Eric Clapton's 'Crossroads' Named Best Live Guitar Solo of All Time - And It's Still Unforgettable

Eric Clapton always finds himself near the top of any ranking discussing the best guitar players of all time, but fans can rarely agree on which of his iconic guitar solos is the best. His style of playing evolved so much throughout his career, resulting in countless rock hits that constantly reinvented the wheel.

Songs like "Layla" and "Tears in Heaven" were undeniable commercial hits that proved his ability to write powerful, charged lyrics set to the backdrop of a wailing guitar, but Clapton's live performances are typically the ones that go down in history.

Whether it's bringing a whole new life to "Something" alongside Paul McCartney or playing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" alongside Prince, Clapton is always willing to share the stage with music legends to give a song a whole new meaning. But according to DigitalDreamDoor, none of these guitar performances was Clapton's best.

Instead, the publication ranked Clapton's cover of "Cross Road Blues" by Robert Johnson as his greatest live guitar solo. The cover was included on Clapton's 1988 music box set Crossroads, which includes the biggest hits from his time with Derek and the Dominos, Cream, Blind Faith, and more.

The blues classic was originally recorded by Johnson in 1937 and became an immediate staple of the American folk canon. The song discusses a place where one can sell their soul to the devil in exchange for musical genius, making it a very relevant story for many legendary musicians.

Clapton's live version includes a wailing, driving, electric guitar solo that serves as the cherry on top of an already iconic song. The musician originally recorded a version of the track in 1966 with the short-lived Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse-and he eventually introduced it to the repertoire of rock band Cream later in the '60s.

Cash Box said of Clapton's interpretation: "The blazing instrumental break gives this track a luster which will bring home the sales." The song was performed several times by Cream throughout the years, but the live version included on Crossroads is generally considered Clapton's best.

Clapton himself, however, was less confident in his abilities. "I really haven't heard that song in so long," he said. "And I really don't like it, actually. I think there's something wrong with it. If I hear the solo, and think, "God, I'm on the 2 and I should be on the 1", then I can never really enjoy it. And I think that's what happened with "Crossroads". It is interesting, and everyone can pat themselves on the back that we all got out of it at the same time. But it rankles me a little bit."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 8:31 AM.