# Crowning moments of awesome in rock **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638 "2011-08-05T20:55:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/101 "2011-08-10T19:24:34Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > I was thinking along the same lines, how about the often imitated: > > "HELL-lo baaaaaAAAA-BAH! "…followed by some more silly lyrics. > > Ooh Baby thatsa what I like! …but… ---
**Author:** ![Scougs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scougs/32/3158_2.png) [@Scougs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scougs)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/102 "2011-08-13T10:34:10Z")
As the OP specifically asks for crowning **moment** of awesome, may I present [Comfortably Numb, The O2, 12th May 2011](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gur1KID133U). Specifically, watch carefully round about 1:30 in, where Roger Waters sings “…can you show me where it hurts”, and turns round to face the wall, with a quite ridiculous grin on his face because he knows what’s about to happen, and what the reaction is going to be. And what happens next is A Crowning Moment of Awesome. Oh, and I was there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/103 "2011-08-13T11:18:05Z")
That Comfortably Numb clip is _awesome_. Particularly that it was a surprise to the audience. Think that wins the thread. I am extremely partial to the keyboard, piano and Buck Dharma awesomeness guitar break at 2:20 in [Flaming Telepaths](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qttI6oytqpw) by Blue Oyster Cult. ETA: Holy fuck, Gilmour is truly a genius. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/104 "2011-08-13T18:58:15Z")
Half the entries in this thread are about songs, not moments? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/105 "2011-08-13T19:21:10Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > Half the entries in this thread are about songs, not moments? Indeed, including 100% of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/106 "2011-08-13T19:41:17Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > Half the entries in this thread are about songs, not moments? Moments are in songs. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/107 "2011-08-13T19:50:29Z")
Anyway, here are some of mine: The second guitar solo in Television - Elevation. (3:01) When the titular part of Stone Roses - I am the Resurrection finally kicks in. Led Zeppelin - When the Levee Breaks (2:41) Raconteurs - Carolina Drama, at the later part of the build-up (3:43) The XX - Infinity, “Give it up” part at the end. Weezer - Say It Ain’t So, “This bottle of Stevens” part Coldplay - Fix You, 3:02 forward Metallica - Creeping Death, “Die by my hand” part, including the guitar just before. Red Hot Chili Peppers - 3:20-3:40 Tool - Reflection, 8:50 and forward. Tool - Schism, “between supposed lovers” Wilco - The Late Greats (Live In Chicago), solo at 1:33 Isis - Carry, 4:04 (Post-metal lends itself well to crowning moments of awesome, because of their crescendo structure.) David Bowie - 5 years, The titular part, first time. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/108 "2011-08-13T19:53:46Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Moments are in songs. Yes, but where? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/109 "2011-08-13T20:07:58Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever posted this, but I always watch it when a thread like this pops up. Take a look at [Stevie Ray and Jimmy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSjRggiSBrU)…this would have been a great song if it was on _two_ guitars. Make sure you watch at least until they make the switch. Jimmy can’t see what he’s doing for the entire second half. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/110 "2011-08-13T20:39:06Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Moments are in songs. In the history of music, a song IS a moment. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/111 "2011-08-13T20:46:13Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > In the history of music, a song IS a moment. In geologic time, the history of music is a moment. Whoa. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/112 "2011-08-13T21:13:18Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > Anyway, here are some of mine: Wow, thanks, **mr. jp** Moments like these have always given me chills, and I’ve shivered on each of your submissions here. Nice contribution to this thread! ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/113 "2011-08-13T21:41:13Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > You know, that solo IS awesome. It’s a journey, a story, a roller-coaster ride. Just wonderful. > > Here’s a live performance: > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1T71PGd-J0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1T71PGd-J0) Same era, Donnie Iris’ Ah Leah. Lyrics tell you that singer shares a fierce physical attraction with Leah, but both know they are incompatible outside of the bedroom. Sounds like a casual complaint until around 2:49, when Donnie wails her name at the walls in frustration and pent up want: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ) …annnd suddenly I want to _be_ Leah. Iris rocks that naive, inexperienced Elvis Costello/Weezer nerd vibe, but I would tear into that man in a feral manner thanks to this song. ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/114 "2011-08-13T22:04:16Z")
