Van Halen, who revolutionized rock guitar in the 1970s and 80s, stuck mostly to riffs from songs that predated his rise to fame and admitted compiling the list was difficult. "There are millions of riffs," Van Halen said. "I wrack my brain, trying to think. Obviously, I can't mention any of my own, right?"

But when he did come up with specific songs they included AC/DC's "Down Payment Blues" from their 1978 studio effort, Powerage, which Van Halen called "one of my all-time favorites".