You will never be as good as Eddie Van Halen...

[Rødskjegg]

As a Dutchmen I should be proud of Eddy but I rather listen to Jan Akkerman or Harry Sacksioni, both are far better than Eddy (imo).

 

[Heritage Softail]

EVH knew how to take shred and put it in a song, without it turning into a sausage fest.

There are lots of fretboard gymnasts out there. But only one EVH made it popular to tens of millions of music buying people.

And got laid by mad numbers of women and took Valerie Bertinelli home for a while.

The only people slagging on EVH are other guitarists. Great in their own right, I'm sure. With equally ground breaking accomplishments.

 

[Gainzilla]

I agree but then again, some things are so academic they just dont need to be said. When it comes to Rock Guitar, No one before or since has brought as much to the table as EVH or Jimi Hendrix for that matter and while some would insist that is little more than opinion, the truth is that its a fact...

 

[reverymike]

Just to buzzkill; In Sammy Hagar's book, he reveals that this entire concert was redone in the studio. Love VH though.

It was actually Live Right Here Right Now that was redone.

 

[luther910]

Just to buzzkill; In Sammy Hagar's book, he reveals that this entire concert was redone in the studio. Love VH though.

It was actually Live Right Here Right Now that was redone.

My bad, Alzheimer is taking it's toll.

 

[Bob Savage]

I agree but then again, some things are so academic they just dont need to be said. When it comes to Rock Guitar, No one before or since has brought as much to the table as EVH or Jimi Hendrix for that matter and while some would insist that is little more than opinion, the truth is that its a fact...

Like him or not, I would say that Yngwie brought something to rock guitar that while it may have had a different kind of impact and the bands he's been in haven't come close to the fame of VH, the neo-classical sweep technique and sweeping in general developed in rock after he hit the scene and blew everyones doors off.

 

[Gainzilla]

I agree but then again, some things are so academic they just dont need to be said. When it comes to Rock Guitar, No one before or since has brought as much to the table as EVH or Jimi Hendrix for that matter and while some would insist that is little more than opinion, the truth is that its a fact...

Like him or not, I would say that Yngwie brought something to rock guitar that while it may have had a different kind of impact and the bands he's been in haven't come close to the fame of VH, the neo-classical sweep technique and sweeping in general developed in rock after he hit the scene and blew everyones doors off.

I actually agree with you Bob but while YJM was most certainly a game changer that hit hard in the way many approached rock guitar, my personal opinion is that he didnt have the mass appeal that EVH and Jimi had on players and non players alike and that is why I didnt mention him along side those 2...

 

[ibenhad]

Sah5150 it's OK fanboi I have seen your midriff. No need to get panties in a bunch like little school girls. Eddie is Eddie BFD. Played the same solo for the last 50 years and adds a volume swell here and there give me a break. I said I was kidding. As for Gilbert looked pretty effortless for a guy who didn't write it and probably never practices it off the cuff. Ever see Eddie play it like that? Doubt it and I saw him in 1980 and he didn't pull it off.

Did you hear Gilbert say he was "running out of juice" in the second video? That means it was not effortless, nor did it look effortless to me as he was playing it - his face was looking a bit contorted at some points, indicating it was tough for him to play. I've never seen Eddie play it like that, I've only heard him play it like that on the album because he never played it on a nylon string live.

Another thing - I'm a fan of EVH's early playing in VH clearly, however, I've been as critical of EVH over the years as anyone. I've posted many times on here that I'd never give him another penny because of the drunken embarrassment I had to sit through at Staples in '04. I also agree he's been playing the same solo for a long time and hasn't innovated in forever as a guitarist. None of that makes me any less of a fan of what he did early in his career that had such a huge effect on a generation of guitar players and continues to influence many young players today. I wouldn't say I'm a blind fan or "fanboi" as you put it, because I see the good and bad in EVH's career. I certainly wasn't one of the guys chanting "EDDIE!!! EDDIE!!! EDDIE!!!" at the top of their lungs while EVH drunkenly rolled around on the floor making this horrendously hideous noise with feedback and his sustainer at the '04 show I mentioned (this was the "highlight" of his "solo" that night, BTW - I could have played a better EVH-style solo that night than he did, which is pretty sad).

Also - I'll never understand why some people feel the need to resort to confrontational and meaningless drivel about "fanbois" and "panties in a bunch" when they don't agree with something someone else is saying in a discussion. It adds nothing to the conversation and some people take offense.

