Greatest Guitar Solos Ever

[Monketey Ghost]

I was listening to Randi Rhoads' solos on "S.A.T.O.". They're soaring, phenomenal.

That got me to thinking, most of you will have examples of great solos. Care to name a few?

[Ian Osborne]

Richie Blackmore excelled himself with his solo in Rainbow's Stargazer from the Rising album. It's a very sceptical song too :)

[EdipisReks]

nearly anything zappa.

[fidiot]

All solos in "November Rain".

[Rat]

Southern Man. Neil Young.
Or the Weld version of Like A Hurricane.

[Monketey Ghost]

EdipisReks sez:
nearly anything zappa.

So true! FZ could solo endlessly and never repeat his ideas. His ability to play interestingly without resorting to stale riffs was marvellous.

ratcomp 1974 sez:
Southern Man. Neil Young.
Or the Weld version of Like A Hurricane.

Neil has always been a favorite of mine. Not technically brilliant, but his slop is a great sort of slop. He has wonderful melodic notions. "Ordinary People". Ever hear that tune?

[Mercutio]

Richard Thompson. Just pick anything.

[uneasy]

Walter Trout. I like "The Reason I'm Gone", but he's all good.

[BroodingSkill]

Voodoo Chile( slight return) Jimi Hendrix

[Voob]

There are a lot of great live Jimi Hendrix solos.
And I have to mention Roy Buchanan's stuff.
When you hear him, you realize where Jimmy Page came from.

[LushAttic]

I still say the guitar solo on "Goodbye to love"by the Carpenters
mainly because the Guitarist is not a "Guitar god"
and it is a fantastic air guitar moment.

[Always Free]

"Still Got The Blues"--Gary Moore.:cool:

[jayrev]

Voodoo Chile , Hendrix
Little Wing, SRV
Heartbreaker, Jimmy Page

[Mark]

Originally posted by Mercutio
Richard Thompson. Just pick anything.

Bravo! True, although I would go out on a limb and pick these as his top 3:

Shoot Out the Lights
Mother Knows Best
Little Blue Number

R.T.'s ability to expand the electric guitar's sound without any significant use of effects is unmatched anywhere (that I've heard).

[Monketey Ghost]

Going to have to delve into Richard Thompson's music!

Sounds like a genius. Embarrassingly, I know almost nothing of him.

[Mark]

Originally posted by No Answers
Going to have to delve into Richard Thompson's music!

Sounds like a genius. Embarrassingly, I know almost nothing of him.

"Action Packed: The Best of the Capitol Years" might be a good place to start. Better (But more expensive) would be the 3 CD set "Watching the Dark."

The man really is a genius (and I, for one, almost never use that term). He is also one of the most gifted lyricists of our time.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by Mark


"Action Packed: The Best of the Capitol Years" might be a good place to start. Better (But more expensive) would be the 3 CD set "Watching the Dark."

The man really is a genius (and I, for one, almost never use that term). He is also one of the most gifted lyricists of our time.

And be prepared for quite a variety of stuff done incredibly well. Springing immediately to mind are "two left feet" (a polka) and "From Galway to Graceland" (an incredibly touching modern ballad). Neither are what you would expect from a guitar god.

[fishbob]

Roy Buchanan
album: I Came to Play
tune: Hey Joe

And why are so many of the players listed dead guys?

[Ove]

And why are so many of the players listed dead guys?

Because they lived like they played: Fast and hard!!!

My favourite has allways been TMIB Ritchie Blackmore, i know he could be just as awful as he was good but still. IMHO his finest work is on "Made in Japan" particularily his brilliantly yet simple solo on "Smoke on the Water". So simple yet so darned effective.

Other names? Well try Rory Gallagher he was allways good for a fine solo, so was(is) Jonny Winter, BB. King, Hendrix, Clapton, Steve Ray, you name them there are dozens. This thread is a little bit absurd since it will allways be a matter of taste. It reminds me of the POP magazines back in the 60's and 70's that had votes covering "Best Lead Guitarist"or "Best Singer" and similar. I seem to remember that the Guitar player from "Bay City Rollers" once was voted "Best Lead Guitarist" in front of Hendrix. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:


I still say the guitar solo on "Goodbye to love"by the Carpenters
mainly because the Guitarist is not a "Guitar god"
and it is a fantastic air guitar moment.

You're joking,,,,, right????? ;)

[BrianT]

Should have said "rock guitar" in the thread title.

[a_unique_person]

Jeff Beck on 'Blow by Blow' "Cause we've ended as lovers".

Very tasteful, emotional, skillful, fast, controlled, tuneful. One of the best solos ever.

[Mark]

Originally posted by BrianT
Should have said "rock guitar" in the thread title.

Why?

[WooBot]

Originally posted by jayrev
Voodoo Chile , Hendrix
Little Wing, SRV
Heartbreaker, Jimmy Page

IMHO SRV is SO overrated. He did very little that Johnny Winter didn't do much, much earlier. He isn't even responsible for his own tone, which is what many people think set him apart; a guitar tech (don't remember the name) once told him his tone sucked and volunteered to help him with it. To SRV's credit, he listened.

SRV was very at home with blues, but when he attempted to do anything outside the 1-4-5 framework, he betrayed the fact that he was rather inept at soloing over more complicated chord patterns.

One of my favorite tricks to play on people is to play some Johnny Winter and ask people who they think it is. If they don't know about JW, invariably they think it's SRV on an especially hot night.

Just my opinion.

[Monketey Ghost]

Originally posted by Ove


Other names? Well try Rory Gallagher he was allways good for a fine solo, so was(is) Jonny Winter, BB. King, Hendrix, Clapton, Steve Ray, you name them there are dozens. This thread is a little bit absurd since it will allways be a matter of taste.

The thread is entitled Greatest Guitar Solos Ever and not, as some seem to think, simply Great Guitarists. But thanks for participating in my absurd, matter-of-taste thread anyhow.

I'm going to suggest that Paco de Lucia's first solo on Mediterranean Sundance/Rio Ancho from the "Friday Night in San Francisco" album. It's jaw-dropping.

[Lord Emsworth]

I like the guitar solo in Turn of a friendly card II by Alan Parsons Project.

[Mark]

I'd like to add any of James Burton's solos on the old Ricky Nelson records...they influenced---directly or indirectly---just about everyone in some way.

