Poll: GUNS N' ROSES, METALLICA, BLACK SABBATH Among Greatest Riffs Ever

May 1, 2004

GUNS N' ROSES' 1987 smash-hit "Sweet Child O' Mine" has the greatest guitar riff of all time, according to the readers of the U.K.'s Total Guitar magazine (cover).

The track, which was included on the group's classic "Appetite For Destruction" debut, came top of a poll of 100 Greatest Riffs Ever, reports the Sunday Herald.

Other songs that made it into the Top 20 include those by METALLICA, BLACK SABBATH, OZZY OSBOURNE and AC/DC.

Total Guitar editor Scott Rowley said the poll reinforces the belief that classic rock is making a comeback. He said: "What this poll shows is that the canon of classic rock — LED ZEPPELIN, ERIC CLAPTON, JIMI HENDRIX — is as popular as ever, but being added to all the time. To a new generation of guitarists, METALLICA are more important than the ROLLING STONES, GUNS N’ ROSES more thrilling than the SEX PISTOLS, BLACK SABBATH better than THE BEATLES."

He added: "Riffs are an interesting measure of people's tastes because they're usually easy to play and very catchy — they’re the hook of the song.

"This isn't about who’s the flashiest guitarist. It's more about the guitarists and songs that get you most excited."

More than 2,000 readers voted in the poll in Total Guitar magazine, which goes on sale this Wednesday (May 5).

The Top 20 Riffs Of All Time, according to readers of Total Guitar:

01. GUNS N' ROSES – "Sweet Child O' Mine"
02. NIRVANA – "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
03. LED ZEPPELIN – "Whole Lotta Love"
04. DEEP PURPLE – "Smoke On The Water"
05. METALLICA – "Enter Sandman"
06. DEREK & THE DOMINOES - "Layla"
07. METALLICA - "Master Of Puppets"
08. AC/DC – "Back In Black"
09. JIMI HENDRIX – "Voodoo Child"
10. BLACK SABBATH – "Paranoid"
11. OZZY OSBOURNE – "Crazy Train"
12. FREE – "All Right Now"
13. MUSE – "Plug In Baby"
14. LED ZEPPELIN – "Black Dog"
15. VAN HALEN – "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"
16. AEROSMITH – "Walk This Way"
17. CREAM – "Sunshine Of Your Love"
18. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – "No One Knows"
19. GUNS N' ROSES – "Paradise City"
20. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE – "Killing In The Name"

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