There is electric guitar B.E. (Before Eruption) and there is electric guitar A.E. (After Eruption). Without a doubt, Eddie Van Halen is the most influential guitarist since Jimi Hendrix, who created some of the most iconic music the world has ever heard.
I'd say EVH has been far more influential than Hendrix ever was. In the 2-3 years following Hendrix's debut, how many new guitar players sounded like him? Every guitarist who came on the scene in the years following VH1 was trying their best to sound just like Eddy. And we all got strats with humbuckers, lol!
@@mattmacarthur520 I get what you're saying, but I'm not trying to imply that Hendrix has been over-hyped. But other than Uli John Roth, Stevie Ray Vaughn and that guy from the Red Hot Chili Peppers (sorry, not going to try and spell his name), I don't hear a lot of Jimi "clones". But by '80-81, you couldn't find a guy that wasn't copping Eddie's style.
@@shakebabyhitler Jimi Hendrix's innovative style of combining feedback and controlled distortion from his trusty Vox wah pedals created a new musical form. The entire sound system was his instrument, not just his guitar. Hendrix paved the way for generations of guitarists seeking pure tonal freedom with his distinctive tone shaped by road-worn Marshall Plexi full-stacks and distinctive "flipped-over" Stratocasters. One of those guitarists was Eddie Van Halen. In a brief four-year career, Hendrix ignited rock 'n' roll and rewired the electric guitar forever. His influence on music, not just guitar, is colossal, and the list is too long to post. Check it out. Prepare to be absolutely stunned.
“Eddie put the smile back in rock guitar at a time when it was all getting a bit brooding. He also scared the hell out of a million guitarists around the world because he was so damn good. And original.” Joe Satriani on EVH.
@@edljnehan2811 Satch and Vai are both very technically gifted --- but their guitar playing has no emotion in it --- that's where EVH was superior in all aspects
@@fredwerza3478 I'm just quoting evh at the time Satriani and Vai were becoming really big. I understand he's a great guitarist I just never really could get into Van Halen. I think a lot of that has to do with I was so turned off by David Lee Roth.
@@edljnehan2811 EVH was influenced by a number of musicians, yet he was never intimidated or scared of any of them. Early in his career, Eddie did, however, have a fear of performing in front of an audience.
As a young guitar player in the 70's i was 18 years old in 1978 when a guitar player buddy played VH first album for me and i almost quit because when i heard eruption i thought thats impossible, but his playing was so interesting it made me to where i just couldn't leave it alone and that started me on a quest to try and figure out his music ive been doing it ever since im now 62 so id say EVH had a liftime influence on me and there is no bigger fan of him than me R.I.P. the greatest that ever lived in my opinion.
Iam the same age , I actually got to see him opening up for Black Sabbath, Sabbath still had Ozzy, first tour in the east of the country in Philadelphia at the spectrum. Still amazing till this day.
@@caseD5150 You must not know much about SRV to say such a ignorant thing. He was one of the best guitarists that ever lived. Even Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck couldn't keep up often getting lost and memorized by his technical skill and SOUL. Billy Gibbons was good friends with Stevie as well and has nothing but praise and love for him.
I saw EVH live twice (once with Dave and once with Sammy). I've also seen most of the guitar players mentioned here live as well, and I'll forever say he was the best guitar player I've EVER seen. Which that isn't a knock to guys like Satriani, Vai, Slash and the rest. They are ALL fantastic players. But Eddie just had a little something different about him, and they all knew it. He didn't just change guitar playing, he changed music.
The things I find most amazing about EVH are: 1) How he makes what he's doing look so easy. 2) How when he's playing, his guitar looks like part of his body, rather than just an instrument he's got strapped on. Mean Street will always be my favorite!
I remember being a kid and being at my friends house when he played me Mean Street.. I must have played that intro 20 times in a rowlouder and louder until I got in trouble lol
Earlier today I was working on a guitar part for a song written on piano. It took a couple of days of playing but I got there in the end, and then I burst out crying. Bittersweet tears. I learned and played electric guitar from around 1985 to 1991 and then gave up, just like that! The day of Eddie's passing I bought myself a Vester Stage Series Strat copy secondhand on Gumtree and a Boss Katana mini amp from the guitar store and I've played everyday, relearning and gaining more experience. I am now in a band working on original material. Every day I think about Eddie and thank him for inspiring me to have fun playing guitar.
I've heard lots of guys play "Eruption." They get the notes right, but they can't capture the essence and the energy that Eddie had. If you let your mind go to the place where Eddie came from, you can hear a "secondary" solo within his solos that are distinct from the primary one. It's like a sonic analogy to those "magic eye" posters. I've only had one other person tell me that they could hear it too. There are classical composers (Ravel for one) who know how to do that (and classical music afficiandos will tell you they hear something new every time they listen to it), but they are using a whole orchestra to get that effect. Eddie is the only guitarist I've ever heard who can get the effect I'm trying to describe, which is not "describable" because it's beyond the technique, tone and speed of his playing. Hhe knew what he had and probably why he smiled so much when playing.
Well said - I've often thought of it as multiple layers. And as you say each time you listen you hear different layers you didn't quite focus on previously. They were there, obviously...and you knew it - you just didn't comprehend the depth of the layers. It's all part of that 'brown sound' as Eddie so often referred to. Nearly impossible to describe in words - you just know it to hear it.
Hi. I am compelled to share what your comment makes me think. And I think it's possible you might have such a personality that you may have had a strong rapport with Eddie. If so, maybe you were perceiving his style (the 2nd simultaneous solo) via his personality. I could be wrong, I often am, but that's exactly what crossed my mind while reading your comment. Thanks for letting me share!
