I saw Jimmy on a solo tour in the 1990's (iirc), and at one point he sat down just doing a rambling (ha!) instrumental. He'd go off in some random direction, and then drop into a riff from Led Zep song. He wouldn't do more then maybe six to eight notes for any one riff, but every time he did one the whole crowd would roar with recognition of the riff.
Years ago I had a job working nights and every night at 8 the radio station would "Get the Led Out" 3 songs in a row, I got so sick of that... now I appreciate the education although I am not a big fan I am glad I listened (like I had a choice).
I don't get it. I think they're decent, but have never understood why so many people go apeshit over them. These riffs are pretty good, but are casually swept aside but half the riffs on the first RATM album
@@NotQuiteFirst context matters, these guys were pioneers who have been credited as the start of what would eventually be known as Heavy Metal (with Black Sabbath). Robert Plant is recognised along w/ Mick Jagger as quintessential Rock front men, and bands like Zeppelin, Sabbath and the Beatles brought blues and soul over the Atlantic back to the US where those styles originated, The US didn't really recognise those genres until the British invasion brought it back to them (They grew up near coastal towns in England so were exposed to that music from the sailors who brought the music to the UK).... Even if you don't care for their music, those early British bands are what turned Rock into blues/soul tinged music you hear even today.
Timestamp: 0:38 Moby Dįck 1:17 Good Times 1:49 The Ocean 2:17 Heartbreaker 2:47 10 Years Gone 3:48 Whole Lotta Love 4:18 Black Dawg 4:43 Dancing Days 5:41 Stairway To Heaven 6:19 Kashmir
Absolutley...it's the very first true riff my 11 year old has learned this summer. Every day for a month this summer he would start with his pentatonic scales and spend the next hour working on the OTHAFA opening
I hacked around on the Rain Song my first few years playing guitar, but could never get it to sound right. Then when I was in college, one of those guitar tablature mags finally got around to publishing it. The key is the crazy tuning, which I've never seen anywhere else. Was a great day when I learned that song and finally understood what was going on.
One of the absolute best standalone songs to play on acoustic guitar. If it wasn't for the odd tuning, I'd play it all the time. Instead it's more like once every year or two, I'll tune my acoustic to said tuning and re-figure it out. Always feels great to nail that one from beginning to end.
@@Splifftone Ha, I do the exact same. Has always just been one to revisit every now and then. You sometimes forget how great it sounds until you actually tune up and play it again.
0:36 Moby Dick 1:15 Good Times Bad Times 1:46 The Ocean 2:15 Heartbraker 2:46 Ten Years Gone 3:47 Whole Lotta Love 4:17 Black Dog 4:42 Dancing Days 5:40 Stairway to Heaven 6:17 Kashmir
Where is Achilles Last Stand. Since I've been loving you. The song Remains the Same. The Rain Song. Dazed and Confused? In the Evening. In My Time of Dying. Battle of Evermore. How Many More Times. Your skipping some of the best songs and riffs that have been copied over and over. I get you can't give them to much praise because of the whole stigma, but when the best of the best that has played in the same industry bows down to them, that's all the recognition that is needed by us who actually have the ear but not only the ear we have the third eye to see what is truly the Hammer of The Gods. So mysterious, so magical, so transcending, it's a question that sounds them that no person past or present can truly answer. That's the wonder of Led Zeppelin!
I was there ,saw Zeppelin twice, saw Plant solo, saw Page and plant, saw The Firm first row. Bought every album except their first one as they came out starting at age 11, I’m 61 now! I was only 8 or 9 when the first album came out but by 11 I owned 1&2 . Kids were more advanced in those days. Way more independent and not so fully dependent on their mothers like millennials and Gen Z 😹
My guitar teacher would, for the last few minutes of my lessons, show me riffs from all the greats. He could play them just as well as Rick. I asked him one time why he was a guitar teacher in a crummy little music store, and he said "I can play 'em. I can't create 'em."
Time + practice = great guitarist. ? = composer. Therin lay that most important gift. There are at least 10 guitarist in any given town who can make the very best famous players green with envy but, they can't write so...next. Good news though, if they are reliable, dependable, and amiable they can do very well as a session musician.
That's the creative spark vs the dedication to learn an instrument. That said both Page and JPJ were both studio musicians when they were young which I'm sure have them great insight and taught them a lot about the creative process.
Absolutely. The great thing about so much rock and pop music is that it’s possible to reproduce it quite well after a little time learning an instrument. I remember playing along with The Beatles For No One very soon after I started playing and being stunned at how simple it was. But even more impressed with how McCartney had come up with it. The composing and playing brain are very different.
What REALLY makes the "10 Years Gone" riff great though, is the sick bass line that goes with it. I would LOVE to see you do a "What makes this song great" video on it! You always make my brain understand what my ears and heart have known all along!
Oh, yeah, that would be great. That tune has a GB Factor rating of an 11 on the 10 scale (goose bumps) every time I hear it, and when Rick started playing....whoa, there we go. Just the greatest tune, so underrated. [Disclaimer: GB Factor is a product of the mind of Alex Lifeson and I do not own nor receive monetary value from it's use].
One of the all time riff kings. I was maybe 11 and my father sat me down in front of the green doored credenza where he had his vinyl and stereo. Prior to that day I never had any interest in it. We sat on the floor and he gave me my musical education that day…selecting albums he had bought over the years. Albums that ignited a fire inside me that never left. The first album he played fir me was the first Led Zeppelin release. That was it for me. I still see the room, can smell the album covers, feel the texture of the credenza and hear the crackle of the phonograph needle. My father just passed and it’s left a hole inside of me. But that day is hands down the best memory I have with him. I’ll be traveling to Florida soon to retrieve these albums, of which he left to me. I plan to find a similar credenza, stereo system and sit on the floor and revisit that day. Rest easy dad. Love you.
My condolences for your loss, I too was introduced to the works of Zeppelin by my dad. Currently my 4yr old son asks me every day we drive to daycare to hear his favorite songs on LZ II.
Raise your hand if you've ever had one of those days where your "practice" session ends up just being 30 minutes of playing through classic 'Zep riffs for the pure joy of it. Great video, Rick. Love your channel!
Yeah, the bootleg tape of him working out ideas for it is a full hour long. Once he hit that chord progression he just started pouring out ideas. If I recall, he spent so much time working on it, its working title was "The Campaign". I love what the band distilled it down to when they fit it on the record, but I wish they also made a "producers cut" of that thing with aaall Jimmy's other ideas in it too.
Led Zep is an amazing band period, but it's when you hear it broken down like this that you realize just how talented Page is and how innovative, especially for his time. It's amazing to hear the variety too. So often groups, especially rock groups, create a very specific sound and once it works, just stick with it. LZ's songs had a distinctive flair, but each song was definitely unique. My all-time favorite song by them is When The Levee Breaks, for many reasons. The beat, Plant's vocals, the song is just *chef's kiss*
What do you mean "for his time"? His time was the great age of guitar-driven rock. He inspired and was emulated by nearly all that followed him. Page is a rock god!
10 Years Gone is such a majestic sounding song. That and The Rain Song live are probably my top two favorite Zeppelin songs…with about 40 more in third place. What a sound they had.
Loved seeing “Ten Years Gone” on the list, and with some love in the comments. It’s my favorite Zeppelin tune. Such great riffage and epic with all the layers.
The song is genius. Lyrically, melodically, rhythmically, musically it is al all time great. Criminally underrated. Kashmir is widely considered Zep's best tune but Ten Years Gone is complete wistful magic from start to finish.
So many great riffs to choose from. Also Ramble On, Rain Song, Trampled Under Foot, and so on and so on. Not just the greatest rock band ever but the greatest riffs as well - and you play them so well!
@@padmakshkhandelwal1832 Communication breakdown is still one Page’s most blistering riffs, I think he might’ve stayed off the first album for the other copyright issues…Which is moot to me, whatever Zepplin did they made their OWN…GOAT
something tells me he did it on purpose, but not to get blocked, he probably talked with someone on LZ camp beforehand, i anticipate a huge WTF video kinda like the ones with Brian May
@@Jacksabbath44 The artist I support was given permission to perform "What is and What Should Never Be" on national TV by both Page and Plant, it wouldn't surprise me if one of them appeared on Rick's channel given his track record and growing reputation among many iconic musicians
@@HaleysTusk Of Course! this video gave me that "hint" because of the history of how they've managed these kinds of things, basically you have to get to them directly (which i guess is not an easy task) Jack Black and Richard Linklater had to make a video of Jack and the whole cast and crew of School of Rock basically begging for them to allow them to use the songs on the soundtrack, and send it to them directly, Rick is up to something!
