From London to San Francisco, the ’60s forged rock’s DNA. Here are five timeless riffs that still ignite amps and imaginations.
Read the full origin story: Rock Guitar History: From Blues Roots to Hendrix’s Fire · Chuck Berry’s Gibson ES-350T · Jimi Hendrix and the Stratocaster
Introduction: The Riff as Rock’s DNA
A riff is more than a phrase—it’s the heartbeat of a song. The 1960s minted riffs that still define rock music today.
1) (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones (1965)
The riff: Keith Richards’ three-note mantra through a Maestro fuzz created a new language of attitude.
Impact: a global hit and the Stones’ defining anthem.
Why it matters: proof that simplicity + feel = immortality.
Keith Richards performing the Satisfaction riff live in 1965
2) Sunshine of Your Love – Cream (1967)
The riff: discesa blues di Jack Bruce con il tono spesso di Eric Clapton.
Impact: ponte tra British blues e psichedelia.
Why it matters: blueprint del riff hard rock.
Eric Clapton playing Sunshine of Your Love with Cream in 1968
3) Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix (1967)
The riff: grezzo, dissonante, psichedelico sulla Fender Stratocaster con fuzz e wah.
Impact: presentò Hendrix al mondo come rivoluzionario.
Why it matters: ridefinì cosa può essere un riff.
Jimi Hendrix performing Purple Haze live with a white Fender Stratocaster
4) Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin (1969)
The riff: mantra ipnotico di Jimmy Page su Gibson Les Paul, blues + potenza.
Impact: consacra i Led Zeppelin come dei dell’hard rock.
Why it matters: uno dei riff più riconoscibili della storia.
Jimmy Page playing the Whole Lotta Love riff on a sunburst Les Paul
5) You Really Got Me – The Kinks (1964)
The riff: power chord distorti di Dave Davies, ottenuti con un altoparlante danneggiato.
Impact: tra i primi brani a usare la distorsione come firma sonora.
Why it matters: precursore diretto di punk, hard rock e metal.
The Kinks performing You Really Got Me live in 1965
Legacy: Riffs That Echo Forever
Questi cinque riff hanno definito i ’60 e posto le basi per hard rock, metal, punk e grunge. Ogni volta che parte un power chord, l’eco è quella decade.
FAQ: The Greatest Riffs of the ’60s
What is the most famous guitar riff of the 1960s?
Most critics point to Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones, though Purple Haze and Whole Lotta Love are equally legendary.
Who created the first distorted rock riff?
Dave Davies of The Kinks with You Really Got Me (1964), reportedly by slashing his amp’s speaker cone.
Why are riffs so important in rock?
Riffs give songs a memorable, repeatable identity—often the hook listeners remember forever.
Related reading
- Rock Guitar History: From Blues Roots to Hendrix’s Fire
- Chuck Berry’s Gibson ES-350T
- Jimi Hendrix and the Stratocaster
Conclusion: The Soundtrack of a Revolution
From the fuzz-drenched simplicity of Satisfaction to the psychedelic fire of Purple Haze, the 1960s wrote the riff rulebook—loud, distorted, unforgettable.