I've seen Eddie live (5150 tour) and Satch (when he still had hair!) and first, watching Eddie play was just magical, his live performances were a lesson in how to fill out the sonic space. Satriani, being an instrumentalist performer, picked up that idea and ran like hell with it, and although their styles were way different, they were both way ahead of their contemporaries.
Joe Satriani put it very well. With Eddie there were no rules he just made things up, or as Michael Schenker would put it, ‘Pure self expression’. Also EVH’s rhythm playing is incredible.
And that was the key to his magic. To be fair, there ARE guitarists who have better technical chops than Eddie. Who can play faster or more intricate stuff. But none had the combo of chops, plus song writing ability, plus sheer innovativeness.
I had 2 guitar teachers in life and both were awesome fans of Eddie and Van Halen just like me..Eddie riffs and rythm are insane, Unchained for example is just off the hook awesome!
You gotta dig Zakk's reverence for the history and evolution of the guitar in general. I think he nailed it with the second coming analysis. Without Eddie, the guitar does not ride to the level it has.
Eddie Van Halen will always be the king of electric guitar! No one before and no one ever will come close to match EVH’s talent and skill on guitar!! Shred In Peace Edward! 😔🙏🏻☮️
I picked up the guitar at age 14 (1974) but lost interest after a year or so of trying and so I put it down. But then came Van Halen and immediately picked it back up with a vengeance...I'm still playing and enjoying the guitar to this day because of him! Thank you Eddie. RIP.
Just this of the millions of players with that same story. RVH was easily the most influential guitarist ever. He is still an inspiration machine for an untold number of up and coming players.
I've always said EVH is singularly responsible for more people picking up the guitar than Hendrix and Page combined --- I dare anyone to prove me wrong
As a drummer and lover of just about all things music I didn't realize how much Edward impacted my life until he passed. My drumming is guitar driven as if the the bass player was playing guitar. When I first heard Edward play I didn't believe it was coming from 1 player. Hearing VH1 moved me to become obsessed with music and bands throughout the 70s and 80s. He opened a world to me I didn't know existed at that young age..like jazz and and greats like Bach and Wagner and other classical music. Not just his talents and musicianship but the fun he had made it a musical love affair I will always be grateful to him for providing to me and millions of people around the world. Rest easy Edward and I will see you play again..on the other side
He’s definitely the most influential “modern” guitarist - definitely true there’s a BE/AE moment in time. In historic chain of rock guitar revolutionaries, I think it goes from Chuck Berry to Hendrix to Jimmy Page (for opening up the world of heavy rock guitar to all the masses just as the 70s started and demonstrating how to compose epics on guitar) to EVH (as Zakk said, the second coming). EVH made virtuoso guitar a fun party. All these guys brought rock guitar to everyone - young, old, men, women, etc. The guitarists who earned Beatles level love from the masses and inspired millions to pick up the instrument.
Eddie elevated hammering to an artform in itself & shaped the entire 80s lead landscape. But his absolute authority over harmonics & noise is also legendary. Eddie made everybody play harder & take lead solos very seriously. His influence is all over the 80s.
Not only was he beyond incredible on the guitar, he was a beautiful human being, down to earth, humble and would help anybody he could after he made it, I've read or heard countless times he would help fellow guitarist out by sending them equipment or guitars, he was so enthusiastic about hearing other people play, he would hand his guitar to them and " try it out" R.I.P EDWARD 😢
I was an Eddie fan from day one and his dear was the celebrity musician death that hit me the hardest in awhile. I always picture EVH and RR having a guitar dual in Heaven. 😆 RIP EVH
Respect the Wind is still my favorite guitar instrumental of all time. He gets the guitar to roar, scream, cry. The amount of emotion he can effortlessly convey on guitar is astonishing.
I only saw Van Halen twice and one was Monsters Of Rock in 1988. The guy just put you in a trance and the only a handful of other guitarist managed to do that. Rhoads who I saw in 82 and later Steve Oliva from Savatage. Another amazing guitarist who also was tragically lost too young.
Even Though Eddie hated doing Cover songs, He usually makes them better than the Original as in Dancing in The Street, You Really Got Me & Where have all The Good Times Gone. Would have Loved for Eddie to Play, Barracuda, Fantasy, Turn Up The Radio, Still of The Night & She's Gone by Eric Clapton.
EVH was a once in a millennium artist (perhaps an alien)... Yes, his tapping, harmonics and speed reinvented the lead guitar playing, but it goes SO MUCH deeper. EVH was one of the most melodic songwriters of all time, over 100 million records sold, dozens of hit songs, multiple patents as a guitar and amp builder, and insane groove lock and rhythm playing, all served up with that amazing EVH smile.. because it all came from a joyful heart! I was lucky enough to see EVH 50 times and meet him twice - it was like heaven and hell raining down all in one... never to be repeated... his gifts will travel for eternity throughout the expanses of the UNIVERSE! GOD BLESS THE GREATEST MUSICIAN TO EVER LIVE!
If you played guitar in the late 70’s and on into the modern scene there was a seminal moment Van Halen was “the” seminal moment he changed everything. Everything.
@@fredwerza3478 Yes, he lived in the States, so it was an American band. Still he was born in the Netherlands, so he has Dutch/Indonesian genes. By the way, why should all the great things be American? Give other countries also some credits please.
