Lars Ulrich Declares ‘Smoke on the Water’ Riff as the Ultimate Hard Rock Gem: ‘I Don’t Play Guitar, Yet I Can Play It’

Throughout the history of rock music, countless iconic guitar riffs have graced our ears: from “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” to “Sunshine of Your Love,” to “Whole Lotta Love,” to “Iron Man,” and “Enter Sandman,” among others. However, during a recent conversation with Classic Rock Magazine, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich singled out one riff as “the definitive hard rock riff.”

This celebrated riff resides within Deep Purple’s timeless classic, “Smoke on the Water,” crafted by the legendary guitarist Richard Hugh Blackmore. Initially featured on Purple’s 1972 album, “Machine Head,” the track didn’t see a single release until a year later, yet swiftly soared to global acclaim. More notably, it became the quintessential riff that countless guitarists would tackle upon first grasping the instrument.

“You really don’t need a member of Metallica to affirm that it stands as one of the greatest rock songs of all time and undeniably the definitive hard rock riff,” confessed Ulrich. “I may not play guitar myself, but I can play it. My children, who don’t play guitar, can play it. Even the passersby on the street who are unfamiliar with Deep Purple are likely capable of playing it.”

Over the years, much has been said about Blackmore’s enigmatic persona. Ulrich shared his own encounter with the guitarist, reminiscing about their first meeting.

“He was distant, he was haughty, he was Ritchie Blackmore. You wouldn’t want him to be any other way. I recall our first meeting backstage in Sacramento in 1987, during the ‘House of Blue Light’ tour. An assistant introduced us, and I greeted him with a ‘Hey, how are you?’ His response was to pause, look at me, and sаy, ‘If I claimed to be fine, that would be such a conventional response.’ That was his opening remark to me. I thought, ‘Dude, you’re the epitome of cool.’”

A fervent admirer of Deep Purple, Ulrich’s earliest concert experiences included witnessing Purple, likely on December 9, 1973, at the KB Hallen in Copenhagen, Denmark, during their “Who Do We Think We Are” tour. Despite his profound reverence for the band and Blackmore, Ulrich concedes that there’s another Metallica member who might rival his admiration.

“Kirk [Hammett] and I may have to debate who holds the title of the ultimate Ritchie Blackmore fan. I’m fairly confident I have him beаt, but he might аrgue otherwise.”