These Are the Five Best Guitar Solos of All Time
Why It Matters
The ranking underscores how iconic guitar solos shape cultural narratives and drive marketable legacies, influencing everything from instrument sales to streaming revenue.
Key Takeaways
- •Van Halen's "Eruption" showcases Eddie's two‑hand tapping mastery
- •Gilmour's "Comfortably Numb" solo praised for soulful, transcendent tone
- •Eagles' "Hotel California" features a dual‑guitar duel between Felder and Walsh
- •Hendrix's "Machine Gun" reflects anti‑war sentiment through 12‑minute improvisation
- •Prince's "Purple Rain" solo deemed ultimate emotional climax in rock history
Summary
Rolling Stone senior music editor Joseph Hudak presents the definitive top‑five guitar solos from the magazine’s 100‑greatest list, highlighting tracks that have shaped rock’s sonic vocabulary.
The selections span three decades, from Van Halen’s 1978 “Eruption” – a 1‑minute‑42‑second showcase of two‑hand tapping, whammy‑bar fireworks and Eddie’s signature brown tone – to Prince’s 1984 “Purple Rain,” described as a “cry of the soul” that culminated in his iconic 2007 Super Bowl performance. David Gilmour’s “Comfortably Numb” is lauded for its weepy, transcendent phrasing, while the Eagles’ “Hotel California” features a note‑for‑note duel between Don Felder and Joe Walsh. Jimi Hendrix’s live “Machine Gun,” a 12‑minute anti‑war improvisation, underscores his experimental edge.
Hudak emphasizes the emotional weight of each solo: Gilmour’s “downright beautiful” lines, the rivalry‑fuelled interplay on “Hotel California,” and Prince’s string‑pinching that “reaches right to the heavens.” He challenges skeptics to revisit Prince’s halftime show as proof of its supremacy.
By codifying these performances, Rolling Stone not only cements their place in music history but also provides a benchmark for aspiring guitarists and industry stakeholders assessing artistic influence, legacy, and commercial relevance.
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