In the late 90’s I was in the midst of a major career change. I’d reached the end of the road in non-profit management and began to look for something more fulfilling. I decided to become and elementary school teacher. Since I had graduated college nearly 20 years ago, I was required to pass the MSAT (Multi-Subject Assessment for Teachers) as a prerequisite for acceptance into the teaching credential program at Cal State Monterey Bay.  The MSAT is a massive test covering math, science, english and all points in between. The night before the exam, I stood on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz and said a silent prayer to the universe asking for strength and guidance. The next day I arrived at the test site armed with my sharpened #2 pencils, nervous but confident and determined to succeed.

About halfway through the exam, I came to the section on music. The first question read: “What is the primary function of the electric guitar solo in rock music?” It was at that moment that I knew I would pass the test, I knew I was going to be a teacher. The universe lobbed one over the plate and I hit it out of the ballpark! (The answer incidentally was “to highlight the guitarist’s technical prowess”, or something to that effect).

So, just what is the function of the electric guitar solo? To blow our minds? To offer us regular folk a glimpse into the divine? To provide a vicarious experience of rock stardom? I’d say all of the above. In many ways, rock and roll is the guitar solo. Take a ride on starship Stratocaster, blast off into parts unknown and never be the same again. Every fan of rock and roll has their favorite guitarist and solo. Many a cannabis fueled discussion has been had on this very subject. Here are some of my favorites, not in any particular order.

George Harrison- My Sweet Lord

George was a trailblazing and underrated guitarist. He invented a sweet, melodic and often copied style of slide playing. Like most of his solos, this one is short but oh so sweet. Unlike many rock guitarists, George didn’t play like he was getting paid by the note. His solo on My Sweet Lord gives me the shivers every time.

Jerry Garcia- Stella Blue (live)

Picking a favorite Jerry Garcia solo is like trying to choose my favorite Hawaiian sunset; they are all subtle, sublime and achingly beautiful; bursting with colors yet to be named. However, if backed into a corner, I’d have to go with Stella Blue. Jerry obviously felt this song quite deeply as his solos on Stella Blue were consistently heartfelt and achingly beautiful.

Neil Young- Down By The River

Neil is from the “ragged but right” school of guitar playing. His grungy guitar work here predates the Seattle scene by 20 years and served as an inspiration to Nirvana, Pearl Jam and their like. The beginning of his solo on Down By The River is basically one note, but oh what a note it is! Avant grade guitarist Henry Kaiser once said, “Neil Young puts more feeling into playing one note than most guitarists put into their entire lives.”

Keith Richards- Can’t You Hear Me Knocking

While he occasionally solos, Keith’s primary function in the Rolling Stones is as the most distinctive sounding and innovative rhythm guitarist ever to strap on an axe. The best Stones tunes are all built around one of Keith’s riffs. On Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, he plays five different variations on the opening riff. I bet he had a few more up his sleeve.

Mick Taylor- Can’t You Hear Me Knocking

The golden era of the Rolling Stones was 1969-73 which coincided with Mick’s tenure in the band. On this tune, after Bobby Keyes incendiary sax solo, Mick keeps the train rolling with a sweet, emotive and bluesy solo of his own. When the two of them team up to duet at the end of the song, it’s almost too much to take.

Jimi Hendrix- All Along The Watchtower

Jimi makes this Bob Dylan tune his own. His screaming, wah-wah drenched solos conjure up the darker aspects of the Sixties. There were no fancy high tech effects in Jimi’s day, he did it all with volume, feedback and a generous use of the tremolo bar, making his Stratocaster speak in a language that we’re still trying to decipher.

Eric Clapton- Little Wing

Clapton does to Hendrix’s Little Wing, what Jimi did to ‘Watchtower”. Clapton never seems to run out of ideas here. With each note his soaring solos grow more intense and build on the previous one. At the end of the song, we’re left spent and in awe. “Clapton is God” was a popular saying in the Sixties. It’s hard to dispute this, as Clapton’s playing on Little Wing is simply transcendent.

David Gilmour- Money

The weird time signature, haunting bass line and gritty Roger Waters vocal are all fantastic, but what really makes this tune fly is David Gilmour’s searing guitar work. His solo has two, count ‘em, two crescendos!  His screaming high notes and masterful use of  sustain keeps me on the edge of my seat every time. The intensity of Gilmour’s playing here is truly inspired.