Quadrant 4
Billy Cobham, 1973. Solo by Tommy Bolin.
Tommy Bolin's guitar on 'Quadrant 4' is a blast of fusion energy. Over Billy Cobham's frenetic drumming, he plays fast, fiery runs that blend rock aggression with jazz fluency. His tone is thick and sustained, giving the lines a vocal quality even at breakneck speed. It's one of the defining moments of 1970s fusion, showing how rock guitar could thrive in a jazz context. Listen for how Bolin matches Cobham's intensity, pushing the tempo and building excitement with each phrase, and how the band keeps the rhythm tight and driving underneath him, making the whole track feel like a controlled explosion.
Quadrant 4 by Billy Cobham is ranked #189 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Tommy Bolin and the song was released in 1973. It appears on 2 lists, placing as high as #44 (uDiscover Music).
In our lists
- One and Only — #30
- The 25 Greatest Fusion Guitar Solos — #9
- Instrumentals — #23
Sources
- uDiscover Music: The Best Guitar Solos Of All Time: 108 Amazing Moments — #44
- Classic Rock (Louder): The 100 greatest guitar solos in rock — #82
Who played the guitar solo on Quadrant 4?
Tommy Bolin played the solo on Billy Cobham's Quadrant 4 (1973).
What guitar was used on the Quadrant 4 solo?
A fender stratocaster, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Quadrant 4 rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#189 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 2 of them.