@@Jacksabbath44 I honestly wish RUclips would set up something like this for the 'not so famous' among us who want to celebrate the music of our favorites, instead of a BS automated system that ends up getting your channel deleted
I gotta say, Achilles Last Stand has got to be the most incredible intro and outro i have ever heard in my life. There is a RUclips video that looped it for 10 hours and i must've listened to the whole 10 hours like 50 times
That is the problem with those genius. You choose 10, and still 50 (or more) extraordinare riffs to talk about. 1 - Communication Breakdown - This riff is a nearly exemple of Heavy Metal before Sabbath show up; 2 - Dazed and Confused - Also a heavy song in their first record; 3 - The lemon song - Extraordinare guitar piece; 4 - Imigrant song - Is like a punch in your face; 5 - Tangerine - Beautiful riff; But, my favorites are: 1 - No quarter - Hypnotic riff! Just listen! 2 - The Rover - Such a shame that Led never play this song live, man! 3 - Achilles last stand - Totally masterpiece!
Ditto for "The Rover." I also agree there are like 50 top riffs. Such a great band! 4 master musicians, playing to their equals, while peaking simultaneously. None compare. I loved hearing Page say when he formed Zeppelin he DIDN'T want the others to "sound like" this guy, or that other guy. He wanted John Bonham to play like John Bonham. Same for Jonesy. And if Plant was going to sing the songs, HE should be the lyricist OF the songs. THEN, if that wasn't enough...Page was the producer on top of being the guitarist we all love. Damn! There'll never be another like them! I could go on and on, but I'll end with this. ALL of this is also due to management! Peter Grant worked for THEM and was quite aware of his role. NEVER ripping off the band! His cut, to include overhead, was 20%. EIGHTY PERCENT back to the band to be divided as THEY saw fit! Unheard of.
@@marciashiraishi5891 If you had to pick just one song that identifies Zeppelin, what song do you choose? For example: If the band in question was The Beatles, I'd pick "All You Need Is Love." There is no wrong answer, just an opinion.
Ten Years Gone is one of the most amazing songs I've ever heard or played. In days of yore before the internets I had to sit with the albums and try and decipher what Jimmy the Wizard was doing. When I figured out Ten Years Gone just after Physical Graffiti came out - and played it pretty much all the way through for the first time - the hairs on my neck stood on end and I had good bumps on my arms. So many things clicked into place from learning that one song. Dancing Days was a whole nother beast because all we had were music books that were usually wrong. The owner of our local music store heard me trying to figure it out and he opined that he thinks it's in an open tuning... G maybe? Voila! Another 20 doors of perception kicked down. And of course once one of us figured out a new Zeppelin song we were obligated to show it to everyone, then they'd show it to others and so on and so on.. I miss that. The feeling that every time I picked up a guitar it was possible to learn some new amazing thing. Or sitting on the edge of my bed at 1am playing my nylon string and learning some new picking pattern.
I bought Physical Graffiti at my local K-Mart for $5 and listened to it constantly, Lyrically 10 Years Gone is a what if and remorse tune that a lot of bar bands could play; but couldn’t get the vocals. Good Post,
Your story is really heartfelt... I never played LZ but I used to play guitar, and when I managed to learn one loved song I felt what you felt. And Ten Years Gone also gives me a chill when I listen to it... ❤❤
@@tarkusmjgI had it and lost it, and it wasn't available in my country... So I had to search for it and pay a WHOLE lot of money for an imported Album... but it was worth every single cent I spent.... SUPERB..!!!!❤❤❤❤
Jimmy Page could be pretty crude onstage when he'd been awake for 5 days straight and loaded on Jack and Smack but my God he could move you with his playing at times. The notes he chose were always perfect , even if they weren't always perfectly executed some nights. But look at the life he was living. He's one of the few actual geniuses in rock. The second solo in Ten Yrs Gone is to me the most brilliant, emotionally charged solo in rock history . (2 minutes and 30 seconds in, for those who are curious). Nobody could capture the mood of a song with a solo like Jimmy Page
I agree Page was great but not the only guitarist to capture the mood of a song in his solo. Check out Michael Schenker with UFO he's an equal in my mind.
I've played that live so many times I luv it, I play the knebworth version on the W.O.F. I always waited for someone to recognise it but everything U said its true
Jimmy was often so wasted that a lot of his live solos sucked. All out of key and way, way, way out of time. It was only because Bonham and Jones were able to hold the bottom that Page was able to pull through. But other than that, Page was incredible.
Some of my absolute favorites that aren't here (goes to show how many great riffs they had) - 'How Many More Times', 'The Rover', 'Communication Breakdown', 'Out On The Tiles',' Four Sticks', 'Over The Hills And Far Away', 'No Quarter'. Geez, I could keep going! And let's not forget, John Paul Jones came up with some of them. Offhand I can only think of 'Black Dog', but I know there are more.
In The Light is such a great tune. Heard it on the radio as a kid that didn't know anything about music and it haunted me for years (the exotic, droning intro followed by that crushing riff). This was pre-RUclips, pre-Shazam and I had no idea who wrote it or how to track it down. Was so pumped when I got deeper in to Led Zeppelin years later as a teenager, bought Physical Graffiti, and finally found it again as I made my way through that second disc.
In the Light was used to great effect on the HBO series Mindhunter. If I recall correctly they used ITL to accompany the season finale ending season 1. Great series. Only two seasons though. I can still remember being 16 years old, high as a kite in my room in complete darkness, and blasting that song on my Sony Walkman and just getting lost in it.
For me, "In the Light" is the best Zeppelin song ever! That heavy haunting riff storming through the initial keyboard part is so deep and hypnotic and the way it transitions to that lighter "in the light" part is so relieving and beautiful... Absolutely genius and super underrated! Very well mentioned 👏
well man, its the Gibsons (and the Fenders and the Danelectro) with the Marshall JCM 800 + Rick Hands. That is TONE. You simply cant sound like that with a Super Strat and the modern amps
Man, Ten Years gone is so freaking good. It's my favorite song to play even though it's humanly impossible to replicate it live due to how many layers of guitar it has
I was lucky to see them live when I finish my tour in Vietnam in 1970, at HIC Amp Theather Honolulu, Hawaii. They were incredible live. BTW I still have their albums from that time period
Over the hills is one of my favs to play. The Rover is dope. Hots on for Nowhere is a blast to play and is an underrated Zep tune. Been playing zep riffs for the last hour now....gotta love em. The Lemon Song, Celebration Day, Bring it on home, Hot Dog, Custard Pie so good. Page is the riff Lord.
Couldn't have said it better.. The Rover is a top-notch killer riff, stuck in my head since when I first heard it 35 years ago. And Bring it on home ( the second part) is just so addictive! Jimmy Page for life 🥂✌️
THIS is why Zeppelin ruled the '70s and every band was jealous of them. They were the best. They outsold every band in record stores and at the box office.
1. Hearing these riffs grouped together in one video pretty much closes the case that Jimmy Page is hands down the most creative writer of iconic rock riffs of all time. People may prefer other styles (I prefer Duane Allman's style) but no one has produced as many iconic riffs as Page. 2. Rick, you really nailed them all! 3. Nice guitar collection!!
Great to see Ten Years Gone on this list, it’s such a beautiful song. Some of the most dramatic and powerful riffs you’ll ever hear. No doubt the wide variety of material that Page was exposed to as a session guitarist gave him a broad experience and encyclopedia of musical genres to draw on for inspiration.
@TorToroPorco: My favorite Page sessions story was him playing when Shirley Bassey recorded "Goldfinger". He said she held a note so long at the end she passed out and collapsed to the floor. Her being so dramatic to begin with just added to it.
I feel like that song is under rated. I was surprised it made the list. Not because it isn't deserving but it seems to be mentioned much less than others.
Jones wrote the riffs to Black Dog and Good Times, Bad Times. He wrote others as well, that were not on this list (Wanton Song, Immigrant Song, Trampled Underfoot).
I’d have “The Ocean” as my number 1, but that’s the beauty of Zeppelin. They have so much great music that it’s impossible to form a consensus. Also, “Immigrant Song” is an iconic riff that I personally would have put in this list instead of “Stairway” (like is that REALLY a “riff”?) but again….it’s Zeppelin. I love the tone on each of these. I’m so jealous of your gear!
What happened here is Rick's wife was starting to doubt his 'I use all my guitars' claim so he whipped up a zeppelin video where he 'had' to use 9 different guitars. We see you, Rick. Nice video, this is catnip for us. Sort of surprised you rank Kashmir first, it's one of my favorites though. Didn't know the opinion was wideheld. Must have missed something.
“The Rover” off Physical Graffiti is one of the most underrated LZ songs with amazing groovy riffs. Same goes with “The Lemon Song.” Goes to show LZ’s greatness!
Agree with all of you. And I will add that composition-wise, it has great distinctive guitar parts, with a guitar solo almost as good as Stairway. Such a fantastic drum intro too!
Interesting to note how important John Paul Jones' basslines were to the overall feel of many of these riffs. Very different sound to hearing them on the guitar alone.
um, he's got a bass track in there on many of them. and a second guitar as well. listen to Heartbreaker at 2:12. after the first measure the bass comes in, and after the second another guitar comes in.
Similar thing with Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler's Sabbath riffs. The guitar riffs don't sound quite right without the bass filling in the missing part of the sound.