Finally - I don't see what my tanned, rock hard, six-pack abs have to do with any of this. I guess haters gonna hate.

Steve

You are shot man seriously all my posts were mostly in jest as this kind of shit really doesn't matter at the end of the day. I certainly am not a hater but I do find it funny that you let a silly internet forum twist your knickers. Besides the fact that you seem to be a man trying to create a business selling what appear to be some pretty sweet amps I would personally walk a fine line in the Interwebs. I love me some Roccaforte amps but look what the forums did to him. My posting is all in fun and I don't see you taking it that way. Lighten up Francis I really wasn't trying to be confrontational.

P.S. Maybe Paul respects Eddie too much and did the facial contortions and such to throw viewers? We weren't there. Staged reality is the new reality, right? Just saying everything is what it is relatively speaking.

 

[Bob Savage]

I actually agree with you Bob but while YJM was most certainly a game changer that hit hard in the way many approached rock guitar, my personal opinion is that he didnt have the mass appeal that EVH and Jimi had on players and non players alike and that is why I didnt mention him along side those 2...

Agreed on the mass appeal point. Yngwie mostly influenced guitarists directly.

 

[Gainzilla]

I actually agree with you Bob but while YJM was most certainly a game changer that hit hard in the way many approached rock guitar, my personal opinion is that he didnt have the mass appeal that EVH and Jimi had on players and non players alike and that is why I didnt mention him along side those 2...

Agreed on the mass appeal point. Yngwie mostly influenced guitarists directly.

BTW, Im still up in the air about NAMM this year but due to the fact that Im up my eyeballs in work ( which is a very good thing) It isnt looking like its going to happen this year which sucks. I miss hanging with you , Steve, Curt and Hesam in the worst way, ITS BEEN TOO FRIGGIN LONG!!!

 

[Anonymous]

You are shot man seriously all my posts were mostly in jest as this kind of shit really doesn't matter at the end of the day. I certainly am not a hater but I do find it funny that you let a silly internet forum twist your knickers.

I think it's funny that you think I let a silly internet forum, or you for that matter, "twist my knickers". Just because I respond does not mean you "got to me", although it seems you'd like to believe that no matter what I say...

Besides the fact that you seem to be a man trying to create a business selling what appear to be some pretty sweet amps I would personally walk a fine line in the Interwebs. I love me some Roccaforte amps but look what the forums did to him.

I'm not Doug and when it comes to speaking about my amps, or other companies, I walk a fine line. As far as my own opinions on non-gear related things, I'll give them whenever I feel like it. Nothing I've said in this thread has even come close to being an issue and I think it's ridiculous that you even brought it up. Perhaps your kickers are a bit twisted, no?

My posting is all in fun and I don't see you taking it that way. Lighten up Francis I really wasn't trying to be confrontational.

Ok, sweetie!

P.S. Maybe Paul respects Eddie too much and did the facial contortions and such to throw viewers? We weren't there. Staged reality is the new reality, right? Just saying everything is what it is relatively speaking.

You're probably right, or something.

Steve

 

[Bob Savage]

BTW, Im still up in the air about NAMM this year but due to the fact that Im up my eyeballs in work ( which is a very good thing) It isnt looking like its going to happen this year which sucks. I miss hanging with you , Steve, Curt and Hesam in the worst way, ITS BEEN TOO FRIGGIN LONG!!!

I didn't think there was even a chance of you coming this year but it would be great to see you if you can pull it! Grab Ralphie by the hair and drag him along like your caveman wife!!!

 

[carlygtr]

I'll give him his due. He didn't influence me one iota however. The whole tapping thing was annoying.

He's not on the same planet as Jimi though. Sorry if it chaps asses but in 200- years Jimi will still be around.
Jimi made history with his guitar and did it a decade earlier. He made lasting musical statements that reflected the era. VH represented a backyard keg party into huge arenas.

EVH has no Are You Experienced, Axis, BOG, Electric Ladyland. He has the debut album. His lead work was all flash, no soul, it said nothing, other than , look this is flash. A few runs broken up by G string whammy dives.

Got all the albums. Great listening but no game changer, IMO

 

[splatter]

your tone will never be as good, your timing and feel will never be as good, you will never make playing the guitar look so effortless and you will never be able to take a pull off of a Marlboro while it's attached to your guitar and not miss a beat. Case in point:

I am not a Sammy era fan at all but this just kills. Makes me think he should have loaded an emg in his Kramer too

Hate to disagree but ...My tone is as good or better and when I smoked I made Eddie look like this was his first cigarette . As far as the rest goes ...yea ya got me there .
While I agree VH was a great player at one time I never cared for his phrasing all that much . since we agree that no one can be Eddie can all you guys that constantly make VH copy clips move on to playing something else .