[Mark]

Originally posted by WooBot


IMHO SRV is SO overrated. He did very little that Johnny Winter didn't do much, much earlier. He isn't even responsible for his own tone, which is what many people think set him apart; a guitar tech (don't remember the name) once told him his tone sucked and volunteered to help him with it. To SRV's credit, he listened.

SRV was very at home with blues, but when he attempted to do anything outside the 1-4-5 framework, he betrayed the fact that he was rather inept at soloing over more complicated chord patterns.

One of my favorite tricks to play on people is to play some Johnny Winter and ask people who they think it is. If they don't know about JW, invariably they think it's SRV on an especially hot night.

Just my opinion.

The thing I have always admired about Johnny Winter is that the real blues guys (like the late Muddy Waters) seem to like him...and he has always gone out of his way to repay his debt to them.

[Peskanov]

So many solos, so few time...

Tony Iommi's solos: Black Sabbath, Into the void, Snowblind, Turn up the night, Ancient warrior,...dozens of fantastic solos...
Judas Priest: all of them.
Most Coroner solos.
Ministry: Jesus built my hotrod, TV II.
Acrimony: Hymns to the stone, Heavy feather.

Some modern sources of great solos: Spiritual beggars, Unida, Spirit caravan.

But I keep with Black Sabbath as my primal source of solos... :)

[jj]

Chet Atkins and Les Paul, "Avalon".

The only possible runner-up would be Norman Blake playing something like "Dry Grass on the High Fields".

[Mr. Skinny]

I always thought "Vaseline Machine Gun" by Leo Kottke was pretty impressive. IIRC he broke a string in the middle of the recording and just kept on going. You can hear the string pop quite clearly, but he never breaks stride.

[DavidJames]

I've gotta concur with the Johnny Winter comments.

Long haired albino playing the blues, now how can you not just love that :)

Ok, the thread was single solo, it's a hackneyed answer but I still love to listen to Crossroads from Cream's Wheels Of Fire. It's short, but has wonderful tone, melody and pacing.

[jj]

Originally posted by DavidJames
I've gotta concur with the Johnny Winter comments.

Long haired albino playing the blues, now how can you not just love that :)

Ok, the thread was single solo, it's a hackneyed answer but I still love to listen to Crossroads from Cream's Wheels Of Fire. It's short, but has wonderful tone, melody and pacing.


And it's one of the best driving songs written.

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by DavidJames
I've gotta concur with the Johnny Winter comments.

Long haired albino playing the blues, now how can you not just love that :)

Ok, the thread was single solo, it's a hackneyed answer but I still love to listen to Crossroads from Cream's Wheels Of Fire. It's short, but has wonderful tone, melody and pacing.

David,

I bought Wheels of Fire when it came out in '68. It was one of the first albums I bought.

If memory serves, weren't all of the blues tunes on Disc 2 sorta long? Well, back in '68 pretty much anything over 3 minutes was considered long, but I need my memory refreshed.

Love the song BTW.

[jimlintott]

Zombie Woof - FZ
Yours is no Disgrace - Steve Howe (Yes)
Juice - Steve Vai

and like, probably hundreds of others.

[Mark]

Originally posted by DavidJames
I've gotta concur with the Johnny Winter comments.

Long haired albino playing the blues, now how can you not just love that :)

Ok, the thread was single solo, it's a hackneyed answer but I still love to listen to Crossroads from Cream's Wheels Of Fire. It's short, but has wonderful tone, melody and pacing.

In a recent Guitar Player article, Eric Clapton says you can hear the band get completely lost in the middle of the second solo in that song.

[DavidJames]

"If memory serves, weren't all of the blues tunes on Disc 2 sorta long? Well, back in '68 pretty much anything over 3 minutes was considered long, but I need my memory refreshed."

Crossroads is "only" about 4 1/2 minutes and the second solo (my favorite) is about a minute?

"Eric Clapton says you can hear the band get completely lost in the middle of the second solo in that song."

I don't care if they started at the Fillmore and ended in Winterland, I like the solo :)

I thought of another favorite guitar solo, Farandole - Love Sculpture (Dave Edmunds on guitar)

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by EdipisReks
nearly anything zappa.

I like a lot of Zapp, (just bought the CD of "Grand Wazoo", but I do think a lot of his guitar playing is very similar sounding. Same old wah wah sounds, nasal tone, scales. Much prefer his arranged music like Wazoo and Apostrophe.

[Tricky]

Richard Thompson can do anything. You want Rock, you got "Read About Love". You wan't blues, you got "Al Bowley's In Heaven". You want folk, you got "1952 Vincent". Add to that the most offbeat, thoughtful and just plain weird lyrics in the world, and he is far and away the best singer/songwriter/guitarist extant. For newbies, I recommend Rumor and Sigh (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000DRC3/qid=1055304964/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-5660123-4160640?v=glance&s=music). Great stage performer too.


Most overrated guitar solo: Layla

[Ove]

Right lets take two solos from the same guy: David Gilmour. First there is his powerhouse solo on "Money" and later there is his stunning performance on "Comfortably Numb". I know a lot of guitar worshippers don't like him but to me it reeks a little bit of the old "Well if that many people likes him he can't be good".

IT seems to me that a lot of "guitar worshippers" despise fame, take f.inst the constant nagging of poor Clapton, admit it guys, he IS a good guitar player and Tricky: The solo on Layla IS good despite the fact that it has sold umpteen million copies. :p

[Mark]

Originally posted by Ove
Right lets take two solos from the same guy: David Gilmour. First there is his powerhouse solo on "Money" and later there is his stunning performance on "Comfortably Numb". I know a lot of guitar worshippers don't like him but to me it reeks a little bit of the old "Well if that many people likes him he can't be good".

IT seems to me that a lot of "guitar worshippers" despise fame, take f.inst the constant nagging of poor Clapton, admit it guys, he IS a good guitar player and Tricky: The solo on Layla IS good despite the fact that it has sold umpteen million copies. :p

I wasn't "nagging" Clapton. I LIKE Clapton. I just found it interesting that HE dislikes one of his more famous solos. Noel Redding once said something similar...that back in the '60s, mistakes would often be left in a recording, and later they would hear others playing the song...including the mistakes! But, for the record, I like Clapton a lot.