@@hendrikheemels8615 yes but try to understand my point of view --- it's like saying Michael Jackson is a great African artist because he has African ancestry --- Eddie came to America and that's where he honed his chops and became legendary --- he is an American rock star, not a Dutch music star
@@fredwerza3478 Michael Jackson was born in the States, is different. Alex and Eddie were 10 and 8 years old when they came to the States. Next to that, they got their musical education from their dad Jan van Halen, who was a piano player and completely Dutch.
Appreciated all the comments. Thought Bonamassa's point about pre and post was spot on. Liked Satch's comments too, and was really cool he had Eddies amps in the background!
And there is literally a vault of tapes that Ed recorded at 5150! Please Wolfie, start listening and releasing just a fraction of those unreleased gems!
I'm 58 and many of you were not alive when their debut album hit and eruption changed everything Eddie set the radio stations on fire they played the hell out of it this was 1978 and eruption set it off he paved the way for 80s rock my personal favorite era thank you, Eddie, for sharing your love of music with us, you influenced many guitar players gone but never forgotten.
I'd seen Van Halen with Sammy in Indy in 1988, the Monsters of Rock tour. I have listened to VH since the first album came out in 78, I was like 10 years old and instantly a huge fan. I am a big fan of the early stuff, but it was still great to have seen arguably the greatest guitarist to ever play. R.I.P. Eddie, you are missed.
Eddie will remain a legend for centuries. The songs that I love the most are, 1984, Jump, Eruption ( obviously 😁) , Black and Blue, Respect the Wind and most definitely Little Guitars ( extended version) which is HIGHLY UNDERRATED.
10. Brian May 0:55 9. Robby Krueger 01:26 8. Zak Wylde 03:48 7. Neal Schon 05:56 6. Slash 07:08 5. Kirk Hammett 08:23 4. Joe Bonamassa 08:47 3. Joe Satriani 11:00 2. Tony Lommi 13:03 1. Steve Vai 14:05
Joe Satriani was my favorite comment/tribute,so much more than just saying Eddie was amazing.It will probably be a very long time till someone impacts guitarist and music in any significant way.R.I.P. Eddie you certainly influenced me so much Thank You Brother♡♡♡
Yes, I've seen Van Halen live...three times....my first concert was on the Diver Down tour (DLR era), then I saw them on their first tour with Sammy (Both shows at The Forum in LA)....then as the headliner for the 1988 Monsters Of Rock Tour when it came to the LA Coliseum......and it wasn't enough...I would have loved to have seen them on every tour they are did!
Eddie! The innovator! He influenced millions...Created his owm unique sound.. Truly re invented the art of Electric Guitar! Inspirational!The greatest¡
Saw them V H whenever they were in town. Both line ups. And the thing I remember most was Eddie and how he never stop smiling throughout the show. Most rock guitarists were trying to be mean'n'moody. But He just looked he was having a great time. It was infectious. The tone he got from his guitar was such a sweet sound.
As Is and Honeybabysweetiedoll are groundbreaking pieces Eddie composed for their last album, A Different Kind Of Truth. He actually raised the bar again for everyone with those two songs. Prior to that I’ll go with Mean Streets, Girl Gone Bad, Little Guitars, I’m The One, and In A Simple Rhyme with DLR. With Sam I’ll say the title track 5150 has an incredible guitar part! And with Gary I like Fire In The Hole.
The thing that stands out for me about EVH is that he had SOUL!! That's R&R soul. That is his rhythmic feel/pocket, both in integral riffs that make the song the song, he was a genius at Rock/Pop standout song defining riffs like Page, & his soloing. His approach, sound & technique were, of course, from another planet. With Eddie, his playing & writing were all feel & not analytical. The best songs are the ones that write themselves. They just flow out from somewhere. Van Halen's playing & songs wrote themselves through a definite channel from God to his fingers. R.I.P. maestro!!
E.VH was a monster in the world of guitar and music world.. RIP brother and it was a pleasure of meeting and working with VAN HALEN.. like to add some more of the party's and girls trying to get with them.. wow... crazy good times
I am a guitar player, played pro for a long time, made some albums and stuff, but Eddie was always "my guy", so to speak. I remember I was accused of being an egotist by someone who doesn't know better, because i simply was listening to various guitar players and saying aloud "Oh I can pull that off" and also "Wow, listen to this! Whoa! I can't do that!" because I was astonished. The girl said in a snarky tone "Oh so you think you are the best guitarist and only people who can play like you are good?" I was in disbelief. I was conveying exactly what Steve Vai was saying at the end of the video. When I say "Whoah! i can't do that!" it means, that guitarist is so good, I dare not even compete or challenge. I was so confused and insulted all at the same time, because I like to consider myself a rather humble guitar player. Still to this day, when I hear a great player, I just freeze and listen, and yes, I still say aloud "Whoa! I can't do that!".
Lots of great guitarists all time. But, for me it was only Jimi and Ed who really, really changed the world of guitar and how ppl played and viewed the instrument. Ed even changed the way companies designed an instrument and how other players played the instrument. just the 2 gods of guitar in my book.
My son was like 7 or 8 years old Zack you signed his drums for him but you also changed a lot of things in rock man I look up to you you're phenomenal but Eddie yeah I went to a concert 19 I'll say around 84 unbelievable also you're a really good guitar player you have a lot of stamina out there unbelievable energy I'll take it all day
...... Eddie is legend now but before he made it (& I had the good fortune of seeing him at Gizzari's in June of 1976) you just knew this guy was something special & the genuine article. You knew he was going to change everything if he got a record deal (& they did a year later). Ed was brilliant even when he didn't do the tapping/hammer-ons that he would be famous for later. Just a fantastic musician. And he had a good long run. & There was so much more music left to come out of him if he hadn't gotten sick. But we'll, sadly never know what a more mature Ed would've done.
