10 Classic Riffs Every Guitarist Should Know
1. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
The definitive gonzo minimalist statement. Jimmy Page was the king of the memorable riff, and this, his most instantly identifiable, is the easiest of them all to play. There are numerous awesome riffs in the Zep catalogue, 'Black Dog', 'Heartbreaker' and 'Trampled Underfoot', to name just three.
Loosely lifted from an old Muddy Waters single, 'You Need Love', Page plays the riff at the seventh fret whereas Muddy played it down at the second fret. That is the key to generating the intensity, as the riff neatly runs into the classic E power chord. Add a bit of palm muting and a cranked Les Paul/Marshall set up and voila - sonic nirvana.