The Unsung Solos

We asked a host of today’s greatest guitarists to name their favorite solos from off the beaten path. Here’s what they told us.

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John Petrucci (Dream Theater)

La Villa Strangiato
Rush, Hemispheres
Guitarist: Alex Lifeson
“Rush was the first concert that I ever attended, back in 1982, and when I saw them play that song live and witnessed Alex perform that solo, it literally blew my mind! Alex starts off very bluesy and melodic but slowly builds to this insane crescendo. That solo-building technique was so impactful and is something that I try to incorporate in my own playing.”

Yours Is No Disgrace (Live)
Yes, Yessongs
Guitarist: Steve Howe
“Yessongs is one of the first albums that I ever owned. There’s a moment in this song where Steve Howe does an extended unaccompanied guitar solo. I can remember listening to it over and over and just being mesmerized by his playing and creativity. It’s such a great highlight to me and really exemplifies why he is such an incredible artist. Made me want to practice like crazy as well!”

The Bash
Dixie Dregs, Night Of The Living Dregs
Guitarist: Steve Morse
“More than any other player, Steve Morse changed my whole way of thinking on the guitar from the moment I heard him play. The first time I heard him was on this high-energy rock/bluegrass take on the ‘Wabash Cannonball.’ My first reaction after hearing Steve’s solo on this song was, ‘How does anybody play guitar like that?’ I was a teen and really into rock and metal, so to hear Steve play guitar in that highly technical bluegrass style at breakneck speeds really took me by surprise. He quickly became my favorite guitar player. He changed how I thought about playing guitar, how I thought about my technique, and he inspired me to practice for hours on end. I can remember transcribing his solo and trying to figure it out, using a metronome, and focusing on my right-hand picking technique. It just helped with my playing tremendously.”

Mother, Father
Journey, Escape
Guitarist: Neal Schon
“Neal’s music and playing have had a tremendous influence on me...not only his impassioned and fiery side but his beautifully melodic side as well. ‘Mother, Father’ is a bit heavier and darker sounding compared to other Journey tracks, and it has one of the greatest solos ever. I love when you look forward to the guitar solo on a song and it helps elevate the composition and bring it to the next level. That song is so emotional and intense, and Neal’s solo really does this perfectly, with passion and soul.”

Moanjam
King’s X, Faith Hope Love
Guitarist: Ty Tabor
“I’ve seen King’s X perform countless times live and had the pleasure of touring with them. They are an absolutely incredible trio to see live, and ‘Moanjam’ became a staple of their set. The song is basically a vessel for an epic guitar solo that destroys everything in its path, like a runaway freight train. Ty Tabor demonstrates his ability to take complete ownership of that moment, and the solo just keeps going and going and going, to the point of insanity. It used to amaze me that he could solo that intensely at that energy level for so long, while always keeping the interest of the audience. People talk about guitar players that do self-indulgent solos, but in this case, you didn’t want it to stop. It’s just so incredible.”