Rick, when someone or other sits down to pen "A History of RUclips: The First 25 Years"-or a similar coffee table tome, either music-centered or general interest-you most definitely will figure prominently in it. What you have contributed to music education as well as the overall essential zeitgeist the world over is incalculable. You deserve the highest recognition and honor for your contribution and service-not to mention the sheer contagious joy you bring to everything you do. Too many people to count are in your debt. But do know I am one of them!
Great playing Rick! Love your list. Practically every Zeppelin song has terrific riff. Notable mentions; "Immigrant Song", "Rock and Roll", "Living Loving Maid", "Houses of the Holy".
I saw Led Zeppelin at Subiaco oval in Perth back in 1973. Absolutely amazing. This band was the ultimate in rock and roll. Some of their acoustic recordings are the best as well.
Jesus. I've always loved "Ten Years Gone", but hearing it isolated like that really hit me. It brought tears to my eyes. It's so incredibly emotive, sad and longing. Thank you, Rick.
Same here. Man it took me back to 1982 sitting in my room listening to it on the turntable. Flood of emotions; that song gets me every time. Years pass in a blink of an eye.
Yeah.. “writing”. More like stealing songs and trying to get away with it.. hence all of the court cases and having to settle out of court in other cases.
Lots of other musicians were doing the exact same thing back then. I think the lawsuits had more to do with the 300,000,000 albums sold than infringing out of date copyrights.
@@geob3963 Two original songs on their debut record.. the rest were covers. Covering other songs is fine. But not giving writing credits to the original musician? Plagiarism. Zeppelin was forced to pay royalties after virtually every album. A whole lot of love and Dazed and confused are cover songs. Wow.. what an “influential” cover band. Lol.
so true...and in that vein, if you like 10 years, Page and plant did a tune called blue train on walking into Clarksdale. That song makes me cry everytime I listen. Roberts vocals are haunting.
YESSSSSS..... At 22, I went to New York to stay for some time, and some friends took me to Madison Square Garden to see.... YES! Led Zeppelin... I was in a trance for 1.30hs... Add some pot in the air... It was one of the greatest musical experiences I ever had... Kashmir just blew my brain off......
0:27 #10 moby dick 1:10 #9 good times bad times 1:45 #8 the ocean 2:15 #7 heartbreaker 2:45 #6 ten years gone 3:47 #5 whole lotta love 4:17 #4 black-dog 4:41 #3 dancing days 5:43 #2 stairways to heaven 6:18 #1 Kashmir
So hard to dislike the riffs that Jimmy writes. Most of them are catchy, iconic, fun to play and so easy on the ears. Arguably one of my top 3 favorite guitarists of all time.
Jimi is the riff god, he created more amazing riffs than anyone. I have a hard time getting excitably proficient guitarists whom people worship that have never created a signature riff, or wrote a song that became part of our shared history like Page did. I’ve been listening to his music since 69, they came along just as the Beatles ended and their legacy is forever.
Replying to the comments above; I'd put Iommi and Page side by side, Hendrix was unfortunately taken from us too soon and couldn't write as much as he had the potential to write, although what he wrote was already amazing enough to put him as one of the greatest rock musicians.
@@marcospezenato1981 I think Page had the edge because he could write great riffs that were not heavy rock too. Iommi is definitely the master of hard rock and metal riffs though. Tipton and Downing are right there with him though
I really really love Achilles Last Stand. That track stands out to me because of all of the different individual parts and the harmonies are just impeccable to listen to. A true masterpiece, better than Stairway IMO. Nobody's Fault But Mine is also a incredible piece of music. Love the beginning riff DRENCHED in that flanger, just gives it that flavour that you know it's gonna be badass. They are among my favourite riffs by Zeppelin to play and to listen to as well.
I was just thinking the same thing! Would love to hear Rick take a crack at the 2 minute solo in the middle, but copyright restrictions probably preclude that from happening.
Such a great video and list. My riffs are: 10. Black Dog 9. The Rover 8. Whole Lotta Love 7. Immigrant Song 6. Communication Breakdown 5. Celebration Day 4. Over the Hills and Far Away 3. Rock and Roll 2. In the Light 1. Kashmir
I love that you included the bass parts in there. The interplay between Page and Jones is awesome. There is so much groove in these riffs. Page is a such an innovative rhythm player.
@RickBeato Thank you so much! As you mentioned on the Andy&Alex channel, "Ten Years Gone" is "one of the zeppelin‘s finest songs and one of the best rock songs ever". I couldn't agree more and would really love to see a "What makes this song great?" episode about it. Especially, because as far as I can tell, there may be as many as 3 Jimmy Pages (or more) overlayed and I can't figure out, what exactly he and/or JPJ are doing there.
Without doubt, it is the most incredible, emotional, lush piece of music ever. What really saddens me is that at the ARMS concert, the only time the 3 greatest have ever been on stage together, they didn't play Ten Years, Paul Rodgers could've done the vocals. Guess Clapton didn't want Layla upstaged!
I think the second most amazing thing about Ten Years Gone is that Jimmy & JPJ worked out music that beautiful to begin with. Imagine being a singer and being handed that piece of music to write lyrics for and sing over without ruining it. And that's the most amazing thing about that song, that Plant actually managed to do it. If I were trying to be a rock band in the 70s and I had to compete with that, I'd just say F it and start punk too.
So nobody is ever going to agree on any ranking of anything Led Zeppelin, but I agree with the comments - so awesomely played and a ton of fun to listen to. Love your channel.
Some of these riffs are almost twice as old as me and still sound fresh to the ear. Jimmy Page is a timeless once in a lifetime composer and let's not forget John Paul Jones adding to the "fullness" of the riffs.
Physical Graffiti is a treasure trove of Zeps best licks and riffs!!! SO MANY great songs on this MASTERPIECE!! Uh, I may have commented on the wrong post, but I still stand by it!!
Heartbreaker? Literally every Zep fan name drops Heartbreaker. If anything it's overrated. 'Last Stand, The Rover, Four Sticks, Wanton Song, That's the Way... those are underrated
Totally incredible that all of these riffs are from the iconic Jimmy Page, and I can think of at least another 10-12. Add to this, the incredible vocals of Robert Plant, the magical bass tones and versatility of John Paul Jones, together with the explosive drumming of John Bonham, and you know that Led Zeppelin are the greatest rock group of all time!!!
I'm 58. Grew up listening to LZ. Always liked them, but I'm just now realizing how incredibly awesome their songs really are. Kashmir. . . I challenge anyone who basically just "likes" them to sit down, eyes closed, earphones on, and really, truly listen to genius that went into the writing of that song. All the different, counter-acting stanzas. The simplistic, yet incredible riff played here by Rick that acts as the "superstructure" for all the other riffs to come. . . If you don't come away with a whole new admiration for the band, then I just don't know what to say.
Rick, you played them perfectly with such richness. Hearing them like this shows just how great they are. I got chills listening. They will remain the greatest forever. Jimmy Page is the Master.
It’s not top ten, but Page’s guitar riff on Out on the Tiles has always been one of my faves. It’s playful, creative, nimble and hilarious. The way the guitar weaves in and around Bonham’s drums is next level awesome.
Wow this takes me back... Page was maybe my biggest influence when first starting guitar... left their cassettes on repeat on road trips down the California highway. Haven't listened in ages and it hits even harder now
The verse of "In the Light" might be the most overlooked Page riff. So menacing and with the open g string at the end of the phrase is just spellbinding
Timestamps (for my reference when I revisit this to appreciate Rick nailing these awesome riffs): 1. Moby Dick: 0:37 2. Good Times Bad Times: 1:15 3. The Ocean: 1:46 4. Heartbreaker: 2:15 5. Ten Years Gone: 2:45 6. Whole Lotta Love: 3:47 7. Black Dog: 4:17 8. Dancing Days: 4:42 9. Stairway to Heaven: 5:40 10. Kashmir: 6:17
Ya know ... Rick, Rick. Rick ... [sighs] ... Without fail, you've saved me from playing, blissfully unaware, yet another set of iconic riffs incorrectly. Somehow, because you nail the tone and because I can see the fretboard as you play, I hear instantly what I was screwing up. You're amazing Rick, thank you for what you do.
If the criteria for this list was the Greatest Jimmy Page LZ Riffs, regardless of popularity or how fun they are to play , or not, The Rover's riff would be right there at the top of my list, along with the riffs to TSRTS and SIBLY.
Loved hearing them alone in your guitar, everyone has such a different feel to it! Led Zeppelin is THE riff band, any riff of theirs could've made the career of any great rock band. You could probably make a top50 and never feel like you were just filling the last spots.
Rick could drop the "2nd Ten" and it would be just as awesome. No one EVER was as prolific as Jimmy Page at writing iconic guitar riffs, and I don't think it's close. It's mind blowing. Some mentioned below, The Rover (pure groinal power), Over the Hills, Achilles, Out of the Tiles, Nobody's Fault, In the Evening, Living Loving Maid, No Quarter.....
Out on the tiles is prolly number one for me. ooooh yeah . . . A grave omission indeed! Cmon really . . . Dancing Days? Rick's just showing off there . . .
