How 'Hotel California' Became the Top Guitar Solo of All Time

This December will mark 50 years since the release of Hotel California, the Eagles' most successful album. The album's title track is also the legendary band's biggest overall hit, reaching No. 1 in the U.S. and Canada and cracking the top 10 in the Netherlands, New Zealand and United Kingdom.

"Hotel California" has become known for, among other things, its mysterious lyrics and enchanting guitar solo, which has been ranked among the best of all time.

In fact, in 1997, Guitarist Magazine rated Joe Walsh and Don Felder's work the top guitar solo ever.

Who did "Hotel California" beat out for the honor?

A rather impressive list of some of the biggest names and most accomplished guitarists in rock history, to be exact.

Behind "Hotel California," "Eruption" by Eddie VanHalen, Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," "Crossroads" by Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile," comprised Guitarist Magazine's top 5.

How have other publications rated the "Hotel California" guitar solo?

In 1998, Guitar Magazine ranked "Hotel California" the No. 8 guitar solo of all time; earlier this year, UDiscoverMusic was less impressed, slotting Feder and Walsh's showcase the 108th-greatest guitar solo in music history.

In 2022, Guitar World ranked "Hotel California" No. 5 on its all-time guitar solo list, while Rolling Stone put it at No. 3 back in May of this year, behind Jimi Hendrix's "Machine Gun" and "Purple Rain" by Prince.

"There's simply no denying the peerless Seventies rock-radio greatness that is the dueling guitar solos in "Hotel California," Rolling Stone wrote. "Preserved for all time by producer Bill Szymczyk in the marathon title track to the band's 1976 album, the solos are a high-noon showdown between guitar slingers Joe Walsh and Don Felder. They're also eminently singable - admit it, you've shouted "da, da, da, da …" in the car during the song's climax."In

"Whether on the original recording or onstage, the guitar solos never fail to summon that cool breeze and warm smell of colitas."

"Hotel California" won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1978 and has also regularly appeared on various lists of the greatest songs ever, including The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published July 5, 2026 at 11:47 AM.