"Hello" guitar solo by Louie Shelton

[@GrumpleSenior]

This is the essence of a brilliant guitar solo played by a master musician. Not a flurry of notes as a time filler, it’s a melodic masterpiece that compliments and adds to the song. Melody above everything else. An absolute masterpiece.

[@Badhands55]

Life is good when you’re listening to Louie play guitar-

[@QuynhNguyen-zw8uv]

Those octaves just gets me all the time. 👏🏽

[@maxxschneider2309]

That solo made that song. One of my favorite guitar solos.

[@GabrielNardinMusic]

I could not have put it in better words! I have just tried to cover it on my channel recently, I hope I did justice to it :)

[@cameron_fairchild]

His solo on Lowdown made that song. I think he'd be what you call GREAT.

[@warrensnead6165]

Yes it did!!!

[@ralex3697]

Many people thought is was George Benson, but Louie nailed it in the Wes Montgomery vain.

[@shawnpsalm]

Could you please suggest some of your other favorite guitar solos?

[@MusicTeacherGuyNorristown]

This is one of the most beautiful solos of all time.

[@ballergamerdestroyer4455]

Gets me every time😭

[@ptalley316]

Shredders listen and learn from a master of tone and touch!

[@MichaelDBauer]

Exactly. You can go as fast as you want, but if it has no "feel", it's nothing.

[@dallasgerry9666]

I’ve been telling myself that for a while because I can’t shred but having feeling with the ability to throw some shred in there adds to the dynamics in a big way

[@ptalley316]

Balance Grasshopper!

[@brianralph5036]

I agree totally

[@guitarislife983]

im a shredder and this is what I consider to be the greatest guitar solo ever written. Shredding is intensely difficult and a very serious skill. you appear to misunderstand it immensely

[@ArchieDuke.]

I don’t know what I love more, his playing or his humility. Actually, both. Many thanks LOUIE, yet another iconic solo.

[@Robylazarus]

The epitome of Humility....

[@zuider77]

Not only a genius, but such a humble gentleman. And I love this line, "It wasn't a planned solo . . . it was a one take solo". Like I said, a genius.

[@jopisano67]

zuider77. If i were to do a solo like this , I would need a day just to get it sounding that authentic because there is 4 or 5 unique different styles in that one solo. And he just does it in one take off the top of his head. Amazing.

[@Stu31041]

zuider77 This vid has been out for a while so I just wanted a nice place to tuck into the comments:. It’s quietly stunning. Beautiful.

[@JamesWilliams-en3os]

Louie has said many times that he doesn’t plan his solos, they come out of an inner well of creativity. What he doesn’t say is that this well is constantly being refilled by playing, by listening, by practicing. Is that genius? I guess it can be. But there’s an enormous amount of work over a lifetime of playing music involved, too.

[@toddkolod]

...and then he needed to learn what he had just played. Classic gifted musician.

[@oza8578]

Agreed!

[@zeke7142003]

The octaves really worked and was such a tasteful use of notes. They say that the best solos are something you can hum along to. You proved that theory.

[@andrea22213]

Lovely.

[@franckmeunier499]

I've been waiting 2023 to discover the guitar hero who's playing in so many titles i loved ...

[@Digmen1]

Louie Shelton did some amazing solos. How anyone can go into a studio and come up with that is just astounding.

[@ralex3697]

There are 4 musicians that come to mind Louie Shelton, Larry Carlton, Jay Graydon and Amos Garrett

[@robmorrison1043]

A perfect solo to fit a song. The skill required to write,play and perform this type of solo is off the charts. This guy is a master.

[@hutchmusic-ux5mi]

rob morrison Agreed, although what I find more amazing is that he didn’t ‘write’ it as such, but ad libbed it in a single take. What an amazing ear.

[@ralex3697]

A legend

[@ViaticalTree]

hutch1979music2 That’s definitely a form of writing. Just that most of us don’t have the talent to do it.

