Classic Rock (2018) vs the Consensus
Classic Rock's list, “The 100 greatest guitar solos in rock,” puts Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin at #1, the same as the consensus. Of the solos it ranks, 40 are in the GreatestSolos Consensus 100, and 7 of its top 10 are also in the consensus top 10.
Updated September 2026 · we show only where lists agree and differ; see the original list at Classic Rock (Louder) for the full ranking.
Where they agree
The highest consensus picks that Classic Rock also ranked.
| Solo | Classic Rock | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Stairway to Heaven — Led Zeppelin, 1971 | #1 | #1 |
| Comfortably Numb — Pink Floyd, 1979 | #2 | #2 |
| Hotel California — Eagles, 1976 | #3 | #3 |
| Eruption — Van Halen, 1978 | #6 | #4 |
| Free Bird — Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1973 | #4 | #5 |
| Sweet Child O' Mine — Guns N' Roses, 1987 | #8 | #6 |
| All Along the Watchtower — Jimi Hendrix, 1968 | #5 | #7 |
| Sultans of Swing — Dire Straits, 1978 | #20 | #9 |
| Highway Star — Deep Purple, 1972 | #12 | #10 |
| While My Guitar Gently Weeps — The Beatles, 1968 | #13 | #12 |
Their boldest picks
Solos Classic Rock ranked high that most other lists rank low or leave out.
| Solo | Classic Rock | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Killer Queen — Queen, 1974 | #7 | #72 |
| Paranoid — Black Sabbath, 1970 | #10 | #80 |
| Let There Be Rock — AC/DC, 1977 | #11 | #77 |
| All Right Now — Free, 1970 | #17 | #97 |
| Can't You Hear Me Knocking — The Rolling Stones, 1971 | #22 | #140 |
| Moonage Daydream — David Bowie, 1972 | #24 | #103 |
| Walk This Way — Aerosmith, 1975 | #25 | #67 |
| Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere — The Who, 1965 | #26 | #145 |
| Since You Been Gone — Rainbow, 1979 | #27 | #271 |
| Ace of Spades — Motörhead, 1980 | #29 | #215 |
Consensus favorites they left out
Top-30 consensus solos missing from Classic Rock (released by 2018).
| Solo | Consensus | Lists |
|---|---|---|
| Bohemian Rhapsody — Queen, 1975 | #8 | 48 of 80 |
| November Rain — Guns N' Roses, 1991 | #11 | 42 of 80 |
| Crazy Train — Ozzy Osbourne, 1980 | #13 | 32 of 80 |
| Crossroads — Cream, 1968 | #14 | 31 of 80 |
| Beat It — Michael Jackson, 1982 | #15 | 30 of 80 |
| Voodoo Child (Slight Return) — Jimi Hendrix, 1968 | #18 | 27 of 80 |
| One — Metallica, 1988 | #20 | 24 of 80 |
| Texas Flood — Stevie Ray Vaughan, 1983 | #21 | 24 of 80 |
| Mr. Crowley — Ozzy Osbourne, 1980 | #22 | 24 of 80 |
| Fade to Black — Metallica, 1984 | #23 | 23 of 80 |
Quick answers
What is Classic Rock's #1 guitar solo?
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (solo by Jimmy Page) is #1 on Classic Rock's list from 2018.
How does Classic Rock's list compare with the consensus?
40 of the solos it ranks appear in the Consensus 100, which combines 80 published lists. 7 of its top 10 are also in the consensus top 10.
What is the greatest guitar solo of all time by consensus?
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin, on 64 of 80 lists.
Compare another list: Rolling Stone 2026 · NME 2017 · Guitar World 2021 · Guitar World 2013 · Guitar Player 2024 · Guitarist 2011 · uDiscover Music 2026 · Planet Rock 2022 · SiriusXM 2024 · Gibson.com 2010 · Rick Beato 2019