AS THE LONGTIME lead guitarist of Mötley Crüe (and the best musician in the band), Mick Mars did a hell of a lot of heavy lifting over the years. And considering that Mötley Crüe came of age in the hair metal/shred era, the uninitiated would assume Mars’ playing would be pyrotechnic, right? Not so much, as Mars was from another, much bluesier, era. But Mars’ memorable solos weren’t the most impressive part of his style; instead, his rhythms and riffs defined the sound of Mötley Crüe and carried them to sleaze infamy. Ten of said riffs follow, some of which you might’ve overlooked — or just don’t know yet.
10. “Come on and Dance” from Too Fast for Love (1981) Simple yet grungy, the “Come on and Dance” riff slithers across the second track from Mötley Crüe’s debut like a venomous snake on the hunt. Sure, any kid with a cheap guitar could learn this one, but it’s a prime example of Mars’ unique feel.