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12 of My Favorite/Most Influential Guitar Solos
Here are 12 of my favorite guitar solos ( in no specific order) that I would like to share with you and why I like them. Although this list is not “scientifically” compiled, and I’m sure there is a lot more I can think of had I chose to take more time to think about it, I think you may find them interesting.
1. Crossroads Solo by Eric Clapton & Cream
I really hold the solo in this tune near and dear to my heart as it was introduced to me by my friend and mentor Bill Duff while I was “discovering” the blues for the first time. In my brain this has to be one of the most “influential” guitar solos. I really like the “rawness” of the guitar sound and the tasty and interesting blends of both Major and Minor blues licks (O.K. pentatonic if you will). I think you can hear a lot of Clapton’s influence on other guitar players like Angus Young who use the raw power of the blues in hard rock as well.
2. Boom Boom Out Go the Lights Solo by Pat Travers
The first time I heard this song and the fiery solo by Pat Travers, I had to have been about 12 or 13. Like Clapton, Pat’s style had a very bluesy influence. However, what I found different and appealing was the fact that his playing was a lot more “in your face.”. It sounded like he was bending the strings right off the fretboard and really trying to squeeze as much out of the guitar as he possible could. Ironically enough, the song was on a Classic Rock compilation cassette called “Masters of Metal.” Although, I don’t really think of Pat Travers as “metal,” his approach was very powerful and aggressive and this tune still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
3. Freebird Solo by Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, and Gary Rossington
Yeah, yeah, I know Freebird. Well here’s the deal. I learned how to play lead guitar by stealing all the prominent licks from the solo in the end. And, since there were no guitar phrase trainers available like there are now, the boys in Skynyrd were kind enough to repeat their licks enough times that I didn’t have to stop or rewind the tape too many times. Seriously, there are some really great pull-offs, bends, and such that I stole from those guys and use them to this day.
This is a great song all-around. Unfortunately, I think its popularity chokes it’s reputation.
Learning Skynyrd tunes was also very helpful in helping me make the transition from blues to country as I took a gig with a working county band when I was sixteen.
4. Eruption by Eddie Van Halen
What can you say? I was born in 1978. By the time I was old enough to learn to play the guitar, everybody and their brother had taken EVH’s innovative style and used it to no end. I think it’s safe to say that Van Halen had defiantly morphed blues-based hard rock and made it more aggressive and streamlined. I can only imagine what it might have been like to listen to this for the first time prior to the “big 80's.” People must have been pulling their hair out trying to figure out how this guy was making the notes come out of the guitar that way. I must admit. I too use tapping as a tool in my arsenal when it comes time to add a little “magic” in a solo.
5. Randy Rhoads Live Solo on Ozzy’s Tribute Album
Shortly after the shockwave of Eddie Van Halen, enter probably one of my biggest influences, Randy Rhoads, pushing it to the next level. The live solo on 1986's Tribute Album (which was actually recorded in 1981) is just incredible. You can defiantly hear all the elements of what great rock guitarists were back then, and now you’re adding the discipline and musicianship of classical music to the mix. If I were to describe this solo (and actually the whole album for that matter) in just a few adjectives, I would say “Powerful, Moving, and Inspirational.”
6. Highway Star solo by Ritchie Blackmore
Well, maybe I spoke too soon about the element of classical and rock guitarists streamlining their playing in hard rock. Before Eddie and Randy there was Ritchie.
I would have to say, even though there is much debate on the first actual “heavy metal” song, I believe that you would have to consider Highway Star as possibly the first. With the speed and accuracy of a finely tuned machine nobody can deny Ritchie Blackmore’s power to make people want to drive just a little faster, or possibly pick up a Fender Stratocaster. Actually, that brings me to the next solo on the list.
7. Rising Force Solo by Yngwie Malmsteen
And a young boy from Sweden did just that. Only, he plays much, much faster. The speed and accuracy of Yngwie’s playing on this solo is shocking. And when you try to play it, it makes you want to put down your Fender Stratocaster.
8. Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson
This is a very wonderful and colorful tune. Although I am not a huge fan of Eric Johnson, every time I hear any part of this song being played, I stop and listen. The guitar tone is very refined as it almost sounds like a keyboard (very different than when you hear a Strat or Les Paul cranked through a Marshall). Although, I have managed to steal bits and pieces from it, someday I hope to actually learn this whole tune.
9. Europa by Carlos Santana
This is a great example of how a chord progression can really make for interesting solo as the chords and notes come together. I’ve played this tune 1000s of times as this was a staple during my days on Royal Caribbean with Brooks Paxton. To make it more interesting sometimes I just ride the chord progression as if it were a giant wave, and I try different notes to see what cool colors come out. ( NO, I’m not high, just influenced by Carlos Santana.)