With all due respect to Eddie´s colossal and indisputable influential legacy, however "Les Paul is the one, really. We wouldn´t be anywhere if he hadn´t invented the electric guitar" - Jimmy Page
Gotta give Zakk the credit he deserves. If Ed would have stopped after the first record, he would still have had the incredible impact on guitar that he has had.
Eddie took the guitar to another level when rock music wasn't the most popular music. He started with building his own guitar because he couldn't buy what he wanted. He experimented with pickups to reduce humbucker noise by dipping the pickups in wax. Manufacturers copied this. I smile every time I hear eruption and think "nice one Eddie" as it was his warm up before recording. God Bless you Eddie Van Halen and thank you.
The main difference between Edward and every other guitarist isn't his technical ability, or his innovations or even his skill. Eddie played with an audible smile on his face. Vai is amazing, Page was an epic song writer, Hendrix made it cool to be the guitar player. You can go on and on, but what made Eddie the best ever was you could literally hear that sheepish smile on his face on every tune which always leaves you with that same grin. Who's the best? Nobody knows. Who was the guitar players favorite?
Ok, so I know it's a year later but here's my concert story: I went to Monster of Rock 1 at the LA Coliseum. The bill was Kingdom Come, Metallica, Dokken, Scorpions, Van Halen. Promoters didn't understand Metallica fans yet and there was basically a riot when they came on. I remember the cops just retreating to the stage. It was an amazing set (the best single rock performance I saw) but that stadium was complete anarchy. It was 100 degrees, we were packed in like sardines. One of those crowds where it just moves in waves. They started hosing us who were near the front down with fire hoses to cool everything down. I saw a lot people passed to the side or front looking pretty bad. Van Halen came out on stage. They were the headliner and no one expected to see them at 2 pm. Sammy started off by saying that people were getting hurt and people need to chill. I was probably 40 preople back at that point. It was pretty scary around there. Particularly for people who weren't thrash metal fan. Sammy did most of the talking, but it was when Eddie said that everyone needed to chill that I physically felt the entire crowd just...agree? It was like, Eddie said chill, so we did. 100,000 of us. Everyone sort of looked around, said, "Yeah, this is nuts and Eddie said cool it." And every. Single. One. of the people in that stadium had that much respect for Eddie Van Halen. 20 words was all it took. And six hours later, after the greatest food fight in American history, Dokken and the Scorpions taking care of business, Van Halen came out and killed their set for the hometown crowd. And the crowd chanted, "Eddie. Eddie. Eddie."
I was Lucky to see Van Halen and Alice in Chains when AIC was a NOBODY. lol ...it was at Atlanta Amphitheater in 1991. I have to say. I loved Plying Guitar back then....But Eddie Just Made all Guitarist sound devoid of Life and Color in their playing ...He was a Constant Tone and Melody Chaser!!! and His Solos were Jaw Dropping! Back then i used to go to at least 3 or 4 concerts a year .... And Many Bands back then that played in like DOME style concert halls had a BIG Problem. they did not sound like they did on a Album. Unless You used Ear Plugs at the concert. so at least You could HEAR and Enjoy the songs you heard. and Yeah these Bands had a Lot of energy! But Nothing Compared to Eddie Playing that day at Lakewood Amphitheater! I do know it is a OPEN Air Arena. Lakewood is.... and i am Sure if other bands played there....they would sound a LOT better than being enclosed in a Venue with a Dome on it. But, Eddie made it sound like you turned on a Record player Put on "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge". And it sounded like you were in a room with the Volume at a Good Level and you could hear ALL the sounds the Guitar Made. the Bass made Drums and even Sammy Singing! it just blew me away! and i had been to many Great Artist concerts....But NONE .....Was close to the VH concert i witnessed that Night! Thanks Eddie for a AWESOME concert! And we all Miss you ... Rest In Peace.
Eddie’s guitar playing was the beginning of what some people would say is the “end”….. for there is no where else to go with anything new…. If that makes sense 😎
Think about what Bonamassa said and look into the time intervals between the pre-/post (guitarist) era. For instance, Are Your Experienced by Hendrix came out in '67 and VH came out in '78, that's 11 years. We're STILL in the post-EVH era and it's been 45 years. We are still waiting for the next great rock guitarist to come around and put his name on that pre/post list.
There is electric guitar B.E. (Before Eruption) and there is electric guitar A.E. (After Eruption). Without a doubt, Eddie Van Halen is the most influential guitarist since Jimi Hendrix, who created some of the most iconic music the world has ever heard.
I'd say EVH has been far more influential than Hendrix ever was. In the 2-3 years following Hendrix's debut, how many new guitar players sounded like him? Every guitarist who came on the scene in the years following VH1 was trying their best to sound just like Eddy. And we all got strats with humbuckers, lol!
@@shakebabyhitler totally agree . Hendrix was great but I think he’s a tad bit overhyped honestly . No where near Eddie
@@mattmacarthur520 I get what you're saying, but I'm not trying to imply that Hendrix has been over-hyped. But other than Uli John Roth, Stevie Ray Vaughn and that guy from the Red Hot Chili Peppers (sorry, not going to try and spell his name), I don't hear a lot of Jimi "clones". But by '80-81, you couldn't find a guy that wasn't copping Eddie's style.