[BillyTK]

Prince: Purple Rain (dull song, great solo)/Let's Go Crazy/Sign "o" the Times (great songs, great solos)
Bob Mould (Sugar): Explode and Make Up
Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead): Paranoid Android
Trevor Tanner (The Bolshoi): TV Man

[Flame]

Wanted to mention Satriani. Surprised no one mentioned him actually. Favorite song (okay it's cheesy) 'always with you always with me'

[Tricky]

Originally posted by Ove
Tricky: The solo on Layla IS good despite the fact that it has sold umpteen million copies. :p
It reminds me of the solo in This Is Spinal Tap where the guitarist simply holds one note on sustain (while eating a sandwich with the other hand), except the Spinal Tap solo is better.:p

[DrChinese]

Originally posted by DavidJames
"If memory serves, weren't all of the blues tunes on Disc 2 sorta long? Well, back in '68 pretty much anything over 3 minutes was considered long, but I need my memory refreshed."

Crossroads is "only" about 4 1/2 minutes and the second solo (my favorite) is about a minute?

"Eric Clapton says you can hear the band get completely lost in the middle of the second solo in that song."


"I'm So Glad" from Cream's Goodbye album is the ultimate Clapton live jam, I can't imagine something exceeding it. Crossroads is great too, but I'm So Glad transports things to another level. Often cited by other guitarists as well.

[Ove]

I wasn't "nagging" Clapton. I LIKE Clapton. I just found it interesting that HE dislikes one of his more famous solos. Noel Redding once said something similar...that back in the '60s, mistakes would often be left in a recording, and later they would hear others playing the song...including the mistakes! But, for the record, I like Clapton a lot.

Point taken!!;)

It reminds me of the solo in This Is Spinal Tap where the guitarist simply holds one note on sustain (while eating a sandwich with the other hand), except the Spinal Tap solo is better.

May i suggest you sell your stereo(s) and buy a tuning fork instead then you can listen to that for the rest of your life. It seems to match your musical taste. :p :p :p

[juryjone]

I have to agree with just about everyone listed (that I've heard), with Richard Thompson being a particular favorite. I thought I'd list a couple that haven't been brought up already:

Duane Eddy (Rebel Rouser, Peter Gunn)

Mark Knopfler (Sultans of Swing, Skateaway, and my particular favorite, the Theme to "Local Hero")

[wilzoid]

"Crossroads"- Eric Clapton
"Statesboro Blues"- Duane Allman
"Red House"-Jimi Hendrix...and every other live performance he ever did...

[Mark]

Originally posted by wilzoid
"Crossroads"- Eric Clapton
"Statesboro Blues"- Duane Allman
"Red House"-Jimi Hendrix...and every other live performance he ever did...

The interesting thing in Crossroads is that in (I think; it's been a while since I listened) the 2nd solo, you can hear Clapton get lost---not hard when you only have a bass to reference, and a "lead style" bass at that---something Clapton himself has confirmed many times.

[Tez]

Originally posted by wilzoid

"Red House"-Jimi Hendrix...and every other live performance he ever did...

Of all those live performances, none can compete in my mind with the 13 or so minutes of "Machine Gun"...

[Reb]

Originally posted by No Answers
ratcomp 1974 sez:


Neil has always been a favorite of mine. Not technically brilliant, but his slop is a great sort of slop. He has wonderful melodic notions. "Ordinary People". Ever hear that tune?
Never. And I'm a longtime fan. I just did a search over at AMG for the song and there does not seem to be a recording of it. Where is it available?

Reb

[Bikewer]

I generally dislilke these "best of" sorts of threads; maybe "favorite" would be better. Apples and oranges, after all.

I do love Knopfler, highly underrated. I remember watching the live concert that they showed on HBO many years ago, and thinking that many so-called "heavy metal" guys could take a few lessons on solo construction here. One of my faves is on Tunnel of Love, from Making Movies.
Another is on his new one, Sailing to Philadelphia, on "Speedway at Nazareth".

Thompson is superb, of course.

Back before I started playing myself, I was a big Fleetwood Mac fan. (Well, Stevie....) Young and foolish, I didn't think much of Buckingham's playing.
After building up a few callouses of my own, I began to appreciate that his stuff was always tasteful, always appropriate, and always helped the song. On Sisters of the Moon, he kinda cut loose a little.

[wilzoid]

couldn't agree with you more...Band of Gypsies is one of my all-time favorite albums. The Red House solo got the nod because I am primarily a blues fan.

[CaptDrakes]

Over the Mountain - Randy Rhoads

[tamiO]

For the Love of God by Steve Vai is one of my favorites.

Like Flame, I am also partial to Satriani and Always with you, Always with me is just beautiful.

There are just so many great guitar solos, I cannot come up with an absolute best. :)

[wilzoid]

the beauty of live performances is that sometimes things go awry and sometimes the recovery is an incredible response that leaves the lucky listener wondering if it was by design. That is why I chose the live genre. I believe that it is in the performance that true genious/talent blossoms.

[Evolver]

Wow. So many great solos. Brings back lots of memories. But I'll have to agree with AUP. The first guitar solo that comes to mind is Jeff Beck "Cause We've Ended As Lovers".

The most kick-ass guitar tune: "The Attitude Song" by Steve Vai.

[JesFine]

I always liked the guitar solo at the end of Pearl Jam's "Alive". I always forget how good it is, then I hear it again and I am like "Oh yeah, this is a great guitar solo, I have to remember this." Then I usually forget about it. I am kinda surprised I remembered it this time.

Also, anything Tom Morello does is worth listening to.

[Quinn]

Mike Stern - "Jean Pierre" from We Want Miles.

Quinn

[Brian]

Ramones: I Wanna Be Sedated

The perfect balance of technical perfection, feel and dynamics.

[Brian]

And also.. All Along the Watchtower... Hendrix version of course.
Great drippy effects then the best part with the muted chicka chicka chicka stuff.

[michaellee]

It's a Long Way There (extended version)- Little River Band

and I am not joking....

[Bikewer]

You're right! I always liked that one. We saw LRB live at the Fair St. Louis a couple of years ago, they put on a fine show.

[DrMatt]

Concierto de Aranjuez is pretty cool.
The guitar solos in George Crumb's Songs, Drones, and Refrains of Death are pretty cool, too.
Some of my favorite uses of guitar, though, are as an equal member of an ensemble--in various works by Takemitsu (if you stretch "guitar" to include biwa then November Steps is the masterwork); in Le marteau sans maitre, by Boulez; etc.

[Mark]

Originally posted by DrMatt
Concierto de Aranjuez is pretty cool.
The guitar solos in George Crumb's Songs, Drones, and Refrains of Death are pretty cool, too.
Some of my favorite uses of guitar, though, are as an equal member of an ensemble--in various works by Takemitsu (if you stretch "guitar" to include biwa then November Steps is the masterwork); in Le marteau sans maitre, by Boulez; etc.

