Music fans have voted Sweet Child O’ Mine, by 1980s rockers Guns ‘N Roses, the song with the greatest guitar riff of all time. Led Zeppelin's rock anthem, Whole Lotta Love, came a close second. Voodoo Chile by Jimmi Hendrix came third.
Hmm...right off the top of my head I want to say 'Mannish Boy,' just for its simplicity, power, and recognition. If we're going for sheer awesome, the head to Jason Ricci's "The Blow Zone Layer" does it for me every time.
It wouldn't be hard to argue for the opening riff of "Juke." I believe that helped transform the song into a #1 R&B hit in 1952--the first and last time a blues harmonica instrumental has attained that position. Nothing fancy about it. It's a natural; inevitable. That's the point.
Also: the opening riff, in first position, for "Hoochie Coochie Man."
I just asked my missus (who hates harmonica...well she hates me playing it) this question and she said " the bit out of Elton John's song "I guess that's why they call it the blues" and "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club. I think if you asked most UK non-musicians this question they would say the same. Which is very fecking sad.
sweet child o' mine..are you kidding. no offense to anyone that likes guns n roses but they are severly overrated. Slash is THE most overrated guitarist ever.
Just a few awesome riffs that come to mind however... Day tripper - the beatles Sabbra Cadabbra - black sabbath Fortunate son - Creedence clearwater revival Smokestack Lightnin - howlin' wolf voodoo child - jimi hendrix boom boom - john lee hooker Graceland - paul simon and of course, help me + bye bye birdy by sonny boy among many many others...
Hello everyone. Greetings from the SC Low Country. It's simple and short, but the solo in the Doobie's "Long Train Running" has to be one of the most widely recognized harp riffs.
the sonny boy williams 2 nine below zero where he starts with a slide lol did he do it on purpose or just started with the harp backwards like we all have some time,if he did he never missed a beat thats showmanship
Last Edited by on Jan 17, 2010 9:11 AM
the theme from "midnight cowboy",from toots.it's not a riff,but the best harmonica tune of the lot for me. it's not difficult to play,but then again,it don't have to be difficult to be good,does it. btw,i realy like the sonny boy video.he has a real feel for it.
on a serious note i would say juke really stands out as a top harp song riffs,Its hard for me to decided if i could have a spirit come into my body and say ill teach you to play it like me it would be Sonny boy 2 or little walter,but sence im new to all this theres alot im missing i guess i need to check out sonny terry and a lot more others I love utube
Last Edited by on Jan 17, 2010 9:38 AM
Big Walter's tear-up on "Walkin' By Myself" is just so signature. I'd also say SBII's "Your Funeral and My Trial", but...who did the original opening harp riff for "Standin' Round Crying" ? I'm thinking Cotton, but not sure. That riff really establishes the Blues, whereas LW's "Juke" is more Swing.
-Big Walter Horton on the song "Trouble In Mind" on his album with Carey Bell.
-Kim Wilson on his album with Pinetop Perkins, or his album with Jimmy Rogers. Every riff is a gem.
But for me the Greatest Harp Riff Ever is the licks Robert Plant played on the opening segment of the song "Bring It On Home" on Led Zeppelin's second album in October of 1969. It's not much of a riff, but it got me hooked on harp in a big way. That is where it all started for me, and I still hear that lick in my head when I play.
I,d have to put in my vote for any of William Clarkes many riffs,on so many of his numbers.The thing about William,if you were ever lucky enough to see him live he played a different lick on it seemed every song in a two hour set.One song in particular though,Blowin The Family Jewels,if you havn,t heard it check it out.
Big Walter Horton's playing on the Johnny Shines tune, Evening Sun has to be at the top of the list. It's a thing of beauty. Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records called it his favorite harp solo ever recorded. I tend to agree.
I like Lee Oskar's riff for Low Rider by War, very unique and with revolutionary effects.
Although not technically the best harp playing ever: I also enjoy Robert Plant's opening to When the Levee Breaks, Roger Daltry on Magic Bus (live versions) and Ozzy's intro to The Wizard. Obviously, I listened to too much hard rock as a kid!
I don't think 'Sweet Child O' Mine' is even Gn'R's best riff. I think the bit right after the break in 'November Rain' is better.
Marcelus- Why you got to be a hater? I still love Gn'R. I also love the Beatles and Bach. Of course, loving Gn'R and loving the pedantic antics of Axl Rose are too totally different things. If he would stop acting like a 14 year old... but that's not likely. And for the record, I don't think I really got into them until I was 16 or 17, lol.
As for my favorite harp riff I think that changes depending what key harp I have in my hand.
