The Four Guitar Solos That Changed Rock Music Forever

Choosing the top four guitar solos is a challenging task. Every rock fan has favorites, and most classic rock songs feature a memorable solo. There are thousands of contenders, even among the most influential tracks. You could make dozens of lists and still find valid choices.

What separates a great guitar solo from the rest? Technique matters, but so does personality. The best solos reflect the player's style and match the song's mood. A standout solo can lift a song above its melody and hooks, becoming just as recognizable and easy to hum. Many fans can play these solos in their heads, note for note.

To narrow the choices, we set a few ground rules:
We did not include instrumentals, which are a separate category. We focused on studio versions, not live recordings, so extended renditions like "Free Bird" are out. Length was not the main factor. The content of the solo mattered more than its duration.

Even with those guidelines, the pool of solos remains large. After much debate, here are four guitar solos that have shaped rock music.

"Johnny B. Goode," Chuck Berry (1958)

Chuck Berry's solo on "Johnny B. Goode" set a new standard for rock guitar. Berry played a Gibson ES-350T at Chess Records in Chicago, working with producers Phil and Leonard Chess. The song's opening riff, inspired by Louis Jordan's 1946 track "Ain't That Just Like a Woman," stands out for its energy and clarity.

Berry built on a piano pattern by Johnnie Johnson, with Lafayette Leake playing on the recording. The riff recurs between vocal lines and anchors the 30-second solo. Berry had shown his skill before on songs like "Maybellene" and "Roll Over Beethoven," but "Johnny B. Goode" became the reference point for future guitarists. Keith Richards has called it a defining moment.

"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)

Jimi Hendrix's solo on "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" is one of his most analyzed performances. Recorded during the sessions for "Electric Ladyland," the track starts with Hendrix using a wah-wah pedal on his Fender Stratocaster. The song evolved from a jam with Steve Winwood and Jack Casady, and was filmed for a documentary.

Bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell kept up with Hendrix's improvisation. The first solo lasts nearly a minute, and the closing solo stretches to 93 seconds. Hendrix's style, full of feedback and unpredictable phrasing, pushed the limits of rock guitar. After Hendrix's death, the song became his only UK No. 1 single. Artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Kenny Wayne Shepherd have since made the solo part of their own performances.

"While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the Beatles with Eric Clapton (1968)

George Harrison, feeling overlooked as a songwriter during the Beatles' "White Album" sessions, invited Eric Clapton to play the solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Clapton used a 1957 Gibson Les Paul, which he had recently given to Harrison.

Clapton's solo features careful phrasing and emotion, echoing Harrison's melody. The mid-song solo lasts 35 seconds, with another minute-long solo at the end. Clapton's work on this track is considered one of his best. Harrison later said the other Beatles played better out of respect for Clapton's presence. The solo gained new attention when Clapton performed it at the Concert for George in 2002, and when Prince played it at Harrison's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2004.

"Stairway to Heaven," Led Zeppelin (1971)

Jimmy Page's solo on "Stairway to Heaven" is instantly recognizable. The song closes the first side of Led Zeppelin's fourth album and features a transition from acoustic guitar to a powerful solo played on a 1959 Fender Telecaster. Page recorded several takes before choosing the final version.

The solo lasts 59 seconds and builds intensity, leading into Robert Plant's final verse. Page's performance required a double-neck guitar in live shows. While some may consider it overplayed, it remains a benchmark for rock guitarists.

What solos would you add to your own "Big Four"? Do these choices match your personal list, or do you have other contenders? Let us know which guitar solos you think have left the biggest mark on rock history.