You forgot to mention "Little Brown Jug." :D

[duckhook]

How about the solo on Jethro Tull's "Aqualung". Never fails to make me turn up the sound. I believe the lead guitarist at that time was Martin Barre.

[Mark]

Originally posted by duckhook
How about the solo on Jethro Tull's "Aqualung". Never fails to make me turn up the sound. I believe the lead guitarist at that time was Martin Barre.

And still is.

[Evolver]

Todd Rundgren has a few that are etched in my mind. "Black Maria" & "Hiroshima" solos stand out to me.

[gnome]

I am usually entranced by David Gilmore's guitar solos, the album "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" comes to mind... I am woefully uneducated about Pink Floyd, however, only knowing "Dark Side of the Moon" and later... so there may be better that I haven't heard.

[Evolver]

Originally posted by gnome
I am usually entranced by David Gilmore's guitar solos, the album "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" comes to mind... I am woefully uneducated about Pink Floyd, however, only knowing "Dark Side of the Moon" and later... so there may be better that I haven't heard.

I think his solo on the first part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" may be his best.

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by duckhook
How about the solo on Jethro Tull's "Aqualung". Never fails to make me turn up the sound. I believe the lead guitarist at that time was Martin Barre.
I always want to turn up the sound for "Locomotive Breath".

BTW, I have a DJ version of Thick As A Brick. It has tracks cut into it, unlike the "one huge song" original

[mothworm]

Pablo + Andrea by Yo La Tengo (Ira Kaplan on guitar) springs to mind. Lilting, uplifting, bright, romantic. Actually, almost anything Yo La Tengo do has fantastic guitar work. Blue Line Swinger and Deeper Into Movies are also fantastic. I saw them do Blue Line Swinger live in a tinly little club...it lasted 20 minutes (I'm a sucker for extended soloing), and the intro was just this distorted, bent wave of guitar sound that was so loud and twisted it actually made me dizzy.

I second the recommendation for I Wanna Be Sedated. Sometimes simple is the best.

I also worship David Gilmour. I always found him so much more expressive than Clapton. The 17 minute version of Interstellar Overdrive from "Tonight Let's all Make Love in London" (featuring Syd) is equally compelling.

The combination of Sweet Bonnie Brown/It's Just too Much and White Light, White Heat from the Velvet Underground's "Live, 1969" album is also some of the best guitar work by anybody, anywhere.

One Million Billionth of a Millisecond on a Sunday Morning by the Flaming Lips is pretty trippy.

Galaxie 500's version of Don't Let Our Youth Go to Waste.

The Feelies' Forces at Work.

Ray Davies' work on You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night.

The Violent Femmes Add it Up and Kiss Off (especially live), and the "single note guitar solo" that "rhymes" a dirty word in Gimme the Car.

[Evolver]

Originally posted by mothworm


Ray Davies' work on [I]You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night.



Was that Dave Davies playing lead on those?

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by mothworm
(snip)
Ray Davies' work on [I]You Really Got Me and All Day and All of the Night
(snip).

Welcome to the forum mothworm!

I'm an old Kinks fan and would be interested if you could talk a bit more about why you think these two songs have great guitar solos.

I remember them more as great rhythm work rather than a lead solo. Maybe it's how one defines it.

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by Evolver


Was that Dave Davies playing lead on those?
I don't remember Evolver, I was depending on mothworm's memory. You could be right.

[mothworm]

You are absolutely right, It was Dave. My brain was out. I was hoping I could get back to a computer and ammend that before anyone else posted, but I miffed.

I guess you could say those songs are more famous for a killer riff than a solo, although at least one of them does have a kick ass solo in the middle. I'm going to have to go dig that record out. I've been stuck on Village Green Preservation Society and Muswell Hillbillies for the last few months.

Either way, I think the Kinks are one of the most underrated groups in rock. It's only recently that I've started to hear a lot of indie bands cite them as an influence (esp. Ray's songwriting style).

[Brian]

Originally posted by mothworm
You are absolutely right, It was Dave. My brain was out. I was hoping I could get back to a computer and ammend that before anyone else posted, but I miffed.

I guess you could say those songs are more famous for a killer riff than a solo, although at least one of them does have a kick ass solo in the middle. I'm going to have to go dig that record out. I've been stuck on Village Green Preservation Society and Muswell Hillbillies for the last few months.

Either way, I think the Kinks are one of the most underrated groups in rock. It's only recently that I've started to hear a lot of indie bands cite them as an influence (esp. Ray's songwriting style).

I think Musell Hillbillies is the best Kinks ever. I've listened to 8 of the Kinks records, best by far.

[Dorian Gray]

Best guitar solo of all time, in my opinion, is the solo in the live version of 'La Villa Strangiato' by Rush, specifically Alex Lifeson, off of Exit...Stage Left.

Worst guitar solo of all time? Two way tie:
Neil Young's in 'Cinnamon Girl'
Tom Morello's in Audioslave's song 'Show Me How to Live'

Would be a three way tie, but I can't remember the name of the Police song that has the third one by Andy Summers

Honorable mention goes to (seriously) Robert Smith in the Cure song 'The Kiss'

[Mark]

Originally posted by Brian


I think Musell Hillbillies is the best Kinks ever. I've listened to 8 of the Kinks records, best by far.

I love that record. But I think I would have to rate "Preservation Act 1" even higher. I am a major Kinks fan...especially the "RCA" period. Their concerts in those days were just amazing.

[Evolver]

Ive always liked the Kinks. However, I would not rate any of DD's solos as the best of all time.

[Mark]

Originally posted by Evolver
Ive always liked the Kinks. However, I would not rate any of DD's solos as the best of all time.

I agree, although they all have moments here and there.

[whitefork]

Ted Nugent on the Amboy Dukes Journey to the Center of the Mind has held up nicely. Short and very much to the point.

Then Johnny Ramone went and did that nice sonic reduction on Acid Eaters.

[mothworm]

OK, I went back and listened to both All Day and All of the Night and You really Got Me, both of which have guitar solos (the first at 1:30 or so, and the second at 1:17). Neither lasts more than a few seconds, but they're pretty powerful bursts. They're not solos in the sense of the extended jams that you normally think of, but I think they set the standard for that raw sort of garage rock and later punk sound.

