# The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time

> The greatest guitar solos of all time, ranked by 80 published lists. #1: Stairway to Heaven. Every video starts at the solo.

Canonical URL: <https://greatestsolos.com/>

The default ranking. We combined 80 published lists, from Rolling Stone and Classic Rock to reader polls and crowd rankings, and scored every solo on how often it appears and how high it places.

Updated October 2026 · ranked from 80 published lists

## Key facts

- Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin is the #1 guitar solo of all time by consensus, appearing on 64 of 80 published lists.
- Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd) is #2 on 61 lists; Hotel California (Eagles) is #3 on 61.
- Jimi Hendrix has the most solos in the top 100: 5.
- The 1970s produced the most top-100 solos: 45 of 100.
- The oldest solo in the top 100 is Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry (1958); the newest is Blackbird by Alter Bridge (2007).
- The ranking combines 80 all-time lists, including Rolling Stone (2026), Classic Rock, NME, Guitar World and Guitar Player, plus reader and listener polls.

1. [Stairway to Heaven](https://greatestsolos.com/song/led-zeppelin-stairway-to-heaven/) — Led Zeppelin · solo by Jimmy Page · 1971
2. [Comfortably Numb](https://greatestsolos.com/song/pink-floyd-comfortably-numb/) — Pink Floyd · solo by David Gilmour · 1979
3. [Hotel California](https://greatestsolos.com/song/eagles-hotel-california/) — Eagles · solo by Don Felder & Joe Walsh · 1976
4. [Eruption](https://greatestsolos.com/song/van-halen-eruption/) — Van Halen · solo by Eddie Van Halen · 1978
5. [Free Bird](https://greatestsolos.com/song/lynyrd-skynyrd-free-bird/) — Lynyrd Skynyrd · solo by Allen Collins & Gary Rossington · 1973
6. [Sweet Child O' Mine](https://greatestsolos.com/song/guns-n-roses-sweet-child-o-mine/) — Guns N' Roses · solo by Slash · 1987
7. [All Along the Watchtower](https://greatestsolos.com/song/jimi-hendrix-all-along-the-watchtower/) — Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1968
8. [Bohemian Rhapsody](https://greatestsolos.com/song/queen-bohemian-rhapsody/) — Queen · solo by Brian May · 1975
9. [Sultans of Swing](https://greatestsolos.com/song/dire-straits-sultans-of-swing/) — Dire Straits · solo by Mark Knopfler · 1978
10. [Highway Star](https://greatestsolos.com/song/deep-purple-highway-star/) — Deep Purple · solo by Ritchie Blackmore · 1972
11. [November Rain](https://greatestsolos.com/song/guns-n-roses-november-rain/) — Guns N' Roses · solo by Slash · 1991
12. [While My Guitar Gently Weeps](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-beatles-while-my-guitar-gently-weeps/) — The Beatles · solo by Eric Clapton · 1968
13. [Crazy Train](https://greatestsolos.com/song/ozzy-osbourne-crazy-train/) — Ozzy Osbourne · solo by Randy Rhoads · 1980
14. [Crossroads](https://greatestsolos.com/song/cream-crossroads/) — Cream · solo by Eric Clapton · 1968
15. [Beat It](https://greatestsolos.com/song/michael-jackson-beat-it/) — Michael Jackson · solo by Eddie Van Halen · 1982
16. [Johnny B. Goode](https://greatestsolos.com/song/chuck-berry-johnny-b-goode/) — Chuck Berry · solo by Chuck Berry · 1958
17. [Layla](https://greatestsolos.com/song/derek-and-the-dominos-layla/) — Derek and the Dominos · solo by Eric Clapton & Duane Allman · 1970
18. [Voodoo Child (Slight Return)](https://greatestsolos.com/song/jimi-hendrix-voodoo-child-slight-return/) — Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1968
19. [Purple Rain](https://greatestsolos.com/song/prince-purple-rain/) — Prince · solo by Prince · 1984
20. [One](https://greatestsolos.com/song/metallica-one/) — Metallica · solo by Kirk Hammett · 1988
21. [Texas Flood](https://greatestsolos.com/song/stevie-ray-vaughan-texas-flood/) — Stevie Ray Vaughan · solo by Stevie Ray Vaughan · 1983
22. [Mr. Crowley](https://greatestsolos.com/song/ozzy-osbourne-mr-crowley/) — Ozzy Osbourne · solo by Randy Rhoads · 1980
23. [Fade to Black](https://greatestsolos.com/song/metallica-fade-to-black/) — Metallica · solo by Kirk Hammett · 1984
24. [For the Love of God](https://greatestsolos.com/song/steve-vai-for-the-love-of-god/) — Steve Vai · solo by Steve Vai · 1990
25. [Sympathy for the Devil](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-rolling-stones-sympathy-for-the-devil/) — The Rolling Stones · solo by Keith Richards · 1968
26. [Cliffs of Dover](https://greatestsolos.com/song/eric-johnson-cliffs-of-dover/) — Eric Johnson · solo by Eric Johnson · 1990
27. [Since I've Been Loving You](https://greatestsolos.com/song/led-zeppelin-since-i-ve-been-loving-you/) — Led Zeppelin · solo by Jimmy Page · 1970
