What are the greatest guitar solos of all time? Here are some of our picks. What are yours?<\/a><\/p>\nDozens of you shared your selections, which cover a broad array of players and styles. Responses came from across San Diego County and as far afield as Connecticut, England and Australia. No fewer than three readers chose guitarist Michael Schenker\u2019s bravura solo on \u201cRock Bottom\u201d from the 1979 double live album, \u201cStrangers in the Night,\u201d by UFO.<\/p>\n
Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Prince and Eddie Van Halen also earned multiple endorsements. So did former Tijuana six-string ace Carlos Santana. Only one reader nominated a solo by Ted Nugent.<\/p>\n
We received so many responses that more will be published in next week\u2019s Sunday Arts & Entertainment section. The letters have been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n
Guns N\u2019 Roses<\/p>\n
Thanks for expanding my list of favorite guitar solos, songs and genres. I\u2019ve downloaded many from your suggestions.<\/p>\n
One of my favorites is Guns N\u2019 Roses\u2019 \u201cSweet Child O\u2019 Mine.\u201d Slash\u2019s solo makes this song iconic for me and not just a \u201cregular rock song.\u201d He makes his guitar purr and roar.<\/p>\n
Thanks for mentioning just a few women guitarists, H.E.R and Bonnie Raitt, who are two of my favorites. You missed Nancy Wilson of Heart, Orianthi, Molly Miller, Lari Basilio and Joan Jett. Maybe a future article could showcase female musicians, not just the singers, since \u2014 let\u2019s face it \u2014 for years men have had opportunities to dominate the music industry.\u00a0 It would be enlightening to know some of the women pioneers in blues, rock, jazz.<\/p>\n
Thanks for always educating me on new artists past and present.<\/p>\n
Mary Pope, San Diego<\/p>\n
Deep Purple, Jethro Tull<\/p>\n
I enjoyed your article on guitar solos. Two that caught my ear as a teenager were Ritchie Blackmore\u2019s, on the live version of Deep Purple\u2019s \u201cHighway Star,\u201d from the \u201cMade in Japan\u201d album; and Martin Barre of Jethro Tull\u2019s on \u201cAqualung.\u201d<\/p>\n
As an adult, two others I came to love are \u201cThird Wind\u201d and \u201cTo The End of the World,\u201d both by Pat Metheny, who otherwise has too many great solos to list. Thanks for letting me share.<\/p>\n
James R. RIffel, El Cajon<\/p>\n
Django Reinhardt<\/p>\n
My favorite solo is Django Reinhardt\u2019s \u201cManoir de mes r\u00eaves\u201d 1945 recording on Vogue. Not his fastest, but a beautifully constructed, lyrical solo that I wish I could play. Seventy years ago, when I was 13, my guitar teacher gave me names of guitarists to listen to. The first EP I heard in the record shop had this Django track following the furious \u201cBelleville.\u201d It has been my favorite ever since and I have now found it on YouTube. Not to be confused with his many recordings of \u201cManoir\u201d (\u201cHouse of Dreams\u201d), this one is the most beautiful.<\/p>\n
David Cook,\u00a0Newmarket,\u00a0England<\/p>\n
UFO\u2019s \u2018Rock Bottom\u2019<\/p>\n
Thanks again for another fun article.<\/p>\n
Top of my list would be Michael Schenker\u2019s extended solo on UFO\u2019s \u201cRock Bottom\u201d from their \u201cStrangers in the Night\u201d live album. Melody, pacing, tone, dynamic build-up, flashes of speed and a bunch more adjectives if I knew anything about playing guitar. Schenker was reportedly furious with producer Ron Nevison for not letting him correct what he perceived as minor flubs. Thank goodness Nevison stood his ground.<\/p>\n
Kirk Crawford,\u00a0Rancho Santa Fe<\/p>\n
Steely Dan<\/p>\n
I think one would be remiss to not include Elliott Randall\u2019s solo on Steely Dan\u2019s \u201cReelin\u2019 in the Years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dave Kuhlman,\u00a0Rancho Penasquitos<\/p>\n
Mick Ronson\u2019s \u201cMoonage Daydream,\u201d \u201cWidth of a Circle\u201d<\/p>\n
Thanks for a great article on guitar solos. Given that I am a fan of pithy 3-minute pop\/rock songs (from Beatles to Ramones!), I am definitely not a fount of wisdom or credibility when it comes to guitar solos. As evidence of this, my high school buddies recall me falling asleep at the San Diego Sports Arena, circa 1973, during an extended solo of Whipping Post by the Allman Brothers Band (the same show that Cameron Crowe gives many kudos to in his San Diego-centric memoir, \u201cUncool\u201d).<\/p>\n
That being said, if one ever saw the grainy version of the 1979 film \u201cZiggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars,\u201d the solos by Mick Ronson on \u201cMoonage Daydream\u201d and \u201cWidth of a Circle\u201d are beyond reproach.\u00a0 So, that is my vote for best guitar solos!<\/p>\n
Dale Glaser,\u00a0Point Loma<\/p>\n
Living Colour, Van Halen<\/p>\n
Two of my favorite solos are very heavy rock oriented.<\/p>\n
How could you forget \u201cCult of Personality\u201d by Living Colour? Vernon Reid burned so hot on this legendary solo!<\/p>\n
