10 Classic Riffs Every Guitarist Should Know

3. Back In Black - AC/DC

Rivalled only by Zep as the masters of the riff, AC/DC's finest album may have been 'Highway To Hell', but for instant recognition, the opening statement from 'Back In Black' is beyond equal.

Notwithstanding the fact that it is partly stolen from 'Shakin' All Over' by Johnny Kidd And The Pirates, it is guaranteed to set heads nodding the minute you crank it up.

The key to this one is to be careful to not overdo the distortion and maintain control so that random strings aren't ringing out. Malcolm Young is one of the greatest rhythm guitarist in rock'n'roll - the secret to his power is in dampening unwanted notes and a super-tight sense of timing.

Contributor

Lifelong music obsessive, regular contributor to US guitar magazines, sometime radio presenter, singer/guitarist in Star Studded Sham, true believer in the power of rock'n'roll and an amp turned up to 11, about to publish first novel, The Bulletproof Truth.