18   "Blitzkrieg Bop"
Ramones (1976)

There's no guitar solo, because guitarist Johnny Ramone hated solos. But his down-stroke barré chords were fat with Dick Dale's twang and Bo Diddley's strumming. Joey Ramone once said that in Johnny's guitar, he heard organ, piano and other instruments that weren't really there.


"Blitzkrieg Bop" from Ramones (Rhino)


Ramones performing "Blitzkrieg Bop" live

19   "Purple Rain"
Prince and the Revolution (1984)

Prince hadn't shown much inclination toward gospel before this movie theme, but if this solo isn't a prayer, nothing is. Partly recorded live, the song ascends for eight minutes, and Prince's guitar is an extension of his voice; at 2007's Super Bowl, it made the actual rain seem miraculous.


"Purple Rain" from Purple Rain (Warner Bros.)

20   "People Get Ready"
The Impressions (1965)

Curtis Mayfield's deepest civil rights anthem is powered by his eloquent open-tuned guitar-playing: The backbeat echoed the new sounds coming out of Jamaica, and the subtle, fluid solo spirals are as expressive as his singing. Bob Marley later synthesized it with "One Love."


"People Get Ready" from Ultimate Collection (Hip-O)


Curtis Mayfield performing "People Get Ready" live

See all of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All TIme