The Greatest Guitar Riff Ever: 1961

Who takes the honor of the best riff from 1961? Will it be good enough to unseat "La Bamba?"

The Best Riff of 1961

A bit of a thin crop this week, for sure. A bit of a note though: there were some huge guitar singles that dropped in 1961 and were released on albums in 1962. From here on out, and it’ll only become more clear as the Album Era fully kicks into gear in the middle of the decade, we are going to go with album release dates instead of singles release dates, except for in the case of singles released with no later album release. It’s just cleaner and easier for me to organize in my head. With that organizational necessity, however, the group here is a bit slim. Here are the nominees.

Cliff Richard & the Shadows - The Young Ones

Last week, the Shadows appeared on the list and I dinged them (slightly) because the “riff” wasn’t really a Riff and was merely replacing what would normally be the song's vocal melody. This week, they teamed up with vocalist Cliff Richard and merely provided the song's instrumentation. Voila! A riff was born! This seems to be evident of the sound of pre-Beatles/Stones rock and roll that I think of when I watch the American Bandstand scenes in Grease. Music that is basically Pop but with a little bit of some rockin’ going on. I like the consistent riff that continues through the verses and choruses, and a bonus solo is thrown in that is pleasant enough. We aren’t cooking with gas here but it’s something.

Del Shannon - Runaway

I have more than a passing familiarity with “Runaway” because a) my Grandma was and is still a yuge Del Shannon fan and b) the band … uhh … Bayside covered this song on an EP in 2012 lol. Aggressively cringe shit but a pop punk band covering your 1960s pop rock hit does kinda help to accentuate The Riff. However, while a riff is there, it’s mostly just the chord progression and the guitar - for the majority of the song - takes a backseat to the horns section and what maybe sounds like early synths?? I love this track for sentimental and for corny reasons but I’m not sure it’ll … runaway (sorry) … with the best riff this week.

Howlin’ Wolf - Little Red Rooster

Can I reveal something about myself on this here newsletter? I feel like back in the HYLI days I did plenty of that to the point of no longer needing to ask, but you’ll indulge me a bit. When I first picked up the electric guitar as a 15-year-old boy in the suburbs of Syracuse, NY, I wanted to learn how to play two things: Oasis riffs and old blues riffs. Goddamn it man that might be the corniest thing I’ve ever said and it isn’t helped by the Black fucking Keys making a big poo poo about canceling their tour this week. Blues music rocks! It’s so cool! It’s made slightly (incredibly) less cool by suburban white kids that played sports in high school playing baby’s first blues lick because of them but alas. I really liked Howlin’ Wolf then and I really like Howlin’ Wolf now. More of a vocalist than a riffer but I think the riff in “Little Red Rooster” speaks for itself. The slide guitar, man. What a sound.

What is the Best Riff of 1961?

Not a lot of competition here. Howlin’ Wolf clears it pretty easily. The slide, come on.

Does it top the previous Best Riff?

Best Riff of 1961: Howlin’ Wolf - Little Red Rooster

Best Riff Previous Champion: Ritchie Valens - La Bamba

Don’t get me wrong, “La Bamba” rocks but I didn’t fully expect it to be wrecking the competition here early like it’s Thanos with the gemstone glove - or whatever the fuck that Avengers crap was called - just yet. I love “Little Red Rooster” but it doesn’t really hold a candle. “La Bamba” wins again. Is it just going to waltz - or salsa - right up to the Beatles? Seems likely.