10 Greatest Rock Music Guitar Solos Of The 1980s

After ruling the roost as one of prog's biggest champions in the 1960s, Yes returned to prominence in the '80s with a completely different sound. There's a phrase associated with this sort of behaviour, and it rhymes with "Belling Bout".

The big comeback record, and the one that launched this brave new direction, was 90125. The lead single and first track on this album was living proof that the Yes of old were dead and buried, as Owner of a Lonely Heart was a radio rock banger through and through.

Despite abandoning their more overtly-rocky sounds, Yes elected to put a guitar solo on this song, as performed by its primary writer, Trevor Rabin. Sparse and light, the solo leaves huge gaps between the notes, a risky move for an instrumental section, but all this does is elevate the notes that do get played.

Every single sound is considered and plotted, sitting carefully atop the infectious rhythm section playing underneath. It's not big or flashy by any means, but it is one of the smartest solos you'll find on any big '80s hit.