| What makes a great guitar intro? Could its success be | | | | However, when talking of the instruments that make |
| judged by the instantaneous effect it has on its listener, | | | | the music, my favourite by far, has to be the guitar. |
| like the instinctive nodding to the rhythm? Or should a | | | | The mid-way riff of “All Along the Watchtower” |
| good opening riff trigger the overwhelming compulsion | | | | is magical, while the solo in Pink Floyd’s “The |
| to play air guitar, accompanied by face contortions and | | | | Wall” is nothing short of fantastic. Brilliant rock guitar |
| an affirmative “yeah?” | | | | provides the burst of energy during the tempo change |
| Born in the late 1960s, I was just a child when the | | | | in Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the |
| world lost the musical talent of Jimi Hendrix. Decades | | | | string bending of Santana’s “Black Magic |
| later, my children know his name and recognise his | | | | Woman” is captivating. |
| songs just by the opening chords. | | | | Back to the guitar intro, it is this opening sequence of |
| My family has always had a great appreciation of | | | | chords that has made some songs famous and |
| music. My mother’s younger brothers and sisters | | | | instantly recognisable throughout the decades. TV and |
| were a huge influence on my interests. One of them | | | | film has used the guitar intro to dynamic effect. I |
| was a friend to a Motown legend. Another proudly | | | | remember Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” |
| claims that he and his friends helped carry the kit of | | | | starting just as Crockett hit the throttle of his Ferrari |
| probably the greatest Reggae band ever, into their | | | | Daytona in Miami Vice. In Martin Scorsese’s |
| concert venue in London. | | | | Goodfellas, Robert De Niro’s character decides the |
| My first love is Soul music but I am a big fan of many | | | | ill-fate of a fellow gangster and his dastardly smile is |
| other genres. | | | | complemented perfectly by the intro from Cream’s |
| Bob Marley’s music moves me and Jimi | | | | “Sunshine of Your Love” – genius! |
| Hendrix’s guitar playing gives me goose bumps. | | | | Compiling a list of my top ten guitar intros was harder |
| The Doors were way-ahead of their time and for | | | | than I thought. There are so many brilliant pieces of |
| chilling out, there’s none smoother than Frank | | | | music that it could easily have been a top 20, 30 or |
| Sinatra. As for Elvis…the king, need I say more! | | | | more. |