As for the Cure-I have to say I'm a little hurt. They're one of my all time favorite bands, and Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is one of my favorite albums. Theirs was the first real rock concert I ever attended. Most likely Porl Thompson did the soloing, rather than Robert. They usually work more towards a song's texture and mood rather than focusing on solos, although they do a wonderfully extended version of A Forest in concert that I think has a great solo.

[Mark]

Originally posted by mothworm
OK, I went back and listened to both All Day and All of the Night and You really Got Me, both of which have guitar solos (the first at 1:30 or so, and the second at 1:17). Neither lasts more than a few seconds, but they're pretty powerful bursts. They're not solos in the sense of the extended jams that you normally think of, but I think they set the standard for that raw sort of garage rock and later punk sound.



"Raving away on the g-string," as Dave Davies calls it. I agree with your comments.

[Ove]

Well, i was playing in a rock band myself when Van Halen came with their version of "You Really got Me". It was the first time we heard Eddie and we was quite shaken by this approach. Then some years later i saw a concert on TV with Kinks and i heard Dave's LIVE version of the solo and suddenly Eddie seemed to vanish in the horizon. OK he didn't have the "flying triplet" gimmick that Eddie has but boy did he pump some energy into that solo AND it lasted considerably more than a couple of seconds.:uk: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by No Answers
EdipisReks sez:


So true! FZ could solo endlessly and never repeat his ideas. His ability to play interestingly without resorting to stale riffs was marvellous.



FZ? I like a lot of what he does, but he had a lot of solos that seemed to sound like other solos.

Listen to Jeff Back on Blow by Blow, "Because We've Ended as Lovers". The whole track is a guitar solo.

[Diamond]

Just rename this thread to classic rock of the late 60s and early 70s, why don't you?

...and in that vein, and knowing I'm going to be beaten to a pulp for mentioning this: The Eagles: Hotel California.

*ducks*

[Evolver]

Originally posted by a_unique_person


FZ? I like a lot of what he does, but he had a lot of solos that seemed to sound like other solos.

Listen to Jeff Back on Blow by Blow, "Because We've Ended as Lovers". The whole track is a guitar solo.

So is "Black Napkins". But yes the Beck solo is better.

[Bikewer]

Ah, Hotel California...always liked that one as well. But didn't Walsh and the other guy I'm too lazy to look up do that one as a duet?

As long as we're dragging out moldy oldies, how about he Allman Brothers? Jessica....really an instrumental rather than a solo, but very nice.

[Ove]

Just rename this thread to classic rock of the late 60s and early 70s, why don't you?

Well we are talking great guitar solo's right? The Guitar solo sorta went out of fashion in the 80's or the guitar players got worse (ducks quickly out of reach :bricks: )......

...and in that vein, and knowing I'm going to be beaten to a pulp for mentioning this: The Eagles: Hotel California.

Why on earth that, it IS a classic and yes some of it is a duet which just makes it better.;)

[RonSceptic]

I'll mention Paul Kossoff at this point. His solo on Alright Now is an absolute classic. Not flashy, but very very beautiful.

I think Jimmy Page's solo on Stairway To Heaven must get a mention. I think the song itself has been done to death by the deluge of pathetic cover versions, which IMHO have tarnished the reputation of the piece. But the original solo remains mightily impressive.

I love Jimi Hendrix's work. His solo on Hey Joe is outstanding, but my vote for best ever solo is on the version of Red House recorded live on the Hendrix In The West album. Just awesome. :cool:

[Evolver]

Originally posted by RonSceptic
I think Jimmy Page's solo on Stairway To Heaven must get a mention. I think the song itself has been done to death by the deluge of pathetic cover versions, which IMHO have tarnished the reputation of the piece. But the original solo remains mightily impressive.


Have you heard Zappa'a version? He transcribed the guitar solo for his horn section. Interesting effect.

[RonSceptic]

Originally posted by Evolver


Have you heard Zappa'a version? He transcribed the guitar solo for his horn section. Interesting effect.

No, but I have heard Rolf Harris's version, complete with wobble board.

[Evolver]

Originally posted by RonSceptic


No, but I have heard Rolf Harris's version, complete with wobble board.

Sorry, but who is Rol Harris?

[TxRedneck]

As far as rock genre goes, there's nothing better than
the solo from "Freebird"




I'm in agreement with the Jeff Beck entry-
"because we've ended as lovers"


Robert Earle Keen
2livedinner
Jam session at the end of "The road goes
on forever"
Fiddle, guitar, and steel guitar, play off of each other.
Hot,hot, hot.

[Professor Frink]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Eruption by Eddie Van Halen. I'm not really a big VH fan, but this one solo really has to be considered one of the most unique and memorable.

Going to an opposite end of the spectrum of guitar playing, "Black Mountain Rag" by Doc Watson is awesome.

The second side (what's a 'side?') of Jeff Beck's "There and Back" is primo, and I umpteenth the motion of "since we've ended" - Just awesome. My second choice for Beck would be "People Get Ready" - the solo is slow, singing, and very emotional.

For Neil Schon, who I think is one of the best rock guitarists ever. "Faithfully" has a great solo, as well as "Patiently" (the second part) and "Dead or Alive." Many others are great too, Journey's my favorite.

Basement Vault Pick: Steve Lukather on "White Sister" from the Toto "Hydra" album.

Frink

[Professor Frink]

Almost forgot the great slide solo from Bob Seger's "Like A Rock"

Sweeet.

[Mark]

OK, for electric, rock guitar I have to go with Richard Thompson's in "Shoot Out the Lights." Anyone who can solo by detuning, and retuning during the solo definitely gets my vote.

Either that of RT's solo in "Little Blue Number" where he goes seemlessly from Nashville to the Mid-East without missing a beat.

However, as Dr. Matt pointed out, there is a whole world of guitar playing out there that has nothing whatsoever to do with rock 'n' roll. For proof, try anything by Leo Kottke or Martin Carthy.

[Ove]

No, but I have heard Rolf Harris's version, complete with wobble board.

:dl: :dl: :dl: :dl: :dl:

Sorry, but who is Rol Harris?

You are probably not old enough.:rub:

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by Evolver


Sorry, but who is Rol Harris?

For a TV show here, "The Money of the Gun", years ago, the host, Andrew Denton, arranged that every week a band would do a cover of 'Stairway to heaven', but in the style of another band. We had 'The Doors', version, "The Beatles" version, Rock'n'Roll, Rolf Harris and others. The Beatles version was brilliant.

