OK, so I'm gonna list what I consider to be the greatest rock guitar riffs of all time. Now remember, this is MY list... and some of you wont agree; but that's how it goes. I looked for more than just the riff alone; I looked for things like the ability of the guitarist, the licks, the overall blend of the riff with the song, and you'll also notice that I drifted away from most of the other lists out there that place Smoke on the Water as number 1. This is nothing against Deep Purple or Ritchie Blackmore... I think they're awesome. I just felt that it truly wasn't the greatest riff. It may be the most well known, but that doesn't make it the best.
Most riffs are simple chords, mostly power chords... and it's what an artist does with that simplicity that makes a great riff. Keep in mind that this is a rock list and there are other great riffs out there, but they didn't fit into the genre. Although I did have to include Bo Diddley... because any kind of "riff" list wouldn't be a list without him. I also included the year the songs were released, as well as the guitarist. If I missed something or you agree or don't agree, definitely let me know!
- Derek and the Dominos - Layla (1971) Eric Clapton, Duane Allman
- Black Sabbath - Iron Man (1971) Tony Iommi
- Cream - Sunshine of Your Love (1968) Eric Clapton
- Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode (1958) Chuck Berry
- Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (1965) Keith Richards
- AC/DC - Back In Black (1980) Angus Young, Malcolm Young
- Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman (1964) Roy Oribison
- The Beatles - Day Tripper (1965) George Harrison
- Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train (1980) Randy Rhoads
- Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1970) Tony Iommi
- Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash (1968) Keith Richards, Brian Jones
- Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (1974) Gary Rossington, Allen Collins
- Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze (1967) Jimi Hendrix
- Metallica - Master of Puppets (1986) Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield
- Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine (1987) Slash
- Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker (1969) Jimmy Page
- Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (1968) Jimi Hendrix
- AC/DC - Hells Bells (1980) Angus Young, Malcolm Young
- Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water (1971) Ritchie Blackmore
- Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida (1968) Eric Brann
- David Bowie - Rebel, Rebel (1974) David Bowie
- Metallica - Enter Sandman (1991) Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield
- Aerosmith - Walk This Way (1975) Joe Perry
- Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues (1958) Eddie Cochran
- The Animals - House of the Rising Sun (1964) Hilton Valentine
- The Kinks - You Really Got Me (1964) Dave Davies
- ZZ Top - La Grange (1973) Billy Gibbons
- Soundgarden - Outshined (1991) Kim Thayil
- Metallica - One (1989) James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett
- Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (1984) Mark Knopfler
- Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar (1971) Keith Richards
- The Guess Who - American Woman (1970) Randy Bachman, Greg Leskiw
- Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971) Jimmy Page
- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - I Love Rock N Roll (1982) Ricky Byrd, Joan Jett
- Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley (1958) Bo Diddley
- The Troggs - Wild Thing (1966) Chris Britton
- Kiss - Heaven's On Fire (1985) Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley
- Tommy Tutone - 867-5309 (Jenny) (1982) Tommy Tutone
- Led Zeppelin - D'yer Mak'er (1971) Jimmy Page
- AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long (1980) Angus Young, Malcolm Young
- Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son (1976) Rich Williams
- Ozzy Osbourne - Mr. Crowley (1980) Randy Rhoads
- Pearl Jam - Alive (1991) Mike McCready
- Ratt - Round and Round (1984)
- Asia - Heat of the Moment (1982)
- Joe Walsh - Life's Been Good (1978) Joe Walsh
- Eric Clapton - Cocaine (1976) Eric Clapton
- Molly Hatchett - Flirting With Disaster (1980) Charlie Hargrett
- The Eagles - Life In The Fast Lane (1977) Don Felder, Joe Walsh
- Meat Puppets - Backwater (1994) Curt Kirkwood
10 comments:
Hi Chris - good to see some old favorites listed. Thanks for connecting with me on FuelMyBlog - I'm finding it a bit hard to use - the pages are slow to load and they go around in circles.
My partner is reading your blog - he might leave a comment soon!
Cheers - Robin
Hi Chris
Your a man after my own heart, I'm stuck in the 80s, in this world of manufactured crap for a buck, it's encouraging to know there are still people around that appreciate real music.
Love R.E.M, my all time favorite band is SIMPLE MINDS.
I was brought up listening to, Roy Orbison,
The Everly Bros, The Shadows, The Ventures, Etc, Etc, still love their stuff now.
My mother was Irish, lots of Irish Dancing and Music.
My Father was English, Lots of Pipes and Drums and Marching.
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo still brings a tear to my Eye.
PS You didn't mention Hotel California.
Keep Rocking
Take care
Frank
Hi Chris
Just downloaded R.E.M.s new album Accelerate, from iTunes. What can I say, another Gem, Can these guys do anything wrong?
I think Michael Stipes is one of the best Vocalists on the planet, along with Jim Kerr, my favourite.
Thanks for putting me on to it.
Take care
Frank
Thanks for the comments Robin and Frank!
I just love this old music, especially the 60's classic rock.
And yes, REM is awesome and Michael Stipes is a great vocalist, one of the very best. Some people didn't understand why REM is included in an oldies blog, but most people don't realize that they actually began in the early 80's... 25 years ago.
Oh yeah, about Hotel California: I LOVE The Eagles. To me, they're one of the rare one's, in the company of rockers still going today like The Stones, Aerosmith, The Who. And I love Hotel California, but I just didn't think it quite fit in with the riffs list. I'm actually finishing 51-100, and they may pop up in theere. I'm also gonna do a list of the greatest solos, which will have Hotel California in it. Check back soon!
Rock On!!
Chris
YES! These are fantastic! I have to send this entry to a bunch of people, you really nailed it!
How the hell do you leave out 'Eruption'? Or one of the most well-known guitar riffs in 'Start Me Up'
Thanks for the comment Chris. But... I disagree. Eruption, while a great piece of work, just doesn't cut it in a list of greatest riffs. It has great guitar work, but we're talking about riffs here... and there are many, many songs that surpass Eruption as far as riffs.
And "Start Me Up" is one of the best songs ever, by one of the best bands of all time. But again, we're talking about riffs. And it belongs in a greatest riffs list... but not in the top 50. It will be in 51-100 when I finish. When you compare "Start Me Up" to riffs like Sunshine, Layla, Back In Black, Iron Man, Crazy Train, Day Tripper.... well, it just doesn't belong. No disrespect to the Stones (who had the number 5 spot). Stay tuned for 51-100.
Sell Music Online
Gets you to wonder, if the music industry dies in the woods, will anyone hear it scream?
Veronica Lane
Your Music Business Coach!
http://www.MusicContracts101.com
http://www.MusicIndustrySuccess.com
http://www.TheUltimateRecordLabel.com
http://www.vebtoday.com
hi friends - here this is very good site for all types of entertainment and excellentwebportal. cinema gossips, wallpapers, telugu news, baby names, hyderabad news, andhrapradesh news,Videos,Beauty Tips, Baby Names, Interview Tips,Ladies Special,Real Estate, Matrimonials,Latest News,Telugu Movies,Andhra People, Politics, Assembly, AndhraPradesh and movie news reviews...
Awesome list of guitar riffs, thanks for putting it together.
Post a Comment