What makes an opening guitar riff unforgettable? On the premiere episode of My Weekly Mixtape, I’m joined by Jason Whissell of It’s Not That Bad to build the ultimate playlist of the greatest opening guitar riffs in rock history.

From arena-shaking classics to modern-day anthems, we break down the riffs that grab you from the first second—the ones that fueled air-guitar sessions, kicked off endless mixtapes & CDs, and turned casual listeners into lifelong fans.

Expect plenty of discussion, a touch of musical nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the guitarists who wrote the hooks that defined generations.

🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more music fans find the show! Then, scroll down to hear all of the songs discussed in this episode! 👇

Bush – Machine Head

Living Colour – Cult Of Personality

Big Wreck – The Oaf

Led Zeppelin – Black Dog

Live – Lakini’s Juice

Rage Against The Machine – Bulls On Parade

The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin’

Derek & The Dominos – Layla

Pantera – Walk

Van Halen – Mean Street

Dire Straits – Money For Nothing

KISS – Deuce

AC/DC – Back In Black

Coheed & Cambria – Welcome Home

Rush – The Spirit of Radio

Heart – Barracuda

Tom Petty – Runnin’ Down A Dream

The Ataris – The Boys Of Summer

Ozzy Osbourne – Crazy Train

Foo Fighters – Everlong