Don't forget his impact on guitar and amp design for the last 40 years
Jimi didn't do that
@@shakebabyhitler Jimi Hendrix's innovative style of combining feedback and controlled distortion from his trusty Vox wah pedals created a new musical form. The entire sound system was his instrument, not just his guitar. Hendrix paved the way for generations of guitarists seeking pure tonal freedom with his distinctive tone shaped by road-worn Marshall Plexi full-stacks and distinctive "flipped-over" Stratocasters. One of those guitarists was Eddie Van Halen. In a brief four-year career, Hendrix ignited rock 'n' roll and rewired the electric guitar forever. His influence on music, not just guitar, is colossal, and the list is too long to post. Check it out. Prepare to be absolutely stunned.
“Eddie put the smile back in rock guitar at a time when it was all getting a bit brooding. He also scared the hell out of a million guitarists around the world because he was so damn good. And original.”
Joe Satriani on EVH.
God love ya Joe✌️💛🤘
At the time Joe Satriani and Steve Vai scared the hell out of Eddie Van Halen
@@edljnehan2811 Satch and Vai are both very technically gifted --- but their guitar playing has no emotion in it --- that's where EVH was superior in all aspects
@@fredwerza3478 I'm just quoting evh at the time Satriani and Vai were becoming really big. I understand he's a great guitarist I just never really could get into Van Halen. I think a lot of that has to do with I was so turned off by David Lee Roth.
@@edljnehan2811 EVH was influenced by a number of musicians, yet he was never intimidated or scared of any of them. Early in his career, Eddie did, however, have a fear of performing in front of an audience.
As a young guitar player in the 70's i was 18 years old in 1978 when a guitar player buddy played VH first album for me and i almost quit because when i heard eruption i thought thats impossible, but his playing was so interesting it made me to where i just couldn't leave it alone and that started me on a quest to try and figure out his music ive been doing it ever since im now 62 so id say EVH had a liftime influence on me and there is no bigger fan of him than me R.I.P. the greatest that ever lived in my opinion.
Iam the same age , I actually got to see him opening up for Black Sabbath, Sabbath still had Ozzy, first tour in the east of the country in Philadelphia at the spectrum. Still amazing till this day.
Nobody can play like Eddie or for that matter Stevie Ray Vaughn , both are once in a generation players RIP Eddie and Stevie
Damn right brother
Stevie is a Hendrix\Albert King copy cat branded as "Texas Blues" or Tex Mex what have you
@@caseD5150
You must not know much about SRV to say such a ignorant thing. He was one of the best guitarists that ever lived. Even Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck couldn't keep up often getting lost and memorized by his technical skill and SOUL. Billy Gibbons was good friends with Stevie as well and has nothing but praise and love for him.
@@caseD5150
ruclips.net/video/ICl7bH2karM/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/84_UvByGDkM/видео.html
Both GOATs for 100% sure!
I saw EVH live twice (once with Dave and once with Sammy). I've also seen most of the guitar players mentioned here live as well, and I'll forever say he was the best guitar player I've EVER seen. Which that isn't a knock to guys like Satriani, Vai, Slash and the rest. They are ALL fantastic players. But Eddie just had a little something different about him, and they all knew it. He didn't just change guitar playing, he changed music.
The things I find most amazing about EVH are: 1) How he makes what he's doing look so easy. 2) How when he's playing, his guitar looks like part of his body, rather than just an instrument he's got strapped on. Mean Street will always be my favorite!
were any of your spinal tap songs influenced by him?
Man, I love Mean Streets! It has all of Eddie’s best tricks, but it just sounds mean and funky at the same time.
@@ericanderson8606 😆 😆
I remember being a kid and being at my friends house when he played me Mean Street.. I must have played that intro 20 times in a rowlouder and louder until I got in trouble lol
mean street is an obvious go to example of evh's brilliance, but for me, whatever song i am playing at the time is my favourite :)
Earlier today I was working on a guitar part for a song written on piano. It took a couple of days of playing but I got there in the end, and then I burst out crying. Bittersweet tears.
I learned and played electric guitar from around 1985 to 1991 and then gave up, just like that! The day of Eddie's passing I bought myself a Vester Stage Series Strat copy secondhand on Gumtree and a Boss Katana mini amp from the guitar store and I've played everyday, relearning and gaining more experience. I am now in a band working on original material.
Every day I think about Eddie and thank him for inspiring me to have fun playing guitar.
I've heard lots of guys play "Eruption." They get the notes right, but they can't capture the essence and the energy that Eddie had. If you let your mind go to the place where Eddie came from, you can hear a "secondary" solo within his solos that are distinct from the primary one. It's like a sonic analogy to those "magic eye" posters. I've only had one other person tell me that they could hear it too. There are classical composers (Ravel for one) who know how to do that (and classical music afficiandos will tell you they hear something new every time they listen to it), but they are using a whole orchestra to get that effect. Eddie is the only guitarist I've ever heard who can get the effect I'm trying to describe, which is not "describable" because it's beyond the technique, tone and speed of his playing. Hhe knew what he had and probably why he smiled so much when playing.
Well said - I've often thought of it as multiple layers. And as you say each time you listen you hear different layers you didn't quite focus on previously. They were there, obviously...and you knew it - you just didn't comprehend the depth of the layers. It's all part of that 'brown sound' as Eddie so often referred to. Nearly impossible to describe in words - you just know it to hear it.
Hi. I am compelled to share what your comment makes me think. And I think it's possible you might have such a personality that you may have had a strong rapport with Eddie. If so, maybe you were perceiving his style (the 2nd simultaneous solo) via his personality. I could be wrong, I often am, but that's exactly what crossed my mind while reading your comment. Thanks for letting me share!
I've seen Eddie live (5150 tour) and Satch (when he still had hair!) and first, watching Eddie play was just magical, his live performances were a lesson in how to fill out the sonic space. Satriani, being an instrumentalist performer, picked up that idea and ran like hell with it, and although their styles were way different, they were both way ahead of their contemporaries.
