# My all time favorite rock guitar solo... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 26, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015 "2014-04-26T02:32:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/1 "2014-04-26T02:32:49Z")
Buck Dharma, solo in question kicks in at 15:55 on this YT vid. **Blue Oyster Cult** , _Astronomy_, from **Some Enchanted Evening.** [At 15:55](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xle9To9Efi8) Give it a little time, it takes a minute to get going. What’s your favorite? ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/2 "2014-04-26T02:52:09Z")
Probably a sentimental favorite more than anything at this late date, but I’ve always loved the one in the middle of “Like a Hurricane” (Neil Young, of course). ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/3 "2014-04-26T03:00:13Z")
> [@InternetLegend](#): > > Probably a sentimental favorite more than anything at this late date, but I’ve always loved the one in the middle of “Like a Hurricane” (Neil Young, of course). Yes! Love NY, love that song. Good choice. Have you heard _Year Of The Horse_? That’s my favorite NY/Crazy Horse. ---
**Author:** ![statij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@statij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statij)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/4 "2014-04-26T03:42:28Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > Buck Dharma, solo in question kicks in at 15:55 on this YT vid. > > **Blue Oyster Cult** , _Astronomy_, from **Some Enchanted Evening.** > > [At 15:55](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xle9To9Efi8) Give it a little time, it takes a minute to get going. > > What’s your favorite? Oh my god, I LOVE this solo. Maybe not my _all-time_ favorite, but I can’t think of anything better right now. I listen to it so often I cringe at what I think is a screw-up at 17:30. I basically know every note. Great choice. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/5 "2014-04-26T03:53:30Z")
[Radar Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwqMKf7r7Xg) First the drum solos, then vocals, the lead guitar has some great solos throughout. at 3:30 the vocals and guitar go back and forth answering each other. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/6 "2014-04-26T04:23:03Z")
Do I have to pick just one? I love the short-8 bar solo by Andy Summers on the Police’s “Driven to Tears.” For a longer one, I’d go with Verlaine’s extended solo on “Marquee Moon” (Lloyd also has a solo earlier in the song.) Yeah, it’s a bit of a hipster-ish choice for a favorite guitar solo, I suppose, but it completely blisses me out every time I hear it. James Honeyman-Scott’s solo from “Kid” (the more conventional choice) or “Tattooed Love Boys” would also be up there in my all-time favorites list. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/7 "2014-04-26T06:42:54Z")
Layla, just before the bridge to the piano portion. It’s not really a solo, but the lead guitar (I think it is Duane Allman, not Eric Clapton) makes the guitar wail the main melody a few octaves above the rest of the band like Yitzak Perlman with a violin. This is the closest rock and roll music comes (heh heh) to inducing an orgasm. It’s in such a high range I’m not sure if I can hear it anymore, but it sounds like the solo of an angel. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/8 "2014-04-26T11:58:55Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > Buck Dharma, solo in question kicks in at 15:55 on this YT vid. > > **Blue Oyster Cult** , _Astronomy_, from **Some Enchanted Evening.** > > [At 15:55](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xle9To9Efi8) Give it a little time, it takes a minute to get going. > > What’s your favorite? My favorite is a tie for first. Both Randy Rhoads, both at the end of songs: Revelation/Mother Earth Mr. Crowley ---
**Author:** ![stolatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@stolatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolatt)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/9 "2014-04-26T12:06:07Z")
Peter Frampton’s Something’s Happening. The solo reminds me of a sunny day. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/10 "2014-04-26T12:19:24Z")
I’ll have to listen to that **RH** - looking forward to checking it out. Me? All time has to be **Jeff Beck** - album Truth, song Let me Love You. Opened my eyes to what simple, brilliant guitar work could sound like - transformed me as a listener and aspiring player. I tried to articulate why here: [Helping out with some blues guitar recommendations - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508278) There are many others, but another song that, to me, represents the best rhythm+lead guitar work I look to as a guide is the live version of Tumblin’ Dice off the long-bootlegged, now-available Belgian Affair CD by the Stones. Mick Taylor could not be more lyrically fluid - simple yet melodic with the best tone around - and Keith demonstrates his ability to play haiku-perfect simple rhythm work. Pretty much the bar to hit as far as I am concerned: [Rolling Stones Brussels Affair Tumbling Dice 1973 - YouTube](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dks3VUDEbb4) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/11 "2014-04-26T12:57:50Z")
