From Slash to Jimmy Page to David Gilmour to Hendrix to Mark Knopfler to Clapton to BB King, how can I pick one guitar solo which kicks arse over all others?
These men can all hold their own and then some, they are all musical geniuses in their own right.
Slash, the shy man with a mop of curls to hide his face allows you into another world with his deeply rich and soul penetrating solos; this is a man of sickening talent. He was the quiet backbone of Guns and Roses whilst Axl sucked up all the glory, the man made the band what it was. He has played alongside some other serious talent over the years including Bob Dylan, James Brown, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, to name a few. Slash can be found still making musical history today, with his band Velvet Revolver.
Check out Slash
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Jimmy Page and Stairway to Heaven, my God, this is a serious contender for number one. Strapping on a double necked guitar and playing it like a weightless extension of his own arm, Page’s solo takes the song beyond anything Led Zeppelin could have ever become without him.
Check out Jimmy Page
Here I am confused again. David Gilmour in the opening solo of “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” is just… mesmerising, entrancing, tear invoking. Nobody can argue against the brilliance of Pink Floyd.
Check out David Gilmour
Hendrix, yeah we all know he was a-fucking-mazing. In 1966 he was quoted as saying “I want to do to my guitar what Little Richards does with his voice”. Well, you got there Jimmy and then you steamed rolled right over the top of him.
Check out Jimmy Hendrix (playing a solo with his teeth)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsgHyauIUZY&feature=fvw
Dire Straits are one of my favourite bands of all time. Mark Knopfler and his guitar solos make me weak at the knees. He has to go down in the hall of fame for ‘Sultans of Swing’.
Check out Mark Knopfler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j34gG2xR3I
Good old Eric, the self taught guitarist who everyone holds close to their hearts, even through seeing him in concert and realising his insane lack of people skills (sore point). The man can play! Check out ‘Layla’.
Check out Eric Clapton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIBxn8arV3w
And finally, BB King! Watch the big man play in ‘The Thrill is gone’. His facial expressions speak for themselves, he is pouring out his soul through inspirational guitar blues.
Check out BB King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtm66Z3lebc
If I had a gun to my head and had to pick just one from this selection… I’d go with Gilmour, followed by Slash, followed by Hendrix, followed by Page… ARGH I can’t do it. Wouldn’t you like to see them all on one stage ripping each other apart with their guitars? I fear that would be the only way to tell.
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