Here are my favorite twelve Zep Riffs (In no particular order): 1. Kashmir 2. Achilies Last Stand 3. Immigrant Song 4. Dazed And Confused 5. The Ocean 6. Over The Hills And Far Away 7. Trampled Under Foot 8. Dancing Days 9. Black Dog 10. The Rain Song 11. Sick Again 12. I'm Gonna Leave You
I've always loved the riff in "Tangerine," it's just the saddest thing ever. And then the vocal enters, "Measuring a summer's day, I always find it slips away...to gray, the hours they bring me pain."
You can do another top 10 with a completely different list and it'll still be incredible. Immigrant Song, Rock N Roll, The Song Remains the Same, Bron yr Aur Stomp, Over the Hills and Far Away, Ramble On.... The list is endless.
The sound of Ten Years Gone is just so iconic when RB starts playing. Hells yeah!!!! RB this is great stuff. This is the continent that fans have wanted for so long. Keep up the good work man!!
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Can we just take a second to appreciate how accurate the tone is for each riff? Incredible.
True, he even used the Telecaster for "good times bad Times" from an album notoriously made with that guitar
It does have some serious talent.
Brian May told him he thinks Rick is a better guitar player than him. I mean that says it all..
I always appreciate an electric 12-string. The real top-10 list is the top 10 guitars used for this top-10 list.
@@KingBeevr I'm not a guitar player or anything, but that does sound interesting! I second the notion.
It’s crazy how this list probably could’ve been 20-30 songs and most people would know them all.
I saw Jimmy on a solo tour in the 1990's (iirc), and at one point he sat down just doing a rambling (ha!) instrumental. He'd go off in some random direction, and then drop into a riff from Led Zep song. He wouldn't do more then maybe six to eight notes for any one riff, but every time he did one the whole crowd would roar with recognition of the riff.
Years ago I had a job working nights and every night at 8 the radio station would "Get the Led Out" 3 songs in a row, I got so sick of that...
now I appreciate the education although I am not a big fan I am glad I listened (like I had a choice).
I was just thinking about how 10 is just not enough for this list...
@@To.Si.Ma. c'mon man, their riffs don't come even close to zeppelin's
He could have it 30 if all of his guitas have strings on
You can never have enough Zeppelin. One of the most important rock groups in history. Cheers Rick!
Gotta get the Led out!!
Never enough, never turn off any Zeppelin, feeds my soul🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I don't get it. I think they're decent, but have never understood why so many people go apeshit over them. These riffs are pretty good, but are casually swept aside but half the riffs on the first RATM album
Never heard them before, great band!
@@NotQuiteFirst context matters, these guys were pioneers who have been credited as the start of what would eventually be known as Heavy Metal (with Black Sabbath). Robert Plant is recognised along w/ Mick Jagger as quintessential Rock front men, and bands like Zeppelin, Sabbath and the Beatles brought blues and soul over the Atlantic back to the US where those styles originated, The US didn't really recognise those genres until the British invasion brought it back to them
(They grew up near coastal towns in England so were exposed to that music from the sailors who brought the music to the UK).... Even if you don't care for their music, those early British bands are what turned Rock into blues/soul tinged music you hear even today.
Timestamp:
0:38 Moby Dįck
1:17 Good Times
1:49 The Ocean
2:17 Heartbreaker
2:47 10 Years Gone
3:48 Whole Lotta Love
4:18 Black Dawg
4:43 Dancing Days
5:41 Stairway To Heaven
6:19 Kashmir
What’s odd. In the light is 10 times better than Kashmir. But Kashmir. Is 200 times more popular
...except that godbyone is right.
The point stands that quality and popularity are distinctly different things.
Thx
How Many More Times
@@godbyonethey’re both 10/10s imo
Over The Hills And Far Away!
‘The Rover’ for me.
The finest of all Zeppelin
Definitely yes and definitely yes to any Led Zeppelin song anyone suggests :) So many great ones.
Yep that was the second zeppelin riff I learnt after moby dick. I love it
Absolutley...it's the very first true riff my 11 year old has learned this summer. Every day for a month this summer he would start with his pentatonic scales and spend the next hour working on the OTHAFA opening
The Rain Song. Not a riff, an entire composition that you have to learn all of. And when you get to the end, it's totally worth it.
I hacked around on the Rain Song my first few years playing guitar, but could never get it to sound right. Then when I was in college, one of those guitar tablature mags finally got around to publishing it. The key is the crazy tuning, which I've never seen anywhere else. Was a great day when I learned that song and finally understood what was going on.
One of the absolute best standalone songs to play on acoustic guitar. If it wasn't for the odd tuning, I'd play it all the time. Instead it's more like once every year or two, I'll tune my acoustic to said tuning and re-figure it out. Always feels great to nail that one from beginning to end.
@@Splifftone Ha, I do the exact same. Has always just been one to revisit every now and then. You sometimes forget how great it sounds until you actually tune up and play it again.
Same, wish I could play it all the time.
Every 2-3 years a tune my 12 string for a few weeks in the “Page” tuning.
It's incredibly fun and satisfying to play. A must learn for anything who like acoustic guitar. . I've never heard anything else quite like it
0:36 Moby Dick
1:15 Good Times Bad Times
1:46 The Ocean
2:15 Heartbraker
2:46 Ten Years Gone
3:47 Whole Lotta Love
4:17 Black Dog
4:42 Dancing Days
5:40 Stairway to Heaven
6:17 Kashmir
Where is Achilles Last Stand. Since I've been loving you. The song Remains the Same. The Rain Song. Dazed and Confused? In the Evening. In My Time of Dying. Battle of Evermore. How Many More Times. Your skipping some of the best songs and riffs that have been copied over and over. I get you can't give them to much praise because of the whole stigma, but when the best of the best that has played in the same industry bows down to them, that's all the recognition that is needed by us who actually have the ear but not only the ear we have the third eye to see what is truly the Hammer of The Gods. So mysterious, so magical, so transcending, it's a question that sounds them that no person past or present can truly answer. That's the wonder of Led Zeppelin!
You're the real MVP! Thank you 💯✊🏆
The Ocean! Needs to be there. 🙂
@@tomhenninger4153
It is -
1:46
I was there ,saw Zeppelin twice, saw Plant solo, saw Page and plant, saw The Firm first row. Bought every album except their first one as they came out starting at age 11, I’m 61 now! I was only 8 or 9 when the first album came out but by 11 I owned 1&2 . Kids were more advanced in those days. Way more independent and not so fully dependent on their mothers like millennials and Gen Z 😹
Ten Years Gone is just an incredible work of art on guitar (and overall). Always amazed by Ricks ability to demonstrate awesome music.
100% correct
My guitar teacher would, for the last few minutes of my lessons, show me riffs from all the greats. He could play them just as well as Rick. I asked him one time why he was a guitar teacher in a crummy little music store, and he said "I can play 'em. I can't create 'em."
A very honest and very true answer
Time + practice = great guitarist. ? = composer. Therin lay that most important gift. There are at least 10 guitarist in any given town who can make the very best famous players green with envy but, they can't write so...next. Good news though, if they are reliable, dependable, and amiable they can do very well as a session musician.
That's the key to the whole thing.
That's the creative spark vs the dedication to learn an instrument. That said both Page and JPJ were both studio musicians when they were young which I'm sure have them great insight and taught them a lot about the creative process.
Absolutely. The great thing about so much rock and pop music is that it’s possible to reproduce it quite well after a little time learning an instrument. I remember playing along with The Beatles For No One very soon after I started playing and being stunned at how simple it was. But even more impressed with how McCartney had come up with it. The composing and playing brain are very different.
Tens Years Gone and the Rain Song are two of the best Led Zeppelin songs ever recorded. INCREDIBLY creative and well rounded!
the rain song!
Beautiful lyrics by Plant as well!
@@carlneoh5843 yes!
Ten years gone definitely. I like no quarter more than rainsong but I love led zeppelin soooo yeah
No better rock ballads - The Rain Song, Thank You, and Ten Year Gone.
What REALLY makes the "10 Years Gone" riff great though, is the sick bass line that goes with it. I would LOVE to see you do a "What makes this song great" video on it! You always make my brain understand what my ears and heart have known all along!
The Rover?
It's one of my favorite Plant performances as well. Great song, great album.
Oh, yeah, that would be great. That tune has a GB Factor rating of an 11 on the 10 scale (goose bumps) every time I hear it, and when Rick started playing....whoa, there we go. Just the greatest tune, so underrated. [Disclaimer: GB Factor is a product of the mind of Alex Lifeson and I do not own nor receive monetary value from it's use].
Also Jimmy Paige used like 12 different guitar tracks for that song. There's so much going on and it all blends so well together.
@@davetuttle1105 LOL! 11 on the GB factor indeed! Seriously... it does something to my soul every time I hear it, which is countless times!