There are way too many. Three that popped into my head immediately: Steely Dan - My Old School, solo by Skunk Baxter. Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne, solo by Larry Carlton. Rush- Villa Strangiato, solo by Alex Lifeson Oh thought of another Triumph - Headed to Nowhere, dueling solo Rik Emmett and Steve Morse ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/12 "2014-04-26T13:33:54Z")
Frank Zappa - “Transylvania Boogie” ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/13 "2014-04-26T13:49:59Z")
Frank Zappa, [Inca Roads](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Kg6X2hsl52E#t=118). The song was recorded in a studio, except for the solo, which was recorded in a concert in Finland and dubbed into the song. Or so I’m told. ---
**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:** [April 26, 2014, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/14 "2014-04-26T13:58:25Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > . James Honeyman-Scott’s solo from “Kid” (the more conventional choice) or “Tattooed Love Boys” would also be up there in my all-time favorites list. James Honeyman-Scott… I just re-listened to their first LP the other day, how freaking wonderful and distinct was this guy in his early-20s? Yeah the word unique gets thrown around too much, but he really had it going on. I’m generally pretty easy-going on the topic of drugs, but god I hate them sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/15 "2014-04-26T14:42:27Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > James Honeyman-Scott… I just re-listened to their first LP the other day, how freaking wonderful and distinct was this guy in his early-20s? Yeah the word unique gets thrown around too much, but he really had it going on. > > I’m generally pretty easy-going on the topic of drugs, but god I hate them sometimes. Yeah, it’s a shame. I only really “discovered” that first Pretenders LP about 7 years ago, but it’s become probably my most-listened to album of all time. (“Discovered” because I had heard it a few times before, but it hadn’t clicked with me yet. Believe it or not, it was Guitar Hero 2 with “Tattoed Love Boys” that got me to go back and explore them a little more closely.) The drums, the guitars, Chrissie–everything on that album is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/16 "2014-04-26T14:47:02Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, it’s a shame. I only really “discovered” that first Pretenders LP about 7 years ago, but it’s become probably my most-listened to album of all time. (“Discovered” because I had heard it a few times before, but it hadn’t clicked with me yet. Believe it or not, it was Guitar Hero 2 with “Tattoed Love Boys” that got me to go back and explore them a little more closely.) The drums, the guitars, Chrissie–everything on that album is awesome. Totally agree. It is a truly perfect album. By the way, puly, I like your choices. Angular and smart. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/17 "2014-04-26T14:54:27Z")
Eric Clapton with Delaney and Bonnie, “I Don’t Want to Discuss It”: [I Don't Want To Discuss It Eric Clapton with Bonnie and Delaney - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYKUr37HaHM) or Frank Zappa, “Yo Mama”: [Yo Mama -Frank Zappa - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U38_buPdNiI) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/18 "2014-04-26T14:59:41Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Totally agree. It is a truly perfect album. By the way, puly, I like your choices. Angular and smart. Thanks. Yours, too. Post-punk is right in my wheelhouse, for some reason, so my tastes tend not to be the usual fluid, blues-based guitar solo. (It’s somewhat odd, as that’s what I grew up with–lots of Zeppelin in my teenaged years. 🙂 Plus Chicago blues were always a favorite of mine.) If I went more with blues-based rock, it’d probably have to be some Hendrix tune. Maybe “Voodoo Chile.” ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/19 "2014-04-26T15:01:33Z")
Comfortably Numb ---
**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:** [April 26, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015/20 "2014-04-26T15:08:06Z")
It’s short…it’s not particularly technical…but it’s indeed a favorite: Robert Quine’s skronky goodness in Richard Hell and the Voidoids’ “Love Comes in Spurts”. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo_88u0JGSo) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-all-time-favorite-rock-guitar-solo/687015.md?page=2)