Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
bob weir
Artists The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir in five songs (and a jam)
Kiss
Artists “It’s the exact same model Paul McCartney played on Yesterday”: The metal star whose most prized guitar is an acoustic
Foreigner in 1982
Artists “The greatest rock ballad of all time!”: The classic song that held the No.2 spot for 10 weeks without ever hitting No.1
John 'Cougar' Mellencamp
Artists “It was a terrible record to make. The arrangement’s so weird”: How John ‘Cougar’ Mellencamp created a classic '80s No.1
Jared James Nichols turns up the heat during his 2025 UK tour as he plays fingerstyle blues on his split-V headstock Gibson Explorer
Artists Jared James Nichols on why he took his Klon off his pedalboard – and what players get wrong about drive pedals
Night Ranger in 1984
Artists “In the ’80s, everybody came out with a power ballad. And we had a great one”: How a soft rock classic was created
Buddy Guy [left] smiles as he takes a solo on his Fender Stratocaster. He wears a red jacket and black hat. Billy Gibbons [right] wears shades, a wide-brimmed hat and a red blazer as he plays his custom SG-style electric with the V-style headstock.
Artists Billy Gibbons on the tip Buddy Guy gave him after they jammed a T-Bone Walker classic
Mark Tremonti throws the horns and points to something during a live performance with Creed. His signature PRS singlecut is strapped on his shoulder.
Artists “I had no idea that he was that good”: Mark Tremonti on Alter Bridge’s “secret weapon” and his soloing strategies
Bon Jovi
Artists “When I brought up the talk box, everybody in the band laughed at me”: How Bon Jovi created their signature rock anthem
Justin Hawkins
Artists “He wanted it to sound tinny, so he literally put the mic in a tin”: When The Darkness teamed up with Queen’s producer
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Artists “The record company said, ‘It’s too long.’ But we said, ‘We don’t care!’”: How Lynyrd Skynyrd created a legendary epic
Vanilla Fudge
Artists “We could have been as big as Led Zeppelin”: The heavy rock innovators whose drummer was a star before John Bonham
Jack and Meg White in 2003
Artists “It was a challenge to myself: ‘I’m not gonna have a chorus in this song’”: How Jack White created the riff of the century
Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Artists “When Ronnie sang about Neil Young that was kind of a joke”: The true story of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama
Elton John and Davey Johnstone perform at the piano during their 2012 tour, with Johnstone playing the Les Paul Custom 'Black Beauty' that John originally bought for himself, but gave it to Johnstone after the band had all their gear stolen.
Artists Davey Johnstone on guitar shopping with Elton John – and how he ended up with his iconic Les Paul Custom
More
  • NAMM 2026: Rumours, predictions and live updates
  • Mad World
  • The Cure's "happy land"
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists

Black Stone Cherry's 9 best Southern rock riffs and solos

News
By Claire Davies published 13 May 2014

From Lynyrd Skynyrd to ZZ Top

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

If there's one modern band who know their Southern rock onions, it has to be Black Stone Cherry. Purveyors of hard rock with a delectable Southern twang, this hard hitting four-piece have been converting minor crowds into masses with their infectious aural brew since releasing their debut in 2006.

Here, guitarist Ben Wells runs us through a sizzlin' selection of Southern rock riffs and solos, choosing nine of his favourites that embody the power, spirit and vibe of this great genre.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Song: Freebird

Song: Freebird

"As cliché as it may sound, this is the granddaddy of all southern rock songs, especially the solos. You just can't beat the three guitar attack, the lyrics, the melody... There's a reason why everyone requests this song at every show!"

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Song: Born On The Bayou

Song: Born On The Bayou

"I love this band, I love John Fogerty. Although from California, Creedence Clearwater Revival is an excellent southern rock band. The lyrical content mixed with the swampy guitar riffs is something that never gets old."

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Song: Tush

Song: Tush

“This excellent riff is by one of the South's greatest boogie bands. They showcase the classic southern Texas swing with rock 'n' roll. Gibbons is an insane player and his feel is untouchable.”

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Song: Midnight Rider

Song: Midnight Rider

“The riff in this song is very catchy and the melody is infectious. The harmonies are great and the solo is just perfect. It just puts you in a certain vibe.”

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Song: Mississippi Queen

Song: Mississippi Queen

"Another band that wasn't from the South but truly had that Southern spirit. Leslie West's voice and guitar are undeniable. The cowbell, the riff... It's the whole package."

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
Song: Train, Train

Song: Train, Train

"This is a classic hard rock Southern rock riff. I would love for us to jam this sometime. Rickey Medlocke is awesome (one of my faves) and his voice is top notch on this song."

