The Nuno Bettencourt Solo Everyone is Talking About

I can't begin to tell you just how happy it makes me feel to FINALLY see Nuno getting the credit he's been due, for so long now. Genius.

The fact that your channel is so successful is changing music’s place in culture. Not only do you help people learn how to play, they’re learning how to listen and how complex making music really is.
Thank you for the work you do - along with others like Tim Pierce and Tomo Fujita.

Nuno is so underrated and always has been.. Finally getting the credit he deserves.

It almost makes me cry, hearing this song because someone is finally writing songs the way they used to be written again. The world might get fixed after all!

If you're a longtime Nuno fan you'll recognise a lot of the ideas in this solo. It's like a Best of Nuno, and we're all ok with that.

The solo in "Rest in Peace" is still, TO THIS DAY, my absolute FAVORITE solo of all time...
Just my opinion.

Nuno has been the "your favorite guitarist's favorite guitarist" guy for decades now. Maybe the best rock musician ever that non-musicians don't know about.

In 1989 I was a junior in high school and working at kemp mill records. I got Extreme's debut record and was hooked ever since. Glad Extreme are still making great music.

Hammer ons with a great tone. Nuno is a master at using his tone to create a unique sound. His playing intelligence takes it over the top.

8:35 and also the thing with Nuno is that he plays his guitar so low when standing up and he can still manage to play those chops. Amazing technique.

Not many people can rip like Nuno. His and Paul Gilbert's work in the 80's and 90's remains some of my favorite guitar playing ever. Both have such amazing chops, feel and phrasing.

Rick's ability to pick out by ear what's being played on songs is insane.

I don’t think we can talk about Extreme without mentioning their criminality underrated 3rd album “III Sides To Every Story”. That thing is a masterpiece. It’s one of the best albums of the 90s and hardly anyone has heard it.

The final 3 songs on III sides to every story to my mind are still one of the greatest guitar storytelling I have ever heard, often bringing a tear to my eye. So completely underrated not only in composition and singing but the utter beauty of the emotions being conveyed on a six string.

So Nuno!! Always Love his playing, technique, melodies, groove.. he’s got them all!!

Nuno was always impressive, not only for solos but rhythm guitar playing is absolutely amazing. In fact I became a huge fan of Nuno back in 90s for his rhythm "melodies" in every song. What a groove.

His solo in "Play With Me" is my favorite of all time. It defined the action chase scene through the mall in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

One of my favourite guitar players as a kid. My dad was a fan and we’d listen to Extreme a lot in his car. I’m now a guitarist in an alt rock / indie band, so nothing at all like Nuno, and Extreme wouldn’t be a common reference point in my music circles but his playing really influenced me growing up.

You should do a whole episode on the “Three Sides” record. That is a masterpiece!! So little known. That’s one of my favorite records of all time. The production and creativity that went to that record is incredible. Not for the average person. It’s really mostly musicians who appreciate how incredible that record is.

All of us who have been playing for a long time know Nuno as one of the GOATs. Complete and total skill AND vocabulary. I remember being 14 years old and hearing Rest In Peace for the first time. Dude melted my little face off.

I learned flight of the wounded bumble bee when I was 13 and then the come play w me solo a while after and I thought that was insane. This new solo has more soul than anything I've heard in a decade.Hes the best hands down.

I’ve always held nuno up there with the very best in the world. Never understood why he wasn’t considered up there with Vai, Satriani etc when he’s clearly able to do all that and more. And write some seriously funky tunes.

I loved that music era... the beginning of the 90’s was the best part of my life in every sense... ✌️🤘this solo gave me goosebumps, which only happens when I hear really good music.

The whole band Extreme rocks. All their existence been underdogs

Nuno and Richie Kotzen are two guitarists still just killing it in this day and age!

We’ve been hearing about Nuno after Extreme’s pass through the 90’s like in stories about myths and legends. Not many people payed real attention to how great he actually was and is.
If anything; it feels so great to see his name portrayed as a mainstream topic with such enthusiasm. This is epic 🤘🏼

Been listening Extreme the band before ever knowing that Nuno was behind those killer riffs and blazing solos. Gone were my teen ages... As you said Rick, Nuno is one of the best guitarists. Period. With this record he proved to us all that he still keeps up the flag, no compromises.