I saw the video in the shop years ago, and I wish I had bought it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/m/moneyorthegunthe_1299002121.shtml

http://www.0ne-shop.com/music/Styles/Classic-Rock/Compilations/P-0000000a0000636b5a616b5a56755656/Stairways-to-Heaven/Stairways-to-Heaven.php



Stairway to Heaven - Kate Cebrano and the MInistry of Fun
Stairway to Heaven - John Paul Young
Stairway to Heaven - Pardon Me Boys
Stairway to Heaven - Nick Barker
Stairway to Heaven - Rolf Harris
Stairway to Heaven - Australian Doors Show
Stairway to Heaven - Sandra Hahn
Stairway to Heaven - Helen Jones
Stairway to Heaven - Robyne Dunn
Stairway to Heaven - Neil Pepper
Stairway to Heaven - Rock Lobster
Stairway to Heaven - Toys Went Berserk
Stairway to Heaven - Jodie Gillies
Stairway to Heaven - Beatnix
Stairway to Heaven - Fargone Beauties
Stairway to Heaven - Etcetera Theatre Company
Stairway to Heaven - Judi Connelli
Stairway to Heaven - Barry Crocker
Stairway to Heaven - Vegimite Reggae
Stairway to Heaven - Whipper Snappers
Stairway to Heaven - Sydney Philharmonica
Stairway to Heaven - Leonard Teale

[a_unique_person]

From Amazon, some free samples

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B000005J65001005/0/102-3026151-9798506


Doors


Rolf Harris

Funky

big band swing

[Diamond]

As long as we're mentioning Led Zep, there is a guitar solo in the middle of "Heartbreaker" generally recognized as "completely impossible"

[RonSceptic]

Originally posted by Evolver


Sorry, but who is Rol Harris?

He is an Australian singer, painter, comedian. He had a hit in the early sixties with 'Tie Me Kangeroo Down Sport'.

He crops up on UK TV from time to time.

[Bikewer]

Just for those who aren't quite as old; that "detuning" thing was popular back when I started playing, largely due to the influence of Indian musicians like Ravi Shankar.
We had a couple of local guys who put together "Ragas" that involved a lot of tuning-machine tweaking....And Kottke fooled around with it as well.

Even earlier, Earl Scruggs invented the Scruggs Tuner, a cam that went beween the regular tuning pegs on a banjo, to raise the pitch of strings to allow easy tuning between commonly-used keys. He began using it as an effect as well, and composed a couple of tunes which used device to give "bent" notes.

[Mark]

Originally posted by Diamond
As long as we're mentioning Led Zep, there is a guitar solo in the middle of "Heartbreaker" generally recognized as "completely impossible"

"Completely Impossible?" Who ever said such a silly thing?! Sorry, but IMHO Jimmy Page has got to be the most overrated guitarist in the history of music. Certainly the most tasteless, anyway.

[Professor Frink]

Originally posted by Mark


"Completely Impossible?" Who ever said such a silly thing?! Sorry, but IMHO Jimmy Page has got to be the most overrated guitarist in the history of music. Certainly the most tasteless, anyway.

I don't know how much crack you have to smoke to believe that, but it's probably a lot.

Perhaps you misunderstood - the Jimmy Page in question is in fact Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, not, say, the Jimmy Page you went to middle school with, or the Jimmy Page who was featured in the local paper because he has the same name as Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.

I can't think of a more inventive and innovative guitarist. Forget the nonsense about using violin bows - that was not really that inspired, since probably a million people in history have done the same thing. I know something that might help - go get the Led Zep DVD collection and watch the live clips. He's awesome. Hard to claim "Overrated" for someone who is so great.

Led Frinklin

[Mark]

Originally posted by Professor Frink


I don't know how much crack you have to smoke to believe that, but it's probably a lot.

Perhaps you misunderstood - the Jimmy Page in question is in fact Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, not, say, the Jimmy Page you went to middle school with, or the Jimmy Page who was featured in the local paper because he has the same name as Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.

I can't think of a more inventive and innovative guitarist. Forget the nonsense about using violin bows - that was not really that inspired, since probably a million people in history have done the same thing. I know something that might help - go get the Led Zep DVD collection and watch the live clips. He's awesome. Hard to claim "Overrated" for someone who is so great.

Led Frinklin

Actually, any number of guitar players I went to school with were/are better than Jimmy Page. The only innovation I can think of was how effective he was at ripping off black players and taking credit for their inspiration. Sloppy, hackneyed, out of tune solos. Bleccch.

That said, I think "Black Mountain Side" is pretty darn cool.

[Professor Frink]

Well, heck, if you're going to disqualify every guitar player who stole stuff from the black bluesmen... :roll:

True, some of it is kind of sloppy. But if you took that many drugs, you'd play sloppy too. Perhaps his real genious is that he could stand up during the concert.

I'm not sure other players like Jimi Hendrix would pass the "sloppy" test either - he had some pretty wild stuff that was way out there. And I wouldn't fault him for stealing other people's stuff.

Frink

[DavidJames]

"go get the Led Zep DVD collection "

I think you mean the 2 disk DVD How the West Was Won. Not to digress, but I think Page's playing got progressively worse over time. I thought the set for the Radio broadcast was his best playing.

[shecky]

Seems the suitar solo is almost synonymous with rock music. That 70s style masturbatory rock solo is something that really grates on me. Much of it seemed to evolve into the kind of playing of the likes of SRV during the 80s.

But there are guitar solos which really move me. I'm not sure who played it, but there's a very tasty solo in the 70s pop song, "Midnight At the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur that's just so sweet and tasteful that tickles and teases you into the song. One that's kinda minimlaist but explosive is the solo by Andy Summers on "Driven To Tears" by the Police. And to echo the sentiments of several others, Richard Thompson did this fantastic, classically Thompsonesque solo playing on The Golden Palominos' album, Drunk With Passion, on the song "The Haunting", with his usual clear but emotive tone, note selection, and strange, almost repetitive, phrasing.

[shecky]

Originally posted by Professor Frink

True, some of it is kind of sloppy. But if you took that many drugs, you'd play sloppy too. Perhaps his real genious is that he could stand up during the concert.


I think sloppy works incredibly well for much of rock music. And it's ancestors. There's always something a little bit insincere or unauthentic about rock or blues that's too polished.

[Bikewer]

hehe- at the "open mike" club we used to frequent, we had a classically-trained pianist and voice student who would occasionallly foray into the blues, with truly dreadful results.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by Mark


"Completely Impossible?" Who ever said such a silly thing?! Sorry, but IMHO Jimmy Page has got to be the most overrated guitarist in the history of music. Certainly the most tasteless, anyway.

