Steve Stevens Shares His Favorite Guitar Solos, Reveals Astonishment at Allan Holdsworth’s Playing

In a recent interview with MusicRadar, Steve Stevens opened up about his admiration for Allan Holdsworth’s legendary guitar work, specifically praising his solo on the track “In the Dead of Night” by the progressive rock supergroup U.K. Stevens, known for his collaborations with Billy Idol, recalled his first reaction to Holdsworth’s playing, admitting that he initially thought the solo was performed by Jeff Beck.

“Allan Holdsworth’s solo in the song ‘In the Dead of Night’ is one of my favourite electric guitar solos of all time. It’s astounding,” Stevens said. He recounted the moment when he first heard Holdsworth’s playing, thinking, “Wow, Jeff Beck has really taken it to the next level…” Only to realize, “Oh, wait a minute, this isn’t Jeff Beck!” Stevens was left in awe, adding, “This guy is on a whole ‘nother level!”

Stevens went on to express his admiration for Holdsworth’s early work, mentioning how he devoured the records and was captivated by Holdsworth’s tone and vibrato. “I’m a sucker for a guitarist with a good vibrato,” Stevens shared. “I don’t care if they play two notes or three notes, it’s all in the vibrato. That’s what really catches my ear.”

In the same interview, Stevens also revealed his other all-time favorite guitar solo: Jimmy Page’s iconic solo in “Stairway to Heaven.” “If it has to be hard rock, the quintessential solo is obviously Jimmy Page on ‘Stairway to Heaven,’” Stevens remarked. He praised Page for his mastery in building intensity throughout the solo, saying, “When that guitar solo hits… Jimmy is such a master of building through a peak, and then the sound just explodes.”

As Stevens reflects on these incredible guitar solos, he and Billy Idol are preparing to release their first new studio album in over a decade. The upcoming LP, titled Dream Into It, will be available on April 25.

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