> [@punch\_line\_loser](#): > > I don’t know if anyone on this board listens to indie rock (this “crowning moments” business seems a little 60’s/70’s-centric, so I can already tell anything I add isn’t gonna fit in here) You’re not the only indie fan around the board, I’ve seen several others besides myself. > [@punch\_line\_loser](#): > > In the middle of “Trigger Cut” by **Pavement** , when Malkmus starts doing the “sha la la…” Little hard to explain why, but it’s the best moment on that album. Just goes to show the subjectivity! My favorite moments are the opening bar to “In the Mouth a Desert” and the last line of “Here”. I think “Desert” would count for this discussion. > [@punch\_line\_loser](#): > > At the end of “Web In Front” by **Archers of Loaf** , when the guys are singing “All I ever wanted was to be your spine” in the background and then Eric Bachmann comes back in with the bass and does his last chorus - never fails to make my eyes well up. Great moment, and definitely my favorite AoL song, but the moment I come up with is the opening line as [1985 segues into Fabricoh](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSUT9Uno37A#t=0m45s). I’ll throw out a few more, mostly in the same genre: The Olivia Tremor Control,from their Peel Sessions: [“Memories of Jacqueline 1906”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yae1c2YgapA#t=1m27s) Pixies, “Monkey Gone to Heaven”, the end of the [numerology segment](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R_-3w_Iwk0#t=2m07s) I can’t find the original, but Elvis Costello breaking off of “Less Than Zero” and launching into “Radio Radio” on SNL, which he had been expressly forbidden from playing. The [25th anniversary pairing with the Beastie Boys](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tondtut3dOc) is still great though. Sonic Youth, [“Death Valley 69”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBqV76gJHME), especially the noise/feedback starting at about 4:45. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/115 "2011-08-14T04:37:16Z")
The MC5: Right now…right now…right now, it’s time to… [KICK OUT THE JAMS, MOTHERFUCKERS!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvJGQ_piwI0&feature=related) (eta another [pretty cool version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM6nasmkg7A)) ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/116 "2011-08-14T06:06:37Z")
The Beastie Boys, Sabotage - :16 in, after the guitar, fuzz bass, and drums have built up… “Aaaah I can’t stand it, I know ya planned it, Im’a set it straight, this Watergate.” Neutral Milk Hotel, King of Carrot Flowers, Pt 2 - 1:00-1:40, when the repetitive, meditative and oddly ironic refrain of “I love you, Jesus Christ” gives way to a weird stream of consciousness lyric, then a trumpet solo(!) backed by a swirling psychedelic synth, and then… **BAM**! The double-time punk of “Up And Over We Go” kicks in. Shivers. Heartless Bastards, The Mountain - 3:50, when the slide guitar kicks in and just _weeps_. By all rights it should feel like a ripoff of _Layla_, but it doesn’t at all - at that moment, you get the sense that the Bastards have finally **arrived**. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/117 "2011-08-14T10:02:11Z")
Black Betty - Ram Jam - at 2 minutes in [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/213is2dHO34/hqdefault.jpg "Black Betty (Ram Jam) With lyrics") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=213is2dHO34) Rainbow - Since you’ve been gone - the first 15 seconds or so, whenever this goes on, there’s usually a lot of air guitar and a bit where everyone tries the vocal intro [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/213is2dHO34/hqdefault.jpg "Black Betty (Ram Jam) With lyrics") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=213is2dHO34) Led Zep - The immigrant song There is a pause and the vocals kick in again right at 52 secs- that really is one of those moments Johnny Kidd and the pIRates - Shakin all over - when it goes quiet and he goes '“SHAKIN ALL OOOOOOOOVVVERRRRR” and the transtion into the guitar solo at 1.24 [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzN77XlfxB8) Them - Gloria , you can almost feel his heartbeat and temperature rise in expectation as Gloria walks up the street and to his room [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7RI-QtEAwvE/hqdefault.jpg "Van Morrison - Gloria! \*WITH LYRICS\*") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RI-QtEAwvE) Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak - 2.20 BREAKOUT!!! [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRo3u04vY1E) Thin Lizzy - Emerald - the guitar break at .40 and 1.27, needs to be played loud [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D86GCa73T8Q) ---
**Author:** ![Sigmundex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Sigmundex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmundex)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/118 "2011-08-14T18:29:40Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Oh yeah! > > All right! > > Are you gonna be in my dreams > > tonight? Well, yeah, and then there’s one of the best guitar solos (is it even called a solo when it’s bounced between THREE separate guitar players?) ever, in my opinion? I always thought it was so cool that you can tell who’s playing what part just by the style and sound of the guitar… And I’m sorry, but for this tune, I actually like John’s part, with that really ‘dirty’ sound, the best. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/119 "2011-08-14T18:49:45Z")
> [@Sigmundex](#): > > Well, yeah, and then there’s one of the best guitar solos (is it even called a solo when it’s bounced between THREE separate guitar players?) ever, in my opinion? > > I always thought it was so cool that you can tell who’s playing what part just by the style and sound of the guitar… And I’m sorry, but for this tune, I actually like John’s part, with that really ‘dirty’ sound, the best. Yeah, that is awesome. I also think John’s the best, but it was only possible because of the lead in by the two others I think. They should’ve done more pure guitar jam. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638/120 "2011-08-15T16:22:32Z")
I submit [Steve Vai’s little interlude](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDZuNM3HmU4) before “For the Love of God”. Just listen to the first minute & 10 seconds or so. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowning-moments-of-awesome-in-rock/591638.md?page=7)