Good 70's 80's bands/songs to learn with epic guitar riffs?

[M.Axel]

Ok im tired of practicing and playing the same old music. Im 25 and for the last 5 years i listened and learned playing mostly classical music(mostly Bethoveen,Vivaldi,Chopin,Strauss,Handel...) and metal...from Iron Maiden,Megadeth,Metalica up to newer death,prog,black,tech,gothic metal. I would like to expand my playing and learn some epic blues, rock, Jazz music. Please name me some epic bands or songs with good guitar...i like Jimi Hendrix , SRV , Deep purple(burn album) ,ZZ top(la grange) ,Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Al Di Meola, Guthrie Govan... I dont like cheesy 80'S commercial song, slow hardrock or grunge of the 90's...it need some good groove,lead and musicianship to keep me interested

 

[IndyWS6]

Everyone has their own definition of "epic" (and cheesy ), so your mileage may vary, but check out some Extreme. Crazy good guitar work, well-crafted songs, catchy riffs and a lot of variety. Everything from full on rock to songs with a Frank Sinatra feel.

Kid Ego
Mutha (Don't Wanna Go To School Today)
Decadence Dance
Get The Funk Out
It's A Monster
When I First Kissed You
He-Man Woman Hater
etc.

 

[M.Axel]

Ho yeah! Looked them on youtube and like it! I often saw poeple playing a washburn Nuno Bettencourt on youtube and had no idea who he was now i know

 

[Ventura]

You want a good foundation on chops???

Learn every solo Page did with Led Zeppelin.

Dabble in some Frank Zappa (if you dare).

This oughta keep you busy for a while. Page's playing isn't all about flash and fame, but what it does offer is an excellent 'approach' to musicality and modes. I'm finding this now that I'm getting older and understanding the importance of phrasing and so forth more. Page had such a nice touch to his styles and approaches. I am not a huge Zep fan, oddly enough, but I'm finding a lot of hidden secrets in Page's take on the axe.

Zappa. Whatever, sounds like you may be equipped to tackle some of his stuff... But I do warn you, frighteningly nuts... He liked "the notes in between" and his time signatures - everything - were just insanely esoteric and difficult.

V.

 

[billm408]

For "epic riffs" I'd go through Sabbath's catalog. Tony Iommi was a master riff writer. I'd also pull up anything off of Strangers In The Night- possibly Schenker at his best. Although his new 30th anniversary DVD is almost a Master's program for guitarists.

 

[M.Axel]

Led Zeppelin solos + Zappa. Noted. Ill look into that. Thx!

 

[supersonic]

Thin Lizzy.

 

[M.Axel]

UFO, Schenker,Thin Lizzy added to my list. I should have some new things to work on for a while. Thank you guys!

 

[James Lugo]

Back In Black is the RnR bible. Learn it, live it, love it!

Also: Zep II, VH1, The Best of ZZ Top, The Wall, Journey - Captured, Pat Travers Live, Kiss Alive II etc...

 

[IndyWS6]

Old school Alice Cooper. The guitar work from Buxton and Bruce on the Billion Dollar Babies album was terribly underrated and overshadowed by the spectacle of Alice. Great lesson from the "less is more" camp...

 

[university81]

Learn the following zep riffs =0

The Ocean
Black Dog
Rock n Roll
Immigrant song

and definitely some AC/DC tracks, simple but grooovey as hell

 

[MisterBulbous]

rush.

 

[grooveHT]

I'd add Frank Marino/Mahogany Rush to that list, but I second Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, Schenker!

 

[kasperjensen]

Amen on the Back in Black.

 

[clubshred]

Racer X had some great riffs on there 80s stuff. Even if you don't want to tackle the lead work, there is plenty of epic riffage. John Sykes' work with Whitesnake was amazing too... even though I just recently heard someone refer to Whitesnake as "Led Zeppelin - the sequel".... haha

 

[guitarslinger]

Hmm, lots of stuff missing here.

Dio
Ratt
Dokken
Cinderella
White Lion
Whitesnake
Jake-era Ozzy

 

[JohnSykes]

Zep, AC/DC and ZZ Top comes to my head.

 

[M.Axel]

Hey i want to thx you guys for your help! Already looked at some of the stuff that has been mentioned and its great music for sure exactly what i wanted to find...most of those bands missed to my culture

 

[Mudder]

rush.

Thank you. Lifeson has some epic guitar work. I'd start with Moving Pictures, the whole record.

 

[MisterBulbous]

rush.

Thank you. Lifeson has some epic guitar work. I'd start with Moving Pictures, the whole record.

..and the good thing is, most of it is readily learnable and playable. Take 2112 for instance; I'm no pro but I can just about play that entire album on my guitar because the songs are so melodic and recognizable once you get the basics down.

Oh yeah,,,don't forget Iron Maiden
Number of the Beast
Powerslave
Piece of Mind.

Killer riffs.