Another favorite is \u201cEruption\u201d by Eddie Van Halen on Van Halen\u2019s debut album. It exploded out of radios everywhere, announcing their arrival.<\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n
Mark Gracyk, Lemon Grove<\/p>\n
Richard Thompson, Steely Dan<\/p>\n
I enjoyed the article on guitar solos and am having fun listening to the few I\u2019m not familiar with. A few of my all-time favorites are \u201cTake Care the Road You Choose\u201d by Richard Thompson, Steely Dan\u2019s \u201cGold Teeth Number Two,\u201d and Derek and the Dominos\u2019 \u201cWhy Does Love Have to Be So Sad\u201d (though this last one may be ruled out on a technicality, as it\u2019s actually a guitar duet). I hope you publish the suggestions from other readers.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m also looking forward to investigating some of the new up-and-comers you mentioned, and would like to add one to the list: Jackie Venson, from Austin, who recently performed in Escondido. Great concert.<\/p>\n
Flann Maguire,\u00a0Encinitas<\/p>\n
Stevie Ray Vaughan<\/p>\n
I think the most glaring omissions from your list are the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Fogerty.<\/p>\n
For Stevie, I\u2019d either have to go with \u201cPride & Joy\u201d (any version) or \u201cLook at Little Sister\u201d from the concert in 1985 at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, N.Y. You could pull any solo from that concert and it should\u2019ve made the top 10. For John, it has to be Creedence Clearwater Revival\u2019s blistering rendition of \u201cI Put a Spell on You,\u201d from their \u201cGreatest Hits\u201d album.<\/p>\n
Thanks, I enjoyed reading your good picks, and your obvious mistakes. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
Anita Fabian,\u00a0New Milford, CT<\/p>\n
\u2018Stranglehold\u2019<\/p>\n
Ted Nugent\u2019s solo on \u201cStranglehold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why? His ability to throw two or three notes in when you don\u2019t expect it, and the variety of sounds he creates.<\/p>\n
Cliff Lindroth, Temecula<\/p>\n
David Lindley, Robert Cray<\/p>\n
Great idea for an article. Hard to argue that the solos on your list aren\u2019t all great, and there\u2019s a lot of truly great guitar work that doesn\u2019t fit here because it\u2019s not really a solo, but a whole track\u2019s worth of work (e.g. Santana\u2019s \u201cEuropa,\u201d Stevie Ray Vaughan\u2019s \u201cCouldn\u2019t Stand the Weather,\u201d and probably anything by Ry Cooder, including your choice).<\/p>\n
But I would add Eddie Van Halen\u2019s \u201cEruption\u201d regardless, as an announcement of a new era in rock; Al Anderson\u2019s beautifully simple and wrenching solo in the live version of Bob Marley\u2019s \u201cNo Woman, No Cry,\u201d which shows shredding is absolutely not necessary; Alvin Lee\u2019s blistering solo on \u201cI\u2019d Love to Change the World\u201d by Ten Years After; which shows that shredding is great and potentially melodic; David Lindley\u2019s overheated, indelible slide solo on Jackson Browne\u2019s \u201cRunnin\u2019 on Empty\u201d; and \u2014 my personal favorite \u2014 the incredible final 2 minutes and 15 seconds of the title track from Robert Cray\u2019s 1992 album, \u201cI Was Warned.\u201d It starts out impressively tasty and in the groove, then builds to to staggering heights.<\/p>\n
Thanks for making me reconnect with some of these.<\/p>\n
Jared D\u2019Onofrio, North Park<\/p>\n
Derek Trucks<\/p>\n
My wife has been duly advised, if I am terminally ill and my time on this earth is coming to an end, to put on my headphones and play a live version of \u201cMidnight in Harlem\u201d by the Tedeschi Trucks Band on a loop until I am gone. The long guitar solo by Derek Trucks with the beautiful vocal lead-in by Susan Tedeschi is methadone to the ears. Like you, I have an endless list of favorites, but that one takes me someplace out of this world.<\/p>\n
Thanks for the article and the list of solos to revisit. I look forward to getting more from other readers.<\/p>\n
Colin Young, La Jolla<\/p>\n
Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck<\/p>\n
What a tough assignment you\u2019ve given us today!\u00a0 It\u2019s like answering the question \u201cwhich of your kids is your favorite\u201d! No answer to that one.\u00a0Anyway, here are my picks:<\/p>\n
Jimi Hendrix, \u201cVoodoo Child (Slight Return)\u201d: I love the reverb and him pushing those strings to the max!<\/p>\n
Jeff Beck,\u00a0 \u201cGoing Down\u201d:\u00a0 Technical skill coupled with great imagination for this great blues staple!<\/p>\n
George Benson, \u201cCalifornia Dreaming\u201d: Fabulous recording of a super group of jazz musicians!<\/p>\n
Robin Trower, \u201cLittle bit of Sympathy\u201d: Great sound and great enthusiasm!<\/p>\n
Freddie King, \u201cGoing Down\u201d: A blues guitar master gone too soon!<\/p>\n
