The 25 Greatest Funk and Soul Guitar Solos

In funk and soul the guitar usually plays rhythm, so the solos here are the exceptions that stand out. The list moves from Steve Cropper and Duane Allman's session work through Eddie Hazel, Ernie Isley and Prince to funk-metal crossovers.

1. 1
   Maggot Brain

   Funkadelic · solo by Eddie Hazel · 1971
2. 2
   Purple Rain

   Prince · solo by Prince · 1984
3. 3
   That Lady, Pts. 1 & 2

   The Isley Brothers · solo by Ernie Isley · 1973
4. 4
   Let's Go Crazy

   Prince and the Revolution · solo by Prince · 1984
5. 5
   Hey Jude

   Wilson Pickett · solo by Duane Allman · 1968
6. 6
   Summer Breeze

   The Isley Brothers · solo by Ernie Isley · 1973
7. 7
   Lookin' for Another Pure Love

   Stevie Wonder · solo by Jeff Beck · 1972
8. 8
   Strawberry Letter 23

   The Brothers Johnson · solo by Lee Ritenour · 1977
9. 9
   Easy

   Commodores · solo by Thomas McClary · 1977
10. 10
    Green Onions

    Booker T. & the M.G.'s · solo by Steve Cropper · 1962
11. 11
    Get The Funk Out

    Extreme · solo by Nuno Bettencourt · 1990
12. 12
    Computer Blue

    Prince and the Revolution · solo by Prince · 1984
13. 13
    Voyage to Atlantis

    The Isley Brothers · solo by Ernie Isley · 1977
14. 14
    California Dreamin'

    Eddie Hazel · solo by Eddie Hazel · 1977
15. 15
    Cult of Personality

    Living Colour · solo by Vernon Reid · 1988
16. 16
    Super Stupid

    Funkadelic · solo by Eddie Hazel · 1971
17. 17
    Who Knows

    Jimi Hendrix · solo by Jimi Hendrix · 1970
18. 18
    Tell Me Something Good

    Rufus · solo by Al Ciner · 1974
19. 19
    While My Guitar Gently Weeps

    Prince · solo by Prince · 2004
20. 20
    On Broadway

    George Benson · solo by George Benson · 1978
21. 21
    Harvest for the World

    The Isley Brothers · solo by Ernie Isley · 1976
22. 22
    Standing on the Verge of Getting It On

    Funkadelic · solo by Eddie Hazel · 1974
23. 23
    The Weight

    Aretha Franklin · solo by Duane Allman · 1969
24. 24
    I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man

    Prince · solo by Prince · 1987
25. 25
    Cissy Strut

    The Meters · solo by Leo Nocentelli · 1969