[@yngwiemartin5638]

One of the best solos in pop history.

[@Mike-ke4yp]

I can't believe I'm watching THE guy who played that solo, which totally made that song, and he sounds exactly like the release in the studio. What an absolute professional! Thank you Louie.....

[@johnbooth1556]

Nothing short of fab-u-lous . . .

[@justfine77777]

A serious master! This guys playing is on another level. There is nothing these new guys could teach these older guys like him. Much love! 🎸🎵❤

[@jammer3618]

One of the best studio guys ever. So much of his tonality was done by his hands not electronic gizmos.

[@jimiprice6182]

Awesome!!!!

[@dizzolve]

Just a drummer here - but heard this solo and had to know who was the culprit responsible for it .......... totally awesome. Couldn't fit the song better - and at the same time enhances it. ~goosebumps~

[@clydebermingham121]

I’ve played that guitar solo note for note so many times doing wedding gigs & stuff growing up ... It’s really nice to actually see the face of the guy who came up with that memorable solo .... That solo is on the status of that Phil Woods memorable sax solo on Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are”

[@misterrigsby8491]

And the best saxophone solo ever played is Wesley Magoogan's on 'Will you; By Hazel O'connor....Masterpiece!

[@gw2031]

I always thought that was Mark Rivera ? We shared a J in a NYC studio 1988,,I was so star struck he was playing on our record I would have beloved anything lol !

[@3niknicholson]

Lovely!

[@GPLP335]

Louie, I don't think it was luck, it was the amazing talent of a master!

[@SondejJohn]

I’m not a guitar player but listening to Lou makes me want to become one.

[@frederickking1660]

How do you find the words to describe how great this guy is with a guitar in his hands. With all the great songs that he made come alive over the decades.

[@hutchmusician]

Really one of the greatest solos of all time. So tasteful, so precisely perfect for the song... this is the kind of musicality we should all aspire to.

[@gibsonguy5240]

Don't know who the 11 dislikes are here, but what's there not to like? You are looking at and listening to the MASTERS!

[@Morganstudios]

Heard this guitar solo on the radio yesterday and had to look up who played it. I heard it a zillion times growing up, but yesterday it struck me what beautiful phrasing it has and how much it contributes to the song!

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

I used to think the Stairway to Heaven solo was the perfect solo. And then I heard this. Nothing I’ve heard compares to this masterpiece. 👏

[@248203211]

Truly one of the most accomplished guitarists ever, humility personified. Please keep the posts coming.

[@billchriswell2925]

I’m so glad I found this channel. As a frustrated 70 year old wannabe guitarist, it’s pretty freekin cool to finally see who played the music I grew to👍👍

[@Mike-ke4yp]

Man...what a touch that man had. What a professional.....

[@Doones51]

I am always amazed at his laser-like focus when he plays. It's also awesome that he has been playing out pro since he was about 12. I could listen to his music all day.

[@marksc1929]

...you may or may not know this guy ....but make no mistake, he's a musical genius and a National Treasure ..

[@Eduaro2U]

It's not the fingering, the guitar, the tone that makes that solo - it's a beautifully constructed melody that is a perfect link from what comes before to what comes after. A real masterpiece of a solo. This solo is an oasis in today's madness of zillions of notes per beat; with double-stopped squeaks & squeals; and tapping with all body parts. Hmmmmm...... Thanks for sharing.

[@NormBa]

the unsung heroes make the world go round

[@stratplayer96]

One of the greatest guitar solos of all time.

[@augustusbetucius1572]

I don't care for Lionel Richie, or the song, but that is a really nice solo. Very nice. I think of the song as a vehicle for the solo.

[@royfulton]

The perfect solo!

[@McSoundsgood]

This brilliant man also produced & played on Seals & Crofts albums! That stuff just blew me away.

