Greatest Rock Guitar Riffs


A British guitar magazine recently polled it readers to compile a list of the greatest guitar riffs. Guns 'N Roses "Sweet Child of Mine" came in at the number spot. Here's a link to the poll results. As you can see the list is entirely metal oriented.

My list would include:

The Chuck Berry intro
The Chuck Berry rhythm
The Bo Diddley beat
Temptations - My Girl
Kinks - You Really Got Me
Steely Dan - Reelin' In the Years
Sam & Dave (Steve Cropper) - Soul Man
Stone Temple Pilots - Plish
Beatles - I Feel Fine intro
Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze intro

Is it my fault that nearly all the great riffs are pre-1980?

What's on your list?
128x128onhwy61
"Monster" - Steppenwolf
"The Lemon Song" - Led Zeppelin
"Taxman" - The Beatles
"I Want To Tell You" - The Beatles
"Sick Of Myself" - Matthew Sweet
"Live With Me" - The Rolling Stones
"Birthday" - The Beatles
"Changed The Locks" - Lucinda Williams

R. I. P.   Paul Kantner.  

Dug out "Surrealistic Pillow" and "Bless Its Pointed Little Head" in memorium upon learning of his death last week.  On vinyl; to listen again on any other format struck me as possibly being disrespectful. 

Man, what a cast of characters in that band.  

Thanks - it was nice being around while you were, too.  
" Ride the Tiger" by Jefferson Starship has great lead guitar throughout and a great riff to boot. On of my favorites to get the blood flowing. I’m guessing it was Craig Chaquico who played it but not sure.