What did newbies play before 1972 Smoke on the Water as a rite of passage?

Wolfetone

A very good and interesting question was asked on Radio 2 this evening.

Before Smoke on the Water came out in 1972, what did newbie guitarists play to impress their buddies?

I thought something rock 'n roll like twenty flight rock but perhaps there's someone that had first hand experience......

Philtre

House of the Rising Sun.

FelineGuitars

satisfaction, you really got me, norwegian wood, blackbird, daytripper, paint it black, purple haze, crossroads, sunshine of your love

Legionreturns

I've never played smoke... I wouldn't have a clue how to

stratman3142

I started playing in 1969. I would say The Sabre Dance by Love Sculpture (Dave Edmunds). If you could play that you were pretty cool.

LuttiS

I heard that question too... Best I could come up with was something by the kinks or Beatles.. before my time though..
Maybe Stones, shadows or something too?

Danny1969

Apache, House of the rising sun, day tripper, Hey Joe

not_the_dj

You really got me by the Kinks. 

Bridgehouse

not_the_dj said:

You really got me by the Kinks. 

Painful!!

Neill

House of the Rising Sun was the "Stairway" of its day, "Whole Lotta Love" was the predecessor to "Smoke".

Going further back it was Guitar Boogie Shuffle, though I recall someone (even) before my time reckoned nailing Lonnie Donegan's version of Cumberland Gap was the holy grail in the 1950's.

EricTheWeary

It was what was before Smoke and what’s the equivalent now; second part was for people under fifty so I don’t have to answer that!

not_the_dj said:

You really got me by the Kinks. 

Mayo suggested All Day and All of the Night but I was already thinking YRGM. 

Philtre

Actually, for me it was the opening riff of "Interstellar Overdrive" by Syd Barret's Pink Floyd.

guitars4you

Peter Gunn theme - Move It - shakin' all over - Eddie Cochran (choice) 

merlin

Bach 'cello sonata #1 on an ES175, capo at the 18th fret. Impressed me then, impresses me now, 

lustycourtier

My son asked what was the modern equivalent and it’s got to be Mr Brightside. 

StefB

Johnny B Goode, surely?

guitars4you

StefB said:

Johnny B Goode, surely?

that is the one - surprised we missed it - could add Buddy Holly That'll be the day

tampaxboo

'my old man's a dustman'.

Jimbro66

Before Smoke wouldn't it have been Clapton licks and maybe some Peter Green?

guitars4you

Blues Breaker Album

AlexC

My Mum worked in a music shop for a few years and some of the older staff had fascinating tales... Classical Gas was a big favourite for trying out acoustics apparently, but most youngsters trying out electrics just strummed chords. I think the notion of sitting in a music store and showing off your chops at high volume had yet to be invented. Makes me wish I had a time machine TBH!