20 Best Classic Rock Guitar Riffs Of All Time
10. Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
Anyone who considers themselves a self-respecting rock and roller has to at least know a few Chuck Berry licks. The man set the example that every early rocker from the Beatles to the Stones to Motorhead all followed in order to make it big.
Berry's discography is full of amazing licks that have been deciphered countless times, but "Johnny B Goode" is far and away his greatest, with an opening riff that leads you into the tune immediately. While the riff is great on its own, the lyrics also enhance the song by showing the ultimate teenage misfit. Every guitarist who picked up on this song always felt like they were the titular Johnny, the rock and roll rebel who wanted to do nothing more than play the guitar until the break of dawn.
Rock and roll may have stretched out into lots of different subsections as the years went on, but everyone always has the same starting point with this tune. It may still be rooted in the blues, but "Johnny B Goode" is about something much more exciting than the lowdown songs about life's hardships. It's not a coincidence that Marty McFly plays this song in Back To The Future: it's that initial jolt that makes everyone fall in love with rock and roll.