Joe Satriani put it very well. With Eddie there were no rules he just made things up, or as Michael Schenker would put it, ‘Pure self expression’.
Also EVH’s rhythm playing is incredible.
And that was the key to his magic. To be fair, there ARE guitarists who have better technical chops than Eddie. Who can play faster or more intricate stuff. But none had the combo of chops, plus song writing ability, plus sheer innovativeness.
I had 2 guitar teachers in life and both were awesome fans of Eddie and Van Halen just like me..Eddie riffs and rythm are insane, Unchained for example is just off the hook awesome!
@@armynurseboy everyone says Malmsteen is technically superior to EVH but his music puts me to sleep --- VH music made you horny and crazy!
You gotta dig Zakk's reverence for the history and evolution of the guitar in general. I think he nailed it with the second coming analysis. Without Eddie, the guitar does not ride to the level it has.
Zakk nailed it when he said “First you had Jimi who was God then you had Eddie the second coming!!” 🙏🏽
Eddie Van Halen will always be the king of electric guitar! No one before and no one ever will come close to match EVH’s talent and skill on guitar!! Shred In Peace Edward! 😔🙏🏻☮️
Guthrie Govan....?
@@matsjonsson9492 Yea Eddie Van Halen!
Mateus Asato....?......Is 28 years.
@@matsjonsson9492 the fuck are you talking about? I don’t care who that is and however he is, he obviously isn’t better than Eddie!
@@matsjonsson9492 great, but not as original.
I've seen VH five times and Eddie nailed it on every single occasion, effortlessly.
Unchained & Eruption. Two of the best rock songs ever written.
I picked up the guitar at age 14 (1974)
but lost interest after a year or so of trying and so I put it down. But then came Van Halen and immediately picked it back up with a vengeance...I'm still playing and enjoying the guitar to this day because of him! Thank you Eddie. RIP.
Just this of the millions of players with that same story. RVH was easily the most influential guitarist ever. He is still an inspiration machine for an untold number of up and coming players.
I've always said EVH is singularly responsible for more people picking up the guitar than Hendrix and Page combined --- I dare anyone to prove me wrong
As a drummer and lover of just about all things music I didn't realize how much Edward impacted my life until he passed. My drumming is guitar driven as if the the bass player was playing guitar. When I first heard Edward play I didn't believe it was coming from 1 player. Hearing VH1 moved me to become obsessed with music and bands throughout the 70s and 80s. He opened a world to me I didn't know existed at that young age..like jazz and and greats like Bach and Wagner and other classical music. Not just his talents and musicianship but the fun he had made it a musical love affair I will always be grateful to him for providing to me and millions of people around the world. Rest easy Edward and I will see you play again..on the other side
He’s definitely the most influential “modern” guitarist - definitely true there’s a BE/AE moment in time. In historic chain of rock guitar revolutionaries, I think it goes from Chuck Berry to Hendrix to Jimmy Page (for opening up the world of heavy rock guitar to all the masses just as the 70s started and demonstrating how to compose epics on guitar) to EVH (as Zakk said, the second coming). EVH made virtuoso guitar a fun party. All these guys brought rock guitar to everyone - young, old, men, women, etc. The guitarists who earned Beatles level love from the masses and inspired millions to pick up the instrument.
so glad i got to see edward twice... once, in '93 at Wembley arena and again in '95, at Wembley stadium. great musician. effortless.
Eddie elevated hammering to an artform in itself & shaped the entire 80s lead landscape. But his absolute authority over harmonics & noise is also legendary. Eddie made everybody play harder & take lead solos very seriously. His influence is all over the 80s.
Not only was he beyond incredible on the guitar, he was a beautiful human being, down to earth, humble and would help anybody he could after he made it, I've read or heard countless times he would help fellow guitarist out by sending them equipment or guitars, he was so enthusiastic about hearing other people play, he would hand his guitar to them and " try it out" R.I.P EDWARD 😢
I was an Eddie fan from day one and his dear was the celebrity musician death that hit me the hardest in awhile. I always picture EVH and RR having a guitar dual in Heaven. 😆 RIP EVH
Respect the Wind is still my favorite guitar instrumental of all time. He gets the guitar to roar, scream, cry. The amount of emotion he can effortlessly convey on guitar is astonishing.
Love that one as well. Humans Being is incredible from the same Soundtrack! Cheers!
Great video. Its so interesting to hear what other popular and influential guitarists thought of him.
I saw VanHalen in 82 and 84. Then Steve With David Lee Roth. Great video!
I only saw Van Halen twice and one was Monsters Of Rock in 1988. The guy just put you in a trance and the only a handful of other guitarist managed to do that. Rhoads who I saw in 82 and later Steve Oliva from Savatage. Another amazing guitarist who also was tragically lost too young.
Even Though Eddie hated doing Cover songs, He usually makes them better than the Original as in Dancing in The Street, You Really Got Me & Where have all The Good Times Gone. Would have Loved for Eddie to Play, Barracuda, Fantasy,
Turn Up The Radio, Still of The Night & She's Gone by Eric Clapton.
Youre no good ...was way better than the original
or Pretty Woman, all awesome tracks.
EVH was a once in a millennium artist (perhaps an alien)... Yes, his tapping, harmonics and speed reinvented the lead guitar playing, but it goes SO MUCH deeper. EVH was one of the most melodic songwriters of all time, over 100 million records sold, dozens of hit songs, multiple patents as a guitar and amp builder, and insane groove lock and rhythm playing, all served up with that amazing EVH smile.. because it all came from a joyful heart! I was lucky enough to see EVH 50 times and meet him twice - it was like heaven and hell raining down all in one... never to be repeated... his gifts will travel for eternity throughout the expanses of the UNIVERSE! GOD BLESS THE GREATEST MUSICIAN TO EVER LIVE!
