10 Best Rock Guitar Riffs Of The 1980s
4. Mr. Brownstone - Guns N' Roses (1987)
Although Guns N' Roses had their own thing going on, there was no getting away from their hair metal roots. Like many hair metal albums of the 1980s, Appetite for Destruction explored themes of sordid rock star debauchery.
Axl was never one to over indulge in substance induced mayhem, his antics were as a result of deep seated psychological issues, rooted in childhood trauma. But, he nevertheless wasn't opposed to singing about the habits of his band mates.
Slash and Izzy Stradlin can be thanked for the illuminating lyrics of this particular number but they also came up with one of the most stand out guitar riffs on the album. The album is so full songs that received an over enthusiastic degree of playtime that tracks like Mr. Brownstone often get forgotten about.
Sure, Paradise City and Sweet Child O' Mine have some instantly recognisable opening hooks, and Welcome To The Jungle hits hard, but Mr Brownstone has one of the more unique and exciting riffs going. There's that tantalising waterfall part that leads back into the main riff and the verse is full of Slash's usual tricks. It was one of the best and most underrated guitar parts on the record.