Most influential songs in the history of the electric guitar

This song features one of rock history's most famous guitar solos, demonstrating masterful dual-guitar interplay and melodic construction. Its instantly recognizable chord progression and legendary harmonized solo made it a benchmark for rock guitar arrangements.

This simple yet immensely powerful four-chord riff became the anthem of a generation, defining the grunge sound. It demonstrated how a relatively straightforward guitar part, combined with dynamic shifts, could have a monumental cultural impact and reset rock's direction.

Tony Iommi's slow, heavy, and pessimistic blues-inspired main riff in 'Iron Man' is foundational to heavy metal, exemplifying his genre-defining sound. It influenced countless metal guitarists and established a new paradigm for heavy music.

This song's aggressive, fuzzed-out sound, achieved by guitarist Dave Davies' innovative amplifier modification, is often cited as a direct precursor to hard rock and heavy metal. Its raw power chord riff influenced countless bands and defined a new level of intensity in rock guitar.

Often considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time, its guitar work is an epic journey that defined many attributes of rock guitar playing. Jimmy Page's multi-sectioned arrangement, from delicate acoustic to a soaring electric solo, remains a masterclass in composition and performance.

This track showcases Jimmy Page's innovative use of guitar effects and his ability to seamlessly blend blues with hard rock, making it a cornerstone of classic rock. Its powerful, blues-infused riff and experimental solo defined a pivotal moment for guitarists.

Its epic, nearly five-minute guitar outro is one of the most celebrated and iconic solos in rock history, showcasing intricate harmonies and passionate playing. This extended solo defined the expressive potential of the electric guitar in Southern rock.

This instantly recognizable, simple yet devastating main riff by Ritchie Blackmore is often the first one millions of guitarists learn. It serves as a gateway to hard rock and has become one of the most iconic and widely recognized sounds ever recorded.

Mark Knopfler's distinctive fingerstyle playing, clean tone, and melodic, blues-infused solos created a sound that was both technically impressive and incredibly soulful. His unique approach set it apart from contemporary rock trends and influenced a generation of nuanced guitarists.

This song is widely considered the genesis of rock and roll guitar, providing a foundational template for the instrument's dominance in the genre. Chuck Berry's explosive electric guitar work signaled a new musical era and profoundly influenced artists like The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix.

The iconic, fuzz-laden riff of this song defined not only the track itself but an entire era of rock music, showcasing the transformative power of guitar distortion. It was one of the first major hits to prominently feature a fuzz effect, making it a landmark in guitar tone.

This song is a sonic testament to the expressive capabilities of rock guitar, showcasing Jimi Hendrix's unparalleled mastery of blues-rock improvisation, effects, and raw expression. Its hypnotic intro and extended solos make it a foundational pillar in the history of rock guitar.

This groundbreaking instrumental guitar solo changed everything for the electric guitar, popularizing two-handed tapping and cementing Eddie Van Halen as a guitar god. It directly influenced the shred guitar movement of the 80s and redefined technical possibilities.

Randy Rhoads's innovative playing, combining technical prowess with melodic sensibility, made this song a landmark for heavy metal guitar. Its iconic opening riff and brilliant guitar break inspired a generation of guitarists to blend classical influences with hard rock shredding.

This song features one of the best-known rock guitar solos of all time and an instantly recognizable opening arpeggiated riff. It became an instant classic, solidifying Slash's status as a guitar hero and influencing countless rock guitarists.

This song's ominous, heavy, and instantly recognizable main riff is a perfect blend of spontaneous spark and technical refinement. It is one of the most memorable in rock history and a cornerstone of thrash and heavy metal, influencing countless bands.

Tom Morello's innovative use of the electric guitar as a sound-generating device, rather than just a melodic instrument, pushed creative boundaries. His angular, funky, and powerful riffs influenced a generation of alternative and nu-metal guitarists.