The 25 Most Rockin' Guitar Riffs

[SuspectCorner]

The Martin Barre solo on Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" was one of the coolest when I was kid back in the early 70s. Hundreds of guitarists later and I still "dig it".

Great thread, thanks.

 

[MapleLeaf]

... "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by the Clash from the Combat Rock album.

The opening guitar riff was notable and defining for that band.

 

[SuspectCorner]

... "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by the Clash from the Combat Rock album.

The opening guitar riff was notable and defining for that band.

Whenever I have gotten suckered into some "karaoke bar" dare - this has been my all-time safety-valve. The way Joe Strummer "sang" the original - even Tony Romo has a shot at pulling this one off.

Love the "Combat Rock" album - but for guitar work I prefer songs like "Cheat" or "Tommy Gun". Either way Mick Jones is very cool.

 

[irvin88]

[B]China Grove by the Doobie Brothers.[/B]

 

[Khartun]

Uncle Ted always had good riffs. I love Great White Buffalo.

Funk 49 by Joe Walsh

Anything by SRV.

Always though George Lynch came up with memorable riffs too.

 

[SuspectCorner]

Uncle Ted always had good riffs. I love Great White Buffalo.

Funk 49 by Joe Walsh

Anything by SRV.

Always though George Lynch came up with memorable riffs too.

Saw Ted with Rush back in 1976. Man, was I... err.. under the influence. The "intro" to "Great White Buffalo" is a killer - which reminds me that an earlier poster, jem88, brought up "Monkey Man" by the Rolling Stones. THAT might be my all-time favorite intro.

 

[SuspectCorner]

I saw Al DiMeola of Return to Forever jazz-fusion fame (Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White) on a solo tour for his "Land of The Midnight Sun" album back in 76 or 77. I grew up on the exaggerated stage theatrics of most of rock's lead gutiarists. So Al was a revelation.

When he began playing just the rythm line for "Suite: Golden Dawn" - I just stood there mouth agape. He was tearing it up but Al just stood there shredding with all the enthusiasm of somebody reading a newspaper.

By the time he was into the solo's for that song - I was firmly convinced the dude was from another planet.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I love the guitar work in Tin Lizzy's Whiskey in the Jar. This is my favorite song of all time.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Personally I think Voodoo Chile is a better riff than Purple haze and a better over all song. But that is just me.

 

[trickblue]

Dire Straits' guitarist in "Sultans of Swing"

Mark Knopfler...

Agreed... he is one of my favorite guitarists...

Sultans of Swing was the first song I thought of left off of this list... Money for Nothing is great too...

Billy Gibbons riff on ZZTop's Tush or La Grange should be there too...

Also Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf...

 

[SuspectCorner]

I love the guitar work in Tin Lizzy's Whiskey in the Jar. This is my favorite song of all time.

I love Thin Lizzy. "The Rocker" and "The Warrior" are like time machines for me. Whenever I hear - I'm transported to another era - I'm wearing my Levi's "big bells", double-knit print dress shirt with gigantic lapels, puka shell choker, and Clarke's Wallabees. <strawberry doublewides followed by generous helpings of fritos>

"The Rocker" (live - Berlin - 1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWBUCuS_l6E

"The Warrior" (BBC Sessions - 1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3jWd8Ibifw

 

[SuspectCorner]

The Cult "She Sells Santuary" (Love album -1985) - Billy Duffy playing the huge Gretsch White Falcon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pieI3ctfMfM