Ode to the Monster Ballad Guitar Solo

Guns N’ Roses – Patience (guitar solo from 3:24 to 4:05)

Allegedly, before joining Guns N’ Roses, Slash actually made the cut of the three finalists for the lead guitar slot in Poison ultimately filled by C.C. Deville (aka, Bruce Johannesson). Thank Jeebus that C.C. somehow outmatched Slash in that contest, because not only did Slash evolve into one of the legendary guitarists of the times, but heaven help us, the thought of Slash all dolled up in women’s make-up is fucking horrifying.

[audio:https://glidemag.wpengine.com/hiddentrack/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/03-patience.mp3]

Poison – Something to Believe In (guitar solo from 2:53 to 3:30)

Speak of the devil. Sure, C.C. Deville may have earned the lead spot in Poison, but I bet it was based on looks, not chops. While Poison solos generally incorporate a nice thick tone with lots of meat in the sauce, there’s often a little too much noodle.  The solo on Something to Believe In puts out forgettable melodies, but they more than make up for it with the massive bonus points earned for writing the classic 80s guitar solo cue “take me home” into the actual lyrics right before the solo.

What’s up now C.C.? Check me out, I’m in Snake Pit. What do you have to show for yourself, bitch?

[audio:https://glidemag.wpengine.com/hiddentrack/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/13-something-to-believe-in.mp3]

Tesla – Love Song (guitar solo from 3:14 to 4:03)

Next, let’s hit up one of great underrated rock bands of the ’80s. Beyond the pretty fingerpicked (Black)bird-songish intro, Tesla puts on a clinic with this not-too-wussy, hair raising solo complete with clever interplay between the thick chords and shrilling melodies, numerous octaves, and the secret ingredient, a cathartic ending that transitions so fluidly back into the chorus that renders listeners helpless against singing along with the chorus lyrics.

[audio:https://glidemag.wpengine.com/hiddentrack/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/04-love-song.mp3]

Motley Crue – Home Sweet Home (guitar solo from 2:02 to 2:56)

Remarkably so for a the middle of a ballad, this solo gets plain mad. The highlights include a distorted rapid fire gun down, a  nifty little chord vamp, and of course some serious bending of the whammy. Compared to some of the great solos of the time, this one is not as note-for-note, air-guitar recognizable as some, but then again how many people can actually name the guitar player for Motley Crue? I’ll give you a hint, his name is not Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx or Tommy Lee.

[audio:https://glidemag.wpengine.com/hiddentrack/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/05-home-sweet-home.mp3]

Mr. Big – To Be With You (guitar solo from 1:52 to 2:14)

Despite being up there in the realm of Richard Marx in terms of rock n’ roll street cred and the fact that any self-respecting sixth grader was totally afraid to admit to ever liking this song, this Mr. Big hit contains a damn fine acoustic guitar solo. From the seamless intro out of the chords, to the bass note spankings, to the smooth like soft serve harmonic note to twangy bend ending; this one is short, thweet, and thuper.

[audio:https://glidemag.wpengine.com/hiddentrack/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/11-to-be-with-you.mp3]

Warrant – Heaven (guitar solo from 2:10 to 2:35)

Boy, never really thought about the lyrics of this song until now, but it’s pretty dark stuff. As far as I can gather it has something to do with the fact that, whether your friends say so or not, we’re all gonna die pretty soon. Well, fortunately Warrant’s guitar player overcomes the obstacle of the melancholy lyrics – as well as the ever present lead guitarist obstacles such as playing with a cigarette dangling out of your mouth, an oscillating fan blowing in your face to make your hair look good, and wearing a pair of crotch-wrecking leather pants – and belts out an uplifting solo.

[audio:https://glidemag.wpengine.com/hiddentrack/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/03-heaven.mp3]

Notes:

– Believe it or not, Extreme’s hit More than Words doesn’t even contain a guitar solo. And I was so excited to include Nuno Bettencourt in this article some form or another. He is awesome.  Damn you Cherone.

– Did you know that friend and fellow Jersey native, Jon Bon Jovi got Skid Row their first record deal with Atlantic?

– I would have gladly included a download of all these songs, but something tells me that some of these bands might come after us and sue as they might be a little strapped for cash.

– While we’ve been talking all about guitar, Mr. Big bass player and founder, Billy Sheehan, won bass player of the year from Bass Player magazine five times. Sheehan is also an Operating Thetan Level 3, whatever that is, in the Church of Scientology.

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6 Responses

  1. nice work…great nod to all this wonderful music! the monster ballad guitar solo is one of life’s purist joys.

  2. Guitarist for Crue????
    Mick Mars of course…:)

    Props for him for even still touring…he looks hurtin.

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