5 Rock Legends Who Redefined the Guitar Solo

The guitar solo has seen a little of iterations and evolutions since rock and roll first began. These six rock legends redefined the guitar solo in a few very memorable ways. Let’s take a look!

1. Slash

Slash doesn’t play games when it comes to shredding, and he’s proved time and time again that he can tear up a guitar solo with ease. “November Rain” and his cover of “Johnny B. Goode” are a couple of excellent examples of what he can do as a guitarist. Specifically, Slash tends to use a wide vibrato and focuses on melody during his solos, which makes his solos a highlight (not a scene-stealing part) of every song her performs.

2. Eric Clapton

When one thinks of a guitar solo, Eric Clapton may not be the first to come to mind. He’s not exactly a shredder, and he’s better known for his songwriting abilities than anything else. That being said, Clapton is an excellent guitarist who knows his way around a guitar solo. His solos in “Crossroads” are a bluesy delight, and he often inserts a stellar solo or two into many of his live performances. The way he plays is a great example of improvising and the use of dynamic pacing.

3. Jimmy Page

No one played the guitar quite like Jimmy Page before Led Zeppelin came to be. His solo in “Stairway To Heaven” is arguably the most famous guitar solo of all time. He’s an expert at building momentum with his instrument. The way he plays is almost like a spiritual experience; for both the listener and Page himself.

4. Jimi Hendrix

What would a list of rock legends who redefined the guitar solo be without mentioning the iconic Jimi Hendrix? He was a legend, after all. There are endless examples of his very best guitar solos, but we’re particularly fond of “All Along The Watchtower” (a Bob Dylan classic) and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”. His solos are blistering, powerful, wild, and yet still controlled. Nobody used a wah-wah pedal quite like him.

5. Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen did some crazy stuff with songs like “Eruption” and many of his impromptu solos during live performances. There was a lot of technical work going on with his guitar-playing ability. He utilized fast scales, tapping, dive bombs, and other elements to make his particular solos stand out.

Photo by Kevin Winter

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