Dan the List Guy: 10 Great Rock Riffs
The List Guy is Dan Reed, Music Director for WXPN. Three times a week, Dan gives his spin on Top 10 musical moments in pop culture.
by Dan Reed, Music Director for XPN
It’s the backbone of any great rock & roll song, the apex of any air guitar performance, and stuff out of which dreams are made. The almighty riff will always rule rock, and here’s ten prime examples—listed in order of my personal preference:
1. CHUCK BERRY – “Johnny B. Goode”
2. THE ROLLING STONES – “Satisfaction”
3. THE KINKS – “You Really Got Me”
4. NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE – “Hey, Hey, My, My…”
5. LED ZEPPELIN – “Kashmir”
6. NIRVANA – “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
7. DEREK & THE DOMINOES – “Layla”
8. THE KINKS – “All Day & All Of The Night”
9. SEX PISTOLS – “God Save The Queen”
10. THE DREAM SYNDICATE – “Tell Me When It’s Over”
are you kidding me? where is Smoke on the Water? the most famous riff of all time? where is anything by Eddie VanHalen? how about Back in Black by AC/DC? Chuck Berry #1? that’s horrible! and no Judas Priest riffs or Iron Maiden or Black Sabbath, the heavy metal masters? wow, I’m shocked
July 17th, 2007 at 1:52 pmDavid Bowie - The Jean Genie or Rebel Rebel
July 17th, 2007 at 5:10 pmand my all time personal favorite
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fresh Air
I’ll go along with Satisfaction (which should be #1), the two great Kinks riffs and Layla, but I think you have a weird concept of “riff” with the others.
Just off the top of my head, how about:
Day Tripper
July 18th, 2007 at 12:32 amSunshine of Your Love
Foxy Lady
Mr. Tambourine Man
And Your Bird Can Sing
When you say “Rock Riff,” the very first thing that comes into my head is Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” It, and “Satisfaction,” pretty much define the term.
July 25th, 2007 at 9:34 am