10. Breezin' by George Benson
Ahh, another cruise line specialty of mine. You might assume from my list, I’m more the rocker type. And, you might be a little right. However, when duty calls you gotta be flexible. Although I dabbled in jazz in high school, it never really caught on for me. So, while learning all the tunes to do the gig with Brooks, I came across this tune. Normally, I would improvise a solo when needed, but I can’t do that in jazz very well. So, I learned this song note for note because I didn’t want to sound like I in fact WAS faking it. After working it out, I really started to like this song, a lot.
It’s kinda cool when you are pushed outside of your comfort zone every once in a while. I walked away from the experience of learning and performing this tune with a better understanding of a style not very familiar to me, and an appreciation of jazz guitarists in general.
11. Sleepwalk by Santo & Johnny
Believe it or not, I do get in to all different types of music not just Blues, Rock, and Metal. This tune is definantly one of my favorite songs of all time. The melody played on the steel guitar is just so haunting and sweet. I believe Jeff Beck recorded a version of this tune as well.
This is the only song I ever played with a slide.
12. Here I Go Again Solo by Adrian Vandenberg
Alright, back to the Rock thing. I know what you are probably thinking right now. How could he mention legends like Van Halen, Eric Clapton, and George Benson, then go to a cheesy hair metal song? Why? Because the solo in this song is the perfect guitar solo. Really. It starts out with a nice melodic hook to get you interested. Then, you have the build. Next, the nice speedy climax up the neck. And to finish it all off, the perfect bend up to note on a skinny string in the upper register.
Basically, it’s short but sweet, and well put together.
O.K. Now that you have taken the time to read mine, I want to know yours. If you got something you hold near and dear, share it with me by sending a mail message or posting a response here. However, please be nice. I would appreciate if we can keep it all positive.
1. Crossroads Solo by Eric Clapton & Cream
I really hold the solo in this tune near and dear to my heart as it was introduced to me by my friend and mentor Bill Duff while I was “discovering” the blues for the first time. In my brain this has to be one of the most “influential” guitar solos. I really like the “rawness” of the guitar sound and the tasty and interesting blends of both Major and Minor blues licks (O.K. pentatonic if you will). I think you can hear a lot of Clapton’s influence on other guitar players like Angus Young who use the raw power of the blues in hard rock as well.
2. Boom Boom Out Go the Lights Solo by Pat Travers
The first time I heard this song and the fiery solo by Pat Travers, I had to have been about 12 or 13. Like Clapton, Pat’s style had a very bluesy influence. However, what I found different and appealing was the fact that his playing was a lot more “in your face.”. It sounded like he was bending the strings right off the fretboard and really trying to squeeze as much out of the guitar as he possible could. Ironically enough, the song was on a Classic Rock compilation cassette called “Masters of Metal.” Although, I don’t really think of Pat Travers as “metal,” his approach was very powerful and aggressive and this tune still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
3. Freebird Solo by Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, and Gary Rossington
Yeah, yeah, I know Freebird. Well here’s the deal. I learned how to play lead guitar by stealing all the prominent licks from the solo in the end. And, since there were no guitar phrase trainers available like there are now, the boys in Skynyrd were kind enough to repeat their licks enough times that I didn’t have to stop or rewind the tape too many times. Seriously, there are some really great pull-offs, bends, and such that I stole from those guys and use them to this day.
This is a great song all-around. Unfortunately, I think its popularity chokes it’s reputation.
Learning Skynyrd tunes was also very helpful in helping me make the transition from blues to country as I took a gig with a working county band when I was sixteen.
4. Eruption by Eddie Van Halen
What can you say? I was born in 1978. By the time I was old enough to learn to play the guitar, everybody and their brother had taken EVH’s innovative style and used it to no end. I think it’s safe to say that Van Halen had defiantly morphed blues-based hard rock and made it more aggressive and streamlined. I can only imagine what it might have been like to listen to this for the first time prior to the “big 80's.” People must have been pulling their hair out trying to figure out how this guy was making the notes come out of the guitar that way. I must admit. I too use tapping as a tool in my arsenal when it comes time to add a little “magic” in a solo.
5. Randy Rhoads Live Solo on Ozzy’s Tribute Album
Shortly after the shockwave of Eddie Van Halen, enter probably one of my biggest influences, Randy Rhoads, pushing it to the next level. The live solo on 1986's Tribute Album (which was actually recorded in 1981) is just incredible. You can defiantly hear all the elements of what great rock guitarists were back then, and now you’re adding the discipline and musicianship of classical music to the mix. If I were to describe this solo (and actually the whole album for that matter) in just a few adjectives, I would say “Powerful, Moving, and Inspirational.”
6. Highway Star solo by Ritchie Blackmore
Well, maybe I spoke too soon about the element of classical and rock guitarists streamlining their playing in hard rock. Before Eddie and Randy there was Ritchie.
