It doesnt come even remotely close to the skill level and cool factor of the solo in the OP. A million guitar players can play Clapton's solos, but only a handful of people can do what John Petrucci can do. Clapton is a mid level guitar player by todays standards.
There are no single great guitar solos but rather quite a few great guitar solos. It is just a matter of opinion.
You haven't even heard the song!
I can agree to that.
There is no guitarist from the 70's or earlier that even qualifies to be in this discussion. Clapton would be in the "intermediate" category at Berkley music school if he went there today as an unknown person. Hendrix would too. They arent "experts" by todays standards.
You are so FOS!
Now I know you are FOS!
Have you ever seen Clapton finger tap? How about the use of harmonics? Nope. He just plays straight with no exceptional technique involved. Its because he was born too early. Had he been born a couple decades later, he would have been better, but he could only learn from what was available in the 60's and 70's, which was very rudimentary compared to todays standards.
Bro, come on man. Thats just noise and sounds. There isnt a damn thing cool about that. I dont know about the rest of their catalog, but Jesus Christ, that song is really bad.