[@lissacablerware8475]

One of my favourite guitar memories of my youth. These warm carefully crafted notes and chords accompanied my road travels and remain integral to my everyday life.

[@rockhead69]

This solo is absolutely fantastic. Soul, tone, dexterity... GENIUS !

[@vanpiekeren]

Best guitar solo ever!

[@tyreburster]

I love the sweet tone when he plays the octaves in the third phrase.

[@weejim48]

To be that talented & very few people know who you are is a bitter sweet pill to swallow. All these celebrity types with zero talent would be appreciated more if they had half of this man's skills .

[@michealenochs8470]

I’ve heard this solo for years and didn’t know who played it, WOW what a beautiful solo it is , and what master on guitar, none better it made Hello more beautiful, I personally think the solo is what made this song a hit, Mr Richie was lucky to have it on this song.

[@MrIkesimba]

Good grief, this type of melodic control is just humbling

[@WhyTheHorseface]

I’ve just discovered Mr. Shelton. His command of the instrument is astounding. He plays so melodically and tastefully, he’s like a dancer. So great to discover the man behind some of the most iconic guitar solos ever recorded.

[@DavidMorley]

It really is one of the best melodic solos for me. So graceful and rich. Love it!

[@Teachering]

Love your playing, Louie Shelton.

[@WaynePerkins42ndsquadron]

As great of a song that is, I love it mainly for the guitar solo. Hearing on the radio, I never switch channels until I hear that solo. Thank you, so much, Louie for the great memories, through your music.

[@markjamesmeli2520]

Forever amazing. Thank you Mr. Shelton.

[@geostillo78]

The chuckle when he says he had to go back and learn it! What a gift to have music like this just effortlessly flow out of your fingertips. He talks about it like he's making a sandwich! Just that easy for him. Wow.

[@charlievance8750]

What a classic solo right off the cuff. Love the choice of notes and love the octaves! Brilliant great great guitar work

[@user-he1pp9gh1l]

This Masterery will be discussed 100s of years from now, and beyond.

[@faizalabdoelrahman2311]

This man's timing is impeccable.

[@kellywendlandt3940]

Iconic solo that was part of the sound track for a generation. Every bit as cool as Eddie's "beat it" solo, and for me at least, brings out a lot of beauty and emotion. Great to finally see who actually played it.

[@JohnA000]

Like one of many guitarist around the country I was able to learn this solo and play it in my band. Made me sound great but the real genius is the guy who created it. It was for me a pleasure to play it.

[@robs4006]

One of the most beautiful guitars solos ever

[@davidb1973]

That solo still takes my breath away after all these years. ☺️

[@joedenisco6033]

Hi Louie, Joe DeNisco here. I hope you are doing great. I am glad you are doing more videos. More folks need to see who the genius was behind all these great solos. Stay well. Joe D.

[@uwwinter]

This is one of my favourite guitar solos ever. I play guitar for 45 years now and I heard and I played many many solos. Thank you so much Mr. Louie Shelton for this masterpiece.

[@joehamiltonsongs]

I have always thought this maybe the most tasteful guitar solo ever recorded. Now I know it is. This solo IS the song.

[@massimos6863]

Louie Shelton you are absolutely awesome ❤ 🎸

[@dhrubajyotidas6403]

This is one of the most romantic solo of the world...how brilliant you are

[@soulstalgiarecords77740]

Wow, so this is the genius behind this great, eternally great solo.

[@grene1955]

Just WOW! One of the finest short solos ever!

[@tone-talk]

Genius. That’s what this is

[@richardpapa242]

Mr Shelton , you are a legend and it's an pleasure to watch and learn from you

[@c-LAW]

One of the best solos. So fitting, musical, I sing it in my head all the time.

[@merldesoisa2287]

Excellent God bless you 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤

[@mehrdadheydari2128]

Just 20 seconds was enough to show us how much he is talented

[@roywillis2750]

The most tasteful guitar solo on a "pop" record that I ever heard. Thanks to the person who has just introduced me to this wonderful musician.

