Inspired by the Best Single Line in Rock 'n Roll thread, what would be your nominations for best guitar solo in rock history?

Length of the solo is not a plus. It can be short. Just which ones really "talk?" Really seem to fit the song, enhance it, and not sound too "overcooked?"

You can post more than one. This is which ones you think should be in the conversation. (Picking one doesn't really work for music -- it's not a competition).

I'll go ahead and throw Sultans of Swing out there -- I love the way it slowly builds. It fits the lyrics so well -- I can just picture some aging band player, who loves music even though he's got a day job, stepping up under the lights. THere's a "crowd of young" boys who think these old farts don't know how to rock, and he starts playing it slow at first. But as he's working it, their heads slowly turn and their jaws slowly drop.

Can two intertwining guitar leads be considered a solo? I'm the Pope and I say yes! Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner's intro to Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" from Rock n Roll Animal.

Eric Clapton - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
George Harrison - "Something"
Paul McCartney - "Taxman"

Ernie Isley's serpentine, psychedelic-soul lead on the Isley Bros. 1973 hit "That Lady."

One more for this evening.

Hanzo's got me covered.

First thing I thought of:

Glenn Tipton on Judas Priest's Victim of Changes.

Speaking of "talking" and "fitting the song" and "enhancing" it's like he strung the guitar with raw nerves stretched til they screamed.

honorable mention:


Best imo:



I do agree that Sultans of Swing is a great guitar solo. The first time I saw that video on MTV in the '80s seeing Knopfler play the solo, my jaw dropped.

Metallica: "The Day that Never Comes" ... it's the last two minutes of the song, and it's fantastic.

One of the things that I like about SRV's Little Wing is that he breaks up the song in to several different sections, each repeating the same chord progression but changes the mood and intensity up for each one.