brian may, Tim Henson, dweezil zappa, Mateus asato, Mike dawes, George benson, John petrucci, Tobin abasi, Devin Townsend, Mike dawes, Paul Gilbert, Chris cross, Alan Parsons, kiko loureiro, Robert deleo, Jerry Cantrell, Al di meola, Nathaniel Murphy, Marty Friedman, Joe satriani, Larry Carlton, Julian lage, Greg Koch, Skunk Baxter, John Schofield, Keith urban, Paul Reed Smith, Leland sklar, Bela fleck, Mike Stern, Ian thornley, and many more (these are guitar/bass related only).
Playlist of interviews
Rick is The Man! In fact, when I posted Nuno's solo from "Rise", I thought seriously about posting Rick's analysis of it instead of the song video. His channel is a time warp for me. You go in, and suddenly it's 4 hours later...
Eric Clapton sucks. Never understood why people put him up on a pedestal. Other than that spot on
Lenny, Riviera Paradise.
Little Wing was his salute to Jimi Hendrix. All good stuff.
We should mention Rick Mitarotonda (Goose), Samantha Fish, Markus King Band, and Robert Cray. Youngsters comparatively, but good stuff.
Forgot to include Trey Anastasio (Phish), Kenny Wayne Shepard, and Steven Stills in the original post (older guitarists).
Forgot to include Trey Anastasio (Phish), Kenny Wayne Shepard, and Steven Stills in the original post (older guitarists).
I posted this over in “What Are You Listening To”
The old man can still get it.
BTW so many great guitarists being thrown out here.
Love it
The old man can still get it.
BTW so many great guitarists being thrown out here.
Love it
The solo in "Stairway to Heaven." Not the fastest thing every played but it fit right. And, trivia, Jimmy never plays the solo the same way twice in concert. But if you are in the blues scale in the key of A, it will be right.
And Rafferty's original version of "Baker Street."
True, it has a great sax in it. But the solo has the perfect tone and emotion. I have often listened to the song just to hear that part.
And Rafferty's original version of "Baker Street."
True, it has a great sax in it. But the solo has the perfect tone and emotion. I have often listened to the song just to hear that part.
I mentioned him earlier as tied with SRV as my all time favorites. He’s still out there killing it. Here’s “Mr Scary” not too long ago, on a Les Paul: no tremolo bar - no problem!
Oh yeah, @Sirshredalot, silver-haired, too!
no idea but 48m views for this Beethoven cover...
Tina S. She is a French guitarist. I can't get the link to post but there is a bunch of YouTube videos.
@101st
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If a fan of Hendrix. If ever get a chance go see Randy Hansen , I seen him a several times back in the day do the Hendrix Experience tribute. Guy is fantastic, and I think he still periodically traveling doing some shows.
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Agreed.
I think the solo should "take you somewhere," even if the trip is short, evoke some feelz, and fit the song it's a part of.
There are too many contenders. Many great mentions already in this thread.
Comfortably Numb solo by Gilmour
Slash in Sweet Child o' Mine (the song may be oversaturated/overplayed, but that solo is great in the context of the song)
Lynch with Mr. Scary
Rhoades with Mr. Crowley
Knopfler with Sultans of Swing
Dimebag had some great ones, Neal Schon of Journey (mentioned by someone here) had some great ones. Adrian and Dave of Iron Maiden had some greats. Ritchie Blackmore had some greats (Stargazer comes to mind). Heck, starting at 3:20 of Ride Like the Wind, even Christopher Cross demonstrates he had some decent soloing chops for the outro. Can't even list all the ones I might consider and just too many for me to pick...I suppose it depends on a mood.
Lots of my favorites here so far. I figure Buckethead should be represented. Keep 'em coming!
As a fun aside, Ozzy was once interviewed about auditioning Buckethead for his solo band. Here's what he said.....
Ozzy Osbourne: "I tried out that Buckethead guy. I met with him and asked him to work with me but only if he got rid of the fucking bucket. So I came back a bit later and he's wearing this green fucking Martian's-hat thing. I said, 'Look, just be yourself!' He told me his name was Brian, so I said that's what I'd call him. He says, 'No one calls me Brian except my mother.' So I said, 'Pretend I'm your mum then!' I haven't even got out of the room and I'm already playing fucking mind games with the guy. What happens if one day he's gone and there's a note saying, 'I've been beamed up?' [Laughs] Don't get me wrong, he's a great player. He plays like a motherfucker!"
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