Riffs are awesome, melodies are essential, and good lyrics are key, but a great guitar solo can make a song legendary. Whether they’re brief and intense, long and exploratory, or somewhere in between, guitar solos capture the imagination of listeners by creating dramatic musical moments at live shows and in recordings alike.
Any guitarist knows that the instrument in your hands will lead you down different paths of musical inspiration. Jimi Hendrix’s solos wouldn’t have been the same if he hadn’t played them on a Strat, and Albert Collins’ music would have gone in a different direction if he didn’t play a Tele. Who knows whether it’s due to their body style, their heft, the flatter radius of their fingerboard, or something else – but there’s something altogether different about Les Paul solos. Let’s look for clues as to what makes Les Paul solos statements unto themselves by checking out the top 10 most iconic Les Paul solos on record.
Paul Kossoff: “All Right Now”
Free is one of those classic rock bands that was very popular at the time but never managed to reach the heights of bands like Led Zeppelin or the Who. Their run was a brief five years, but during that time Free released one of the most enduring rock hits of all time in “All Right Now” a classic, bluesy rock song with tons of energy, swagger, and power, with an incredibly catchy chorus to boot.
Played by Paul Kossoff on his 1959 Les Paul Standard, the solo isn’t technically virtuosic, but its raw tone and open… dare we say “free” feel, make it incredibly captivating and influential. Kossoff’s touch and rich, thick tone push this solo beyond the realm of simplicity and make it one of the most iconic and recognizable Les Paul solos of all time.
Randy Rhoads: “Crazy Train”
Ozzy Osbourne has employed a number of extraordinary lead guitarists through the years. No slight to Zakk Wylde, but none of them are more legendary than Randy Rhoads. In part because of his untimely death, but mostly due to his insanely virtuosic chops, Randy sits in the pantheon of upper echelon guitar gods, and his solo on “Crazy Train” is some of his best and most well known work, and it’s solo isn’t just one of the most iconic Les Paul solos, it’s one of the most iconic solos of all time, eliciting devil horn fingers and air guitar solos like few other pieces of music can.
Randy played Crazy Train on his famous white 1974 Les Paul Custom. The solo is catchy while also being an incredible display of Rhoads’ chops and neoclassical influences. Whether you’re tired of hearing “Crazy Train” at this point or not, it’s undeniably one of the most important and influential Les Paul solos of all time.
Robert Fripp: “Easy Money”
Outside of their first album, King Crimson has always been a fairly niche band known for their evolving sound, experimental tendencies, complex compositions, and dedication to technical skill.
But even with his “cult classic” status, Robert Fripp has become a guitar hero to many, many guitarists for the way in which he has constantly reinvented his sound to push the boundaries of rock music. In that process, Fripp has played some very iconic solos on his 1959 Les Paul Custom.
“Easy Money” is a standout solo for Fripp that showcases what makes his playing special. The first minute is understated, building tension using dissonance and repeated patterns. That leads to a climax filled with chromaticism that dissolves back into a melodic section before giving way to the song’s chorus. It is an incredibly influential solo that helped to define rock, progressive, jazz, and metal guitar playing and shows that Les Paul solos can be made up of more than just blues licks.
Neil Young: “Cortez the Killer”
Neil Young’s guitar playing is often a topic of debate between those who claim it’s plain and straightforward (see “Cinnamon Girl”) and those who say it’s inspired, tasteful, and driven by the raw emotion that defines much of Young’s music.
For those in the second camp, his most beloved solo can be found in “Cortez the Killer,” a loose and jammy track off the album Zuma. There are no guitar acrobatics or flashy licks in this solo. Neil keeps it simple, playing around the melody and emphasizing feel.
Neil used his 1953 Les Paul Gold Top, Old Black, for the track. If you don’t know, Old Black was a bit of a Frankenstein Les Paul, stocked with a Firebird bridge pickup, a P-90 in the neck, a Bigsby trem and highly microphonic electronics that Young would literally yell into during the Weld tour. Still, at its heart Old Black is a Lester, and that means Cortez the Killer holds a rightful place on any list of iconic Les Paul solos.
Duane Allman & Dickey Betts: “Whipping Post”
The two guitarists who defined the Allman Brothers Band, Duane Allman and Dickey Betts both employed Les Pauls and Duane in particular is known as one of the best Les Paul players of all time.
Live performances of Whipping Post often stretched beyond 20 minutes in length, and its solo is essentially a jam between Duane and Dickey. They trade leads, harmonize, and play licks inspired by T-Bone Walker, John Coltrane, Beethoven, and wild bird calls.
