Jimi Hendrix's 'Voodoo Child' Voted Best Riff
- Posted on Nov 27th 2009 9:49AM by Richard Moore
- Comments (133)
Legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix's 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' has been voted as the best guitar riff ever by the users of musicians' website MusicRadar.com.The track which topped the charts way back in 1970 received 14% of the votes cast and edged Guns N' Roses' classic rock ballad 'Sweet Child O' Mine' into second place. The last time the poll was conducted -- five years ago by MusicRadar.com's sister Magazine Total Guitar -- the G N' R track triumphed.
Few contemporary acts made the top 50 with pollsters opting for classic rock legends over today's axe-wielding young bucks. Only two tracks from the last decade made it into the top 20 with Muse's 'Plug in Baby' at number 11 and the White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army' at number 15.
Hendrix himself had two other entries with 'Purple Haze' at number 22 and 'Foxy Lady' at number 47.
MusicRadar.com's editor-in-chief Mike Goldsmith said: "Nearly 40 years after his untimely death, Jimi Hendrix is still the undisputed heavyweight champion of rock guitar.
"Of the current generation of six-string stars, only Jack White of the White Stripes and Muse frontman Matt Bellamy feature in the higher echelons of our list. No surprise given both Bellamy and White share -- or have inherited -- Hendrix's unique blend of experimental instincts and white-knuckle showmanship. Above all though, our poll seems to indicate one thing - in 2009, classic rock still rules."
Over 5,000 MusicRadar users cast their votes in the poll.





Reader Comments(1 of 7)
Keithat 11-27-2009
And so Jimi should be number 1, he will always be the best ever guitarist followed by Eric Clapton.
mikeat 11-27-2009
spot on keith!
Tony Garlandat 11-27-2009
At last someone talking sense!
daytonachargerat 11-27-2009
Eric Clapton is by far the best Living guitar player by a mile!!!
Billy Bigat 11-27-2009
Anybody that thinks Eric Clapton is the second best guitar player has no music sense whats so ever he is not even fit to be in the top 1000 guitar restringers muppet
Mikeat 11-27-2009
As a gutarist for 50 years I have to say that I wouldnt go to my front door to see the likes of Hendrix and Clapton. Anyone who saw Clapton play with Dire Straits for a while a few years back couldnt fail to see tha massive gulf in ability and class between him and Mark Knopfler , who blew Clapton away completely. The best riff ever done according to everyone who matters over the years is Don Fleder and Joe Walsh playing Hotel California. Get real guys there is no one who gets within a million miles of that riff !!
chrisat 11-27-2009
Well said Keith,Eric Clapton was never in the same BALL PARK as Petr Green ,Jimi Hendrix OR Carlos Santana.
martyat 11-27-2009
All hendrix did was copy other peoples idears and music,
Clapton??? Lindsey buckingham out plays them all, listen to ''I'M SO AFRAID'' its on ''THE DANCE ALBUM''
Brian Arnoppat 11-27-2009
Today is Hendrix's birthday - any coincidence?
Sueat 11-27-2009
I agree, Jimi was the best.
Ianat 11-29-2009
Hendrix was good but Page is a street ahead of Clapton
Dickheadat 11-27-2009
That will be the Eric Clapton - most over rated guitarist ever, I assume?
Alisonat 11-27-2009
Try Carlos Santana!!!
feedbackat 11-27-2009
personally too true mate
SONJOHNCLIVEat 11-30-2009
You're all missing the three best riffs ever - 2 from Wishbone Ash: the opening to The Warrior on the Argus album and their opening closing riffs on Don't Come Back on There's the Rub album. IMHO the best opening and closing to any track I've ever heard.
The third is Tony McPhee's Cherry Red on the Groundhog's Split album. Simple but brilliant.
All the above were'nt singles unlike Jimi's Voodoo so much less well known. Check them out on You Tube.
Paulat 11-27-2009
Im the best guitarist ever. Just havnt been discovered yet!
steveat 11-27-2009
you on youtube then - would like to see your stuff
Tam macat 11-27-2009
Don't be silly ! There is no such thing as best riff or best guitarist. You are doing disrespect to other great artists and songs.
www.myspace.com/tammacsgiants
Ron Birchat 11-27-2009
Clapton is great but Pete Green is better!!
Dazzat 11-27-2009
WHENEVER VOODOO CHILE IS ON THE RADIO I JUST HAVE TO CRANK IT UP....... TO 11! CANT AGREE WITH CLAPTON. NEVER REALLY RATED HIM. SOME OF THE OLD BOYS WORTH CHECKING OUT- JEFF BECK: GETS US ALL IN THE END FROM THE FLASH ALBUM AND DAVID GILMOUR: COMFORTABLY NUMB FROM PINK FLOYDS DELICATE SOUND OF THUNDER.