If you played guitar in the late 70’s and on into the modern scene there was a seminal moment Van Halen was “the” seminal moment he changed everything. Everything.
Bonamassa nailed it...pre artist & post.
Man, Steve Vai has been a class act from day one.
RIP Edward Van; we still miss you.
Yes should have kept the last sentence to himself but... it is true.
This is great! All those legends. I have to say I've always LOVED how ego less Steve Vai has been. Ive always held that dude in high regard.
He is and always will be the best and most legendary guitarist in the world, that's just my opinion man.
The most famous Dutch musician ever. And possibly the best ever.
Yeah but he was an American rock musician who created an American rock band --- you Dutchies always forget that
@@fredwerza3478 Yes, he lived in the States, so it was an American band. Still he was born in the Netherlands, so he has Dutch/Indonesian genes. By the way, why should all the great things be American? Give other countries also some credits please.
@@hendrikheemels8615 yes but try to understand my point of view --- it's like saying Michael Jackson is a great African artist because he has African ancestry --- Eddie came to America and that's where he honed his chops and became legendary --- he is an American rock star, not a Dutch music star
@@fredwerza3478 Michael Jackson was born in the States, is different. Alex and Eddie were 10 and 8 years old when they came to the States. Next to that, they got their musical education from their dad Jan van Halen, who was a piano player and completely Dutch.
Appreciated all the comments. Thought Bonamassa's point about pre and post was spot on. Liked Satch's comments too, and was really cool he had Eddies amps in the background!
he wrote songs- for 12 albums- mind blowing riffs and playing....nobody even comes close to EVH
Ya and I don’t think not one song sounded the same. And at the same time you knew who It was from pretty much the first note.
And there is literally a vault of tapes that Ed recorded at 5150! Please Wolfie, start listening and releasing just a fraction of those unreleased gems!
I'm 58 and many of you were not alive when their debut album hit and eruption changed everything Eddie set the radio stations on fire they played the hell out of it this was 1978 and eruption set it off he paved the way for 80s rock my personal favorite era thank you, Eddie, for sharing your love of music with us, you influenced many guitar players gone but never forgotten.
The craziest part of the video is hearing Robby Krieger play with that much gain and seeing him tap!
I'd seen Van Halen with Sammy in Indy in 1988, the Monsters of Rock tour. I have listened to VH since the first album came out in 78, I was like 10 years old and instantly a huge fan. I am a big fan of the early stuff, but it was still great to have seen arguably the greatest guitarist to ever play. R.I.P. Eddie, you are missed.
SO SHWEEEETTT...much love Tee with LIONS NAMED LEO.[the music worldwide}
and sooo cool..!
Joe Satriani: I heard EVH in an interview from early 80s say "I'm not one to strum on the guitar."
The ambience Eddie created is out of this world. Best of the best period.❤
Eddie will remain a legend for centuries. The songs that I love the most are, 1984, Jump, Eruption ( obviously 😁) , Black and Blue, Respect the Wind and most definitely Little Guitars ( extended version) which is HIGHLY UNDERRATED.
Nothing is underrated with Van halen, no offense
The intro to Unchained is my favorite! It also happens to be my favorite Van Halen song from my favorite album, Fair Warning.
10. Brian May 0:55
9. Robby Krueger 01:26
8. Zak Wylde 03:48
7. Neal Schon 05:56
6. Slash 07:08
5. Kirk Hammett 08:23
4. Joe Bonamassa 08:47
3. Joe Satriani 11:00
2. Tony Lommi 13:03
1. Steve Vai 14:05
The Mozart of our Generation and of the Electric Guitar - Rest In Peace King Edward- Now Rock The Heavens 🤘🤘
Joe Satriani was my favorite comment/tribute,so much more than just saying Eddie was amazing.It will probably be a very long time till someone impacts guitarist and music in any significant way.R.I.P. Eddie you certainly influenced me so much Thank You Brother♡♡♡
Yes, I've seen Van Halen live...three times....my first concert was on the Diver Down tour (DLR era), then I saw them on their first tour with Sammy (Both shows at The Forum in LA)....then as the headliner for the 1988 Monsters Of Rock Tour when it came to the LA Coliseum......and it wasn't enough...I would have loved to have seen them on every tour they are did!
Eddie! The innovator! He influenced millions...Created his owm unique sound.. Truly re invented the art of Electric Guitar! Inspirational!The greatest¡
Saw them V H whenever they were in town. Both line ups. And the thing I remember most was Eddie and how he never stop smiling throughout the show.
Most rock guitarists were trying to be mean'n'moody. But He just looked he was having a great time.
It was infectious.
The tone he got from his guitar was such a sweet sound.
Favorite is hard to say of course. ‘I’m the one’ stands out as one of the most important pieces that represents Eddie’s style and virtuosity.
I saw Van Halen live in 1986 & '88. The greatest experience- EVER!!
Girl Gine Bad and 5150 live were the best performances as a total band.
The Gr8est EVER, IMHO....Not just Changing The Guitar and How to Play it, but His Song-Writing was Trail-Blazing in Rock....Cheers from Damo.😊🙌
The first four albums are my favorite works of Van Halen
YESSIR
His best work, no doubt
I think the song title "Unchained" is fitting for his playing, just so fantastic
EVH was all that! Ed laid the ground for tons of great axe slingers!!
