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Jimi Hendrix's 'Voodoo Child' Voted Best Riff

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.

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souldust

Les Paul. We would not be having this discussion without him. R.I.P. Mr. Paul.

January 05 2010 at 3:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
souldust

Well...I love Jimi and that riff on Voodoo Child is one of the best. But in my town we have a small blues festival. Some of these Southern old guys I have never heard of were tearing it up!! Who knows what talent lurks out there.

January 05 2010 at 3:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kelly Perkins

Since when was music ever a competition sport? It's all a matter of personal preference. How about Michael Angelo Batio? Check his riffs out!

December 16 2009 at 12:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hawk

Ive scrolled thru 4 pages and read all, and have yet seen a reference to ROBERT JOHNSON, just fingers and a flat-top! Don't believe it ask Eric Clapton or Keith Richards.

December 13 2009 at 9:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Shaun

Sorry, but this thread is about the best riff of all time, not the best guitarist. But the best guitarist of all time is, undoubtedly, Django Reinhardt.

November 30 2009 at 8:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hapboym

here are some other choices for best guitar solo ever. From Bill Frisell to Marshall Crenshaw to Vernon Reid, guitarists weigh in. http://lamentforastraightline.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/the-25-greatest-guitar-solos-ever/

November 30 2009 at 1:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jonathan Woodgate

There has never been any doubt that Jimi is the greatest. The rest come close at times with maybe Neil Young and BB King being honourable mentions. Gilmour has been mentioned and Clapton is a white man than can play the blues, but only in homage to Robert Johnson who technically stands alone among the pioneers of his genre.In short, Jimi is the best for excitement and going that bit further. How about Bobby Krieger of the Doors, the rift to The End better than Voodoo Chile ??

November 28 2009 at 5:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
topdogformusic

it's all a matter of taste.
but when it comes down to th ebottom line,,

green is god

November 28 2009 at 12:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bazza

Martin Parry...................just because you have not heard of these great guitarists shows how ill-informed you are. Obviously you are only aware of the household names like Hendrix. If you were truely a guitar fan, you would have made it your business to listen to some of the other talented players around the world, and throughout the history of music. Here's another pioneer of the electric guitar you probably never heard of....................Les Paul. He died in August aged 94, but without him, you would never have heard the fantastic guitar music you have enjoyed over the past 30 years..........

November 27 2009 at 8:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike P

Everyone has mentioned great guitarists, and you will see great guitarists in any pub/club on a saturday night. But surely it's about great riffs and inovation. Therefore it has to be Hendrix, and of course Dave Davis of The Kinks, who pioneered the distorted guitar sound by slicing the cones in his speakers to experiment, before it was taken on and done electronically.

November 27 2009 at 7:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply