10 of the Greatest Live Electric Guitar Solos
The electric guitar has been at the heart of popular music for the past century, providing the signature sound for everything from blues and jazz to outlaw country and rock. And for as long as the electric guitar has been plugged in, the live solo has been the measure of virtuosity and skill.
Virtually every song anchored by the electric guitar features some sort of solo on the instrument, and practically all of the greatest guitarists—regardless of genre—have been celebrated for their soloing at one time or another. Yet while shredding in the studio gives spice to a song and establishes a talent as noteworthy, it is the live performance that truly proves one’s mettle. The ability to navigate scales, bend notes, and improvise on a moment’s notice is what makes live music so exciting, and it is one of the main reasons why fans continue to turn out in the tens of thousands for concerts.
Over the years, there have been thousands of incredible live solo performances on the electric guitar, each one communicating the artist’s skill and creativity while simultaneously enthralling the audience. But a few of these performances have stood out as undeniable moments of genius—solos that are so good that they border on undebatable. The following are 10 of the greatest ever electric guitar solos.
1. Prince “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (Rock Hall of Fame, 2004)
One of the most important guitar solos of all time almost didn’t happen, simply because Prince had never actually met George Harrison. Some people thought that the band paying tribute to the recently deceased Beatle at his Rock Hall of Fame induction should be made up of people who knew him, but Prince's reputation was enough to inspire an exception—and he ended up making rock history. His incredible solo alongside Tom Petty, Steve Wynwood, and Jeff Lynne was one of the greatest electric guitar performances of all time, and a fitting tribute to one of rock and roll’s greatest artists.
2. Eddie Van Halen “Beat It” (Texas Stadium with Michael Jackson, 1984)
Many people are unaware that Eddie Van Halen—one of the most celebrated rock guitarists of all time—secretly played the iconic guitar line on Michael Jackson’s hit song Beat It. However, Van Halen acknowledged his pop connection publicly in 1984 when he performed the song with MJ, arguably playing the best live guitar solo ever in a pop concert.
3. Sister Rosetta Tharpe “Up Above My Head” (TV Gospel Time, 1960s)
Decades ahead of her time, Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s influence directly shaped what the electric guitar has become today—and that was largely on the back of her live performances. Her solo on TV Gospel Time inspired blues legends like B.B. King and Eric Clapton, and perhaps none was as noteworthy as her wailing on “Up Above My Head.”
4. Jimi Hendrix “The Star Spangled Banner” (Woodstock, 1969)
Jimi Hendrix was a generational talent who has a permanent place on nearly every serious guitarist’s “top 10 greatest of all time” lists—but he was also the face of the social revolution that epitomized the 1960s and the anti-war movement. Thus, his iconic, acid rock performance of the national anthem at Woodstock—the ultimate establishment song at the ultimate hippie sit-in—was not only undeniable musically, but also an in-your-face countercultural statement to the man.
5. Stevie Ray Vaughan “Texas Flood” (Montreux, 1985)
Unquestionably one of the most talented and influential blues/rock guitarists in history, Stevie Ray Vaughan was a legend in his own time, both due to his talent and his commitment to performing (no one can deny a person who regularly plays until he bleeds). His performance of “Texas Flood” in 1985 was quintessential Stevie Ray Vaughan—from the pitch perfect fingering to the casual, mid-riff switch to behind-the-back showboating.
6. Eric Clapton “Layla” (Royal Albert Hall, 1991)
Clapton has put in so many incredible performances over the years that it’s difficult to choose one that stands out above the rest—but if one had to do so, it would be his orchestral collaboration on “Layla” at Royal Albert Hall. Accompanied by an entire orchestra pit of pure talent, he gave perhaps the greatest blues/rock performance of all time.
7. Eddie Van Halen “Eruption” (1986)
Van Halen makes this list twice, and rightly so, considering his influence on rock and roll. But unlike “Beat It,” there was nothing novel or pop about his soloing on "Eruption." This was pure slash rock genius from the greatest player and innovator of his generation. It doesn’t get any better.
8. B.B. King “The Thrill Is Gone” (1993)
The blues are all about improvisation, and B.B. King did it as well as anyone. Anyone who had a chance to watch him bend notes live came away a changed person, but his iconic performance of “The Thrill Is Gone” in 1993 was on another level. This was B.B. King at his best, which means it was blues guitar as good as it gets.
9. Joe Satriani “Always With Me, Always With You” (Live in Bangkok 2017)
“Always With Me, Always With You” is the ultimate statement by the greatest “guitar only” rock musician in history, and every time Joe Satriani played it live, it was an opportunity to witness pure musical talent in person. But if one had to choose the greatest performance of the greatest rock instrumental song, it would be during 2017’s Live in Bangkok concert, when Satriani played with such energy and perfection that even he could never again match it.
10. Prince “Purple Rain” (Carrier Dome, 1985)
The fact that Prince starts and ends this list is no accident. Considered by many to be the greatest live guitar solo of all time, his performance of “Purple Rain” at the Carrier Dome in 1985 is essential listening, viewing, and worshipping for anyone who has ever plugged an electric guitar into an amp. The combination of flamboyant stage presence, raw emotion, and undeniable talent make this one of the most important events in guitar history.