Duane played a few Les Pauls in his all to brief career, most notably a 1959 Les Paul Standard. Dickey also used Les Pauls, though the video above features him playing a 1961 Les Paul SG. Still, both Duane and Dickey will always be associated with Les Pauls, and the solo in Whipping Post will always be considered one of the most sprawling, incredible Les Paul solos ever.
Scott Gorham & Brian Robertson: “The Boys Are Back in Town”
Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town” is a ubiquitous classic rock and FM radio staple. The solo, played by Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson, is a huge part of what makes the song iconic. Much of its character is derived from its harmonized melody, recalling other classics such as the aforementioned Whipping Post or Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years.”
Gorham and Robertson were both Les Paul players. Gorham played a Deluxe with mini humbuckers and Robertson used Deluxes as well as Customs. The subtle contrast in their instruments are perfectly suited for this solo, providing a warm and thick tone. It’s an incredibly catchy and singable musical moment that adds significantly to the legend of Thin Lizzy.
Jimmy Page: “Whole Lotta Love”
After Les Paul himself, Jimmy Page might be the guitarist most closely associated with the Les Paul. It may be a well known secret that the recorded version of the “Stairway to Heaven” solo was played on a Tele, but it wouldn’t be a list of iconic Les Paul solos without Page. Luckily, there are tons of other Led Zeppelin classics to choose from, and “Whole Lotta Love” is easily a top contender for featuring the most iconic Les Paul solo of all time.
Playing off the song’s unforgettable riff, the solo is classic Page: raw, loose, and energetic rock infused blues. The particular Les Paul featured on this track was Page’s 1960 Custom which you can read more about here. Sadly, that guitar was stolen in 1970, though Page continued using various Les Pauls throughout his career and played dozens of other fantastic Les Paul solos.
Eric Clapton: “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Few solos have as much mythology associated with them as Eric Clapton’s solo on the Beatles’ classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Even if you aren’t a big Beatles fan, you’ve probably heard something about the story behind the track. If you haven’t, here are the Cliff Notes:
George Harrison wrote “While My Guitar Gentlye Weeps” at a time when The Beatles were at an interpersonal impasse. Each member of the band was essentially writing solo and were largely uninterested in collaborating. George in particular was the odd man out of the Lennon-McCartney bubble.
Seeking assistance, George reached out to his friend Eric Clapton, who by 1968 had achieved his own legendary status. Clapton was hesitant to encroach on The Beatles’ turf, but George convinced him and ultimately his participation got the other Beatles interested.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ solo, performed on Harrison’s 1959 Les Paul, is a departure from much of Clapton’s work up until that time. But, by straying from the hot blues that defined his work with Cream, Clapton managed to craft a raw and enduring solo that’s one of the best of any Beatles tune.
Slash: “Sweet Child ‘O Mine”
Slash is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable Les Paul players. He almost exclusively uses Les Pauls and has played numerous iconic solos on them, but none are more career-defining than the one on “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” a radio staple for nearly 40 years that has also been featured in countless movies, television shows, video games and sporting events.
According to Slash, he played a copy of a 1959 Les Paul handmade by Kris Derrig running through his typical Marshall setup. The solo builds from a slow, memorable hook and builds to a grand climax of virtuosic hard rock licks. Sweet Child O’ Mine is probably on the top of the list of “Songs Guitar Students Ask Their Teachers to Show Them How to Play” whether or not they know that it features an iconic Les Paul solo.
David Gilmour: “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2”
Gilmour, a noted Strat player, stamped a Les Paul solo on the Pink Floyd’s classic “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2.” Gilmour plugged his 1955 Les Paul Goldtop directly into the console, and explains in this video that when he wanted to add a little more “meat” to the solo, they ran through an amp as well and mixed that in to the track.
This solo is classic Gilmour. He doesn’t rely on speed or flashy licks, but each note is perfectly chosen and he plays as if he’s singing through his guitar.
When it comes to guitar solos, few are as iconic, beloved, and well-known as this one. And for Les Paul solos in particular, this one has a very strong argument for being the best of all time.
The Les Paul: Iconic Solos from an Iconic Guitar
A huge part of the Les Paul’s iconic status lies in the music that’s been made on it, and nothing says legendary like a well-placed solo. Whether you want to emulate one of the guitar heroes above or craft an iconic Les Paul solo of your own, grab some Stringjoys, tune up, and let your Les Paul lead the way.
