Top 20 Iconic Guitar Solos In Classic Rock History

An iconic guitar solo doesn’t just elevate a song, it defines it. It’s the moment that sweeps you off your feet, sets your speakers on fire, and cements a track’s place in music history. And while the greats like Eddie Van Halen and Slash will always get their flowers, they’re not the only ones worthy of a standing ovation.

From arena-shaking shredders to underrated six-string wizards, these 20 solos changed the game. Some you know by heart, others might surprise you.

Pink Floyd “Comfortably Numb”

David Gilmour’s guitar solo in Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” is what brings the song to life. Roger Waters’ lyrics encapsulate his feelings of lifelessness, but when Gilmour comes in around the two-minute mark, he brings spirit into the song.

According to The Wall producer Bob Ezrin’s 2022 interview with Total Guitar, the solo was done in one take. However, it’s Gilmour’s second solo that really enlivens the 1980 single. Clocking in at 4:30, the solo kicks in at just the right moment, and lasts until the end of the song.

Jimi Hendrix “All Along The Watchtower”

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Jimi Hendrix as the number one greatest guitarist of all time. His solo in “All Along The Watchtower” exemplifies exactly why Hendrix belonged at number one. Hendrix’s guitar takes over the rock song at one minute and 43 seconds and goes for over a minute before the musician’s vocals kick in again.

He does another unforgettable solo to finish off the song. However, the prior one shows off his talent for weaving his songs together, as he effortlessly dives back into singing after captivating listeners with his guitar skills.

Led Zeppelin “Stairway To Heaven”

Compared to Led Zeppelin’s other music, “Stairway to Heaven” is a laid-back ballad. However, it’s one of their most renowned songs as it relies on a three-part format, building upon its tempo in each section.

The final part of the song kicks in when Jimmy Page’s solo starts a little before the six-minute mark. The final portion of the song relies on Page’s talent. One may argue that without the solo, there would be no way to distinguish the end of the song from the rest.

The Eagles Hotel California

In 1998, Guitarist magazine ranked “Hotel California”‘s guitar solo as the best of all time. Understandably, as Joe Walsh and Don Felder nailed the dual solo, bringing the song the edge it needed. The Grammy Record of the Year winner would be incomplete without the guitar work, which is arguably a major part of why the song is so iconic.

Without the solo, the single would only be four minutes and twenty seconds long. It also helps that it falls right after the song’s most eerie lyric, “you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.“

Deep Purple “Highway Star”

Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” guitar solo can be described in many words. Iconic and innovative come to mind as guitarist Ritchie Blackmore took inspiration from classical music to craft the solo.

Blackmore admitted to Guitar Player in 1973 that the chord progression he used was taken from Johann Sebastian Bach. While most wouldn’t associate classic rock with Bach, Blackmore’s work has become some of the most influential in the genre.

Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” is one of the most iconic songs of all time, breaking out of the classic rock genre and making its mark on pop culture. The six-minute-long single broke barriers with its structure, but it’s Brian May’s guitar solos that bridge the parts of the song together.

Right as the song is reaching its peak, May comes in with his solo, before the track immediately collapses into acoustic piano production and then picks back up again. May’s performed the solo live in recent years, touring with Adam Lambert, and it’s still as mesmerizing today as it was when the song was originally recorded.

Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way”

Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours landed at number 7 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. As the publication highlighted, the album shone a spotlight on the band’s behind-the-scenes relationship drama. “Go Your Own Way” was one of the standout songs, surprisingly not on a vengeful anthem by Stevie Nicks, but by her former lover, Lindsey Buckingham.

However, it was Buckingham’s end-of-song guitar solo that fully captures his frustration and rage about the end of his relationship. While Fleetwood Mac may not be known for their guitar solos in the way other classic rock bands are, Buckingham cemented himself as one of the greats with his work on the track.

Heart “Alone”

Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson helped pave the road for women in rock when they formed Heart in 1973. The eldest sister’s powerhouse vocals on “Alone”, along with Nancy Wilson’s piano and guitar skills, contribute to the song’s legacy as much as Howard Leese’s iconic solo does. The song is actually a cover of the 1983 track by i-Ten.

However, the Wilson sisters made it their own. There’s a sense of yearning in the song that really comes across in Leese’s solo. It’s a lot quicker than some other classic rock guitar solos, but Leese’s work holds up almost 40 years later.

The Beatles “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

The Beatles were the foundation of classic rock during the first British invasion in the 60s. However, it wasn’t the core four who electrified their song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” during its guitar solo, but Eric Clapton. The song has a more folky sound to it, but it’s Clapton’s solo that brings the fiery sound that the song initially lacks.

Van Halen “Eruption”

“Eruption” is considered one of the greatest guitar solos of all time, as the one-minute and forty-two-second-long track is an instrumental. It’s also said to have popularized tapping. While not necessarily the most difficult song to play, it was pretty impressive for 1978 and would inspire generations of guitar players to be as great as Van Halen.