Billy Corgan's 'Cherub Rock' Guitar Solo Crowned Most Underrated by Guitarists
Billy Corgan's 'Cherub Rock' Guitar Solo Crowned Most Underrated by Guitarists
Matthew ThomasSat, May 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC
0
Billy Corgan's 'Cherub Rock' Guitar Solo Crowned Most Underrated by Guitarists
Throughout music history, there have been some guitar solos that have become so iconic that they are nearly universally heralded as the best ever recorded. While performances from people like Jimmy Page and Brian May deserve to go down in music history, some solos don't get the credit they deserve. According to a group of guitarists, Billy Corgan's solo from The Smashing Pumpkins' 1993 song "Cherub Rock" is a perfect example of that.
Who Named 'Cherub Rock' by The Smashing Pumpkins the Most Underrated Guitar Solo Ever?
In June 2020, the team at Ultimate Guitar asked its readers to name the most underrated guitar solos ever in the comments section of a post. The website's readers, which would be dominated by guitarists, weighed in with roughly 400 comments. The outlet used those comments to create a fan ranking based on how many times each solo was named. Based on the responses, Billy Corgan's explosive guitar solo from "Cherub Rock" was ranked the most underrated of all time.
Just after the three-minute mark of the grunge classic, Corgan suddenly unleashes a ferocious solo that catches first-time listeners by surprise. Simultaneously aggressive and melancholy somehow, the solo manages to be very dynamic while matching the song. Corgan has long been known for his distinctive musical brilliance, but this solo proves that he doesn't get the credit he deserves for his undeniable skills as a guitarist.
Related: 1978 Hit Ranked Greatest Saxophone Solo of All Time
Advertisement
In the comment section of the article announcing the ranking, several fans chimed in to praise Corgan's skills, including one who wrote, "Billy Corgan totally should be someone that comes to mind while talking about solos, he can shred, he can be tasteful, and he always serves the song. And that tone… You could cut it with a knife, it's so thick!" Another argued that Corgan's guitar playing deserves more praise in general. "I always thought Billy Corgan had some of the most underrated solos." Perhaps the most compelling comment came from someone who succinctly wrote, "The guy can seriously wail."
Ultimate Guitar's 25 Most Underrated Guitar Solos:
25. Dire Straits - "Telegraph Road"
24. Rush - "La Villa Strangiato"
23. Nine Inch Nails - "Ruiner"
22. Steven Wilson - "Ancestral" (Solo by Guthrie Govan)
21. Collective Soul - "Shine"
20. Nirvana - "In Bloom"
19. Pink Floyd - "High Hopes"
18. My Chemical Romance - "Thank You for the Venom"
17. AC/DC - "Ride On"
16. Stone Temple Pilots - "Silvergun Superman"
15. Testament - "Return to Serenity"
14. Heart - "Crazy on You"
13. Scorpions - "The Sails of Charon"
12. The Outlaws - "Green Grass and High Tides"
11. Muse - "Madness"
10. Metallica - "The Outlaw Torn"
9. Velvet Revolver - "Slither"
8. Iron Maiden - "Dance of Death"
7. Ozzy - "Mama, I'm Coming Home"
6. Ghost - "Cirice"
5. Living Colour - "Cult of Personality"
4. Avenged Sevenfold - "Sidewinder"
3. Chicago - "25 or 6 to 4"
2. Blue Öyster Cult - "(Don't Fear) the Reaper"
1. The Smashing Pumpkins - "Cherub Rock"
Next: 1971 Hit Named ‘Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time’ by Guitarists
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
