292 - Rolling Stone's 5 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time… Do They Deserve Their Place?

In this episode, Paul Andrews dives into Rolling Stone Magazine’s recently released list of the 100 greatest guitar solos of all time.

Guitarists everywhere are debating the rankings, so Paul Andrews breaks down the top five solos, highlighting what makes each one so exceptional, what techniques to listen for, and key lessons you can take into your own playing.

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Rolling Stone’s Top 5 Greatest Guitar Solos

5. “Eruption” - Van Halen (Eddie Van Halen)

• Released in 1978; revolutionized guitar playing with two-handed tapping
• Not just technical—exciting and joyful
• Great for working on tremolo picking, tapping, bends, whammy bar
• https://youtu.be/CU-vvlFvzuk?si=cASD-8I25wFdZeK7

4. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd (David Gilmour)

• The opposite of “Eruption”: all about phrasing, feeling, and the emotion behind each note
• Gilmour’s playing is like singing through the guitar
• Key lessons: bending, vibrato, and the power of space in solos
• https://youtu.be/o5Ht6WIhhmU?si=GRpCHWFKKeVXOr3a

3. “Hotel California” – The Eagles (Don Felder & Joe Walsh)

• Orchestral in arrangement with legendary harmonized ending
• Memorable and melodic—easy to hum
• Lesson: Make your solos singable and memorable
• https://youtu.be/FlxE6jROiGI?si=BTB6HSwXrO0eSjGg

2. “Machine Gun” – Jimi Hendrix

• Chosen not for the most famous Hendrix licks, but for raw emotional power
• Hendrix used guitar as his voice to express himself
• Tip: Watch Hendrix live to see his expressive playing style
• For more on Hendrix, revisit Episode 114: “What’s All the Fuss About Jimi Hendrix?”
• https://youtu.be/GklrHwwEq-8?si=AVw6Mt2tG5guAzKm

1. “Purple Rain” – Prince

• Maybe a surprising number one, but stands out for pure emotion over technicality
• Each bend and phrase is meaningful—like pouring out his soul
• Reminder of how great a guitarist Prince really was
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPGVD7Yy3Ys&list=RDJPGVD7Yy3Ys&start_radio=1

Discussion

• Other classics not in the Top 5: “Stairway to Heaven,” “Sweet Child O’Mine,” “November Rain,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and others got honorable mentions.
• What’s your all-time favorite guitar solo? Share yours in the Beginner Guitar Academy forum!

Links and Resources

• Full Rolling Stone List
• Episode 114: What’s All the Fuss About Jimi Hendrix?

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See you next Friday for another episode! Until then: Have fun, keep practicing, and share your favorite solos with us!