Greatest Rock Guitar Riffs (Revision Version)

[Zach]

Where I lean toward "Voodoo Child" is more in terms of the type of influence it had. From what I've gathered, "Purple Haze" was more about expanding the possibilities of what the electric guitar could do--the tone, the harmony, the use of effects, and the idea that a riff could be unconventional. Still, my impression is that "Voodoo Child" had a more direct influence on later rock guitarists in terms of riff construction: combining blues licks with crushingly heavy distortion, aggressive rhythmic attack, and using the guitar figure itself as a more central driving force of the song. I think most disciples of Hendrix would convey that the approach on "Voodoo Child" became a more important part of the actual language of hard rock and blues-rock guitar.

I disagree. Most of that also applies to Purple Haze.

Digging deeper into this, yeah, you're probably right. I think "Purple Haze"'s case is ultimately a little stronger. I do genuinely believe subsequent guitarists point more often to "Voodoo Child" as an influence--and it's likely a greater showcase of what could be done with a guitar--but the more seismic event and more foundational contribution that was "Purple Haze" likely takes it over the edge in influence. That, along with its popularity lead, would reasonably give it a victory over "Voodoo Child" for the list.

[Zach]

See, guys? I'm not too stubborn.