I would have to say, even though there is much debate on the first actual “heavy metal” song, I believe that you would have to consider Highway Star as possibly the first. With the speed and accuracy of a finely tuned machine nobody can deny Ritchie Blackmore’s power to make people want to drive just a little faster, or possibly pick up a Fender Stratocaster. Actually, that brings me to the next solo on the list.
7. Rising Force Solo by Yngwie Malmsteen
And a young boy from Sweden did just that. Only, he plays much, much faster. The speed and accuracy of Yngwie’s playing on this solo is shocking. And when you try to play it, it makes you want to put down your Fender Stratocaster.
8. Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson
This is a very wonderful and colorful tune. Although I am not a huge fan of Eric Johnson, every time I hear any part of this song being played, I stop and listen. The guitar tone is very refined as it almost sounds like a keyboard (very different than when you hear a Strat or Les Paul cranked through a Marshall). Although, I have managed to steal bits and pieces from it, someday I hope to actually learn this whole tune.
9. Europa by Carlos Santana
This is a great example of how a chord progression can really make for interesting solo as the chords and notes come together. I’ve played this tune 1000s of times as this was a staple during my days on Royal Caribbean with Brooks Paxton. To make it more interesting sometimes I just ride the chord progression as if it were a giant wave, and I try different notes to see what cool colors come out. ( NO, I’m not high, just influenced by Carlos Santana.)
10. Breezin' by George Benson
Ahh, another cruise line specialty of mine. You might assume from my list, I’m more the rocker type. And, you might be a little right. However, when duty calls you gotta be flexible. Although I dabbled in jazz in high school, it never really caught on for me. So, while learning all the tunes to do the gig with Brooks, I came across this tune. Normally, I would improvise a solo when needed, but I can’t do that in jazz very well. So, I learned this song note for note because I didn’t want to sound like I in fact WAS faking it. After working it out, I really started to like this song, a lot.
It’s kinda cool when you are pushed outside of your comfort zone every once in a while. I walked away from the experience of learning and performing this tune with a better understanding of a style not very familiar to me, and an appreciation of jazz guitarists in general.
11. Sleepwalk by Santo & Johnny
Believe it or not, I do get in to all different types of music not just Blues, Rock, and Metal. This tune is definantly one of my favorite songs of all time. The melody played on the steel guitar is just so haunting and sweet. I believe Jeff Beck recorded a version of this tune as well.
This is the only song I ever played with a slide.
12. Here I Go Again Solo by Adrian Vandenberg
Alright, back to the Rock thing. I know what you are probably thinking right now. How could he mention legends like Van Halen, Eric Clapton, and George Benson, then go to a cheesy hair metal song? Why? Because the solo in this song is the perfect guitar solo. Really. It starts out with a nice melodic hook to get you interested. Then, you have the build. Next, the nice speedy climax up the neck. And to finish it all off, the perfect bend up to note on a skinny string in the upper register.
Basically, it’s short but sweet, and well put together.
O.K. Now that you have taken the time to read mine, I want to know yours. If you got something you hold near and dear, share it with me by sending a mail message or posting a response here. However, please be nice. I would appreciate if we can keep it all positive.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ken Lamison on -
#12 short, sweet and well-put-together makes for a great solo every time
Ken
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Permalink Reply by Marc Dinsmore on -
i'm going to try to come up with a few without thinking about it...
the first one that comes to mind:
smashing pumpkins-here is no why; very melodic. billy corgan doesn't get enough recognition for his sense of melody and drama
next:
rage against the machine-darkness; tom morello effect-oriented solo with the some of the tastiest fast and clean jazz work i've heard. concise and varied.
living colour-under cover of darkness; vernon reid-another effect-laden lambaste coupled with jazz. neato. this album, time's up...one of my favorites. overlooked.
disturbed-the night; i think i like this solo most because i never thought this band capable of something like this. that is, i get really turned on by a band that's growing from one release to the next. this band has surprised me that way. they've become better songwriters and composers with each release. it's really pretty rudimentary stuff he's doing in this solo, but he executes it well.
incubus-sick sad little world; i'm ashamed to say that this guitar player is one of my favorites, and i don't even know his name. his sound is most often effects laden again (there's a theme going here), but still clearly a guitar playing a traditional role in the composition. this man amazes me with the way he jumps around both on the fretboard and in theme with tonal changes. he certainly has a sense of dynamic...
pink floyd-sorry; for me it's the guitar work through the whole piece. it's gilmour, what else can i say...
pink floyd-learning to fly (live-pulse, cd not dvd); i'm not sure if this was tim renwick on the cd version, but i know it is on the dvd. either way...love it.
:)
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Permalink Reply by Steve Acker on -
"Machine Gun" Jimi Hendrix, Band of Gypsies.
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