Mike Bloomfield, \u201cMr. Poobah\u201d: Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield \u00e0 deux!, with great back and forth between them!<\/p>\n
Buddy Guy, \u201cT-Bone Shuffle\u201d: Classic Chicago blues. Yeah!!<\/p>\n
That is about all for now, but the list is really unending.\u00a0 There\u2019s not enough ink to complete the task. I love reading your stuff, George. You have got a wealth of knowledge and it\u2019s always\u00a0a pleasure to see your name attached to any written piece.\u00a0 A must read.<\/p>\n
Bob Defenbaugh,\u00a0Poway<\/p>\n
Jeff Beck<\/p>\n
I imagine you stirred up quite a hornet\u2019s nest with your guitar solo article! (I) loved it, especially that you cited Jerry Donahue\u2019s solo on Joan Armatrading\u2019s \u201cTall in the Saddle\u201d while my wife and I were listening to Ry Cooder\u2019s \u201cBop Till You Drop,\u201d which is also on your list. I love Jerry\u2019s playing and that solo has a special place in my heart.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been playing since 1971 and continue to geek out on all things guitar. Great article.<\/p>\n
The solo I could listen to on endless repeat is Jeff Beck\u2019s \u201cCause We\u2019ve Ended as Lovers\u201d from his \u201cBlow by Blow\u201d album. The whole song is basically a guitar solo, but it is achingly beautiful and every note is lovingly treated as its own special being; no filler on that track. It knocked me out in the mid \u201970s and has continued to be a North Star of all that is good and true about the electric guitar.<\/p>\n
Far more obscure but especially brilliant is Jeff Beck\u2019s solo on Stanley Clarke\u2019s \u201cJourney to Love.\u201d The intro from the 15 to 30 second mark is beautiful, but the solo from the 1:01 to 1:46 minute mark is brilliant and only Jeff could have played it. Quirky and full of unexpected turns, it always sounds fresh and stands out in an amazing body of work.<\/p>\n
Even more obscure is the guitar intro on Gregg Allman\u2019s \u201cQueen of Hearts\u201d by (I think) Buzz Feiten. I\u2019ve been chasing that tone, phrasing, and soulfulness for over 50 years:<\/p>\n
Thanks for a great article. Looking forward to the encore!<\/p>\n
Ian Vatet, Poway<\/p>\n
The Knack, Prince<\/p>\n
The greatest guitar solo of all time is, unquestionably, the solo in the album version (not the 45 RPM single edit) of \u201cMy Sharona\u201d by The Knack. Honorable mentions: \u201cProve it All Night\u201d by Bruce Springsteen and \u201cI Could Never Take the Place of Your Man\u201d by Prince.<\/p>\n
Pat Puccini, Chula Vista<\/p>\n
Stevie Ray Vaughan<\/p>\n
I played bass in many bands and started learning guitar 10 years ago.\u00a0 Completely different animal.\u00a0 Anyway, almost all Stevie Ray Vaughn solos make me smile, but I think the ultimate guitar solo is his version of \u201cVoodoo Child (Slight Return).\u201d\u00a0 It is essentially a seven-minute solo that is a master lesson on the pentatonic scale. I could also nominate Larry Carlton\u2019s solo (all of them, plus his fills) on Steely Dan\u2019s \u201cKid Charlemagne\u201d or Randy Rhodes\u2019 iconic solo on Ozzy Osbourne\u2019s \u201cCrazy Train.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cool article.<\/p>\n
Kyle Long, Poway<\/p>\n
Allman Brothers Band<\/p>\n
Great start on that list and there is a plethora of choices. But one of my all time faves, which got me through final exams in high school and college, is \u201cBlue Sky\u201d from the Allman Brothers Band\u2019s \u201cEat a Peach\u201d album. The solos by Duane Allman and Dickey Betts bring to mind Ringo Starr\u2019s exclamation from The Beatles\u2019 \u201cHelter Skelter\u201d: \u201cI\u2019ve got blisters on my fingers!\u201d<\/p>\n
Also, the soaring and hard driving guitar intro by Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner to \u201cSweet Jane\u201d from Lou Reed\u2019s \u201cRock \u2018n Roll Animal\u201d is (expletive) classic!<\/p>\n
Thanks for all your hard work and columns throughout the years.<\/p>\n
Chris Lafferty,\u00a0San Diego<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Editor\u2019s note: More readers\u2019 letters about their favorite guitar solos will be published on Sunday, Sept. 13. What…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":455404,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[967,181,6682,74,76,75,420],"class_list":["post-455403","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-entertainment","tag-latest-headlines","tag-music-and-concerts","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news","tag-things-to-do"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455403","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=455403"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455403\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/455404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=455403"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=455403"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=455403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}