 

[Anonymous]

I'll give him his due. He didn't influence me one iota however. The whole tapping thing was annoying.

He's not on the same planet as Jimi though. Sorry if it chaps asses but in 200- years Jimi will still be around.
Jimi made history with his guitar and did it a decade earlier. He made lasting musical statements that reflected the era. VH represented a backyard keg party into huge arenas.

EVH has no Are You Experienced, Axis, BOG, Electric Ladyland. He has the debut album. His lead work was all flash, no soul, it said nothing, other than , look this is flash. A few runs broken up by G string whammy dives.

Got all the albums. Great listening but no game changer, IMO

I disagree, but that is the great thing about subjective opinions...

Steve

 

[carlygtr]

I'll give him his due. He didn't influence me one iota however. The whole tapping thing was annoying.

He's not on the same planet as Jimi though. Sorry if it chaps asses but in 200- years Jimi will still be around.
Jimi made history with his guitar and did it a decade earlier. He made lasting musical statements that reflected the era. VH represented a backyard keg party into huge arenas.

EVH has no Are You Experienced, Axis, BOG, Electric Ladyland. He has the debut album. His lead work was all flash, no soul, it said nothing, other than , look this is flash. A few runs broken up by G string whammy dives.

Got all the albums. Great listening but no game changer, IMO

I disagree, but that is the great thing about subjective opinions...

Steve

Yeah, doesn't make any difference what I say. Anybody who inspires anybody to play is ok in my book. I have vid on VH's MSG shows and Pa from earlier this year and IMO he's on top of his game. Great to see guys retain their skills into old age.

 

[Rogue]

I love me some EVH and am more influenced by him, but I agree Jimi was THE man.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll give him his due. He didn't influence me one iota however. The whole tapping thing was annoying.

He's not on the same planet as Jimi though. Sorry if it chaps asses but in 200- years Jimi will still be around.
Jimi made history with his guitar and did it a decade earlier. He made lasting musical statements that reflected the era. VH represented a backyard keg party into huge arenas.

EVH has no Are You Experienced, Axis, BOG, Electric Ladyland. He has the debut album. His lead work was all flash, no soul, it said nothing, other than , look this is flash. A few runs broken up by G string whammy dives.

Got all the albums. Great listening but no game changer, IMO

I disagree, but that is the great thing about subjective opinions...

Steve

Yeah, doesn't make any difference what I say. Anybody who inspires anybody to play is ok in my book. I have vid on VH's MSG shows and Pa from earlier this year and IMO he's on top of his game. Great to see guys retain their skills into old age.

Agreed - wish I could retain mine. For the record, I certainly regard Hendrix as one of the few game changers...

Steve

 

[Stramm8]

I mean, yeah, the guy is legend but thankfully not everyone is trying to be the next EVH. There are plenty of guys that have surpassed what he has done on a technical level. You should have said "you will never be as good as EVH if you're trying to emulate him".

Same goes for anyone else, good or not. You can't play exactly like someone because you're not them. There will never be another Gilmour, Page, etc...

That's not what I was saying at all. You obviously missed the point that everyone else got. Sure there are faster, more technically proficient players out there but they probably can't smoke a cigarette off their headstock at same time. That was the most impressive part to me

My dad caught a Frank Marino show several years back and was telling he did the same thing. He said at one point he was amazed because 3/4 of his cigarette had turned to ash while it was in his mouth but he was still standing there playing and the ash didn't fall off

That's what I'm talking about!! You just don't see that kind of thing that often these days. He was probably half-wasted (like EVH) as well. Rock and Roll

 

[rupe]

1) You will never sound as cool as Eddie Van Halen playing guitar.

Perhaps...I never really aspired to integrate his style into my own but I'm definitely a fan.

2) You will never look as cool as Eddie Van Halen playing guitar.

This may be one of the most absurd statements ever IMO...quite the opposite. As great as Eddie was/is, I've always viewed him as a clown when it came to his looks. Baggy pink parachute pants? Clamdigger overalls with Ronald McDonald knee stockings? Juan Epstein hairdo? I'm hard pressed to think of a hard rock guitarist who looked less cool.