Back in the ’70’s and ’80’s (yeah, I’m dating myself), rock and roll was rife with guitar solos. And not just the deep cuts on albums, but the songs that got actual airplay. Think “Freebird” or “Show Me the Way” or anything from Clapton. The guitar solo was an integral component of a song back then.
But today? Unless you’re listening a classic rock or alternative rock station, forget about hearing a guitar solo – or any solo for that matter.
And don’t tell me that it’s because songs have to be three-and-a-half minutes or less. You can still fit even a short solo in that amount of time. Look at “In My Life” by the Beatles. It’s just under 2:30, and even it has a solo!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that music today is bad. Pop music really isn’t my thing. But it just seems to me that instrument virtuosity is not really a thing any longer.
To be honest, I’m more sad about this than anything else. When I was growing up, listening to my guitar heroes like Frampton, Clapton, and Santana inspired me. There are really no groups or guitarists today that do that.
I suppose you can argue that John Mayer does it still, but I can only take him in small doses. He’s a great player; of that there’s no doubt. I’m just not into his music.
There’s one guy I got introduced to recently named Bruno Major who’s absolutely wicked on guitar. He’s much more jazz-pop, but I love his playing, and he does guitar solos in many of his songs.
But the screaming, melodic, big electric guitar solo seems to be dead.
LONG LIVE THE SOLO!
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