The Riffiest Riffmeister

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by bzfgt, May 25, 2018.

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  1. Crimson Witch

    Crimson Witch Roll across the floor thru the hole & out the door

    Location:
    Lower Michigan
    In no particular order:

    Tony Iommi
    Ritchie Blackmore
    Keith Richards
    Jimmy Page
    Vince Martell
    Randy Bachman
    Kurt Winter
    Leslie West
    Robin Trower
    Jimi Hendrix
    John Kay
    Ron Asheton
    Ronnie Wood
    Mick Ronson
    Michael Bruce
    Dave Murray
    Adrian Smith
    Don Dokken

    .. by no means an exhaustive list.
     
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  2. Pinstripedclips

    Pinstripedclips Forum Resident

    Location:
    Aberdeen, Scotland
    It was. Keith even told us so in a 1965 issue of Beat Instrumental.
     
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  3. Escalon

    Escalon Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Germany
    I agree with those who say Tony Iommi is at the top when considering both quantity and quality.
    And surely, as one poster said, Ray Davies and the Kinks have to be near the top - in terms of what their riffs influenced/inspired (including Sabbath/metal/punk/hard rock of all kinds) they must be in top 3 or 4...
     
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  4. tmwlng

    tmwlng Forum Resident

    Location:
    Denmark
    The word Riffmeister to me always signaled Tony Iommi. No matter how heavy, no matter how soft, no matter which lineup or in whatever situation... Just magnificent, powerful, simplistic yet effective, droning riffs. When you think of the riffs he has written over the years it's just unbelievable.
     
  5. cosmicdancer

    cosmicdancer Doin' it to you in 3D! So Groovy that I dig me.

    I haven't read through the entire thread, so I may be repeating someone else here. I don't know about who the absolute best if, but I think Joe Perry of Aerosmith absolutely deserves to be in the conversation.
     
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  6. Tim1954

    Tim1954 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Cincinnati, OH
  7. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product

    so so many and without all of them it's a shallow pool
     
  8. melstapler

    melstapler Reissue Activist

    Cast my vote for Merle Haggard. So many instantly recognizable songs with excellent guitar work. Keith Richards is also an outspoken fan, he even performed at the tribute after Merle's death in 2016.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Maranatha5585

    Maranatha5585 BELLA + RIP In Memoriam

    Location:
    Down South
    Robert Riff Fripp
     
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  10. douglas mcclenaghan

    douglas mcclenaghan Forum Resident

    Richards
    Plant
    Fogerty
     
  11. PeterGriffin

    PeterGriffin Forum Resident

    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Haters gonna hate
     
  12. The Killer

    The Killer Dung Heap Rooster

    Location:
    The Cotswolds
    The answer, as any fule kno, is Mick Green.
     
  13. Jimmy Agates

    Jimmy Agates CRAZY DOCTOR

    George Lynch and Akira Takasaki....

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    Rory Gallagher, Jorma Kaukonen, Johnny Winter
     
  15. stillrockin

    stillrockin Forum Resident

    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Surely the Chuckmeister is worthy of a shout? And Carlos Santana.

    I am not a huge fan but there is no denying that AC/DC have amazing riffs.
     
  16. Umbari

    Umbari Strange Member

    Location:
    Indonesia
    I agree with you.. Listen to "War Pigs", multiple great riffs in one song.
     
  17. JamesLord

    JamesLord Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    Most already mentioned but some personal favourites include:
    Tony Iommi
    Keith Richards
    Jimmy Page
    Alex Lifeson
    Ritchie Blackmore
    Michael Schenker
    Malcolm Young
    Steve Howe
    Robert Fripp
    James Hetfield
    Dave Mustaine
    Piggy ('VoiVod')
    Tom G Warrior (Celtic Frost/Tryptikon)
    John McLaughlin
    Pete Townshend
     
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  18. Overthehillsandfaraway

    Overthehillsandfaraway Forum Resident

    Location:
    London
    True. I mean, it'd only leave Page with The Immigrant Song, Communication breakdown, Rock and Roll, Achilles last stand, Bring it on Home's main riff, Custard Pie, Heartbreaker...
    just off the top of my head.

    You know, nothing really.
     
    PeterGriffin likes this.
  19. Greenalishi

    Greenalishi Birds Aren’t Real

    Location:
    San Francisco
    Malcolm. James Jamerson. Jimmy Smith.
     
  20. samthesham

    samthesham Forum Resident

    Location:
    Moorhead MN
    There is only one answer;

    Keith Richard (s)

    Case closed
     
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  21. ...yes, and count the great riffs included in Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.
     
    bzfgt and Man at C&A like this.
  22. Brian Lux

    Brian Lux One in the Crowd

    Location:
    Placerville, CA
    There's no way I could narrow it down to one, but my favorite riffmeisters include:

    Keith Richards
    Neil Young
    J Mascis
    Stone Gossard
    Juliana Hatfield
    Paul Westerberg

    Wait, you say, Paul Westerberg? Oh yeah! Check it out:

     
    drad dog likes this.
  23. Another Steve

    Another Steve Senior Member

    [​IMG]

    Richards and Fogerty have already been listed.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2018
  24. Maranatha5585

    Maranatha5585 BELLA + RIP In Memoriam

    Location:
    Down South
  25. 9 Volt

    9 Volt That cat's something I can't explain

    Location:
    L.A.
    The OP answered his own question. 4 pages in and a quick tally shows the most votes (by a landslide) have gone to the Grand High Exhalted Mystic Master Of Dark Massive Crushing Riffery. The true inventor of Heavy Metal. The man who lost his fingertips in an accident at the age of 17 but didn't let that stop him from becoming a guitar legend.

    Tony Iommi. The one and only.
    If there's another one he's a phony.
     
    Rick Robson, Umbari, bzfgt and 2 others like this.
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