The '90s were so amazing and we just took it for granted, I remember seeing Extreme playing Get The Funk Out on Top of the Pops (UK pop show) and at the time they were just one of a number of great rock bands in the charts, the song did OK and we didn't hear much from them again. I haven't thought about them much since then but hearing that song again now, it sounds so good and just imagine rock of that talent and caliber being an everyday thing in pop music now, it's seems impossible. I'm glad to be old enough to remember those days! Now i'm a lot older and I am digging into all kinds of obscure vintage rock and I need to check out Extreme more!

Great appreciation of Nuno who is undoubtably one of THE greatest guitarists! I believe he originally played drums which I think helped create his rhythmic style especially his solos but just everything else he plays. This song is so good and his solo is just incredible!

Being old enough to remember getting my face melted off by the Get The Funk Out solo, I love the thought of Nuno surveying the landscape, sadly noting the passing of EVH, then cracking his knuckles and pulling together something that will get the kids marvelling and talking and aspiring and learning in the same way. It’s like a battery that’s stored all this energy for a long time, and now it’s time to discharge it. It creates a moment, in a way that the Clip-Share virtuosi don’t - I mean I love them all, but they’re lab technicians, they explore the art of the possible but they don’t let off fireworks like this. It’s so gleeful and purposeful and confident - I love it.

I like the way Rick still cannot resist playing air guitar even when he's holding an actual guitar! Love it.

Nuno has always been the man IMO, and it's great to hear new material from Extreme. Of course he's gonna melt your face with the solo, but the first part of the solo is a total tribute to EVH with the trem picking + dive bombs on the whammy bar! I think Waiting For The Punchline kind of got looked over in 1995, but has some of Nunos best stuff! Can't wait to hear the rest of the new album!

Nuno is extremely (no pun intended) rhythmic in all aspects of his playing. The guy is a buddy rich on guitar but incorporates elements of non rock cultures into killer displays of his musical talent.
The feel, the groove, the execution is incredible in his solos and rhythmic chops
Then you add his abilities of songwriting, vocals, diversity of styles and abilities to adapt his talents to others as a sideman. What else can be said that hasn't already been said. He's a killer player. Its good to have the torch of this type of playing still shining in the darkness of everything the industry, the web can subject us to that may not fit the bill for popular or mainstream but certainly won't be derided as less than steller in its niche. Go Nuno!

Being a child of the '70 and '80's Eddie is a "guitar god." But Nuno is sua própria pessoa, seu próprio estilo e está sozinho em sua perfeição.

Nuno has always been one of the greatest of all times in my opinion!!!! I never could figure out why soooooooo many people never mention him in the greatest of all time. I remember seeing them live In Boston right before Extreme came out and i was floored at Nuno's playing. Nuno should be DEFINITIVELY BE CALLED A GUITAR GOD!!!!!!! Hopefully someday Nuno will get the actaul credit he truly deserves!!!!

Nuno has the ability to combine many ingredients that is hard to find in one single guitarist: virtuosity yeah, but also great melody lines and beautiful harmony progressions. His superb right hand rhythm is from another planet. Also, how old was he when they did compose and record pornograffitty and III sides? He was just a kid and look how he played, but the most stoning to me, how mature his compositions were! I was 13 back in 92 when i listened Rest in Peace and since them i got the Nuno virus 😀

Just like Eddie, Nuno distinguishes himself because what he plays is MUSICAL, not just dazzling. Many have done the latter without the former. He's great.

I dn't know why but everytime i hear Nuno play i am reminded of Vitto Bratta(who in my opinion is one of the most underrated guitarist ever. That guy was a genius beyond words could describe. Sad he never got his due that he deserved )

I remember decades ago we all couldn’t wait for our favorite bands new albums to come out because we knew there would be some killer part in it that every one would be talking about for a month. Friends would gather around the turntable and do exactly what Rick is doing…”wow, play that part again”. That was a regular occurrence. Now when something like this happens, unfortunately, its monumental because it is so rare. Great video. Feels like days gone by, sitting around listening to albums with my friends

Nuno might be the new EVH, although ....no one can replace EVH. I discovered Nuno on Extremes first album. What an amazing guitar player!

