Thunderstruck
AC/DC, 1990, from The Razors Edge. Solo by Angus Young.
The song's famous intro is a rapid-fire run of hammer-ons and pull-offs against an open string, and Angus Young sustains it with remarkable precision. It builds tension long before the band arrives, then gives way to one of AC/DC's biggest choruses. When the solo arrives, it's a short, blistering burst of blues-based licks, played with the same bite and attitude as the rest of the band's catalogue. The intro became a rite of passage for guitarists, a test of stamina and accuracy more than speed alone. Listen for the way the intro's repeating pattern changes subtly underneath the chord changes, keeping the energy climbing without any obvious variation.
Thunderstruck by AC/DC is ranked #150 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Angus Young and the song was released in 1990. It appears on 3 lists, placing as high as #17 (SiriusXM (countdown transcribed on PRS Guitars forum)).
In our lists
- The Most-Taught Solos — #19
- The Modern Canon: Best Since 1990 — #36
- The Road Trip 50 — #32
- The 25 Greatest Hard Rock Guitar Solos — #24
- SGs & Telecasters — #22
- The Best Angus Young Guitar Solos — #5
- The Best AC/DC Guitar Solos — #5
Sources
- SiriusXM (countdown transcribed on PRS Guitars forum): 50 Baddest Guitar Solos — #17
- Planet Rock: The 75 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — #51
- Guitar Solo Legends: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — Ranked (2026) — #74
Who played the guitar solo on Thunderstruck?
Angus Young played the solo on AC/DC's Thunderstruck (1990).
What guitar was used on the Thunderstruck solo?
A gibson sg, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Thunderstruck rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#150 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 3 of them.