Jump to content

Stairway to Heaven #1 All Time Guitar Solo


Recommended Posts

The station I was listening to this morning was talking about this and thought I would post. Of course there are many others that should be on this list based on each individuals opinion.

1. “Stairway to Heaven,” Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page)2. “Eruption,” Van Halen (Eddie Van Halen)

3. “All Along the Watchtower,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience

4. “Hotel California,” Eagles (Don Felder, Joe Walsh)

5. “Comfortably Numb,” Pink Floyd (David Gilmour)

6. “Free Bird,” Lynyrd Skynyrd (Gary Rossington, Allen Collins)

7. “Layla,” Derek and the Dominos (Eric Clapton, Duane Allman)

8. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” The Beatles (Eric Clapton)

9. “Johnny B. Goode,” Chuck Berry

10. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Queen (Brian May)

11. “Crazy Train,” Ozzy Osbourne (Randy Rhoads)

12. “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers,” Jeff Beck

13. “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” Guns N’ Roses (Slash)

14. “Hot for Teacher,” Van Halen (Eddie Van Halen)

15. “Since I’ve Been Loving You,” Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page)

16. “November Rain,” Guns N’ Roses (Slash)

17. “Mr Crowley,” Ozzy Osbourne (Randy Rhoads)

18. “Whole Lotta Rosie,” AC/DC (Angus Young)

19. “Like a Hurricane,” Neil Young and Crazy Horse

20. “Sultans of Swing,” Dire Straits (Mark Knopfler)

21. “Texas Flood,” Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble

22. “One,” Metallica (Kirk Hammett)

23. “Cortez the Killer,” Neil Young and Crazy Horse

24. “Rock Around the Clock,” Bill Haley and His Comets (Danny Cedrone)

25. “Sweet Jane” (live), Lou Reed (Steve Hunter, Dick Wagner)

26. “Purple Rain,” Prince and the Revolution (Prince)

27. “Heartbreaker,” Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page)

28. “Jessica,” Allman Brothers Band (Dickey Betts)

29. “Machine Gun,” Jimi Hendrix

30. “Crossroads,” Cream (Eric Clapton)

31. “Time,” Pink Floyd (David Gilmour)

32. “Are You Experienced,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience

33. “Race with the Devil,” Gene Vincent (Cliff Gallup)

34. “Don’t Believe a Word,” Thin Lizzy (Brian Robertson)

35. “Purple Haze,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience

36. “Besame Mucho,” Wes Montgomery

37. “Sympathy for the Devil,” The Rolling Stones (Keith Richards)

38. “Blue Sky,” Allman Brothers Band (Duane Allman, Dickey Betts)

39. “My Sharona,” The Knack (Berton Averre)

40. “Marquee Moon,” Television (Tom Verlaine)

41. “Hitch a Ride,” Boston (Tom Scholz)

42. “The End,” The Beatles (Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon)

43. “Whole Lotta Love,” Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page)

44. “Train Kept A Rollin’” (live), Aerosmith (Joe Perry)

45. “Highway Star,” Deep Purple (Ritchie Blackmore)

46. “Dirt,” The Stooges (Ron Asheton)

47. “Off the Handle,” Rory Gallagher

48. “The Great Curve,” Talking Heads (Adrian Belew)

49. “The Messiah Will Come Again,” Roy Buchanan

50. “Beat It,” Michael Jackson (Eddie Van Halen)

Link for full article:

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/Top-50-Guitar-Solos-924/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ironic that this list is from Gibson, and though Page is a noted Gibson player, actually didn't record the Stairway solo with a Gibson!

That Telecaster solo still makes the hair on my neck stand up !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That Telecaster solo still makes the hair on my neck stand up !

Jimmy didn't use a Telecaster that often. The only times on stage I think he used it was for Ten Years Gone at Knebworth in 1979 and the Copenhagen warm up shows just before that. Could be others possibly.

Edited by SuperDave
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I've checked the list twice, but I'm not seeing Voodoo Child (Slight Return).

For its failure to include what is essentially one continuous, glorious and multi-faceted guitar solo, surpassing anything that came before or since, I hereby declare this list COMPLETE AND UTTER BOLLOCKS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jimmy didn't use a Telecaster that often. The only times on stage I think he used it was for Ten Years Gone at Knebworth in 1979 and the Copenhagen warm up shows just before that. Could be others possibly.

It's been said that he played a Tele when they recorded the STH solo, mostly played live on the Twin.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How this previously active thread was overseen is a mystery

Already one on the board,

I woke up this morning thinking that I may have duplicated this topic as you have confirmed. OOPS! My bad.

