Over the years, people have often asked me, "What's your favorite guitar solo?"

For a person who admires a slew of different guitarists, it should be extremely difficult to narrow it down to just one. Being a huge Rush fan, you'd think I'd pick one of Alex Lifeson's brilliant, inventive solos for the top spot. And if I were to name my top 10, he'd probably take up at least four spots. From Alex's progressive rock masterpiece, La Villa Strangiato, with its smoky, volume-swelled bends and stinging fusion runs, to fun quirky pieces like Kid Gloves, Lifeson has created so many moving, memorable solos. Of course, there are several other guitar greats who have flirted with melodic perfection. Take Joe Satriani's Always With Me, Always With You or someone like Mark Knopfler with his subtle, singing fingerpicked riffs and solo on Sultans of Swing. Or even some of Andy Summers' twisted lines from Miss Gredenko - I spent quite a few hours trying to figure that solo out before the days of on-demand Internet tablature. Or what about some of Yngwie Malmsteen's solos on his blazing breakthrough record "Marching Out"? Mindblowing and musical if you ask me. 

As you can see my guitar heros span the rock 'n' roll spectrum. But even though plenty of players have mesmerized me with their soaring, screaming solos, when pressed to pick a favorite, I have to admit that my all-time favorite is the archetype of all rock 'n' roll solos -- the masterful solo to Stairway to Heaven. To this day, that guitar solo just floors me with how perfect it is in every respect.

And recently I had the pleasure of seeing it performed flawlessly with the backing of the Florida Orchestra at a show called the Led Zeppelin Experience. And what an experience it was! I had the good fortune of filling in for someone who had to miss the show at the last minute. I knew she had good seats, but I didn't realize how good - the seat I sat in was literally front and center. I was actually in the front row, and if I stretched out my leg, my foot would touch the center seam of the stage. Any closer and I would've been in the band. The singer, Randy Jackson, of Zebra fame was about six or seven feet from me so I had an amazing view of his 12-string guitar work, which was a real treat.

While there were a bunch of great moments during the evening, from the huge symphonic riffs of Kashmir to the subtle Rain Song, the highlight of the night was definitely the final piece, Stairway to Heaven. And while the solo never remained the same when Page played it live, this player, George Cintron, pulled it off note-for-note with fire, passion and precision.

So without further ado, here's video of my favorite solo ever from my front and center seat at the Led Zeppelin experience. (Please forgive the trippy camera work in the beginning - it settles out once the solo kicks in.)

Rock on!
- Bill Cote

Stairway Solo from Bill Cote on Vimeo.