One of the all time riff kings. I was maybe 11 and my father sat me down in front of the green doored credenza where he had his vinyl and stereo. Prior to that day I never had any interest in it. We sat on the floor and he gave me my musical education that day…selecting albums he had bought over the years. Albums that ignited a fire inside me that never left. The first album he played fir me was the first Led Zeppelin release. That was it for me. I still see the room, can smell the album covers, feel the texture of the credenza and hear the crackle of the phonograph needle. My father just passed and it’s left a hole inside of me. But that day is hands down the best memory I have with him. I’ll be traveling to Florida soon to retrieve these albums, of which he left to me. I plan to find a similar credenza, stereo system and sit on the floor and revisit that day. Rest easy dad. Love you.
Great, great story - a true bonding experience.
AWSOME dad
My condolences for your loss, I too was introduced to the works of Zeppelin by my dad. Currently my 4yr old son asks me every day we drive to daycare to hear his favorite songs on LZ II.
I've always loved the guitars in " Ten Years Gone". That would have probably been a career defining song for anyone else but Jimmy Page.
Great guitar in this song. Also , the point which the guitar solo starts is just awesome. Some serious air drum material.
Me too! Great, great song
I saw them do it live in 1979. Then I saw Page and Plant do 'Since I've been lovin' you' in the 90's. I can die happy.
Agreed. One of my favorite Zep songs.
So melancholy
hell yes for Ten Years Gone
forgot how long and amazing that riff is. top 5 zep song fosho
What a GREAT riff and song that is!!!
Arguably the most under-appreciated classic rock tune. Like Black Rose by Thin Lizzy, or Ride On by AC DC. Masterpieces.
Great list, for me 10 Years Gone would be #2 behind Stairway to Heaven
The second solo is sighhh beautiful..
Raise your hand if you've ever had one of those days where your "practice" session ends up just being 30 minutes of playing through classic 'Zep riffs for the pure joy of it. Great video, Rick. Love your channel!
👋
At least once a week 😂
Everyday lol
Only on days when it's not Sabbath riffs.
👋🏽
I'm glad he put Ten Years Gone on here! I love that song and like to play it on guitar too!
Should've been closer to #1 imo.
My favorite too
Totally agree- much closer to #1
Underrated song
@@krislvzep totally! I'm always trying to introduce it to people!
The Ten Years gone riff gives me chills everytime. Just an incredible piece of music!
Perfect... perfectly expressed, does for me too!
Yeah, the bootleg tape of him working out ideas for it is a full hour long. Once he hit that chord progression he just started pouring out ideas. If I recall, he spent so much time working on it, its working title was "The Campaign". I love what the band distilled it down to when they fit it on the record, but I wish they also made a "producers cut" of that thing with aaall Jimmy's other ideas in it too.
I believe that an entire video dedicated to the masterpiece that is "Ten Years Gone" is long overdue. I love the countdowns too! Great tones, man.
What makes this song great Episode: Epic!
Agreed 100%
Signed.
I came to the comments only to talk about this song
Indeed, it showcases Pagey as a producer, writer, and player like few others. I hope Rick considers it soon.
Yes, good call!!! :)
Led Zep is an amazing band period, but it's when you hear it broken down like this that you realize just how talented Page is and how innovative, especially for his time. It's amazing to hear the variety too. So often groups, especially rock groups, create a very specific sound and once it works, just stick with it. LZ's songs had a distinctive flair, but each song was definitely unique.
My all-time favorite song by them is When The Levee Breaks, for many reasons. The beat, Plant's vocals, the song is just *chef's kiss*
I listen to this one a whole lot still. And Ramble on, and the Rain song. Top 3 still listened to by me.
Jimmy Page was the riffmeister in general. without doubt.
What do you mean "for his time"? His time was the great age of guitar-driven rock. He inspired and was emulated by nearly all that followed him. Page is a rock god!
Rain Song is out of this world.
You are spot on.
10 Years Gone is such a majestic sounding song. That and The Rain Song live are probably my top two favorite Zeppelin songs…with about 40 more in third place. What a sound they had.
Loved seeing “Ten Years Gone” on the list, and with some love in the comments. It’s my favorite Zeppelin tune. Such great riffage and epic with all the layers.
The song is genius. Lyrically, melodically, rhythmically, musically it is al all time great. Criminally underrated. Kashmir is widely considered Zep's best tune but Ten Years Gone is complete wistful magic from start to finish.
So many great riffs to choose from. Also Ramble On, Rain Song, Trampled Under Foot, and so on and so on.
Not just the greatest rock band ever but the greatest riffs as well - and you play them so well!
Communication Breakdown, Immigrant song, No Quarter, The Rover, Achilles Last Stand. List goes on...
@@padmakshkhandelwal1832 Communication breakdown is still one Page’s most blistering riffs, I think he might’ve stayed off the first album for the other copyright issues…Which is moot to me, whatever Zepplin did they made their OWN…GOAT
Yes yes, I you just reminded me of those. So many awesome great things ay
Zeppelin blocks videos on RUclips?
Hah, I'm Rick Beato!
You don’t like it? I talk to Pat Metheny .
something tells me he did it on purpose, but not to get blocked, he probably talked with someone on LZ camp beforehand, i anticipate a huge WTF video kinda like the ones with Brian May
@@Jacksabbath44 The artist I support was given permission to perform "What is and What Should Never Be" on national TV by both Page and Plant, it wouldn't surprise me if one of them appeared on Rick's channel given his track record and growing reputation among many iconic musicians
@@HaleysTusk Of Course! this video gave me that "hint" because of the history of how they've managed these kinds of things, basically you have to get to them directly (which i guess is not an easy task) Jack Black and Richard Linklater had to make a video of Jack and the whole cast and crew of School of Rock basically begging for them to allow them to use the songs on the soundtrack, and send it to them directly, Rick is up to something!
@@Jacksabbath44 I honestly wish RUclips would set up something like this for the 'not so famous' among us who want to celebrate the music of our favorites, instead of a BS automated system that ends up getting your channel deleted
I gotta say, Achilles Last Stand has got to be the most incredible intro and outro i have ever heard in my life. There is a RUclips video that looped it for 10 hours and i must've listened to the whole 10 hours like 50 times
whoa, heavy! i've got to find that.
😊
The beginning and ending open arpeggio are the foundation for just about everything the Cult did and 80% of late 70's-mid-80's metal.
That is the problem with those genius. You choose 10, and still 50 (or more) extraordinare riffs to talk about.
1 - Communication Breakdown - This riff is a nearly exemple of Heavy Metal before Sabbath show up;
2 - Dazed and Confused - Also a heavy song in their first record;
3 - The lemon song - Extraordinare guitar piece;
4 - Imigrant song - Is like a punch in your face;
5 - Tangerine - Beautiful riff;
But, my favorites are:
1 - No quarter - Hypnotic riff! Just listen!
2 - The Rover - Such a shame that Led never play this song live, man!
3 - Achilles last stand - Totally masterpiece!
Bravo Jose,,,,,,,Achilles....KILLERS..
Ditto for "The Rover." I also agree there are like 50 top riffs. Such a great band! 4 master musicians, playing to their equals, while peaking simultaneously. None compare. I loved hearing Page say when he formed Zeppelin he DIDN'T want the others to "sound like" this guy, or that other guy. He wanted John Bonham to play like John Bonham. Same for Jonesy. And if Plant was going to sing the songs, HE should be the lyricist OF the songs. THEN, if that wasn't enough...Page was the producer on top of being the guitarist we all love. Damn! There'll never be another like them!
I could go on and on, but I'll end with this. ALL of this is also due to management! Peter Grant worked for THEM and was quite aware of his role. NEVER ripping off the band! His cut, to include overhead, was 20%. EIGHTY PERCENT back to the band to be divided as THEY saw fit! Unheard of.
I agree! I choose 10, then 10 more and 10 more... then I stop because I end up choosing...all the songs from all the albums! 😁
@@marciashiraishi5891 If you had to pick just one song that identifies Zeppelin, what song do you choose? For example: If the band in question was The Beatles, I'd pick "All You Need Is Love." There is no wrong answer, just an opinion.
arguably "Dazed and Confused" is a cover and the riff is basically the same so its not a Zep riff.
Ten Years Gone is one of the most amazing songs I've ever heard or played. In days of yore before the internets I had to sit with the albums and try and decipher what Jimmy the Wizard was doing. When I figured out Ten Years Gone just after Physical Graffiti came out - and played it pretty much all the way through for the first time - the hairs on my neck stood on end and I had good bumps on my arms. So many things clicked into place from learning that one song. Dancing Days was a whole nother beast because all we had were music books that were usually wrong. The owner of our local music store heard me trying to figure it out and he opined that he thinks it's in an open tuning... G maybe? Voila! Another 20 doors of perception kicked down. And of course once one of us figured out a new Zeppelin song we were obligated to show it to everyone, then they'd show it to others and so on and so on.. I miss that. The feeling that every time I picked up a guitar it was possible to learn some new amazing thing. Or sitting on the edge of my bed at 1am playing my nylon string and learning some new picking pattern.
That was a wonderful journey
I bought Physical Graffiti at my local K-Mart for $5 and listened to it constantly, Lyrically 10 Years Gone is a what if and remorse tune that a lot of bar bands could play; but couldn’t get the vocals.
