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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  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.

YouTube YouTube
Watch On
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
Artists “The record company said, ‘It’s too long.’ But we said, ‘We don’t care!’”: How Lynyrd Skynyrd created a legendary epic
 
 
ZZ Top in 1983
Artists Billy Gibbons on ZZ Top’s blues roots, ’80s mega-hits and their unique “sense of weird”
 
 
Ritchie Blackmore takes a solo on his Fender Stratocaster
Guitarists The guitar genius of Ritchie Blackmore in 5 classic tracks
 
 
Paul Rodgers in Free
Artists How one of the greatest rock anthems of all time was created in the wake of a nightmare show
 
 
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Artists “People are still trying to learn Free Bird and how to play like him”
 
 
Status Quo
Artists “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
Fleetwood Mac Lindsey Buckingham
Artists Inside the making of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours
 
 
Kraftwerk
Artists Karl Bartos reflects on the end of Kraftwerk’s golden era
 
 
Def Leppard in 1987
Artists “Mutt said, ‘If it doesn’t work get rid of the guy’”: Why Def Leppard fired Jim Steinman as producer
 
 
Human brain listens to yellow headphones isolated view on blue background 3d render image
Bands Check yourself (before you wreck yourself): It's MusicRadar's Quiz of the Week #17!
 
 
mike d
Artists "Thank you, Sir Paul": Mike D on how the Beastie Boys got away with sampling five Beatles songs
 
 
Rick Allen, Meg White and Taylor Hawkins all sat behind their drum kits
Drummers Travis Barker’s new doc is out today - here's 8 other drummers whose incredible stories deserve to be told on screen
 
 
Latest in News
rave
Samples SampleRadar: 505 free rave synths samples
 
 
suno
Tech Suno’s Studio 2.0 adds an AI chatbot that can control your project, transform sounds and generate custom plugins
 
 
mike d
Artists "Thank you, Sir Paul": Mike D on how the Beastie Boys got away with sampling five Beatles songs
 
 
Contra Ice logo
Singles And Albums “Passionately fighting against fascism”: Tom Morello, Kathleen Hanna and others team up for Anti-ICE benefit album
 
 
MusicRadar App
Tech The MusicRadar app is live, and free on iOS and Android - grab it today
 
 
Ritchie Blackmore performs with Deep Purple for the first time in more than 30 years
Guitarists Watch Ritchie Blackmore perform onstage with Deep Purple for the first time in more than 30 years
 
 

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 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...