Source: Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon performs on the Wheels Are Turnin’ tour in Minneapolis, Minnesota in July 1987. (Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Guitar solos have been a staple in rock music since the 1960s, sending many songs into rock legend thanks to the creativity and genius behind the shredding on the tracks. Iconic guitar solos like Jimmy Page’s on Stairway to Heaven or Eddie Van Halen’s Eruption are known by nearly all rock fans, and are often the first to come to mind when hearing the term.
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However, guitar-playing masterclasses on several songs – even by iconic guitarists – fly under the radar often. Whether its due to the band’s lack of commercial success and attention, a song’s lack of popularity or renowned guitarists having several well-known solos already under their belt, these 20 songs feature massively-underrated guitar solos, ranked in no particular order:
20 Massively-Underrated Guitar Solos
1. Lazy – Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)
Check in at 6:08
2. Doctor My Eyes – Jesse Ed Davis (Jackson Browne)
Check in at 1:44.
3. Just What I Needed – Elliot Easton (The Cars)
Check in at 1:49.
4. Lay It On the Line – Rik Emmett (Triumph)
Check in at 2:16.
5. Magic Man – Roger Fisher (Heart)
Check in at 2:40.
6. Never Enough – Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns)
Check in at 3:07.
7. Toke About It – Frank Hannon (Tesla)
Check in at 3:14 and 4:14.
8. 25 or 6 to 4 – Terry Kath (Chicago)
Check in at 1:59.
9. Reach for the Sky – Bill Leverty (Firehouse)
Check in at 3:05.
10. Anthem – Alex Lifeson (Rush)
Check in at 2:25.
11. Home Sweet Home – Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe)
Check in at 2:39.
12. Brighton Rock – Brian May (Queen)
Check in at 2:44.
13. One Thing On My Mind – Ronnie Montrose (Montrose)
Check in at 1:49.
14. Ten Years Gone – Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Check in at 2:43.
15. Cult of Personality – Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
Check in at 3:00.
16. Variety Tonight – Gary Richrath (REO Speedwagon)
Check in at 2:40.
17. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper – Buck “Dharma” Roeser (Blue Öyster Cult)
Check in at 2:30.
18. America – Carlos Santana (Santana feat. P.O.D.)
Check in at 2:24.
19. Slither – Slash (Velvet Revolver)
Check in at 2:43.
20. Source of Infection – Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
Check in at 2:17.
