“The Who, Van Halen – the whole thing where there’s a separate singer from the lead guitar player. That started with Hubert Sumlin and Howlin’ Wolf”: Vernon Reid on the 7 riffs that inspired him, from Hendrix to Chic, Cream, and more

Vernon Reid of Living Colour wears a cut-off work jacket and a ballcap as he takes a solo on his signature Reverend electric guitar, from Rock In Rio 2024.

“Everything comes from someplace, ya dig?” Vernon Reid asks Guitar World. “A lot of times we focus on lead guitar, but – of course – rhythm is incredibly important.”

Reid should know, as he’s long been Living Colour’s one and only guitarist, meaning he tackles rhythm and lead, song after song, album after album. He’s done it for years, dating back to 1988’s Vivid, an album that super-charged a generation with its socio-political lyrics, soaring vocals, booming rhythms, and cataclysmic chops.