Top 20 Guitar Solos of 1961

The 20 greatest guitar solos released in 1961, ranked: solos our consensus of published lists rates highest come first, then our genre and artist rankings, with no more than three per artist. Led by Hello Mary Lou by Ricky Nelson, Wang Dang Doodle by Howlin' Wolf and Hide Away by Freddie King.

1. 1
   Hello Mary Lou

   Ricky Nelson · solo by James Burton · 1961
2. 2
   Wang Dang Doodle

   Howlin' Wolf · solo by Hubert Sumlin · 1961
3. 3
   Hide Away

   Freddie King · solo by Freddie King · 1961
4. 4
   Let's Go Trippin'

   Dick Dale & the Del-Tones · solo by Dick Dale · 1961
5. 5
   Mr. Moto

   The Bel-Airs · solo by Paul Johnson · 1961
6. 6
   Blues for Willarene

   Grant Green · solo by Grant Green · 1961
7. 7
   Stick Shift

   The Duals · solo by The Duals · 1961
8. 8
   The Stumble

   Freddie King · solo by Freddie King · 1961
9. 9
   Miss Ann's Tempo

   Grant Green · solo by Grant Green · 1961
10. 10
    Jack the Ripper

    Link Wray & the Wraymen · solo by Link Wray · 1961
11. 11
    Shake Your Moneymaker

    Elmore James · solo by Elmore James · 1961
12. 12
    No. 1 Green Street

    Grant Green · solo by Grant Green · 1961
13. 13
    FBI

    The Shadows · solo by Hank Marvin · 1961
14. 14
    Let Me Love You Baby

    Buddy Guy · solo by Buddy Guy · 1961
15. 15
    Kon-Tiki

    The Shadows · solo by Hank Marvin · 1961
16. 16
    San-Ho-Zay

    Freddie King · solo by Freddie King · 1961
17. 17
    The Frightened City

    The Shadows · solo by Hank Marvin · 1961
18. 18
    Shake for Me

    Howlin' Wolf · solo by Hubert Sumlin · 1961
19. 19
    El Toro

    Link Wray & the Wraymen · solo by Link Wray · 1961
20. 20
    Traveling Riverside Blues

    Robert Johnson · solo by Robert Johnson · 1961