When Rolling Stone released its list of the “Top 100 Guitarists of All Time,” one name was noticeably absent: Prince. For many fans and fellow musicians, the omission was baffling. How could one of the most innovative and electrifying performers in modern music be left off a list celebrating guitar greatness?
Prince didn’t respond with an interview. He didn’t fire back with criticism. Instead, he did what legends do.
He waited for the right stage.
That moment came in 2004 at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The tribute was for George Harrison, and a group of all-star musicians gathered to perform the Beatles classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” On stage stood Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Dhani Harrison—and Prince.
At first, he seemed almost understated. Dressed in a striking red hat and suit, he blended into the ensemble, playing rhythm and adding subtle flourishes. It felt respectful. Controlled. Patient.
And then came the solo.
When Prince stepped forward, everything shifted.
What followed was not just a guitar solo—it was a statement. His fingers moved effortlessly across the fretboard, bending notes into cries and whispers, weaving melody with emotion. Each phrase built on the last, rising in intensity as if he were having a conversation with the instrument itself.
The crowd leaned in.
The band members glanced over, some smiling in disbelief. Dhani Harrison, George’s son, watched with a mixture of pride and awe. Tom Petty could be seen grinning. Jeff Lynne looked stunned. It was as if everyone on stage knew they were witnessing something rare.
Prince didn’t just play the song—he transformed it.
His solo soared with precision and passion, technical brilliance wrapped in raw feeling. It wasn’t flashy for the sake of spectacle; it was storytelling through strings. He hit notes that felt almost vocal, like the guitar was singing its own version of Harrison’s lament.
And then came the ending.
With theatrical cool, Prince leaned back, finishing his solo in a blaze of sound. As the final notes rang out, he tossed his guitar into the air—where it seemingly vanished offstage—before walking away without looking back.
No bow. No acknowledgment. Just quiet confidence.
In that moment, the debate was over.
Clips of the performance have since amassed more than 30 million views online. Music fans, critics, and fellow guitarists continue to revisit it, dissect it, and celebrate it. For many, it’s not just one of the greatest live solos ever captured on film—it’s proof of Prince’s genius.
The beauty of that night wasn’t just technical mastery. It was the restraint before the explosion. Prince waited. He listened. He honored the song. And when the time was right, he stepped forward and made history.
Being left off a list suddenly seemed irrelevant.
Prince had nothing to prove—but he proved everything anyway.
WATCH SONG HERE: https://youtu.be/TU1bqTT3i0I?si=wFUEJonQPoyzMQUr
More than a decade later, that performance remains a touchstone in music culture. It’s shared between generations, passed from longtime fans to new listeners discovering his brilliance for the first time. Each time someone watches it, there’s the same reaction: surprise, admiration, and a quiet understanding that they’ve just witnessed something extraordinary.
Some artists chase validation.
Prince simply plugged in his guitar.
And let it speak.
