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Metallica Riff Leads Survey; Guitar Center Lifts Stairway Ban

5/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto reported Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” topped a U.S. store survey of most-played riffs.
Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” White Stripes “Seven Nation Army,” Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and tracks filled the top ten, with Metallica and Nirvana each contributing two songs.
After YouTuber Døvydas asked him to play “Stairway to Heaven,” Dalporto said Guitar Center ended its tongue-in-cheek ban on the song.

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Story summary

Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto reported Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” topped a U.S. store survey of most-played riffs.
Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” White Stripes “Seven Nation Army,” Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and tracks filled the top ten, with Metallica and Nirvana each contributing two songs.
After YouTuber Døvydas asked him to play “Stairway to Heaven,” Dalporto said Guitar Center ended its tongue-in-cheek ban on the song.