28. [Paranoid Android](https://greatestsolos.com/song/radiohead-paranoid-android/) — Radiohead · solo by Jonny Greenwood · 1997
29. [Time](https://greatestsolos.com/song/pink-floyd-time/) — Pink Floyd · solo by David Gilmour · 1973
30. [Little Wing](https://greatestsolos.com/song/jimi-hendrix-little-wing/) — Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1967
31. [Cause We've Ended As Lovers](https://greatestsolos.com/song/jeff-beck-cause-we-ve-ended-as-lovers/) — Jeff Beck · solo by Jeff Beck · 1975
32. [Machine Gun](https://greatestsolos.com/song/jimi-hendrix-machine-gun/) — Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1970
33. [Heartbreaker](https://greatestsolos.com/song/led-zeppelin-heartbreaker/) — Led Zeppelin · solo by Jimmy Page · 1969
34. [Whole Lotta Love](https://greatestsolos.com/song/led-zeppelin-whole-lotta-love/) — Led Zeppelin · solo by Jimmy Page · 1969
35. [Alive](https://greatestsolos.com/song/pearl-jam-alive/) — Pearl Jam · solo by Mike McCready · 1991
36. [Pride and Joy](https://greatestsolos.com/song/stevie-ray-vaughan-pride-and-joy/) — Stevie Ray Vaughan · solo by Stevie Ray Vaughan · 1983
37. [Surfing with the Alien](https://greatestsolos.com/song/joe-satriani-surfing-with-the-alien/) — Joe Satriani · solo by Joe Satriani · 1987
38. [The Thrill Is Gone](https://greatestsolos.com/song/b-b-king-the-thrill-is-gone/) — B.B. King · solo by B.B. King · 1969
39. [Brighton Rock](https://greatestsolos.com/song/queen-brighton-rock/) — Queen · solo by Brian May · 1974
40. [Floods](https://greatestsolos.com/song/pantera-floods/) — Pantera · solo by Dimebag Darrell · 1996
41. [Reelin' in the Years](https://greatestsolos.com/song/steely-dan-reelin-in-the-years/) — Steely Dan · solo by Elliott Randall · 1972
42. [Aqualung](https://greatestsolos.com/song/jethro-tull-aqualung/) — Jethro Tull · solo by Martin Barre · 1971
43. [Maggot Brain](https://greatestsolos.com/song/funkadelic-maggot-brain/) — Funkadelic · solo by Eddie Hazel · 1971
44. [Kid Charlemagne](https://greatestsolos.com/song/steely-dan-kid-charlemagne/) — Steely Dan · solo by Larry Carlton · 1976
45. [Purple Haze](https://greatestsolos.com/song/jimi-hendrix-purple-haze/) — Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1967
46. [Black Star](https://greatestsolos.com/song/yngwie-malmsteen-black-star/) — Yngwie Malmsteen · solo by Yngwie Malmsteen · 1984
47. [Cemetery Gates](https://greatestsolos.com/song/pantera-cemetery-gates/) — Pantera · solo by Dimebag Darrell · 1990
48. [No More Tears](https://greatestsolos.com/song/ozzy-osbourne-no-more-tears/) — Ozzy Osbourne · solo by Zakk Wylde · 1991
49. [Tornado of Souls](https://greatestsolos.com/song/megadeth-tornado-of-souls/) — Megadeth · solo by Marty Friedman · 1990
50. [Killing In The Name](https://greatestsolos.com/song/rage-against-the-machine-killing-in-the-name/) — Rage Against the Machine · solo by Tom Morello · 1992
51. [Still Got the Blues](https://greatestsolos.com/song/gary-moore-still-got-the-blues/) — Gary Moore · solo by Gary Moore · 1990
52. [Jessica](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-allman-brothers-band-jessica/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Dickey Betts · 1973
53. [Hot for Teacher](https://greatestsolos.com/song/van-halen-hot-for-teacher/) — Van Halen · solo by Eddie Van Halen · 1984
54. [Marquee Moon](https://greatestsolos.com/song/television-marquee-moon/) — Television · solo by Tom Verlaine · 1977
55. [Master of Puppets](https://greatestsolos.com/song/metallica-master-of-puppets/) — Metallica · solo by Kirk Hammett · 1986
56. [War Pigs](https://greatestsolos.com/song/black-sabbath-war-pigs/) — Black Sabbath · solo by Tony Iommi · 1970
57. [You Really Got Me](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-kinks-you-really-got-me/) — The Kinks · solo by Dave Davies · 1964
58. [Something](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-beatles-something/) — The Beatles · solo by George Harrison · 1969
59. [Europa](https://greatestsolos.com/song/santana-europa/) — Santana · solo by Carlos Santana · 1976
60. [Shine On You Crazy Diamond](https://greatestsolos.com/song/pink-floyd-shine-on-you-crazy-diamond/) — Pink Floyd · solo by David Gilmour · 1975
61. [Bulls on Parade](https://greatestsolos.com/song/rage-against-the-machine-bulls-on-parade/) — Rage Against the Machine · solo by Tom Morello · 1996
62. [Blackbird](https://greatestsolos.com/song/alter-bridge-blackbird/) — Alter Bridge · solo by Mark Tremonti & Myles Kennedy · 2007
