The 100 Greatest Guitar
Solos Will Create Loyal Followers
Searching for the Best Guitar Solo
Not an easy project. Is there anything
more involved than looking for and finding the 100 greatest
guitar solos of all time? Guitar music has been the
definitive rock and roll instrument of choice for more than
50 years, with virtuosos of different eras, different styles
and different countries all leaving their mark on the
musical landscape.
Starting a Top Guitar Solo
List
Where, then, does one begin with a
list? Do you start with Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode"?
Would you consider Marty McFly's loving rendition of the
same in "Back to the Future" a worthy entering on the list
of 100 greatest guitar solos? Or would you prefer to head
straight to the most recognized virtuosos, the likes of
Steve Vai and Joe Satriani?
"Everyone is Beautiful, In Their
Own Way .."
... as sings Ray Stevens and the same
is true with guitar solos. So you see, it's not the easiest
list to make. It's not even the easiest list to think about,
because guitar solos have a way of effecting different
people in disparate ways. I may love David Gilmour's chops
as shown on "Money," but someone from a more technical point
of view would never list that particular solo in his or her
top thousand, let alone 100. It's a very personal
thing.
I spent much of my time pondering the
100 greatest guitar solos when I was in my "Pearl Jam" phase
in the mid 1990s. "Alive" comes readily to mind. Since then
the guitar solo has not precisely gone away, but it's played
less of a central role over the last fifteen years of music.
Jack White Comes to
Mind
Luckily there are still great guitar
players like Jack White of The White Stripes, whose 7 Nation
Army reminds us all of the raw power and emotional impact of
the instrument. His driving, thunderous solo is appreciated
by guitarists, critics, fans and even anti-fans. Do you know
anyone - I mean anyone! - who doesn't recognize Jack White's
greatness?
How to Choose a Great Guitar
Solo
I suppose this factor should come to
mind first when looking at the 100 greatest guitar solos.
Even if you're not a fan of the song... is it undeniably
great? I may not be the biggest Van Halen fan ever, but even
I can recognize that Eddie Van Halen's "Explosion" belongs
on the list.
As do probably half a dozen other
solos he churned out over the years. Let's face it, talent
is talent and the record industry seldom puts people on
their labels who don't have any. Music is relevant and in
the ear of the beholder.
Add Two to the List of 100 Greatest
Guitar Solos
An opinion still but worthy of
mention. Of course, I've waited until the end to mention the
two men who will probably show up most often on the list of
the 100 greatest guitar solos: Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page.
Page, of course, was the supercharged
dark lord of "Led Zeppelin," and he's solos ranged from the
moody and and innovative "Dazed and Confused" to the
straightforward, raw firepower of "Whole Lotta Love."
Hendrix, meanwhile, is probably still
considered the greatest guitarist ever to wear the axe
according to some. And "Red House" is his greatest solo -
and in the eyes of many musicians, the greatest solo of all
time.
Your Top Guitar Solo
List
Yes, your opinion counts too. And,
normally a person's favorite song is considered the best.
Have some fun with this. Gather some music loving friends
and make up your own top list of the 100 greatest guitar
solos. It will differ from most others but will let you know
what songs you want to buy.
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