# What is the best rock instrumental of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 21, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198 "2012-08-21T19:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/1 "2012-08-21T19:41:56Z")
The question is in the title. I’m going to go ahead and say Underture by The Who. ---
**Author:** ![punch\_line\_loser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e7dd6/32.png) [@punch\_line\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/punch_line_loser)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/2 "2012-08-21T19:44:18Z")
How do you define a “rock instrumental?” Is it an instrumental tune by a rock band that doesn’t normally play instrumental music, or are instrumental rock bands (from the Ventures to Explosions in the Sky) eligible too? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/3 "2012-08-21T19:47:40Z")
Good question. To keep it simple let’s define it as an instrumental by a band or artist normally known for having lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/4 "2012-08-21T19:48:03Z")
**November Rain** by Guns N Roses. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/5 "2012-08-21T19:49:26Z")
Maybe not the best everf, but one of my favorites: ELO, **Fire on High** ---
**Author:** ![punch\_line\_loser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e7dd6/32.png) [@punch\_line\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/punch_line_loser)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/6 "2012-08-21T19:49:50Z")
In that case I’ll have to go for tune tied for my favorite piece of recorded music of all time: the My Bloody Valentine track that plays between “Honey Power” and “Moon Song” on the _Tremolo_ EP. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/7 "2012-08-21T19:51:21Z")
“Jessica”, duh. ---
**Author:** ![OtisCampbellWasRight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d78d45/32.png) [@OtisCampbellWasRight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtisCampbellWasRight)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/8 "2012-08-21T19:51:25Z")
Green Onions. Thread OVA! ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/9 "2012-08-21T19:51:58Z")
[“Laguna Salada”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5xp4w35Ne8) by the James Gang on the \*Zachariah \*soundtrack. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/10 "2012-08-21T19:53:00Z")
The OP picked a great one. I’ll also suggest _Jessica_ by The Allman Brothers. **ETA:** Scooped by **ZipperJJ**!! ---
**Author:** ![OtisCampbellWasRight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d78d45/32.png) [@OtisCampbellWasRight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtisCampbellWasRight)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/11 "2012-08-21T19:58:15Z")
[quote=“Eonwe, post:10, topic:632198”] I’ll also suggest _Jessica_ by The Allman Brothers. [QUOTE] In the same vein, one could argue In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, also by the Brothers Allman. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/12 "2012-08-21T19:59:35Z")
> [@OtisCampbellWasRight](#): > > In the same vein, one could argue In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, also by the Brothers Allman. Good one! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/13 "2012-08-21T20:02:08Z")
> [@OtisCampbellWasRight](#): > > Green Onions. > > Thread OVA! a truly classic choice. Also have to go with \*\*Walk Don’t Run \*\*by the Ventures and \*\*Apache \*\*by the Shadows, oh, and \*\*Miserlou \*\*by Dick Dale. My personal fave is probably **Beck’s Bolero by Jeff Beck** , featuring John Entwistle on bass, Keith Moon on drums, Jimmy Page on 12-string and I think Nicky Hopkins (?) on piano… ---
**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:** [August 21, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/14 "2012-08-21T20:12:57Z")
As far as Tommy goes, I’d pick Sparks over the Underture, especially [live](http://youtu.be/0Gwd5yolZj0?t=3m22s) right towards the end when Pete takes off. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/15 "2012-08-21T20:15:56Z")
You’re all wrong. The answer is [Frankenstein](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfQbkFp16cw) by the Edgar Winter Group. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/16 "2012-08-21T20:18:19Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > **November Rain** by Guns N Roses. Not an instrumental, bro. Great solo, tho! ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/17 "2012-08-21T20:19:18Z")
Miles Davis - Right Off but since most won’t count it. Here is another vote for Jessica ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/18 "2012-08-21T20:19:37Z")
[Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN_meFzz0So) by Quicksilver Messenger Service (featuring Nicky Hopkins) [Peaches en Regalia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKlAIhuXRLE) by Frank Zappa ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/19 "2012-08-21T20:19:42Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Also have to go with \*\*Walk Don’t Run \*\*by the Ventures and \*\*Apache \*\*by the Shadows, oh, and \*\*Miserlou \*\*by Dick Dale. I can’t vote against any of those surf classics, but also can’t favor them over the treble giddiness of [Telstar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryrEPzsx1gQ) or the Bach-like perfection of [Pipeline](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7c2ZKamzS4). Overall tho, probably J **essica**. ---
**Author:** ![Hookit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/71e660/32.png) [@Hookit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hookit)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198/20 "2012-08-21T20:26:55Z")
It’s not even The Who’s best instrumental.The title track to Quadrophenia and “The Rock” were both better pieces. My personal favorite is Procol Harum’s “Repent Walpurgis”.A silly name,though a nice listen. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-rock-instrumental-of-all-time/632198.md?page=2)