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.

[Zach]

I tried experimenting with a different weighting--bumping up the iconicity a bit--to see what the results might look like.

Influence (30%), Acclaim (30%), and Popularity/Iconicity (40%).

An approximation...

1. Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
2. The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
3. Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water
4. Black Sabbath - Iron Man
5. Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love
6. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze
7. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
8. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
9. AC/DC - Back in Black
10. The Kinks - You Really Got Me

So, yeah, "Smoke" would leapfrog over a few.

[ManPerson]

Actually, I'm wondering how much credit Johnny B. Goode's riff deserves for its influence considering it's very similar to some earlier Chuck Berry riffs (e.g. Roll Over Beethoven).

[Zach]

Actually, I'm wondering how much credit Johnny B. Goode's riff deserves for its influence considering it's very similar to some earlier Chuck Berry riffs (e.g. Roll Over Beethoven).

True, Chuck had already been using similar ideas before "Johnny B. Goode," so I don't think the riff deserves 100% of the credit for inventing that style. On the other hand, it is the Chuck Berry riff that generations of guitarists learned and associated with him. I'd say influence isn't necessarily about being first--it's also about being the version that left the biggest historical footprint, and its impact is gargantuan.

[Fido]

I'd have You Really Got Me higher, it kicks ass in every criteria.

[Zach]

These are important riffs from the earliest years of rock. Certainly, many of these will be included in the revision, with at least the upper half being strong contenders. Those highlighted in red are not included in the current version of the list.

Chuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode
Chuck Berry – Maybellene
Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley
Link Wray & His Ray Men – Rumble
Dick Dale – Misirlou
Kingsmen, The – Louie Louie
Chuck Berry – School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes the Bell)
Shadows, The – Apache
Eddie Cochran – Summertime Blues
Carl Perkins – Blue Suede Shoes
Ritchie Valens – La Bamba
Chuck Berry – Brown Eyed Handsome Man
Bo Diddley – I'm a Man
Buddy Holly – Not Fade Away
Ventures, The – Walk, Don't Run
Chantays, The – Pipeline
Crickets, The – That'll Be the Day
Johnny Burnette & The Rock 'n' Roll Trio – Train Kept A-Rollin'
Bo Diddley – Who Do You Love?
Elvis Presley – Mystery Train
Duane Eddy – Rebel-'Rouser
Dale Hawkins – Susie Q
Johnny Kidd & The Pirates – Shakin' All Over
Champs, The – Tequila
Buddy Holly – Peggy Sue
Surfaris, The – Wipe Out
Bo Diddley – Pretty Thing
Eddie Cochran – C'mon Everybody
Elvis Presley – Baby Let's Play House
Johnny Otis Show – Willie and the Hand Jive
Sonics, The – Have Love, Will Travel
Carl Perkins – Honey Don't
Dave Clark Five – Glad All Over
Everly Brothers, The – Wake Up Little Susie
Sonics, The – Strychnine
Kingsmen, The – Money (That's What I Want)

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I considered these two, since they're noted as important/influential in the rock timeline, but they should probably be left off:

Muddy Waters – Hoochie Coochie Man
Muddy Waters – Mannish Boy