20 Best Classic Rock Guitar Riffs Of All Time

Let's face it: this song is the first thing anyone learns on guitar and probably responsible for a lot of frustrated afternoons for guitar shop employees. Even with those backhanded compliments, "Smoke On the Water" is still a fantastic riff that exudes 70's hard rock.

The origins of the riff came about right before the band was about to record their landmark album Machine Head. While the band's intended to set up a recording studio in a rented Casino, their plans fell apart when the establishment burned down just before they were about to move in.

Inspired by this bizarre turn of events, Ritchie Blackmore came up with a riff that he called one of the most basic riffs he had ever conceived. Though Blackmore may not have seen the potential at first, the rest of the band pounced on the idea, with the lyrics quickly recounting the entire scene of the burned down casino.

Many people can get by by just strumming the chords, but the way to really get that Blackmore muscle is to play the riff with your fingers instead of a pick. Deep Purple had already been a big deal in the hard rock scene, but "Smoke On the Water" was the first time the band hit on something that was both familiar and original all at the same time.