Sam, do what you will, delete or lock or whatever you deem necessary due to my oversite. Sorry. :oops:

Edited by ledzepfvr
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just most recently by Ally above and alluded to by the poster before him!

Nice observation. B)

That's me, ever vigilant.

I see you've been paying attention, just offering a little back up, however it has been rumoured and to my knowledge not confirmed.

Also he played the 12 string part with a Fender.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I've checked the list twice, but I'm not seeing Voodoo Child (Slight Return).

For its failure to include what is essentially one continuous, glorious and multi-faceted guitar solo, surpassing anything that came before or since, I hereby declare this list COMPLETE AND UTTER BOLLOCKS.

hahaha! Hey, I like this guy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jimmy didn't use a Telecaster that often. The only times on stage I think he used it was for Ten Years Gone at Knebworth in 1979 and the Copenhagen warm up shows just before that. Could be others possibly.

No,you're wrong!The Fender Telecaster is one of Jimmy's favourite guitars!

He used a 1958 model(a gift from Jeff Beck)with The Yardbirds,on the first Led Zeppelin album,on the 1968-1969 tour,and on the Stairway to Heaven solo.It was almost ruined in 1971(@%$#) after an idiot painted it without Jimmy's permission.After that only the neck pickup worked :o

He got a 1953 model in 1975,and used on Presence,on In Through The Out Door,Knebworth concerts,in the 1980 tour,and with the Firm!In 1978 he swaped the maple neck with the rosewood from his 1958 model.

He also had a 1966 cream colored model,which he used in the 70's in the studio.

BTW there is simply NO way he used only his '59 Gibson on the studio.Just listen closely!(for example,Ozone Baby)

The reason many people think that Jimmy used his Les Pauls exclusively is because he appeared live mostly with them.He stated that they're comfortable to play.But he also stated that the Tele is one of the most versatile models and a personal favourite!He used them mostly in the studio after 1969!!!

Guys,don't overlook the importance of the FIRST SOLIDBODY ELECTRIC GUITAR!This baby has been used by countless great artists and bands!!!Muddy Waters,Gilmour,Richards,Page,Harrison,Walsh,i can keep going on forever...

Edited by Zoso94T
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No,you're wrong!The Fender Telecaster is one of Jimmy's favourite guitars!

He used a 1958 model(a gift from Jeff Beck)with The Yardbirds,on the first Led Zeppelin album,on the 1968-1969 tour,and on the Stairway to Heaven solo.It was almost ruined in 1971(@%$#) after an idiot painted it without Jimmy's permission.After that only the neck pickup worked :o

He got a 1953 model in 1975,and used on Presence,on In Through The Out Door,Knebworth concerts,in the 1980 tour,and with the Firm!In 1978 he swaped the maple neck with the rosewood from his 1958 model.

He also had a 1966 cream colored model,which he used in the 70's in the studio.

BTW there is simply NO way he used only his '59 Gibson on the studio.Just listen closely!(for example,Ozone Baby)

The reason many people think that Jimmy used his Les Pauls exclusively is because he appeared live mostly with them.He stated that they're comfortable to play.But he also stated that the Tele is one of the most versatile models and a personal favourite!He used them mostly in the studio after 1969!!!

Guys,don't overlook the importance of the FIRST SOLIDBODY ELECTRIC GUITAR!This baby has been used by countless great artists and bands!!!Muddy Waters,Gilmour,Richards,Page,Harrison,Walsh,i can keep going on forever...

Thanks for clearing this up. He used it more than I thought. I think he used a Stratocaster fitted with a whammy bar also at Knebworth for "In The Evening" as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The station I was listening to this morning was talking about this and thought I would post. Of course there are many others that should be on this list based on each individuals opinion.

1. "Stairway to Heaven," Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page)2. "Eruption," Van Halen (Eddie Van Halen)

3. "All Along the Watchtower," The Jimi Hendrix Experience

4. "Hotel California," Eagles (Don Felder, Joe Walsh)

5. "Comfortably Numb," Pink Floyd (David Gilmour)

6. "Free Bird," Lynyrd Skynyrd (Gary Rossington, Allen Collins)

7. "Layla," Derek and the Dominos (Eric Clapton, Duane Allman)

8. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," The Beatles (Eric Clapton)

9. "Johnny B. Goode," Chuck Berry

10. "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen (Brian May)

11. "Crazy Train," Ozzy Osbourne (Randy Rhoads)

