Guitar Solos of the 1960s · #1 of 20
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All Along the Watchtower

Jimi Hendrix · 1968 · solo by Jimi Hendrix
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Decades · 20 solos

The 20 Best Guitar Solos of the 1960s

The 1960s is when the rock guitar solo grew up, moving from surf instrumentals like Dick Dale's "Misirlou" (1962) to the wah and feedback of Jimi Hendrix and the blues-rock of Cream. This list ranks the decade's 20 best solos in the order of the GreatestSolos Consensus rankings, which combine 79 published lists, and every video starts right at the solo.

  1. 1
    All Along the Watchtower
    Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1968
  2. 2
    While My Guitar Gently Weeps
    The Beatles · solo by Eric Clapton · 1968
  3. 3
    Crossroads
    Cream · solo by Eric Clapton · 1968
  4. 4
    Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
    Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1968
  5. 5
    Sympathy for the Devil
    The Rolling Stones · solo by Keith Richards · 1968
  6. 6
    Little Wing
    Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1967
  7. 7
    Heartbreaker
    Led Zeppelin · solo by Jimmy Page · 1969
  8. 8
    Whole Lotta Love
    Led Zeppelin · solo by Jimmy Page · 1969
  9. 9
    The Thrill Is Gone
    B.B. King · solo by B.B. King · 1969
  10. 10
    Purple Haze
    Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1967
  11. 11
    You Really Got Me
    The Kinks · solo by Dave Davies · 1964
  12. 12
    Something
    The Beatles · solo by George Harrison · 1969
  13. 13
    Light My Fire
    The Doors · solo by Robby Krieger · 1967
  14. 14
    21st Century Schizoid Man
    King Crimson · solo by Robert Fripp · 1969
  15. 15
    White Room
    Cream · solo by Eric Clapton · 1968
  16. 16
    Eight Miles High
    The Byrds · solo by Roger McGuinn · 1966
  17. 17
    Misirlou
    Dick Dale & the Del-Tones · solo by Dick Dale · 1962
  18. 18
    Apache
    The Shadows · solo by Hank Marvin · 1960
  19. 19
    Crosscut Saw
    Albert King · solo by Albert King · 1967
  20. 20
    Soul Sacrifice
    Santana · solo by Carlos Santana · 1969

Quick answers

What is the best guitar solo of the 1960s?

Jimi Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" (1968) is the highest-ranked 1960s solo in the GreatestSolos Consensus rankings, at number 7 overall.

Who played the solo on the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"?

Eric Clapton, as an uncredited guest on the 1968 recording. It ranks number 12 in the Consensus rankings.

Which guitarist has the most solos on this list?

Jimi Hendrix, with four: "All Along the Watchtower", "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", "Little Wing" and "Purple Haze". Eric Clapton has three: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", "Crossroads" and "White Room".