Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love has been voted as the greatest guitar riff of all time by BBC Radio 2 listeners. The rock classic was chosen from 100 riffs drawn up by a panel of Radio 2, 6 Music DJs, critics, and record producers.
The second favourite was Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns ‘N’ Roses followed by Black In Black (AC/DC) and Smoke On The Water (Deep Purple). Derek and the Dominoes’ Layla rounded out the top five thanks to Eric Clapton’s immortal guitar line from the epic love ballad.
Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page said he was "knocked out" by winning the vote.
"I wanted a riff that really moved, that people would really get, and would bring a smile to their faces, but when I played it with the band, it really went into overdrive.”
"There was this intent to have this riff and the movement of it, so it was menacing as well as quite sort of caressing."
"Whole Lotta Love is one of the most important guitar riffs of the 20th century," said record producer and panellist Steve Levine. "The moment you hear literally two notes of it, you know exactly what it is."
The music world’s top 10 guitar riffs of all time are:
- Whole Lotta Love Led Zeppelin
- Sweet Child O'Mine Guns 'N' Roses
- Back in Black AC/DC
- Smoke On The Water Deep Purple
- Layla Derek and The Dominoes
- How Soon Is Now? The Smiths
- Down Down Status Quo
- Money For Nothing Dire Straits
- You Really Got Me The Kinks
- Money Pink Floyd