20 of the most iconic guitar solos of all time

“Crazy Train” is one of Ozzy Osbourne’s greatest songs, an enduring part of his legacy. And part of that legacy was secured by Randy Rhoads, the man behind the epic guitar solo. Even if you don’t love the song, you know the guitar solo. 

Joe Perry’s guitar solos in “Walk This Way” can still get a group of people to go absolutely feral. That song is just plain cool, and the guitar solos made it an undeniable hit. 

You don’t often think of guitar solos when thinking of Michael Jackson’s music, but Eddie Van Halen did his best to change that with his contributions to “Beat It.” The guitar solo is legendary. 

Basically, every time Eric Clapton picks up a guitar, it’s iconic. But “Hideaway” established him as a top talent, one that, in many minds, has no equal. No matter where you rank him on your list, Clapton’s solo in “Hideaway” is inarguably iconic. 

It’s worth listening to the entirety of “Free Bird” just to hear the guitar solo. These days, you could just skip to the end if that’s all you’re interested in, but the long song became so famous because when it was released, listeners couldn’t skip to the end to hear Allen Collins lose his mind on the guitar. 

John Mayer’s guitar solos in “Gravity” aren’t particularly long, but they’re just what the song needs, and they’re so beautiful. Mayer is an excellent songwriter, but he’s just as good a guitar player, and we, as a society, need to remember that. 

There are several reasons Slash’s guitar solo in “Sweet Child O’ Mine” is so great, but part of it is undoubtedly that it fits so effortlessly in the song. It makes so much sense. 

“I Believe in a Thing Called Love” would’ve been an epic song no matter what thanks to its lively melody and energy. But Justin Hawkins’ guitar solos really took the song to the next level. The second one serves as the perfect outro. 

We need more guitar solos in music in general, but we especially need more guitar solos a la Don Felder and Joe Walsh’s trade-off solos in “Hotel California.” There's a reason classic rock fans think music has gotten worse. 

Every member of The Rolling Stones was a rockstar in the truest sense of the word. Those guys knew how to rock, and Keith Richards was no exception, as evidenced by his guitar solo in “Sympathy for the Devil.”

Obviously Jimmy Page is going to be included in this list. One of the best guitarists of all time gave one of his best solos in “Stairway to Heaven,” a timeless classic that guitar players will try to master for the rest of time. 

The rest of Kansas told Kerry Livgren they wanted him to make history with his guitar in “Carry On My Wayward Son” and he told them not to worry. Okay, that probably didn’t happen, but it may as well have. What an epic solo. 

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a great example of what happens when you let creative people do what they do best. Queen did what they did best in this song, and that included Brian May showing that few people have ever been as good at playing the guitar as he is. 

A song called “I Love Rock N Roll” just wouldn’t have been complete without a guitar solo. And Ricky Byrd added one heck of a memorable solo to the Joan Jett and the Blackhearts classic. It’s not long, but it’s damn good. 

Everyone knew “Back in Black” was an iconic song the moment they first heard it. It starts off strong, and it only gets better the longer it goes on, thanks in part to Angus Young’s incomparable guitar stylings. What a band. What a song. What a solo. 

“The Boys Are Back In Town” is a song that’ll always be played when, well, boys return to town. It’s not just the lyrics and catchy melody that make this song great - it’s also enhanced by the twin guitar solos performed by Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. 

Prince was such a visionary artist that he wasn’t often credited for his skills on the guitar. But rest assured, that man knew what he was doing with the instrument, and no guitar solo of his showcased his talents quite as well as that in “Purple Rain.” Iconic. 

Kurt Cobain put all of his emotion into his guitar solo in “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Granted, he put all of his emotion into the entire song, but it’s especially present in the guitar. 

Jimi Hendrix is arguably the best guitarist of all time, and “All Along the Watchtower” is arguably his best guitar solo. His transcendent talent is on full display in that solo, and we’re all fortunate that it was recorded for us to enjoy in perpetuity. 

Tom Morello did something different on “Killing in the Name.” The Rage Against the Machine classic wouldn’t be nearly as iconic if it weren’t for Morello’s guitar contributions.