I think they meant "Completely Impossible" for me, or any other guitar wannabe.

[Supercharts]

Elliot Randall's solo in "Reelin in the Years" on the "Can't buy a Thrill" albumn by Steely Dan. Great fret work.

[Scott]

Kudo's to Mark, I agree whole heartidly that Page is the most overrated guitar player in history (and my coworker here agree's with Prof. Frink).

As far as the best solo ever, I saw Roy Clark play 4 songs at the same time on one guitar!

[Mark]

Originally posted by Scott
Kudo's to Mark, I agree whole heartidly that Page is the most overrated guitar player in history (and my coworker here agree's with Prof. Frink).

As far as the best solo ever, I saw Roy Clark play 4 songs at the same time on one guitar!

I am so glad someone mentioned ol' Roy! Did you ever hear his work with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown? There's some guitar playing I would almost classify as "impossible" for mere mortals!

[bpesta22]

I played guitar for 10 years, and admittedly quit because I sucked, but I did get an appreciation for what I thought was good guitar.

I just don't see jimmy page as making anyone's list of outstanding guitar players. I've also thought Clapton was way overrated.

All jmo.

When the lights go down in the city / journey is near perfect, I always thought, as a solo!

Whoever plays for TSO is pretty damn good. It's ashame you have to suffer through the jesusy stuff to hear em.

[Freakshow]

The entire song "Blue Powder", by Steve Vai. It is amazing...

[Cleon]

Tony Rice's rendition of Jerusalem Ridge.

Pretty anything Tony Rice does, but that one strikes out to me as exemplary talent and technical skill.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

nearly anything zappa.

Specifically "Watermelon In Easter Hay"

[Johnny Pixels]

"Goodbye to Love" by the Carpenters

[logical muse]

Luckily, I am excused from participating in this thread.

[SuperCoolGuy]

Jaco Pastorius: Havona from Weather Report's "Heavy Weather" album.
Hey, bass guitar IS a guitar!

Jimi Hendrix's "Machine Gun".
Allman Brother Band's "Blue Skies" is simple, but real purty.

[boooeee]

Jaco Pastorius: Havona from Weather Report's "Heavy Weather" album.
Hey, bass guitar IS a guitar!

Jimi Hendrix's "Machine Gun".
Allman Brother Band's "Blue Skies" is simple, but real purty.Wow. As I was reading through this bumped thread, I thought "Blue Skies" has some great work. You beat me to it.

Not having any musical talent to speak of, I'm usually turned off by the flashy Vai/Satriani/Zappa style solos. I'm sure they're evidence of great musicianship, bu they don't do too much for my tin ear.

My favorite guitar solo, while not being that technically impressive, has to be one of the most influential. Buddy Holly on "That'll Be the Day". I love how the drummer follows him through the solo.

[rharbers]

My vote has to be, "Eruption", by Eddie Van Halen.

[RSLancastr]

I agree with a lot of the earlier picks, but my sentimental favorite has got to be just about anything by J. Robbie Robertson.

Here's one out of left field: Fleetwood Mac's Never Going Back Again, from their Rumors album. I always crank it up, and it always gives me chills. Don't know why.

[epepke]

Have you heard Zappa'a version? He transcribed the guitar solo for his horn section. Interesting effect.

Good one.

I think that some of Zappa's solos are up there. The one to "The Muffin Man" probably deserves a gold medal in the mostly pentatonic category. "Sexual Harassment in the Workplace" is another fine one. "Watermelon in Easter Hay" was perfect for the emotion it was trying to convey.

Jimi Hendrix had a few scorchers, too.

And everything that Joe Pass ever played.

[delphi_ote]

The entire song "Blue Powder", by Steve Vai. It is amazing...

How did I not get in on this thread first time around?

Steve Vai :g1:
You need to include the Firegarden Suite and Bad Horsie in there, too.

If I only had to pick one solo:
Wendy Melvoin (Prince and The Revolution):
My Darling Nikki (Unreleased version. WHY did they cut this solo?)

It's hard for me not to choose the greatest guitar player of all time:

Pat Metheny (and Jaco Patstorius!!!):
Bright Size Life
Midwestern Night's Dream

Other awesome solos:

John Petrucci (Dream Theater):
Acid Rain
Panic Attack

Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane):
Embryonic Journey

Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave):
Hell if I can remember the track name on the first Audioslave album, but he's got a sweet and very inventive solo in there somewhere.

Stevie Ray Vaughn:
Life Without You

Jimmie Hendrix:
Purple Haze

Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah):
Elastic (Can't find the CD, but I think that's the track)

Michael Romeo (Symphony X):
Evolution (The Grand Design)

Eddie Van Halen (Michael Jackson)
Beat It

I could go on literally all day. If anyone's going to TAM4 and wants to talk guitar, PM me!

[Freakshow]

Jimmie Hendrix:
Purple Haze
My favorite is "Axis: Bold as Love"

[delphi_ote]

My favorite is "Axis: Bold as Love"

Good call! :D

[Freakshow]

Good call! :DThere are some songs that totally stop me in my tracks and absorb me totally within them. That is one of them.

[delphi_ote]

Jaco Pastorius: Havona from Weather Report's "Heavy Weather" album.

If you're around and you dig Jaco, you must immediately go to the store and purchase Pat Metheny's Bright Size Life should it be absent from your collection. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

[varwoche]

My personal favorite is Mike Bloomfield's solo on the song Another Country on the Electric Flag album.

[Jesus Baby Daddy]

I'm not reading this as the hardest or most amazing solo's. I mean the usual suspects like Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen etc. will dominate those. Just trying to think outside the box, on solo's that I really like.
Mark Knopfler when with Dire Straights, I loved his bluesy, melancholy playing in "Brothers in Arms".
OK... and one to really really flame on me for, and reallllly outside the box. Peter Tork from the Monkees "Valerie". That solo in it was so unexpected by of all groups them, and it makes your jaw drop and say.. "damn, I guess he really could play"

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Just a few of my many favorites:

Steve Morse: Battle Lines and Vista Grande (Southern Steel)
Highland Wedding (High Tension Wires)

Al DiMeola: Cruisin' (Tour DeForce Live)

Joe Satriani: Crushing Day (Surfing with the Alien) Too bad he never plays this one live.

I could add about a gazillion others from these guys plus Vai, Petrucci, Gambale, MacAlpine, Shawn Lane, Vinnie Moore, Eric Johnson, etc.