Good Post,
Your story is really heartfelt... I never played LZ but I used to play guitar, and when I managed to learn one loved song I felt what you felt. And Ten Years Gone also gives me a chill when I listen to it... ❤❤
@@tarkusmjgI had it and lost it, and it wasn't available in my country... So I had to search for it and pay a WHOLE lot of money for an imported Album... but it was worth every single cent I spent.... SUPERB..!!!!❤❤❤❤
Jimmy Page could be pretty crude onstage when he'd been awake for 5 days straight and loaded on Jack and Smack but my God he could move you with his playing at times. The notes he chose were always perfect , even if they weren't always perfectly executed some nights. But look at the life he was living. He's one of the few actual geniuses in rock. The second solo in Ten Yrs Gone is to me the most brilliant, emotionally charged solo in rock history . (2 minutes and 30 seconds in, for those who are curious). Nobody could capture the mood of a song with a solo like Jimmy Page
Jack and Smack. Don't forget the Coke. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to stay up that long. Ha ha ha!!!
I agree Page was great but not the only guitarist to capture the mood of a song in his solo. Check out Michael Schenker with UFO he's an equal in my mind.
I agree, except that the second solo from comfortably numb is the greatest solo of all time. But Ten years gone is a better song all around
I've played that live so many times I luv it, I play the knebworth version on the W.O.F. I always waited for someone to recognise it but everything U said its true
Jimmy was often so wasted that a lot of his live solos sucked. All out of key and way, way, way out of time.
It was only because Bonham and Jones were able to hold the bottom that Page was able to pull through.
But other than that, Page was incredible.
Some of my absolute favorites that aren't here (goes to show how many great riffs they had) - 'How Many More Times', 'The Rover', 'Communication Breakdown', 'Out On The Tiles',' Four Sticks', 'Over The Hills And Far Away', 'No Quarter'. Geez, I could keep going! And let's not forget, John Paul Jones came up with some of them. Offhand I can only think of 'Black Dog', but I know there are more.
You are a guitar monster! Precision, heart, groove, taste, sensibility... you have not simply played Led Zep, you have honored them! Chapeau!
Of the songs on albums considered “the good ones,” Ten Years Gone is under appreciated but In The Light is slept on even more. Insanely heavy.
I was hoping to see the In the Light riff, too. The only thing overshadowing it is JPJ's keyboard work. But the riff is so so heavy, love it!
In The Light is such a great tune. Heard it on the radio as a kid that didn't know anything about music and it haunted me for years (the exotic, droning intro followed by that crushing riff). This was pre-RUclips, pre-Shazam and I had no idea who wrote it or how to track it down. Was so pumped when I got deeper in to Led Zeppelin years later as a teenager, bought Physical Graffiti, and finally found it again as I made my way through that second disc.
Yeah, to me, both those songs are probably top 5 best Zeppelin songs, stairway is iconic, but ten years gone and in the light are kashmir epic level
In the Light was used to great effect on the HBO series Mindhunter. If I recall correctly they used ITL to accompany the season finale ending season 1. Great series. Only two seasons though. I can still remember being 16 years old, high as a kite in my room in complete darkness, and blasting that song on my Sony Walkman and just getting lost in it.
For me, "In the Light" is the best Zeppelin song ever! That heavy haunting riff storming through the initial keyboard part is so deep and hypnotic and the way it transitions to that lighter "in the light" part is so relieving and beautiful... Absolutely genius and super underrated! Very well mentioned 👏
You tone is insane on these Rick!
I was ready to type essentially the same thing, and you beat me to it. Incredible tone.
well man, its the Gibsons (and the Fenders and the Danelectro) with the Marshall JCM 800 + Rick Hands. That is TONE. You simply cant sound like that with a Super Strat and the modern amps
I think it's the bass and it's great!
pretty sure there's some overdubs (layered guitar tracks) and a bit of mixing
It does sound great but keep in mind you’re listening to a pair of guitars not one. Try soloing each channel to hear them separately.
Man, Ten Years gone is so freaking good. It's my favorite song to play even though it's humanly impossible to replicate it live due to how many layers of guitar it has
I've long contended that Jimmy Page wrote 12 of the best 10 rock riffs ever.
You are not wrong lol
Keith Richards might have something to say about that.
@@gmrick1412 keith is a joke compared to Jimmy
@@pinkled4429 facts
I think he meant Tony Iommi.
I was lucky to see them live when I finish my tour in Vietnam in 1970, at HIC Amp Theather Honolulu, Hawaii. They were incredible live. BTW I still have their albums from that time period
Over the hills is one of my favs to play. The Rover is dope. Hots on for Nowhere is a blast to play and is an underrated Zep tune.
Been playing zep riffs for the last hour now....gotta love em. The Lemon Song, Celebration Day, Bring it on home, Hot Dog, Custard Pie so good. Page is the riff Lord.
Couldn't have said it better.. The Rover is a top-notch killer riff, stuck in my head since when I first heard it 35 years ago. And Bring it on home ( the second part) is just so addictive! Jimmy Page for life 🥂✌️
Bring it on home is great fun to play, love playing the whole song
hots on for nowhere is a favourite i wish i could play
Over the Hills... Yes, fave to play!
Agree, love ‘The Rover’.
A great reminder of how amazing Jimmy was at creating these incredible riffs
So many brilliant riffs by Page - they make you hang on to each note. Over the Hills and Far Away is underrated.
Over the hills and far away is my favorite song of all time. That song on every level is just a masterpiece.
yeye especially the live 1973 MSG version
@@SpicyElaichi How The West Was Won version is heavenly!
THIS is why Zeppelin ruled the '70s and every band was jealous of them. They were the best. They outsold every band in record stores and at the box office.
They were lucky enough to get a manager who made sure they got paid instead of ripping them off.
1. Hearing these riffs grouped together in one video pretty much closes the case that Jimmy Page is hands down the most creative writer of iconic rock riffs of all time. People may prefer other styles (I prefer Duane Allman's style) but no one has produced as many iconic riffs as Page. 2. Rick, you really nailed them all! 3. Nice guitar collection!!
It wasn't just Jimmy Page. The Black Dog riff, which is horribly messed up here, was by John Paul Jones.
@@nightjaronthegate 🙄
@@jgfunk It's well known that Jones wrote the Black Dog riff.
Rick actually panned the speakers for specific songs in his playthrough... that's some serious dedication to production.
Fr genuinely impressive as hell, wish everyone made this much of an effort to have their cover tones match the originals
Great to see Ten Years Gone on this list, it’s such a beautiful song. Some of the most dramatic and powerful riffs you’ll ever hear. No doubt the wide variety of material that Page was exposed to as a session guitarist gave him a broad experience and encyclopedia of musical genres to draw on for inspiration.
@TorToroPorco: My favorite Page sessions story was him playing when Shirley Bassey recorded "Goldfinger". He said she held a note so long at the end she passed out and collapsed to the floor. Her being so dramatic to begin with just added to it.
Yes, he was drawing on world music, not just the blues
I legit started crying when you played Ten Years Gone. So many memories. Such an emotional song for me. Amazing job Rick.
It sounded to me like Rick had the "feel" of that one down better than any of the other ones. Must be one of his favorite Zep tunes.
I love
That one but it put’s me automatically in a sad and nostalgic mood 😔
I feel like that song is under rated. I was surprised it made the list. Not because it isn't deserving but it seems to be mentioned much less than others.
I've heard Dancing Days so many times it's almost become background noise for me. Hearing the guitar isolated: god, I love those chords. Wow
I don't know why I didn't like that song as a kid, it surely does have some great riffs and chords
The live version from HTWWW is special.
@@HardRockMaster7577 Weird how they stopped playin it after that
Notice how a lot of those single note riffs are followed note for note on the bass guitar and not just a few notes rung out to fill things in.
Jones wrote the riffs to Black Dog and Good Times, Bad Times. He wrote others as well, that were not on this list (Wanton Song, Immigrant Song, Trampled Underfoot).
I’d have “The Ocean” as my number 1, but that’s the beauty of Zeppelin. They have so much great music that it’s impossible to form a consensus. Also, “Immigrant Song” is an iconic riff that I personally would have put in this list instead of “Stairway” (like is that REALLY a “riff”?) but again….it’s Zeppelin. I love the tone on each of these. I’m so jealous of your gear!
The Ocean was a song my guitar teacher taught me when I was like 10. Haha.. that riff is part of my soul 🤣😫😁
+1
"We've done four already but now we're steady,
And then they went: One, Two, Three, Four. . ." 💥🎸🥁💥
✊🏽😎
The Immigrant Song's intro is my call notification. I get a kick out people's reaction to it.
Ten Years Gone.....
You could've started and stopped right there, and I would've been happy.
Such an underappreciated and beautiful song.
What happened here is Rick's wife was starting to doubt his 'I use all my guitars' claim so he whipped up a zeppelin video where he 'had' to use 9 different guitars.
We see you, Rick. Nice video, this is catnip for us.
Sort of surprised you rank Kashmir first, it's one of my favorites though. Didn't know the opinion was wideheld. Must have missed something.
Kashmir and Ten Years Gone are my tie for #1!
