: These riffs became more than just songs; they became recognizable themes for entire generations of music fans.

: Eric Clapton’s descending blues-rock riff is a masterclass in the "woman tone"—a thick, smooth distortion that influenced early heavy metal.

The early decades established the "vocabulary" of the riff, moving from simple blues progressions to heavy, distorted hooks.

: While known for its solo, the fingerpicked acoustic intro is a rite of passage for every aspiring guitarist and remains a cornerstone of rock history.

: Built on a simple G-minor blues scale played in parallel fourths, Ritchie Blackmore’s creation is perhaps the most recognizable riff in history—and famously one of the forbidden riffs often banned in guitar stores due to overuse by beginners.

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