Riff-Off Artists

80

Well, I guess I’m “dating” myself with this entry.

Many fellow baby boomers (born 1946-1964) will recognize some if not all of these classic rock guitarists, their bands, and the iconic guitar riffs in songs that might be included in the soundtrack of their lives (if there were one). Others, albeit any generation, may also be classic rock fans and know them as well.

Think back. These opening licks, blaring from your AM-FM transistor radio or hi-fi stereo back in your day were, and still are, instantly recognizable. Who knows what you were doing at the time: lying around on the beach, loving being with your lover, in your basement, at a wild party, on a road trip, sitting in a comfy chair with your headphones on, etc, etc.

These lead guitarists played the opening riffs for songs that are deemed “classic” forever and for all time.

• Dave Davies – The Kinks: You Really Got Me
• Jimmy Page – Led Zeppelin: Kashmir
• Joe Perry – Aerosmith: Same Old Song and Dance
• Jerry Garcia – The Grateful Dead: China Cat Sunflower
• Eric Clapton – Derek And The Dominos: Layla
• Greg Grandillo – The James Gang: Walk Away
• Mark Knopfler – Dire Straits: Money For Nothing
• Neil Young – Neil Young: Rockin’ In The Free World
• Johnny Winter – Johnny Winter: Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo
• Edgar Winter – The Edgar Winter Group: Frankenstein
• Joe Walsh – Joe Walsh: Rocky Mountain Way
• Bob Seger – Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band: Her Strut
• Toy Caldwell – Marshall Tucker Band: Can’t You See
• Tommy Thayer – KISS: I Was Made For Lovin’ You
• Glenn Buxton – Alice Cooper: School’s Out
• Keith Richards – The Rolling Stones: Brown Sugar
• Mike Campbell – Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: American Girl
• John Hiatt – John Hiatt: Thing Called Love
• Tom Johnson – Doobie Brothers: China Grove
• Pete Townshend – The Who: Long Live Rock
• Bobby Ingram – Molly Hatchett: Flirtin’ With Disaster
• Stevie Ray Vaughan – Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble: Pride and Joy
• Roger Fisher – Heart: Barracuda
• Dave Davies – Van Halen: You Really Got Me
• Angus Young – AC/DC: Back In Black
• Randy Bachman – Bachman Turner Overdrive: Takin’ Care of Business
• Steve “Grits” Grisham – The Outlaws: There Goes Another Love Song
• Elliott Easton – The Cars: Good Times Roll
• Billy Gibbons – ZZ Top: Tush
• Joel Hoekstra – Foreigner: Double Vision
• Jeff Carlisi – 38 Special – Hold On Loosely
• Bryan Bassett – Foghat: Fool For The City
• Gary Dean Richrath – REO Speedwagon: Ridin’ the Storm Out
• Mick Ralphs – Bad Company: Can’t Get Enough
• Kirk Hammett – Metallica: Enter Sandman
• Alex Lifeson – Rush: Spirit of Radio
• Rick Nielsen – Cheap Trick: Surrender
• Tom Scholtz – Boston: Smokin’
• Michael Monarch – Steppenwolf: Born To Be Wild
• Randle Chowning – The Ozark Mountain Darevils: Jackie Blue
• Ted Nugent – Ted Nugent: Cat Scratch Fever
• Jimi Hendrix – Jimi Hendrix: All Along the Watchtower
• Ed King – Lynard Skynard: Sweet Home Alabama

This list is not a ranking.

Apologies for those lead guitarists left out, for there are too many to count.

I sincerely hope that at least one or more of these songs conjure up some good memories for you all.

Think back. Find one, play it, and “turn it up.”