[@chrismcdermott7766]

Thank You Louie Shelton!!

[@lockedin60]

So fluid. Not a contest to see how many notes you can hit in a few minutes the spotlight is on "you". And such a humble guy and spirit too.

[@dalehobbs8782]

Thanks Louie for demoing the solo for all of the "play by ear" guys- not throwing out the "dominant 5th, flat 3rd, etc" - just playing it as you did on the record, phrase by phrase. Just beautiful.

[@BlairCromwell]

You sir are the backbone to many a hits, bravo Louie, and thanks for the many pleasures of your contribution to music.

[@rossdonald5026]

I remember learning this magical solo off the LP, and having to keep placing the stylus back to the start until I nailed the whole piece. I played it a couple of weeks later when I stood in with a band at a local club. They offered me the gig permanently at the end of the song........A lifetime ago......Thank you Louie. Wonderful memories!!! :-)

[@mrblurblur2003]

Oh man this guitar solo made this world turn round and round like a tornado within a hurricane.

[@TheseusTitan]

What a great melodic solo! It really added a lot of value to the song.

[@quezfor]

Beautiful solo...you can hum it or even sing along with it. The super speed stuff is fun but I wish more guitar greats would emulate Louie Shelton's style...

[@twerpeater]

It's a privilege to have you give your time publicly and explain this stuff. I had just discovered Wes Montgomery when Hello came out, and your solo really paid homage I thought in a nice way. It is the highlight of the song for me. Oh, and as a 7 year old I loved Clarkesville too!

[@brianralph5036]

valerie used to blow my mind when I was about 7 years old also I was amazed that someone could play the guitar that fast and the whole spanish thing wow!

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

@@brianralph5036 - the rippling Spanish-flavored fills that adorn "Valerie" were played by Tommy Tedesco.

[@rmeengel]

David Smith - it was Louie Shelton

[@professorhamamoto]

Man, that is so sweet. I can play it now note-for-note. One of my proudest achievements; not because of me but because this beautiful solo stands as an homage to the great Louie Shelton. Thank you for your service to humanity.

[@abhiruproy919]

One of the most melodic and emotional solos ever to a pop song.....

[@savageshooter2248]

I always loved that guitar work some of the best I ever heard.

[@tekis0]

Mesmerizing. Just plain talent.

[@DP-kt5wr]

So incredible and so tasteful. These solos (as guitarists) are so imprinted in our subconscious.

[@RickDanner]

this is awesome ! Man is someone as famous as you ever listened to one of my songs I would be so happy !

[@stevieh2501]

I knew the Second I heard this that I must be listening to the original artist. A most beautiful solo.

[@terrykomst6278]

What a pro. I could listen to Louie all day. So unassuming.

[@carlmoretonmusic]

For some reason I always thought it was Lukather who played this solo. Wonderful solo, one of the greats. Thanks for recording the video Louie.

[@rynf971]

So Underrated. These guys made those records sound amazing. Carol Kay as well,,

[@nammcq2730]

a one take solo...... INCREDIBLE..... makes the tune!!!!

[@carltosten7875]

I remember when this tune came out. I learned the solo note for note. It's still one of the best guitar solos I've ever heard!

[@malcolmjamesturner]

I wish I had your tabs. The ones on the internet are different to the fantastic way you play. Brilliant!

[@Enoch-Gnosis]

A true guitar legend!

[@jacktoddy9783]

Simplicity is often touched with genius. Louis, you are a genius.

[@alext.1459]

One of the first solos that ever caught.my atention when i was young and starting to play guitar...took me years to learn...such a brillant piece of music and Mastery in the guitar!!

[@deemdoubleu]

It's one of those solo's that you can sing in your head note for note forever once you've heard it. So musical.

[@deboisblanc]

Love these stories that are the soundtracks of our lives