Rick, you play so well man! And beautifully matched guitars and tones. Love it.
“The Rover” off Physical Graffiti is one of the most underrated LZ songs with amazing groovy riffs. Same goes with “The Lemon Song.” Goes to show LZ’s greatness!
The Rover Is the best 🔥🔥🤘🤘
"The Rover" is the most "copied" Led Zeppelin song, as far as using it as a template.
agreed!
Agree with all of you. And I will add that composition-wise, it has great distinctive guitar parts, with a guitar solo almost as good as Stairway. Such a fantastic drum intro too!
Agree
Page is the riffmeister....I play Ten Years Gone on guitar almost every day because the intro is just that good
Agreed. With Iommi a /very/ close second. Unbelievable.
Ten Years Gone is sublime.
I’d put Iommi slightly ahead but Page and Blackmore are close behind.
If ten years gone is so good why is it not a big hit because IT'S NOT THAT GOOD
TYG deserves so much more love!
Zeppelin and Floyd absolutely timeless bands that will live on forever
King Crimson too...!! ☺
Yes!
@@bdmonster8250 no way
@@ryzen1383 I guess you've never heard KC at all...
If they were playing the same concert, which one would be the cover band?
As I listen to these, I can hear Bonham's drumming in my mind along with them.
Bonzo and his Ludwigs!
bro same lmao I'm like drumming to it lmao
❤❤❤❤❤❤
Interesting to note how important John Paul Jones' basslines were to the overall feel of many of these riffs. Very different sound to hearing them on the guitar alone.
um, he's got a bass track in there on many of them. and a second guitar as well. listen to Heartbreaker at 2:12. after the first measure the bass comes in, and after the second another guitar comes in.
@@johnharrison6522 Pretty sure that was the point
Absolutely!
Similar thing with Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler's Sabbath riffs. The guitar riffs don't sound quite right without the bass filling in the missing part of the sound.
When Captain Obvious and Sherlock Holmes unite ...🤣
Rick, when someone or other sits down to pen "A History of RUclips: The First 25 Years"-or a similar coffee table tome, either music-centered or general interest-you most definitely will figure prominently in it. What you have contributed to music education as well as the overall essential zeitgeist the world over is incalculable. You deserve the highest recognition and honor for your contribution and service-not to mention the sheer contagious joy you bring to everything you do.
Too many people to count are in your debt. But do know I am one of them!
Um, yeah Rick - What he said!
Great playing Rick! Love your list. Practically every Zeppelin song has terrific riff. Notable mentions; "Immigrant Song", "Rock and Roll", "Living Loving Maid", "Houses of the Holy".
Agreed, especially "Living Loving Maid."
Man, Rick plays it so accurately and those guitars sound so amazing, what a tone! Awesome video!
YES! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🤎🤎
I saw Led Zeppelin at Subiaco oval in Perth back in 1973. Absolutely amazing. This band was the ultimate in rock and roll. Some of their acoustic recordings are the best as well.
Amazing, when you hear all these familiar riffs, altogether here, you realize why we love this band so much.
Jesus. I've always loved "Ten Years Gone", but hearing it isolated like that really hit me. It brought tears to my eyes. It's so incredibly emotive, sad and longing. Thank you, Rick.
Same here! So, so good.
Same here. Man it took me back to 1982 sitting in my room listening to it on the turntable. Flood of emotions; that song gets me every time. Years pass in a blink of an eye.
yup.
@@jeanclaude4 I feel the same about that whole LP, especially "In MY Time of Dying"
@@brainscott8198 "in My Time of..." is my #1 all-time favorite Zep song.
In his prime Jimmy Page was writing absolute classics riffs for kicks and giggles.
Yeah.. “writing”. More like stealing songs and trying to get away with it.. hence all of the court cases and having to settle out of court in other cases.
@@solidarnosc9663we found him!! You must be fun at parties.
Lots of other musicians were doing the exact same thing back then. I think the lawsuits had more to do with the 300,000,000 albums sold than infringing out of date copyrights.
@@geob3963 Two original songs on their debut record.. the rest were covers. Covering other songs is fine. But not giving writing credits to the original musician? Plagiarism. Zeppelin was forced to pay royalties after virtually every album. A whole lot of love and Dazed and confused are cover songs. Wow.. what an “influential” cover band. Lol.
@@ericmojave6061 Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to bring you down with some honesty. Go back to lying.. be happy.
Ten Years Gone just reaches a place that other songs can not. I don't know what it is but makes me happy.
One of Their best imo . One of The greatest songs . Ever . Period .
so true...and in that vein, if you like 10 years, Page and plant did a tune called blue train on walking into Clarksdale. That song makes me cry everytime I listen. Roberts vocals are haunting.
The 'chorus' riff in "Wonton Song" has always been my favorite Zeppelin riff. Really can't go wrong with Jimmy Page!
Love how Bonham goes off on the drums in that song too
my question is how the hell does he do that fade in thing on guitar in that song? ill never know
@@jellyjub1690 guess it's volume pedal or just the mixing. Myself first took it for a some mariachi style trumpets ;p
LED ZEPPELIN is the best rock band of all times.
Thank you, Rick.
YESSSSSS..... At 22, I went to New York to stay for some time, and some friends took me to Madison Square Garden to see.... YES! Led Zeppelin... I was in a trance for 1.30hs... Add some pot in the air... It was one of the greatest musical experiences I ever had... Kashmir just blew my brain off......
0:27 #10 moby dick
1:10 #9 good times bad times
1:45 #8 the ocean
2:15 #7 heartbreaker
2:45 #6 ten years gone
3:47 #5 whole lotta love
4:17 #4 black-dog
4:41 #3 dancing days
5:43 #2 stairways to heaven
6:18 #1 Kashmir
So hard to dislike the riffs that Jimmy writes. Most of them are catchy, iconic, fun to play and so easy on the ears. Arguably one of my top 3 favorite guitarists of all time.
John Paul Jones came up with some of the classic Zep riffs, but your overall point still stands.
@@5stringKen Which ones?
@@FatherAndTeacherTV JPJ came up with the riff for "Black Dog."
@@bf1lv Really? I had no idea. Thank you for answering for me.
Jimi is the riff god, he created more amazing riffs than anyone. I have a hard time getting excitably proficient guitarists whom people worship that have never created a signature riff, or wrote a song that became part of our shared history like Page did. I’ve been listening to his music since 69, they came along just as the Beatles ended and their legacy is forever.
No way, bro. Tony Iommi is the riff god, but Page is one of the greatest
Replying to the comments above; I'd put Iommi and Page side by side, Hendrix was unfortunately taken from us too soon and couldn't write as much as he had the potential to write, although what he wrote was already amazing enough to put him as one of the greatest rock musicians.
@@marcospezenato1981 I think Page had the edge because he could write great riffs that were not heavy rock too. Iommi is definitely the master of hard rock and metal riffs though. Tipton and Downing are right there with him though
Not all Zepp’s riffs are created by Jimmy though
Page was also a master acoustic player; no one will ever touch him.
I really really love Achilles Last Stand. That track stands out to me because of all of the different individual parts and the harmonies are just impeccable to listen to. A true masterpiece, better than Stairway IMO. Nobody's Fault But Mine is also a incredible piece of music. Love the beginning riff DRENCHED in that flanger, just gives it that flavour that you know it's gonna be badass. They are among my favourite riffs by Zeppelin to play and to listen to as well.
Achilles Last Stand, yes 100 times ! Epic song, so many guitars on it, it's just wonderful.
I was just thinking the same thing! Would love to hear Rick take a crack at the 2 minute solo in the middle, but copyright restrictions probably preclude that from happening.
100%
Yes! My favourite and their true Magnus Opus.
I also prefer this song over Stairway personally. The song has always stuck out to me!
Such a great video and list.
My riffs are:
10. Black Dog
9. The Rover
8. Whole Lotta Love
7. Immigrant Song
6. Communication Breakdown
5. Celebration Day
4. Over the Hills and Far Away
3. Rock and Roll
2. In the Light
1. Kashmir
Nobody’s Fault But Mine deserves some recognition, sounds massive and is far too much fun to play over and over again
yeah, I was going through my mental rolodex, and this came up.
This and Living loving maid
My fave Zep song!
Ramble on
Favorite Zep tune along with Achilles Last Stand🤘
I love that you included the bass parts in there. The interplay between Page and Jones is awesome. There is so much groove in these riffs. Page is a such an innovative rhythm player.
I have listened to Zeppelin for over 55 years but this is a whole new perspective on Jimmy Page. Hearing the guitar by itself, well ,Great.😁
...by itself...with some bass thrown in to increase the "richness."
And often a second guitar.
@RickBeato Thank you so much! As you mentioned on the Andy&Alex channel, "Ten Years Gone" is "one of the zeppelin‘s finest songs and one of the best rock songs ever". I couldn't agree more and would really love to see a "What makes this song great?" episode about it. Especially, because as far as I can tell, there may be as many as 3 Jimmy Pages (or more) overlayed and I can't figure out, what exactly he and/or JPJ are doing there.
