As the thread title says.....

There are a lot of really great solos - which one do you think is the GOAT?

I'll go with David Gilmore and 'Comfortably Numb' at Pompei in 2016...

I hesitate to state anything as the "best of all time"...There are pluses and minuses to everything; I agree with your basic assessment of David Gilmor "Comfortably Numb"....Interesting fact- Gilmor usually listens to a track with headphones after the others have finished their effort- and he then vocalizes what he thinks the guitar jam should sound like- that is why his guitar playing/jams sound somewhat like singing. Listen to the song "Wish you were here" and you will hear his actual vocalizations.

Another guitarist who makes his guitar sound more like a singer is Santana- just mind blowing how he plays sometimes...One of my personal favorites of his is "Samba Pa Ti"..

My favorite group is Queen- not for Freddy- but because of Brian May, the guitarist- he is very under-rated; My personal favorite of Brian's is "Brighton Rock", in which he does a guitar jam using an echo-box...the album version is OK, but the live version on "Queen Live Killers" is amazing (It is actually 2-3 nights splicing the best parts together- It also has a drum solo by Roger Taylor, the drummer)

quote Originally posted by cvxjet: It also has a drum solo by Roger Taylor, the drummer.

Generally speaking, it's usually the drummer who does the drum solos. lol

In regards to the best guitar solo of all time... impossible for me to answer. It's like trying to state who's the most attractive woman you've ever seen a photo of.

quote Originally posted by olejoedad: I'll go with David Gilmore and 'Comfortably Numb' at Pompei in 2016...

This, but you have to give credit to the equipment and setup.
Not taking anything away from Gilmore but a poor setup will make anyone sound bad and a great setup will inspire greatness.

[This message has been edited by Jake_Dragon (edited 07-25-2025).]

quote Originally posted by cvxjet: It also has a drum solo by Roger Taylor, the drummer)

Not to be confused with Duran Duran's drummer, also named Roger Taylor.

The Rolling Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" needs to be right up there as well. And " Sister Morphine " from the 'No Security' album......

Maybe I should have entitled the thread '10 Best Guitar Solos'.

Realizing it kind of depends on what kind of music one listens to but, Roy Clark could out play any for the aforementioned. Yeah, I know it's just an opinion.

Rams

Impossible. But possibly something from Joe Satriani. Or Joe Walsh.

quote Originally posted by olejoedad: As the thread title says..... There are a lot of really great solos - which one do you think is the GOAT? I'll go with David Gilmore and 'Comfortably Numb' at Pompei in 2016...

As I sit here and write this I can hear the CN solo as clear as day in my head, I love it, if my wife wasn't home, I'd try to blow up my speakers! Again.. GOAT? I dunno there is so much out there but DG - CN has to be close to the top.

I like tons of different types of music.
As long as the solo gives with the mood/feel/vibe of the song.
Some great players have some great solo's that don't fit/belong in "that" song. Then have a solo that is perfect for a song.
No way I could pick just one.

Gary Moore, still got the blues for you.

This is a cover/lesson but you can hear the guitar and see how its played.

Stevie Ray Vaughan - "Texas Flood" (Live at El Mocombo)

[This message has been edited by Wichita (edited 07-29-2025).]

quote Originally posted by Wichita: Stevie Ray Vaughan - "Texas Flood" (Live at El Mocombo)

Saw them at the Royal Manor North in NJ June 83, Texas Flood tour. I was like, damn, this guy has something! The RMN was a great place to catch up & coming acts. Very intimate venue.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...2FF-RM&start_radio=1

I agree with Rams. Roy Clark gets my vote.
My all time favorite of his is Ghost Riders in the Sky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUAkzUpvNfI

Glen Campbell is another one that can play a mean 12 string, but not in Roy's category in my opinion.

Marc

There really is a large variety of good guitar solos- really hard to designate any one as "The Best!!"....

How about Jimi Hendrix- "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"...?

For me it’s Yes / Owner of a lonely heart and Spooky. (Atlanta Rythym Section)
Kit

[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 08-03-2025).]

I won't get many upvotes, but the intro to Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" is absolutely top notch.



Say what you will about Lou, (you're probably right) he knows good guitar players. Just let the intro roll.

So many good guitarists... of all musical persuasions. I'll throw out a vote for Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band.
This whole song is a blast... but if you're absolutely pressed for time, advance to the 3:37 mark and rock on!

quote Originally posted by Zeb: I won't get many upvotes, but the intro to Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane" is absolutely top notch. Say what you will about Lou, (you're probably right) he knows good guitar players. Just let the intro roll.

Link isn't working for me but if that's from Rock 'n' Roll Animal, yeah it is. Steve Hunter.

That AMAZING one in
Punk Rock Girl!

[This message has been edited by TheDigitalAlchemist (edited 08-07-2025).]

quote Originally posted by TheDigitalAlchemist: That AMAZING one in Punk Rock Girl!

No More Tears - Ozzy Ozbourne: https://youtu.be/CprfjfN5PR...DnL1TqHA0qC9GJ&t=210 (starting at 3:30)
Sweet Child of Mine - Guns n' Roses: https://youtu.be/1w7OgIMMRc4?si=D5HlXDDnXR85ZDM- (starting at 2:30)
All Along the Watchtower - Jimmy Hendrix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY (the whole song)
To Live is to Die - Metallica: https://youtu.be/DhqbGYI970...N2yu1krtt1R8Me&t=270 (starting at 4:30)

One more to add, Chicago 25 or 6 to 4. Terry Kath tears it up. Jimi Hendrix though he was pretty good, that is saying something.