One of my favorite musicians, legendary guitarist Slash,
turns 50 today. To commemorate the occasion, I thought I'd list my ten favorite
of his riffs from over the years. Even if you disagree with some of my choices,
I invite you to kick back, click the links and enjoy the music. The dude rocks.
Dust N' Bones – Guns N' Roses https://youtu.be/QGrZgzC6tHc
This bluesy number is from the last (double) disc of original
tunes Slash did with GnR. Too bad they didn't stick together long enough to do
some more songs along these lines. It has a bit of a Doors or Rolling Stones
vibe to it.
Neither Can I – Slash's Snakepit https://youtu.be/3WXqq97DCdQ
This song would have been right at home on the From Dusk
Till Dawn soundtrack which came out just a year later. It's a slow, dirty jam
that was custom-made for a dimly-lit club full of whiskey and smoke.
She Builds Quick Machines – Velvet Revolver https://youtu.be/4Hqe3jMHhvA
True to its name, the riff in this song is like a hotrod
engine hitting on all cylinders. Just pop the CD into your car stereo, turn it
up, and hit the gas.
Anastasia – Slash https://youtu.be/YSpc7CrVrK4
I'm not a big fan of vocalist Myles Kennedy, but Slash's
guitar playing from the classical-sounding opening to the propulsive riff on
this one is impeccable. This is the most recent song on my list and the man
hasn't lost a step.
Dirty Little Thing – Velvet Revolver https://youtu.be/M9jNBuEqD4E
Forget any Top 40 crossover appeal on this one. It's pure
hard driving rock and roll. It's loud, aggressive, and relentless. I dig it.
Paradise City – Guns N' Roses https://youtu.be/Rbm6GXllBiw
From the jangling opening notes, Slash quickly kicks in with
another of his propulsive riffs. This one was one of the Gunners early hits and
it's now an instantly recognizable rock and roll classic.
Slither – Velvet Revolver https://youtu.be/BKz2U4fvA4U
This locomotive-like riff is the perfect counterpoint to
Scott Weiland's ominous growl punctuated by the pounding percussion of drummer
Matt Sorum. It remains one of my all-time favorite songs.
Always On The Run – Lenny Kravitz https://youtu.be/em8JuUW-OOE
If this song is any indication of what these two men can do
together, I'd love to hear future collaborations. Slash wrote this tune for GnR
but wound up giving it to Lenny who lends it a funky kind of charm that Axl
never could have managed.
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N' Roses https://youtu.be/o1tj2zJ2Wvg
I still remember being blown away by this song when it was
first released. Axl's growling menace laid atop Slash's ferocious riffs were
like nothing else on the radio. The tune still holds up today as one of rock n
roll's best.
Sweet Child O' Mine – Guns N' Roses https://youtu.be/1w7OgIMMRc4
And finally, GnR's first single remains Slash's greatest
riff ever. His performance on this track put GnR on the map and on their way to
a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career.
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