From the very beginning, Dave Grohl always saw himself as a drummer first and a songwriter second. Before he became the loud, energetic frontman of Foo Fighters, he was the hard-hitting drummer for Nirvana — and that love for rhythm never left him. Even when Grohl picked up the guitar, he played it like he was still sitting behind a drum kit. Every strum, every riff, carried the pulse of a beat.
Grohl often says he learned drums by playing on his bed while listening to Rush records. Later, when he picked up the guitar, he was drawn to melody — especially from The Beatles. Their songs taught him how to write catchy tunes that people remember. He loved how The Beatles made music that was simple yet emotional, and that lesson became part of his own songwriting style.
But Grohl didn’t just stick to melody. He also loved the power of heavy rock bands like Led Zeppelin. He often talks about how Led Zeppelin changed everything for rock music, mixing blues, folk, and hard rock into something totally new. Out of all guitarists, Grohl’s favorite is Jimmy Page. He once said, “My favorite guitar player of all time is Jimmy Page. He played everything with such passion — from the heaviest riffs to the most beautiful acoustic music.”
One song Grohl can’t stop praising is Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.” He calls it his favorite guitar riff of all time. The riff sounds smooth and powerful, but when you try to play it, you realize it’s trickier than it looks. The band members play slightly different rhythms that twist and turn together. Grohl admires how drummer John Bonham keeps a steady beat while Page and John Paul Jones play around the timing. It’s that mix of groove and chaos that makes the song so alive.
Grohl once explained, “It has these wicked turnarounds where Bonham stays in 4/4 time, but the others flip the riff over. It sounds easy, but when you try to play it, you realize it takes more than what you’ve got.” That’s what he loves about rock — it sounds simple but has deep layers underneath.
Even though Grohl has written plenty of iconic riffs himself, like “Everlong” and “The Pretender,” he still sees the magic of a riff like “Black Dog.” To him, great riffs aren’t just about skill; they’re about feel — that raw emotion that makes you move your head or tap your foot.
Today, Dave Grohl is seen as one of the last true rock icons. He’s respected not just because he’s talented, but because he understands what makes rock music real — passion, rhythm, and honesty. Whether he’s pounding the drums, strumming a guitar, or screaming into a mic, Grohl plays with heart.
For young musicians, Grohl’s journey is a great reminder: you don’t need to be perfect — you just need to play with feeling. Start with rhythm, find your groove, and let your emotion drive the music. That’s what keeps rock alive, and that’s what Dave Grohl has done for decades.