The Cars, Aldo Nova and Pat Benatar – Zakk Wylde Tips His Hat to these Unlikely Inspirations

Zakk Wylde performs during the Generation Axe tour at The Fillmore on November 21, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan.
(Image credit: Scott Legato/Getty Images)

We recently asked some of the guitar world’s best-known players to name their favorite lesser-known guitar solos. Here are Zakk Wylde’s top three choices…

1) Aldo Nova | “Fantasy”

From Aldo Nova (1982)

GUITARIST: Aldo Nova

“The tone, the structure and everything fits perfectly. To me, it’s some of the best guitar playing out there. It has all of the elements – the trifecta of greatness.”

 2) The Cars | “Bye Bye Love”

From The Cars (1978)

GUITARIST: Elliot Easton

“I’m a huge fan of Elliot Easton. His guitar playing is so creative and inventive. He throws so many great licks inside this little window where he gets an opportunity to play. There’s country and blues guitar influences that fit within the framework of new-wave sounds.”

3) Pat Benatar | “Promises In the Dark”

From Precious Time (1981)

GUITARIST: Neil Giraldo

“I’ve always been a fan of Neil’s guitar playing. The framework of this solo has great technique and great performance. It all just fits the song perfectly.”

Guitar Player Staff

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