Nuno was so damn good at Generation Axe a few years ago. A welcome respite of melody and phrasing along with sick chops among all of the over the top craziness from some of the other players.

Nuno is the best. Nothing like him in history and Extreme is simply amazing!
Also, people forget or don't know "waiting for the punchline", an unbelievable Extreme album from the 90s. I don't understand how it remained under the radar.

Rick!
Everyone is talking about Nuno's solo. Myself included. It's awesome. But I realized that nobody is talking about Gary's vocals. Gary Cherone is 61 years old and kills it. He's just incredible.

"Rise" has such late 70s early 80s hard rock vibe. I love that this is out there there and seemingly popular. I look forward to hearing the whole album when it's released. And the Eddie comparison is spot on... really appreciate the break down.

That is beyond heavy. I grew up in southern California in the 70s when Van Halen was a garage band before I went to college and heard them on the radio for the first time. I couldn't believe it. I hated Van Halen because I was a guitar player and he was so insanely great. Then when Nuno came along, I thought here is someone who is right up there. It's crazy they're still around playing this kind of music. Love it.

In my top five. And at 56 years old - he's still killing it. I'm sure there's room for an advil commercial in there somewhere. Maybe a sponsorship for the tour! What a beast.

I'm blown away by every track from Extreme!! I was hooked when I first heard "Mutha (Don't Wanna Go to School Today)" "Kid Ego" and of course "Play With Me" But when I heard him playing "Flight Of The Wounded Bumble Bee. Nuno had earned his Guitar God status!!

been an extreme fan since they debuded in 89. You cannot pigenhole this band. Massively talented across the board!!!

Extreme and Mr Big! Everybody knows them for their acoustic pop hits in the 90s but most people are clueless how incredibly talented both bands are!

HOLY CRAP! I just got serious chills! Nuno has ALWAYS been one of my fav guitarists ever since I heard "Get the Funk Out"! The prelude of "Flight of the Bumblebee" is KILLER! Seriously - he's the reason I bought my first Washburn guitar.

The solo is insane, that is for sure. I think we have to mention a few female contestants for the title as well though. The two guitarists in the Japanese metal band Lovebites play amazing solos both live and in the studio and when they do a "solo duet" they are so synched it is scary (such as in the song Holy War). Their solos in their song Stand and Deliver (Shoot them Down) are insane as well. And the solos in the speed song Break the Wall, especially the first one, are just beauty in strings.

Extreme's songs have always been a little hit or miss for me. But from the first time I heard Nuno play, you knew he had a ton of chops.
Back when they broke, all the guitar magazines had tabs of his stuff and it was just confirmed that he had monster chops.
This song is one that definitely hits for me.

Nuno has been a top 5 player for me since his first album. I even went with my girl to see Rihanna just because he was in her band. Great to see a comeback! The world will soon realize the obvious!

I wonder if you heard his "Play With Me" solo, that brought him to the lights back in their early days?!?!
Yes he is phenomenal, and very unappreciated for his level and skill. most of his early songs he was really onto to it, always you can find beautifully unique techniques in his music writing, the solo's always were a notch up on everything else.

Why is no one mentioning “Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee”? He’s been playing like this in his solo career for years. He’s always been exceptional and amazing. Effortlessly.

Like you, Rick, I lived through the monsters from Hendrix to Guthrie. But Nuno was always something we never could copy. His attack is so perfectly executed and his intensity was unmatched by any rock guitarist. He is the actual Guitar God archetype. I'm so pleased he is back.

I was an 'Exteme' fan from day one. 30+ years later and I still have several of their songs in my playlist. HS Class of 1991, our senior class song was "More Than Words"

Nuno blew me away ever since their first album. If you've never heard their post-grunge album Waiting For The Punchline, you've got to check it out. Nuno used such a raw sound on it, and I think it was their best work.