12. "Cause We've Ended as Lovers," Jeff Beck

13. "Sweet Child o' Mine," Guns N' Roses (Slash)

14. "Hot for Teacher," Van Halen (Eddie Van Halen)

15. "Since I've Been Loving You," Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page)

16. "November Rain," Guns N' Roses (Slash)

17. "Mr Crowley," Ozzy Osbourne (Randy Rhoads)

18. "Whole Lotta Rosie," AC/DC (Angus Young)

19. "Like a Hurricane," Neil Young and Crazy Horse

20. "Sultans of Swing," Dire Straits (Mark Knopfler)

21. "Texas Flood," Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble

22. "One," Metallica (Kirk Hammett)

23. "Cortez the Killer," Neil Young and Crazy Horse

24. "Rock Around the Clock," Bill Haley and His Comets (Danny Cedrone)

25. "Sweet Jane" (live), Lou Reed (Steve Hunter, Dick Wagner)

26. "Purple Rain," Prince and the Revolution (Prince)

27. "Heartbreaker," Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page)

28. "Jessica," Allman Brothers Band (Dickey Betts)

29. "Machine Gun," Jimi Hendrix

30. "Crossroads," Cream (Eric Clapton)

31. "Time," Pink Floyd (David Gilmour)

32. "Are You Experienced," The Jimi Hendrix Experience

33. "Race with the Devil," Gene Vincent (Cliff Gallup)

34. "Don't Believe a Word," Thin Lizzy (Brian Robertson)

35. "Purple Haze," The Jimi Hendrix Experience

36. "Besame Mucho," Wes Montgomery

37. "Sympathy for the Devil," The Rolling Stones (Keith Richards)

38. "Blue Sky," Allman Brothers Band (Duane Allman, Dickey Betts)

39. "My Sharona," The Knack (Berton Averre)

40. "Marquee Moon," Television (Tom Verlaine)

41. "Hitch a Ride," Boston (Tom Scholz)

42. "The End," The Beatles (Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon)

43. "Whole Lotta Love," Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page)

44. "Train Kept A Rollin'" (live), Aerosmith (Joe Perry)

45. "Highway Star," Deep Purple (Ritchie Blackmore)

46. "Dirt," The Stooges (Ron Asheton)

47. "Off the Handle," Rory Gallagher

48. "The Great Curve," Talking Heads (Adrian Belew)

49. "The Messiah Will Come Again," Roy Buchanan

50. "Beat It," Michael Jackson (Eddie Van Halen)

Link for full article:

http://www.gibson.co...itar-Solos-924/

This list is pretty much right on the damn money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry for the confusion, I didn't mean I missed it on the list, I meant I missed the entire guitar solo in the actual song. There isn't one.

Ok, i got cha. Just out of curiousity I listened to it. I does have a solo. During the part when "love you" is reapeated 24 times there is a solo. But techincally it isn't a "solo". It seems that John, Paul, and George trade off riffs during the song and if you listen closely you can hear the playing styles change.That is why iit is attributed to all three and not just one and it is the only time they did that. In The End.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for clearing this up. He used it more than I thought. I think he used a Stratocaster fitted with a whammy bar also at Knebworth for "In The Evening" as well.

Yes he used a Lake Placid blue Strat for In The Evening,and in a couple of songs in Presence.Lovely guitar and sound!He also used another sunburst strat in Physical Graffiti(The Crunge,etc)

Ramble on!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes he used a Lake Placid blue Strat for In The Evening,and in a couple of songs in Presence.Lovely guitar and sound!He also used another sunburst strat in Physical Graffiti(The Crunge,etc)

Ramble on!

The Crunge is on Houses Of The Holy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Jimmy didn't use a Telecaster that often. The only times on stage I think he used it was for Ten Years Gone at Knebworth in 1979 and the Copenhagen warm up shows just before that. Could be others possibly.

Jimmy used Telecaser quite frequently from 1968 to 1970.

Edited by Taro
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It makes me wonder if the solo from "Stairway to Heaven" would still rank as the best guitar solo of all-time if Jimmy would have used any of the other two solos he originally recorded for this song. Most of know that Jimmy has said that He recorded three solos (each one completely different from the other) and chose the one that He felt was the Best, hence the solo that We all know and Love. I would kill to hear the other two solos that were left on the cutting room floor. I am sure that they are Awesome in their own right, but I know that it would have given "Stairway to Heaven" a completely different sound and "feel". Of course I have to say that Jimmy knows best and that is fine with Me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...