The Best Guitar Solos Of All Time: Number 9

What song do I listen to when I want to hear some awesome guitar work? That would be "Headed for a Heartbreak" by Winger. The song is my choice for the 9th best guitar solo of all time. From the 1988 self-titled debut, the track helped solidify Winger's new-found stardom.

Guitarist Reb Beach has some amazing moments on this track - the first solo is around the 2 minute mark, but the ending is what makes the song for me. The song was written by Kip Winger and was a first nod to all of us that he would eventually become a big time composer for orchestras.

I interviewed Kip Winger years ago and asked him something about Beach. I don't remember my question but I've always remembered his answer. Kip said "Reb's ending on 'Headed for a Heartbreak' speaks for itself." A great tribute to a wonderful piece of music - perhaps one of the finest pieces of the glam metal era.

Here's Reb doing the outro solo live:

Comments

[Steverox]

I agree this one has a lot of soul. Reb’s a very melodic player.

I am enjoying this series. I have a definite sweet spot for the guitar solo and a few that would be in my top 10 (most not from very famous songs), but I will reserve sharing them till you get to number one. Maybe there will be some overlap.

[Him]

To bastardize a comment that David Letterman used to make: "I love to go to Rikki Lake . . . but I also enjoy hanging out at Reb Beach!"

As I mentioned before, I am a late-bloomer to the music of Winger. They are a solid band, then and now.

Love this new list, Allyson! Keep 'em coming!!!

[Gogmagog]

If I'm picking my favorite Reb Beach solo, I'd go with "Seventeen". An honorable mention pick would be his solo on Twisted Sister's "Hot Love" (from the Love Is For Suckers record). Officially, he's listed as being an "additional musician" in the credits, but he's the only one playing guitar on that song. JJ French and Eddie Ojeda most definitely do not have that tone or style.

According to legend, that was supposed to be a Dee Snider solo album, but he let the record company talk him into turning it into a Twisted Sister release.

https://sleazeroxx.com/producer-beau-hill-thinks-reb-beach-played-90-of-guitars-on-twisted-sisters-love-is-for-suckers-album/

[Him]

Thanks for mentioning Love Is For Suckers, Gogmagog. I think, given all of its baggage, that it is a great album. And the fade out on "Hot Love" always impressed me (as a non-musician). It was a nice touch, sorta' a throwaway. But it resonated with me for some reason.