Sails of Charon
Scorpions, 1977, from Taken by Force. Solo by Uli Jon Roth.
Uli Jon Roth's playing on 'Sails of Charon' is a bright blend of Hendrix-inspired expression and classical precision. The main riff has an exotic, Middle Eastern flavor, and his solo is full of rapid runs, sweeping phrases and bold, singing bends. It's technically daring for its time, pointing toward the neoclassical style that would flourish in the 1980s. Roth's tone is thick and fluid, giving his lines a vocal quality even at high speed. Listen for how he moves smoothly between intricate, scale-based runs and emotional, sustained notes, creating a solo that feels both precise and deeply expressive, before the riff pulls the band back in.
Sails of Charon by Scorpions is ranked #147 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Uli Jon Roth and the song was released in 1977. It appears on 3 lists, placing as high as #4 (Society of Rock).
In our lists
Sources
- Society of Rock: 15 of the Greatest Guitar Solos You'll Agree With — #4
- guitarguitar: Top 50 Guitar Solos of All Time — #6
- Top 40 Weekly: Best 70s Guitar Solos: Top 40 Greatest of the Decade — #22
- DigitalDreamDoor: 200 Greatest Metal Guitar Solos — #71
- Classic Rock (Louder): The 100 greatest guitar solos in rock — #80
Who played the guitar solo on Sails of Charon?
Uli Jon Roth played the solo on Scorpions's Sails of Charon (1977).
What guitar was used on the Sails of Charon solo?
A fender stratocaster, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Sails of Charon rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#147 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 3 of them.