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Song: Can't You See

Song: Can't You See

"Everyone knows and loves this song - it's a staple in Southern rock music. We covered it on our third album because it showcases the southern influence in our band. Great harmonies, too."

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Song: Flirtin' With Disaster

Song: Flirtin' With Disaster

"If you've ever heard a southern rock song, you've heard this one. Another band with an undeniable voice, this tune is perfect for redneck living!"

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Song: Sweet Home Alabama

Song: Sweet Home Alabama

"The only reason this is number 9 is because any Southern rock list show starts and ends with Lynyrd Skynyrd! No matter what type of music you listen to, you've all heard that Stratocaster riff."

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Claire Davies
Read more
Lynyrd Skynyrd
“The record company said, ‘It’s too long.’ But we said, ‘We don’t care!’”: How Lynyrd Skynyrd created a legendary epic
 
 
Mark Tremonti grimaces (or smiles?) as he plays a solo during a 2025 live show with his PRS signature guitar.
"It’s just the most emotive piece of music": Alter Bridge's Mark Tremonti on the greatest guitar solo of all time
 
 
Buddy Guy [left] smiles as he takes a solo on his Fender Stratocaster. He wears a red jacket and black hat. Billy Gibbons [right] wears shades, a wide-brimmed hat and a red blazer as he plays his custom SG-style electric with the V-style headstock.
Billy Gibbons on the tip Buddy Guy gave him after they jammed a T-Bone Walker classic
 
 
Mark Tremonti throws the horns and points to something during a live performance with Creed. His signature PRS singlecut is strapped on his shoulder.
“I had no idea that he was that good”: Mark Tremonti on Alter Bridge’s “secret weapon” and his soloing strategies
 
 
David Coverdale
"We all adored BB, and he asked us to write something for him": The song that Whitesnake wrote for the King of the Blues
 
 
Status Quo
“I remember saying to Clapton, ‘You try playing that one riff for eight minutes!’”: The secret to Status Quo's riff power
 
 
Latest in Artists
Alex Lifeson [left], Geddy Lee and Neil Peart [background] perform with Rush in 2013.
Geddy Lee says he and Alex Lifeson will work on new Rush material – if they “manage to survive the tour”
 
 
Glen Matlock 2025
Pro-Trump punks: "it's a bit weird" says Glen Matlock. Who could he be talking about, we wonder…?
 
 
Chuck D and John Densmore
“A meditation on responsibility and legacy”: Chuck D and John Densmore have made a concept album about ageing
 
 
Alanis Morissette (L) and Taylor Swift perform onstage during Taylor Swift The 1989 World Tour
Taylor Swift to become youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame
 
 
British singer and drummer Phil Collins and his son Nic Collins (drummer) of the band Genesis perform live on stage during a concert at Mercedes Benz Arena on March 7, 2022 in Berlin, Germany
“At first I was like, 'Oh God, what is he gonna critique me?'”: How Phil Collins guided his son Nic through his first big gig
 
 
Live gig crowd
Annual Music Venue Trust report reveals sector is “fragile” and “one shock away from a crisis”
 
 
Latest in News
Apogee Symphony Nova
Champagne Symphony Nova? Apogee’s latest audio interface is fizzing with ARM-based DSP
 
 
The Epiphone Fatouma Diawara SG has a Malian graphic finish
“Everybody can play it... Just bring your own energy”: Fatoumata Diawara’s signature SG wears her Malian roots proudly on its horns
 
 
Press release images of a Blackstar Beam Mini Desktop Bluetooth Guitar Amplifier on a white background
Blackstar unveils the Beam Mini – it’s portable, desktop-friendly, and as the first guitar amp to allow players to load Neural Amp Modeller captures, it's a game-changer too
 
 
A close-up of the new Arc Tilt tremolo bridge on a Strandberg guitar
"Rethinking motion, balance, and response": Strandberg’s new Arc TILT tremolo has been designed from the ground up for a more natural, expressive and inspiring playing experience
 
 
PDP Concept Clear Acrylic Kit and Snare with acrylic hoops
"Cutting rimshots and controlled overtones": PDP brings a "world-first" to the acrylic drum market with its latest Concept Acrylic Kit and Snare
 
 
Limited Edition DW MFG True-Cast 14x4" sand-cast snare drum
DW’s Limited Edition MFG True-Cast 14x4” snare brings a piccolo to its sand-cast, machined bell bronze range, but if you want one you’re going to need to be quick
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...