Rest In Peace was one of my favorite for the electric guitar in general and amazing solo at around 3:10 in the song. You can hear how great of a guitarist he is in that song. Great to hear new stuff from them. Discovering guitarists from the past and present one has never heard is such an awesome feeling, re-discovering ones we already knew and nearly or totally forgotten is that and a bonus! Some guitarists I love alongside Nuno and EVH, Tony MacAlpine, Portnoy, Sheehan, Sherinian, Buckethead, Sophie Lloyd, George Lynch, Tony Iommi, Zack Wylde, Yngwie, Jeff Loomis, Michael Angelo Batio, SRV of course, Jimi Hendrix, RobzFreak (Robby) and nobody knows this guy but just go listen to this track I found when searching for videos on my Korg Toneworks pedal 'Cab Sim ShootOut AX1500G vs Behringer UltraG for lead sound' video...he has 5 other videos/songs I like, no singing, just guitar/music which deserve to be heard.
Cheers!

My favorite Extreme album is their self titled debut. Nuno's solo prior to Mutha (Don't Wanna Go to School Today) is flat out amazing. That's when I knew he was a special player

Nuno was born and lived in my city of Praia da Vitoria in a small archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic called the Azores until he moved to the United States. He usually comes here every summer. We are all very proud of what a "out of this world" guitarist he became. And also we have the same name, how cool is that!😉
For me the best guitar player ever. Abraço Nuno🎸🎸
PS - I'm a fan of your channel @Rick Beato, and it was fantastic to see you talk about Nuno Bettencourt. Thank you!

Nuno’s solos sound humanly impossible. Astounding… the next level. 👍😎

My friend Steve Borisenko was Nuno’s guitar tech for years. He told me stories where he would break a string in concert and finish the solo and song as if nothing happened, one time he showed up to practice late (not neglect) was handed a guitar for the song they were doing, realized it was alternate tuned, then instantly transposed the song to make it work. He said he was a very down to Earth generous guy.

That is so classic Nuno! So happy Extreme came back with this. What a solo! This took me back 30 years.

For me, Nuno possesses the a unique ability to absolutely SHRED and REMAIN MUSICAL. Without naming names (and starting a fight), there are guys that are monster players TECHNICALLY but only have brief moments where their skills come across in a song that fits and doesn't come across as a "watch this" moment. THAT'S why Nuno is the best.

Nice one Rick! Definitely an awesome solo - Nuno is a king! I still feel his solo on Extreme “Stop the World” is one of the best guitar solos ever recorded - perfectly placed and chosen notes 👌 his phrasing is unreal ❤

Nuno's tones, solos and arrangements on III Sides To Every Story and Waiting for the Punchline are phenomenal. You'll hear more solos like this on those albums.

There are aspects of this solo, found in Chris Oliva's solo, in "Edge of Thorns". A vastly underrated guitarist.

Nunos been my second favorite since mother "don't wanna go to school" back in who knows when. My #1 has always been Vivian Campbell. His sound and picking technique won me over. Saw him live three times with RJD. Rainbow in the dark solo ... ! Nuno is the guitar players guitar player. Just unbelievably creative and technical. I'd like to hear him team up with Steve Vai for a song. Be well everybody. 👍

I saw him with someone who had seen Hendrix live, and they said that Nuno has that same Hendrix energy of the music just coming effortlessly out of him. It was amazing - back with Extreme for the 3 Sides tour and clearly the band was having fun. They didn't stay around after the show because they were driving to catch a Van Halen show the next day.. I guess that was a year before their singer became Van Halen's singer.

Nice. Nuno is really awesome. He's a scary shredder. But when he talks about his influences, idols and such and he mentions a lot. He gets really passionate. He becomes this kid and really excited.
I think that's why he plays what he want, without being limited to any genre.

Orgulho! 🇵🇹

I always felt that Extreme's 'Three Sides To Every Story' was a vastly underrated album.

I thought that heavy rock May have come to an end & all I had was the classic rock to listen to & try to play. All I heard no new music, it’s all been done before but then I heard this song & Nuno has raised the bar plus gives us hope! I absolutely love this song & it gives me a adrenaline rush like songs of the past used to. Love it! Love it! Go Nuno!!! You made my day!

Listen to the solo on It's a monster and licks from the Three sides to every story album and you can hear him put all of into one new awesome solo. It's insane listening to him. Never gets old.

Nuno is a beast! My favorite Nuno’s solo is the one he plays on Cynical, from Waiting for the Punchline album.
This new song is a masterpiece on soloing.