63. [Satch Boogie](https://greatestsolos.com/song/joe-satriani-satch-boogie/) — Joe Satriani · solo by Joe Satriani · 1987
64. [Back in Black](https://greatestsolos.com/song/ac-dc-back-in-black/) — AC/DC · solo by Angus Young · 1980
65. [Under a Glass Moon](https://greatestsolos.com/song/dream-theater-under-a-glass-moon/) — Dream Theater · solo by John Petrucci · 1992
66. [Shock Me](https://greatestsolos.com/song/kiss-shock-me/) — Kiss · solo by Ace Frehley · 1977
67. [Walk This Way](https://greatestsolos.com/song/aerosmith-walk-this-way/) — Aerosmith · solo by Joe Perry · 1975
68. [Smells Like Teen Spirit](https://greatestsolos.com/song/nirvana-smells-like-teen-spirit/) — Nirvana · solo by Kurt Cobain · 1991
69. [25 or 6 to 4](https://greatestsolos.com/song/chicago-25-or-6-to-4/) — Chicago · solo by Terry Kath · 1970
70. [Stranglehold](https://greatestsolos.com/song/ted-nugent-stranglehold/) — Ted Nugent · solo by Ted Nugent · 1975
71. [Smoke on the Water](https://greatestsolos.com/song/deep-purple-smoke-on-the-water/) — Deep Purple · solo by Ritchie Blackmore · 1972
72. [Killer Queen](https://greatestsolos.com/song/queen-killer-queen/) — Queen · solo by Brian May · 1974
73. [La Grange](https://greatestsolos.com/song/zz-top-la-grange/) — ZZ Top · solo by Billy Gibbons · 1973
74. [Child in Time](https://greatestsolos.com/song/deep-purple-child-in-time/) — Deep Purple · solo by Ritchie Blackmore · 1970
75. [Sharp Dressed Man](https://greatestsolos.com/song/zz-top-sharp-dressed-man/) — ZZ Top · solo by Billy Gibbons · 1983
76. [Cortez the Killer](https://greatestsolos.com/song/neil-young-cortez-the-killer/) — Neil Young · solo by Neil Young · 1975
77. [Let There Be Rock](https://greatestsolos.com/song/ac-dc-let-there-be-rock/) — AC/DC · solo by Angus Young · 1977
78. [Rock Bottom](https://greatestsolos.com/song/ufo-rock-bottom/) — UFO · solo by Michael Schenker · 1974
79. [Money](https://greatestsolos.com/song/pink-floyd-money/) — Pink Floyd · solo by David Gilmour · 1973
80. [Paranoid](https://greatestsolos.com/song/black-sabbath-paranoid/) — Black Sabbath · solo by Tony Iommi · 1970
81. [Ball and Biscuit](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-white-stripes-ball-and-biscuit/) — The White Stripes · solo by Jack White · 2003
82. [Firth of Fifth](https://greatestsolos.com/song/genesis-firth-of-fifth/) — Genesis · solo by Steve Hackett · 1973
83. [Limelight](https://greatestsolos.com/song/rush-limelight/) — Rush · solo by Alex Lifeson · 1981
84. [Black Magic Woman](https://greatestsolos.com/song/santana-black-magic-woman/) — Santana · solo by Carlos Santana · 1970
85. [Like A Hurricane](https://greatestsolos.com/song/neil-young-like-a-hurricane/) — Neil Young · solo by Neil Young · 1977
86. [Light My Fire](https://greatestsolos.com/song/the-doors-light-my-fire/) — The Doors · solo by Robby Krieger · 1967
87. [Blue Sky](https://greatestsolos.com/song/allman-brothers-blue-sky/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Duane Allman & Dickey Betts · 1972
88. [Hangar 18](https://greatestsolos.com/song/megadeth-hangar-18/) — Megadeth · solo by Marty Friedman & Dave Mustaine · 1990
89. [Cocaine](https://greatestsolos.com/song/eric-clapton-cocaine/) — Eric Clapton · solo by Eric Clapton · 1977
90. [Beyond the Realms of Death](https://greatestsolos.com/song/judas-priest-beyond-the-realms-of-death/) — Judas Priest · solo by Glenn Tipton & K.K. Downing · 1978
91. [Get The Funk Out](https://greatestsolos.com/song/extreme-get-the-funk-out/) — Extreme · solo by Nuno Bettencourt · 1990
92. [Whipping Post](https://greatestsolos.com/song/allman-brothers-band-whipping-post/) — The Allman Brothers Band · solo by Duane Allman & Dickey Betts · 1971
93. [Stray Cat Strut](https://greatestsolos.com/song/stray-cats-stray-cat-strut/) — Stray Cats · solo by Brian Setzer · 1981
94. [Knights of Cydonia](https://greatestsolos.com/song/muse-knights-of-cydonia/) — Muse · solo by Matt Bellamy · 2006
95. [Wanted Dead or Alive](https://greatestsolos.com/song/bon-jovi-wanted-dead-or-alive/) — Bon Jovi · solo by Richie Sambora · 1987
96. [Little Wing](https://greatestsolos.com/song/stevie-ray-vaughan-little-wing/) — Stevie Ray Vaughan · solo by Stevie Ray Vaughan · 1991
97. [All Right Now](https://greatestsolos.com/song/free-all-right-now/) — Free · solo by Paul Kossoff · 1970
98. [Lazy](https://greatestsolos.com/song/deep-purple-lazy/) — Deep Purple · solo by Ritchie Blackmore · 1972
99. [21st Century Schizoid Man](https://greatestsolos.com/song/king-crimson-21st-century-schizoid-man/) — King Crimson · solo by Robert Fripp · 1969
100. [White Room](https://greatestsolos.com/song/cream-white-room/) — Cream · solo by Eric Clapton · 1968

