The greatest guitar/musical solos ever

[Argonne69]

The Knack's "My Sharona" is probably known more for its bass line, and the tune is likely dismissed as a near novelty record, but the the song was #1 on the charts for six weeks, and was the top pop single of 1979. The album was one of the fastest selling debut albums at the time, and spent five weeks at #1. Berton Averre's lead (2:45) is about as solid a lead as a you'll find in a pop song. 

 

 

Edited November 27, 2022 by Argonne69

[aenemated]

Marc Ribot on Tom Wait's "Hoist That Rag" ... 

 

 

[uitar9]

Warren Haynes

John Cipollina 

Betts and Allman

Jorma.....this list is endless. There are so many.

[Argonne69]

Ray's keyboard solo in Light My Fire (1:05) is pretty sweet. Robby's middle eastern inspired one (3:15) isn't too shabby, either. 

 

 

[Bob Cat]

Not "The Greatest" solo's of all time BUT one of my favorites:  Bun E Carlos drums and Rick Nielsen guitar intros.

Also Rick's extended multi-riff outro beginning at 4:08.

Love.  It.

 

 

[DArnie]

An iconic sound from one of the greatest 

 

[Argonne69]

 Another excellent violin solo by Jean Luc (1:10). Starts slow and builds nicely. Daryl Stuermer's guitar lead that follows isn't too shabby either. 

 

 

[Troy_McClure]

City and Colour/Dallas Green whole solo career should be top 5. The mans talent has no limits. 

[Argonne69]

One of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs. Wonderful, biting lyrics, especially if you've ever gone through a rough breakup. Solid harmonies. Mick's tom tom work in the verses is excellent. John's bass nails it. The 12 string guitar adds an critical counter element to the melody. Lindsey's lead (2:40) isn't over the top, but builds throughout the remainder of the song. 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Argonne69

[Argonne69]

Another gem from Lindsey. As a bass player, I always focused on John's bass line in the 2nd half of the song. However, Lindsey's short lead before the vocals kick back in (at 3:18) is razor sharp. 

 

 

[Argonne69]

Had to dig up this old thread after hearing Yes' "Owner of a Lonely Heart" for the first time in years. Trevor Rabin's lead (at 2:30) is one of the strangest you'll stumble across, but it fits the song perfectly. Some might liken it to fingers on a chalkboard, but it's still pretty interesting. 

 

 

Classic 80's music video was rather disturbing. Lol. 

 

 

[TiScape]

Not a solo. But think guitar and this came to my mind 

 

[aenemated]

33 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Not a solo. But think guitar and this came to my mind 

 

 

Everyone goes on about Ed's solos - rightfully so. 

 

But it seems so few talk about what a riffmaster and rhythm player he was. There're a million dudes in Hollywood that can play Eruption note-for-note pefect. But ain't none of them put together the lil bluesy jam that is the rhythm in, say, "Hot For Teacher.

[2Down]

Lotta good music listed but will admit I didn’t read it all.
 

I’ll mention Classical, Gas Mason Williams 

Mercury blues, David Lindsey 

 

[Argonne69]

Joe Perry's slide in Rag Doll was pretty sweet (2:20). Steven's scat at 3:50 is darn close to a vocal lead. Lol.