Wow!! I wasn't a fan of Extreme back then but this song is off the hook cool.....amazing leads, so in the pocket it's crazy.

Awesome to see Nuno taking his playing to another level. Unlike most people when Pornograffiti came out, I heard the album.I knew they were more the ballads, so many great riff heavy songs.🙏🙏

I’m so happy the world has finally noticed my favorite band. Their third album “III Sides To Every Story” is a fricken underrated masterpiece. "Waiting For the Punchline" and "Saudades De Rock" are also under the radar albums!

Even back before "Mutha, Don't Wanna Go to School Today" Nuno was a legend north of Boston and he was always a tremendously accessible and friendly guy.
Glad to see these guys making music again even if it sounds more like Velvet Revolver than Extreme.

Rick what myself and many others love about you is your deep love of the music... you are genuinely a kid in a candy store at points in this vid enjoying the tune! You give the rest of us permission to be kids too!

If that solo isn’t an open love letter to EVH then I don’t know what is! He basically pulled out every single EVH technique there is.

Wow that is such an amazing solo.
Rick the way you analyse it is superb & breath taking. Nuno is going to love his own solo even more after your review.
80's & 90's are back again with this wonderful song. Can't wait to see Nuno on your channel talking about this solo.

If i'm not mistaken, the second part of the solo is a delay trick where a delay fills the gap between the picked notes (set to dotted eights). A really cool effect and it can sound like you're playing blazing fast without breaking a sweat.

To be fair, he established himself as someone that shouldn't be underestimated on the first album with the 'Play With Me'' solo.

Has anyone ever heard "Sex and Love" from Extreme? It was a b-side and also had a 12:00 remix of "Get the Funk Out". "Sex and Love" is about 2:30 of fast-paced amazingness from Nuno and company. Also, I saw these guys live back in 1991 and they were amazing. Part of Nuno's solo sounded like he was playing the drums. Friends I brought to the show were in awe!

Extreme is sooooo under rated. Nuno was always under rated even though he could play circles around most every other guitarist

Nuno kills! Great to have him "back". Song reminds me of the great riffs of STP - hats off to that band as well!

Strange Rick gets surprised with that solo; there are several solos like that one in '3 sides...' and 'waiting for the punchline'.
Those 2 albums went totally under the radar at the time but they are masterpieces!
I like how Rick's guitar sounds even better that the actual recording when he plays the chords at the beginning :)

I saw Extreme live in the 90s at the Mesa amphitheater in Arizona. I didn’t know anything about them but I was blown away by Nuno Bettencourt. The guy is great

Nuno and Extreme are criminally under-rated!!! Brian May says his favorite solo of all-time is Nuno's solo in Get the Funk Out. EVH also used to play Nuno during soundcheck and warmup.

I have a feeling this album will be huge and extreme will finally get their due

Glad Rick points out how gifted this guy is. In my opinion, he is even above Eddy, or Randy, or Steevy, or whoever in the place, because of his musicality. You will never get twice the same solo on a song, and Actually each solo is exactly and perfectly the same in the intention, in the consistency, in the variations, and in the virtuosity. Another curiosity: From decadence dance to Rise, the man has never got older. Vampire secret for being such a killer, for sure! ;)

The solo in Play With Me off the first album is insane.

I was never a big Extreme fan but i could never deny Nuno's guitar genius.

Nuno GROOVES his Shred .. his Lead lines alone have a sense of timing and rhythm that are .. for me .. unparalleled .. he is easily my favorite Rhythm guitarist.

Such huge STP vibes in the verses of this new song. I dig it, Nuno is a monster!

He's been my favorite since their first album. Finally got to see them just last Summer. It was the best show I've ever been to and Nuno killed it all night. Nice to see people are paying attention to him.

Congrats Rick for having one of the top trending vids on the whole of You Tube. You have definitely created one of the best channels on the platform. Not to rain down on the amazing Nuno, but check out some of the work of the "Broken Bells". Modern pop with some catchy memorable riffs

Nuno is really the kind of a band member (of a rock band) that we'd call a full pack: he shreds, his rhythm playin' is on point, he does killer BVs, and most importantly, like you said, it always serves the song. And, of course, don't forget those hair...