## Quick answers

### What is the greatest guitar solo of all time?

By consensus across 80 published rankings, Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (solo by Jimmy Page) is #1. It appears on 64 of the 80 lists. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd is #2 and Hotel California by Eagles is #3.

### How is the GreatestSolos ranking calculated?

Each appearance on a published list earns points: weight × (0.35 + 0.65 × position), where position is (101 − rank)/100. Major publications and guitar magazines weigh 1.0; polls, crowd rankings and blogs weigh less. Points are summed across all 80 lists.

### Which lists are included?

Rolling Stone (2026), Classic Rock (2018), NME (2017), Guitar World reader polls (2013, 2021), Guitar Player (2024), Guitarist (2011), Planet Rock (2019, 2022), SiriusXM, uDiscover Music and 69 more, plus Guitar World's 21st-century list for modern-era rankings.

More rankings: [Top 10 guitar solos](https://greatestsolos.com/list/top-10-greatest-guitar-solos/) · [Top 20](https://greatestsolos.com/list/top-20-greatest-guitar-solos/) · [Most beautiful](https://greatestsolos.com/list/most-beautiful-guitar-solos/) · [By year](https://greatestsolos.com/lists/) · [List vs list](https://greatestsolos.com/vs/) · [Download the data](https://greatestsolos.com/data/)

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GreatestSolos ranks the greatest guitar solos by consensus across published lists. Agent guide: [llms.txt](https://greatestsolos.com/llms.txt) · [Sitemap](https://greatestsolos.com/sitemap.xml) · [Dataset (CSV)](https://greatestsolos.com/data/greatest-guitar-solos.csv) · [How we rank](https://greatestsolos.com/method/)