We could have a whole video dedicated to “Ten years gone” such a masterpiece
Please do it!
"Ten Years Gone" is my #2 Zeppelin tune, just behind "Kashmir"...
Taste is subjective, 10 yrs gone... nothing finer!
Without doubt, it is the most incredible, emotional, lush piece of music ever. What really saddens me is that at the ARMS concert, the only time the 3 greatest have ever been on stage together, they didn't play Ten Years, Paul Rodgers could've done the vocals. Guess Clapton didn't want Layla upstaged!
I think the second most amazing thing about Ten Years Gone is that Jimmy & JPJ worked out music that beautiful to begin with. Imagine being a singer and being handed that piece of music to write lyrics for and sing over without ruining it. And that's the most amazing thing about that song, that Plant actually managed to do it. If I were trying to be a rock band in the 70s and I had to compete with that, I'd just say F it and start punk too.
So nobody is ever going to agree on any ranking of anything Led Zeppelin, but I agree with the comments - so awesomely played and a ton of fun to listen to. Love your channel.
Some of these riffs are almost twice as old as me and still sound fresh to the ear. Jimmy Page is a timeless once in a lifetime composer and let's not forget John Paul Jones adding to the "fullness" of the riffs.
This gave me goose bumps! Almost nobody plays that Stairway riff correctly. Rick nails it.
The “Bring It On Home” is incredible and explodes out nowhere in the song.
Honestly my favorite zeppelin riff
Absolutely! I love how energetic and loose they sound on that track.
@@Warstub One of my favorites, but then 2 thirds of this album are my favorites!
Physical Graffiti is a treasure trove of Zeps best licks and riffs!!! SO MANY great songs on this MASTERPIECE!! Uh, I may have commented on the wrong post, but I still stand by it!!
One of my top 4, none of which is here.
Heartbreaker. The most underrated Led Zeppelin song of all time. Way to go Rick!
The solo is incredible
Achillis last stand...cause it literally doesnt get any credit
Heartbreaker? Literally every Zep fan name drops Heartbreaker. If anything it's overrated. 'Last Stand, The Rover, Four Sticks, Wanton Song, That's the Way... those are underrated
led zep 2 is the greatest album ever!
@@shubhtripathi164 I fully agree it is easily in my top 5 Led Zeppelin songs
Totally incredible that all of these riffs are from the iconic Jimmy Page, and I can think of at least another 10-12.
Add to this, the incredible vocals of Robert Plant, the magical bass tones and versatility of John Paul Jones, together with the explosive drumming of John Bonham, and you know that Led Zeppelin are the greatest rock group of all time!!!
Black Dog is JPJ’s.
@@vlastakadric4206 So is Good Times Bad Times
I'm 58. Grew up listening to LZ. Always liked them, but I'm just now realizing how incredibly awesome their songs really are. Kashmir. . . I challenge anyone who basically just "likes" them to sit down, eyes closed, earphones on, and really, truly listen to genius that went into the writing of that song. All the different, counter-acting stanzas. The simplistic, yet incredible riff played here by Rick that acts as the "superstructure" for all the other riffs to come. . . If you don't come away with a whole new admiration for the band, then I just don't know what to say.
Rick, you played them perfectly with such richness. Hearing them like this shows just how great they are. I got chills listening. They will remain the greatest forever. Jimmy Page is the Master.
Rick did it justice
Jimmy Page is THE master!
It’s not top ten, but Page’s guitar riff on Out on the Tiles has always been one of my faves. It’s playful, creative, nimble and hilarious. The way the guitar weaves in and around Bonham’s drums is next level awesome.
That song’s sick
Check out the OUT TAKES version..Its great and worth a listen
sounds like good times bad times lol
Yeah man, surprised he didn't lift anything off of Zep III.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Ten Years Gone is such an under appreciated song. Love that riff.
Wow this takes me back... Page was maybe my biggest influence when first starting guitar... left their cassettes on repeat on road trips down the California highway. Haven't listened in ages and it hits even harder now
"Ten Years Gone" still gets me every time. Even when playing along to it on the drums, I'm more in awe of the guitar work on that song.
The verse of "In the Light" might be the most overlooked Page riff.
So menacing and with the open g string at the end of the phrase is just spellbinding
Yes, love it.
Agree100%. Love the groove on this song.
The alternate title for this was “Rick Shows Off His Axe Collection.” 😂
Exactly what I thought after a few riffs 🤑
It is a sweet one at that!
Good one huahu
Haha, yup, that light blue les paul is niiiiiice
...and gets us extremely jealous! 😳🤤🎸🎸🎸
Timestamps (for my reference when I revisit this to appreciate Rick nailing these awesome riffs):
1. Moby Dick: 0:37
2. Good Times Bad Times: 1:15
3. The Ocean: 1:46
4. Heartbreaker: 2:15
5. Ten Years Gone: 2:45
6. Whole Lotta Love: 3:47
7. Black Dog: 4:17
8. Dancing Days: 4:42
9. Stairway to Heaven: 5:40
10. Kashmir: 6:17
This was fantastic! There’s a joke in there somewhere about flexing all those beautiful guitars in the process…😀
Halfway through watching it I was wondering how many guitars were used in the making of this video.
I was thinking the same thing! I was also wondering what kind of DiMarzio "Double Creams®™" were in two of his Les Pauls, Super Distortions?
Ya know ... Rick, Rick. Rick ... [sighs] ...
Without fail, you've saved me from playing, blissfully unaware, yet another set of iconic riffs incorrectly. Somehow, because you nail the tone and because I can see the fretboard as you play, I hear instantly what I was screwing up. You're amazing Rick, thank you for what you do.
The Rover? IMO Jimmy’s most underrated riff ever!
Perhaps Jimmy's greatest riff...ever...
If the criteria for this list was the Greatest Jimmy Page LZ Riffs, regardless of popularity or how fun they are to play , or not, The Rover's riff would be right there at the top of my list, along with the riffs to TSRTS and SIBLY.
I was hoping for the rover as well
@@HardRockMaster7577 SIBLY knocks me on my ass every time.
Also has once his sweetest solos IMO.
The sheer musicality of songs like Ten Years Gone or Dancing Days is just mind blowing.
Loved hearing them alone in your guitar, everyone has such a different feel to it!
Led Zeppelin is THE riff band, any riff of theirs could've made the career of any great rock band. You could probably make a top50 and never feel like you were just filling the last spots.
Rick could drop the "2nd Ten" and it would be just as awesome. No one EVER was as prolific as Jimmy Page at writing iconic guitar riffs, and I don't think it's close. It's mind blowing. Some mentioned below, The Rover (pure groinal power), Over the Hills, Achilles, Out of the Tiles, Nobody's Fault, In the Evening, Living Loving Maid, No Quarter.....
In the light... 🔥
Actually John Paul Jones wrote several of them: Black Dog, No Quarter, Good Times Bad Times and many more.
@@facelessandnameless +1 on Iommi - he's an endless wellspring of badassery.
Out on the tiles is prolly number one for me. ooooh yeah . . . A grave omission indeed! Cmon really . . . Dancing Days? Rick's just showing off there . . .
My top ten would have included "The Rover". So many great songs! I was hanging on every note, Rick!
Rover completely underrated!
Oh great pick! One of the best solos too
My favorite riff from Led Zeppelin!
The best Physical Graffiti song
I LOVE The Rover
Here are my favorite twelve Zep Riffs (In no particular order):
1. Kashmir
2. Achilies Last Stand
3. Immigrant Song
4. Dazed And Confused
5. The Ocean
6. Over The Hills And Far Away
7. Trampled Under Foot
8. Dancing Days
9. Black Dog
10. The Rain Song
11. Sick Again
12. I'm Gonna Leave You
I've always loved the riff in "Tangerine," it's just the saddest thing ever. And then the vocal enters, "Measuring a summer's day, I always find it slips away...to gray, the hours they bring me pain."
Not forgetting the sublime delicate acoustic ending.
@@WhizzRichardThompson and the slide solo which sounds amazing when he played it live
And I do….
One of the riffs/intros that I bought a 12-string for.
Page and Plant did that one at Philly spectrum 1998
How can one mortal man create so many classic licks.. Jimmy Page is the best there ever was and ever will be. Great countdown, expertly executed.
You can do another top 10 with a completely different list and it'll still be incredible. Immigrant Song, Rock N Roll, The Song Remains the Same, Bron yr Aur Stomp, Over the Hills and Far Away, Ramble On.... The list is endless.
Two of my favourites Bring it on home and The Rover can also be included
@@cobuslouw303 Love that nasty The Rover riff!
@@cobuslouw303 'Out on the Tiles' also, & 'Kashmir'! hmm- & Four Sticks, & Misty Mountain Hop... ?
@@robbyr9286 Always loved when they would riff Tiles right before Black Dog
Oh dude, "Ramble On" was the first LZ song I ever heard, and I'm so glad it was. One of my favorite JP guitar songs. Good call man.
The sound of Ten Years Gone is just so iconic when RB starts playing. Hells yeah!!!!
RB this is great stuff. This is the continent that fans have wanted for so long. Keep up the good work man!!