[Mojo]

J.B. Lenoir's solo on Talk To Your Daughter.

[Almo]

Justin Hayward of the Moody Blued turned in some good ones:

Higher and Higher
Driftwood
Deep
Talking out of Turn

Often not necessarily technically amazing, but very emotional.

[whitefork]

I'm not reading this as the hardest or most amazing solo's. I mean the usual suspects like Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen etc. will dominate those. Just trying to think outside the box, on solo's that I really like.
Mark Knopfler when with Dire Straights, I loved his bluesy, melancholy playing in "Brothers in Arms".
OK... and one to really really flame on me for, and reallllly outside the box. Peter Tork from the Monkees "Valerie". That solo in it was so unexpected by of all groups them, and it makes your jaw drop and say.. "damn, I guess he really could play"
Agreed as to the solo, but wasn't Peter the bassist? and Louie Shelton's name may be unknown to most listeners, but his guitar work has been heard over and over by even casual popular music listeners since the mid-'60s. His career as a session musician began with the Monkees, playing the memorable riffs on several of their recordings. (Remember the cool, rapid-fire, reverb-drenched solo in "Valerie"?)
from http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Louie%20Shelton:1927021492

[Steve]

OK, my turn. For emotional content rather than pyrotechnics:

Dickie Betts - In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
Carlos Santana - Soul Sacrifice

[DevilsAdvocate]

David Gilmour is an awesome guitarist. Comfortably Numb has an excellent solo. The guitar on Biding My time is awesome. He does an excellent job of merging his guitar work and solos into the song, so his playing doesn't really stand out. Which is hard to do, and is an excellent contrast to ‘show off’ guitarists.

[Johnny Pixels]

A couple of weeks ago I saw a guy playing in pub, he was technically brilliant, his whole set was guitar solo type stuff, like Gary Moore and Jimi Hendrix, except that was all he seemed to be, technically brilliant. There was no real sense of emotion behind his playing, and I got the feeling that if you had bought his CD, then it would probably be the same stuff on there, note for note.

I can't really pick a single solo, as it depends on what kind of mood I'm in as to what kind of solo would make me feel good.

Greatest guitarists though, I'd say Jimmy Page, as I'm a huge Led Zep fan, and so his solos have become part of the general good feeling I get listening to them, and Jimi Hendrix, because I could learn to play along with his recorded versions, but there'll be a point in playing live when he'll just take off, and you have to just stop and listen. I think I'd stick Pete Townshend in there too, as always seems to be having a good time playing guitar, and for me that's what music is about.

[bigred]

Jeff Beck on 'Blow by Blow' "Cause we've ended as lovers".

Very tasteful, emotional, skillful, fast, controlled, tuneful. One of the best solos ever.
:eye-poppi :impressed:

I'd add his underrated "Final Peace" (from "There and Back") as well - not as awesome as "Lovers" but up there.

Probably missing many and haven't read all the replies but I'd also add:

Pat Metheny - frankly most of what I've heard from the guy but check ""Here to Stay" and "Pat Metheny Group," among others

Steve Morse - likewise, most of what I've heard, but "What If" overall remains a fav

Steely Dan - uh take your pick as a bunch in their work as well - "Bodhissatva" (sp) immediately comes to mind as one of the best tho

Frampton - it's cliche but the live "Do you feel like we do" solo remains classic (and he remains quite an underrated guitarist overall)

Townsend - no. Sorry. Awesome rhythm guitarist and composer, and even respectable soloist, but not "great."

Eric Johnson - "Righteous" (from Ah Via Musicom) - doesn't have the passion/emotion of Beck's best/etc, but can't deny the guy his place here IMO.


PS: Page IS overrated. Get over it.

PS2: now why hasn't this thread been moved to the Music forum? :cool:

[fishbob]

[QUOTE=bigred;1409043Steely Dan - uh take your pick as a bunch in their work as well - "Bodhissatva" (sp) immediately comes to mind as one of the best tho
. . .
Eric Johnson - "Righteous" (from Ah Via Musicom) - doesn't have the passion/emotion of Beck's best/etc, but can't deny the guy his place here IMO.
. . .
PS: Page IS overrated. Get over it.
[/QUOTE]
1 - How much of the really good guitar on Steely Dan recordings was done by Rick Derringer? His version of Rock and Roll Hootchie Coo has a killer short solo in the middle.

2 - Eric Johnson is who I immediately thought of while reading Johnny Pixels pub experience. Technically brilliant, no feeling.

3 - Why do people get snotty about Jimmy Page? He was good, he was innovative, he made some great songs.

[Dr. Who]

There are so many great solos to mention. One that comes to mind, other than the usual Van Halen, Page, Johnson, Satriani, etc., is the guitar solo in Eddie Money's "Two Tickets to Paradise." A great guitar solo from a guy I learned was named either Jimmy Lyon or Jimmy Lyons. I've done internet searches to learn more about this guy but there is very little information about him.

[Jono]

Any solo by Ritchie Blackmore or Doug Aldrich :)

[RatBoy]

Thank you, SuperCoolGuy for mentioning Blue Sky - I think the first solo is very lyrical and moving.

There's some great work throughout "Shooting Shark" by BOC - tho it probably doesn't qualify as a solo, per se.

And I went through my teens mesmerized on various of Jimi Hendrix' solos on "Red House".

I haven't listened to any Mountain for a while, but Leslie West was pretty good, too...

I'd also like to echo the Eddie Money comment, and add "Trinidad" - agreed that this is not the most technically challengin or brilliant work, it just has the right feel for the song.

[bigred]

1 - How much of the really good guitar on Steely Dan recordings was done by Rick Derringer? His version of Rock and Roll Hootchie Coo has a killer short solo in the middle.Not much, actually, but he was/is an excellent guitarist. Most of their memorable stuff was done by Larry Carlton and then a mix of guys like Skunk Baxter, Denny Dias, and oh btw Walter B (also an underrated guitarist).

2 - Eric Johnson is who I immediately thought of while reading Johnny Pixels pub experience. Technically brilliant, no feeling.Yeah, got a point.

3 - Why do people get snotty about Jimmy Page? He was good, he was innovative, he made some great songs.

in order:

yes, he was good. Not great. (or rarely)
no, he was not particularly innovative.
"He" did not make great songs. Zep did though.

And in the 1-hit wonder category, forget the name but the Passport guitarist who did the solo on "Joy Ridin." One of the best solos ever IMO (and I hate to admit but one of those that simply must be listened to ridiculously loud, as is the case with many I suppose...).