The Best Grateful Dead Guitar Solos

Jerry Garcia turned the guitar solo into an open-ended conversation, spinning long, melodic improvisations that never played the same way twice. With Bob Weir's unorthodox rhythm work beside him, the Grateful Dead built the template for every jam band that followed.

Informed by: GuitarsExchange, American Songwriter

1. 1
   Dark Star

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1969
2. 2
   Morning Dew (Cornell, 5/8/77)

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1977
3. 3
   Eyes of the World

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1973
4. 4
   China Cat Sunflower

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir · 1972
5. 5
   That's It for the Other One

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1968
6. 6
   Help on the Way/Slipknot!

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1975
7. 7
   Scarlet Begonias

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1974
8. 8
   Fire on the Mountain

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1978
9. 9
   Terrapin Station

   Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1977
10. 10
    Stella Blue

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1973
11. 11
    St. Stephen

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1969
12. 12
    Playing in the Band

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1971
13. 13
    Wharf Rat

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1971
14. 14
    Let It Grow

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1973
15. 15
    Truckin'

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1970
16. 16
    Althea

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1980
17. 17
    Shakedown Street

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1978
18. 18
    Touch of Grey

    Grateful Dead · solo by Jerry Garcia · 1987