Guitar Solos The Best In The History Of Music

While nobody will argue that compiling a list of best guitar solos ever composed is not a daunting task, most will agree that it is not an exercise that cannot be done. After all, there can be some sort of consensus on what constitutes a great guitar solo and popularity carts can help us arrive at some sort of agreement on what some of the immortal guitar solos are, even if we cannot be expected to concur on the order and ranking of these compositions.

Most people know and have heard of Led Zeppelin but what they are not always aware of is that the band’s famous single, “Stairway to Heaven” is considered one of the all time greats as far as guitar solo compositions go. The song first made its appearance on Led Zeppelin’s untitled album released in 1971, almost always referred to as Led Zeppelin IV. The guitarist for the song was Jimmy Page, who used a 1958 Fender Telecaster. Undoubtedly a fine piece of music, the claims that the song contains backward Satanic messages has only added to its charm.

Guitar Solos Compositions

As far as guitar solos go, there is no doubt of the fact that the guitar solo in “Eruption”, played by Eddie van Halen is indeed a great piece of music. The guitarist used the Univox EC-80 echo box, placing a different motor in it, resulting in the production of some great and unusual sounds. The guitar solo was not even supposed to be on the album. Apparently, producer Ted Templeman heard the guitarist play it randomly in the recording studio and loved it so much that he demanded that it be a part of the final album.

Another great guitar solo composition is “Free Bird” that featured on the debut album of Lynryd Skynryd in 1974. The guitarist who played this fine guitar solo composition was Gary Rossington, an acknowledged musician of repute. Using a 1961 Gibson Les Paul/SG Standard,  Rossington played slide, creating  magnificent sound with a glass Coricidin bottle on his middle finger for the slide.  Rossington even innovated by sticking the bottle under the strings and then tuning the B down to G. When the great guitarist played the slide, he hit the third and second strings at the same time,  to make an unusual double guitar sound. Guitar solos

Great Guitar Solos

What discussion of great guitar solos can be complete without a mention of “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd in the classic album “The Wall”. The amazing thing about this song is that it was actually pieced together for that album by the guitarist Gilmour. The guitarist used the classic Hiwatt amps and a Yamaha rotating cabinets. He is believed to have played his ’79 black Strat using four of the strings tuned over.

These are only a few of the all time great guitar solos that have gladdened the hearts of music lovers down the history of music. Play them and you will know that these guitar solos are nothing if not immortal.