Since the early days of blues and jazz, guitar solos have been the perfect stage for virtuosos to flaunt their chops and inject a surge of excitement into a track. When rock ’n roll burst onto the scene in the 1950s and heavy metal roared to life a few decades later, solos became an almost compulsory ingredient in any guitar‑driven anthem, and a well‑crafted solo can catapult a decent recording into legendary status. This roundup of the top 10 iconic riffs and runs showcases the moments that still reverberate through modern music, proving why they remain essential listening for any fan of the six‑string.
Why These Top 10 Iconic Solos Matter
10 Living Color, 1988 (Vernon Reid)
Living Color’s breakout anthem opens with Vernon Reid’s instantly recognizable riff, but it’s the moment right before the final verse that truly lets his fret‑board fury loose. The solo feels like a controlled explosion, a torrent of notes that bursts forth with dizzying speed and precision.
Drawing on his jazz roots, Reid crafts a blistering passage that flirts with chaos yet stays anchored in the G‑major pentatonic framework, weaving in and out of the song’s overall arc. His improvisational flair means each live rendition is a fresh experience, as he roams the neck with frantic finesse, delivering a performance that’s as unpredictable as it is masterful.
9 Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1973 (Allen Collins and Gary Rossington)
The closing guitar duel on Free Bird, lifted from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut record, exemplifies how an extended solo can elevate a tune to mythic proportions. The twin‑guitar attack from Allen Collins and Gary Rossington lifts the track to soaring heights, cementing its place just behind Sweet Home Alabama in the band’s catalog of classics.
Clocking in at just over nine minutes, the piece was initially deemed too lengthy for radio, but the band’s instincts prevailed. Originating from a spontaneous jam, the soaring lead lines erupt around the four‑minute mark and rage on until the very end, with live versions sometimes stretching to a full quarter of an hour, showcasing the raw power of unbridled guitar heroics.
8 Rush, 1981 (Alex Lifeson)
Canadian prog‑rock titans Rush earned a reputation for sprawling, intricate compositions, and La Villa Strangiato stands as a prime illustration. The instrumental is sliced into twelve distinct sections, each narrating a tale without a single lyric, driven by the combined brilliance of Neil Peart’s drumming, Geddy Lee’s bass, and Alex Lifeson’s virtuoso guitar work.
Lifeson’s first flamenco‑tinged riff sets the stage, but it’s his second solo that truly dazzles—packed with swift slides, expressive bends, and sudden pauses that heighten the musical drama. His deft use of dramatic silences alongside blistering runs cements his status as an under‑celebrated pioneer in the guitar world.
7 Jimi Hendrix, 1968
Jimi Hendrix’s name is synonymous with psychedelic rock wizardry, and Voodoo Child (Slight Return) showcases perhaps his most electrifying performance. The track’s signature riff serves as a launchpad for an opening solo that bursts with audacious energy, instantly recognizable to listeners of any taste.
Hendrix’s liberal exploitation of the wah‑wah pedal, paired with his unique feedback squeal, adds layers of depth that elevate the solo to near‑mythic status. Notably, this was the final song he performed live before his untimely death in 1970, cementing its place in rock lore.
6 Ozzy Osbourne, 1980 (Randy Rhoads)
While many now know Ozzy Osbourne from reality‑TV fame, his early solo career was underpinned by the prodigious guitar work of Randy Rhoads. After his stint with Quiet Riot, Rhoads supplied the blazing lead lines that propelled Ozzy’s debut solo effort, Blizzard of Ozz, into metal legend status.
The track’s opening riff on Crazy Train is already iconic, but it’s on Mr. Crowley where Rhoads truly shines. A measured, heavy verse groove gives way to a rapid‑fire display of shredding that repeats in the outro, showcasing his uncanny ability to blend classical technique with raw metal power.
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5 Cream, 1966 (Eric Clapton)
No conversation about legendary guitarists is complete without mentioning Eric Clapton, affectionately known as ‘Slowhand.’ His work on Cream’s 1966 reimagining of Robert Johnson’s classic showcases a blistering solo that defies the song’s blues roots.
Clapton’s improvisational flair shines through two jaw‑dropping solos, each packed with his signature bends and flourishes. In a candid moment, Clapton admitted that much of the solo lands on the “wrong” beat—a deliberate twist that adds to its irresistible charm.
4 Pink Floyd, 1980 (David Gilmour)
Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb takes listeners on an emotional odyssey, with David Gilmour describing the piece as a clash between darkness and light. The contrast between his vocal verses and Roger Waters’ soaring choruses mirrors the lyrical battle of past versus present.
Gilmour’s climactic solo delivers an unforgettable emotional apex, blending precise bends, lingering stops, and soaring phrasing that have become a benchmark for guitarists worldwide. Decades after its release, the solo remains a touchstone of melodic rock brilliance.
3 Led Zeppelin, 1971 (Jimmy Page)
One of the most celebrated rock anthems ever recorded, Stairway to Heaven has a storied past. Though never released as a single, it finally entered the UK charts in 2007 after the band’s catalog went digital, becoming the most‑played track in radio history.
The song begins with a gentle, folk‑inspired intro, gradually building with layered guitars and flutes. By the time Jimmy Page’s soaring solo erupts, the drums pound, the vocals crescendo, and the combined forces create an indelible moment that defines classic rock.
2 Eddie Van Halen, 1978
Eddie Van Halen’s untimely passing in 2020 marked the loss of one of the most innovative guitarists ever. While many can execute a solid solo, Van Halen’s groundbreaking approach—most notably his invention of two‑hand tapping—revolutionized the instrument.
Originally a warm‑up riff for “You Really Got Me,” the two‑minute instrumental Eruption showcases lightning‑fast fretwork, a hypnotic melodic flow, and a signature overdriven growl that together form the holy grail of guitar soloing.
1 Metallica, 1983 (Cliff Burton)
When most people think of iconic solos, the electric guitar takes center stage, but Metallica’s Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth) proves a bass can command equal awe. Cliff Burton’s performance on this track stands as perhaps the greatest bass solo ever recorded.
Featured on the band’s debut album Kill ‘Em All, the piece opens with Burton announcing, “Bass solo, take one,” before launching into an astonishing display of technique that rivals any six‑string lead. Lars Ulrich’s drumming punctuates the middle, adding rhythmic depth.
Burton’s ability to make the bulky four‑string instrument sing with the agility of a six‑string is nothing short of miraculous. Recorded before his 21st birthday, his work remains a testament to his visionary musicianship and leaves listeners wondering how Metallica might have evolved had he lived longer.
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About The Author: I’m 32 years old and I live in South Africa. I work full time in logistics and I’m a freelance writer in my (limited) spare time. I have various projects in the works, including a potential novel, and I regularly participate in the Reedsy Prompts short story contest, where a growing collection of my work is available for reading. I have been a shortlisted finalist there twice so far.