Frank Zappa thanked Eddie for reinventing how the electric guitar is played after Eddie played Fair Warning for Frank before it was released.
Amsterdam. That chorus groove in the pocket. Awesome.
As Is and Honeybabysweetiedoll are groundbreaking pieces Eddie composed for their last album, A Different Kind Of Truth. He actually raised the bar again for everyone with those two songs.
Prior to that I’ll go with Mean Streets, Girl Gone Bad, Little Guitars, I’m The One, and In A Simple Rhyme with DLR. With Sam I’ll say the title track 5150 has an incredible guitar part! And with Gary I like Fire In The Hole.
nice compilation!
The thing that stands out for me about EVH is that he had SOUL!! That's R&R soul. That is his rhythmic feel/pocket, both in integral riffs that make the song the song, he was a genius at Rock/Pop standout song defining riffs like Page, & his soloing. His approach, sound & technique were, of course, from another planet. With Eddie, his playing & writing were all feel & not analytical. The best songs are the ones that write themselves. They just flow out from somewhere. Van Halen's playing & songs wrote themselves through a definite channel from God to his fingers. R.I.P. maestro!!
E.VH was a monster in the world of guitar and music world..
RIP brother and it was a pleasure of meeting and working with VAN HALEN..
like to add some more of the party's and girls trying to get with them..
wow...
crazy good times
Zakk said some real sweet things !! Excellent
Jo Bonamassa's Pre/Post notion is one of the most enlightning thing about guitar players I've ever heared.
I am a guitar player, played pro for a long time, made some albums and stuff, but Eddie was always "my guy", so to speak. I remember I was accused of being an egotist by someone who doesn't know better, because i simply was listening to various guitar players and saying aloud "Oh I can pull that off" and also "Wow, listen to this! Whoa! I can't do that!" because I was astonished. The girl said in a snarky tone "Oh so you think you are the best guitarist and only people who can play like you are good?" I was in disbelief. I was conveying exactly what Steve Vai was saying at the end of the video. When I say "Whoah! i can't do that!" it means, that guitarist is so good, I dare not even compete or challenge. I was so confused and insulted all at the same time, because I like to consider myself a rather humble guitar player. Still to this day, when I hear a great player, I just freeze and listen, and yes, I still say aloud "Whoa! I can't do that!".
Lots of great guitarists all time. But, for me it was only Jimi and Ed who really, really changed the world of guitar and how ppl played and viewed the instrument. Ed even changed the way companies designed an instrument and how other players played the instrument. just the 2 gods of guitar in my book.
You forgot Stevie Ray Vaughan.....1/2/3
ruclips.net/video/KC5H9P4F5Uk/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/cFwTbsKkqxE/видео.html
Watching Robbie Was Painful
Listening to Vai talking about himself was worse.
@@frannyp46 To be fair, that’s an old interview with Steve, not really about Eddie.
@@frannyp46 kinda funny cause now these days he seems to be one of the most genuine humble guys you’d ever meet.
I agree. There was so much more to EVH than just the simple "tapping". It's like in his "tribute", he reduced his playing to that, and that only.
My son was like 7 or 8 years old Zack you signed his drums for him but you also changed a lot of things in rock man I look up to you you're phenomenal but Eddie yeah I went to a concert 19 I'll say around 84 unbelievable also you're a really good guitar player you have a lot of stamina out there unbelievable energy I'll take it all day
Still can't believe hes gone
I think you forgot about Dimebag Darrell. He was a huge Eddie fan and was laid to rest with Eddie's guitar.
Eddie is definitely my guitar hero, the one guy who made me want to play fast and shreddy guitar!
Everything on the Fair Warning album! Actually everything on VH's first 4 albums and honourable mention to 1984.
Love the reference to Bill Nelson of BeBop Deluxe by Joe B. Seriously underrated player that's not that well known.
Joe Satriani’s comments were brilliant. I loved the musical insights he provided.
...... Eddie is legend now but before he made it (& I had the good fortune of seeing him at Gizzari's in June of 1976) you just knew this guy was something special & the genuine article. You knew he was going to change everything if he got a record deal (& they did a year later). Ed was brilliant even when he didn't do the tapping/hammer-ons that he would be famous for later. Just a fantastic musician. And he had a good long run. & There was so much more music left to come out of him if he hadn't gotten sick. But we'll, sadly never know what a more mature Ed would've done.
Neal Shon obviously meant '78 when Van Halen's first album was released and Journey an VH toured.
Eddie the king 8:20
With all due respect to Eddie´s colossal and indisputable influential legacy, however "Les Paul is the one, really.
We wouldn´t be anywhere if he hadn´t invented the electric guitar" - Jimmy Page
Gotta give Zakk the credit he deserves. If Ed would have stopped after the first record, he would still have had the incredible impact on guitar that he has had.
EDDIE VAN HALEN IS THE G.O.A.T
Eddie took the guitar to another level when rock music wasn't the most popular music. He started with building his own guitar because he couldn't buy what he wanted. He experimented with pickups to reduce humbucker noise by dipping the pickups in wax. Manufacturers copied this. I smile every time I hear eruption and think "nice one Eddie" as it was his warm up before recording. God Bless you Eddie Van Halen and thank you.
Was lucky enough to see the Women and Children First tour fucking unbelievable live band RIP Ed
The main difference between Edward and every other guitarist isn't his technical ability, or his innovations or even his skill. Eddie played with an audible smile on his face. Vai is amazing, Page was an epic song writer, Hendrix made it cool to be the guitar player. You can go on and on, but what made Eddie the best ever was you could literally hear that sheepish smile on his face on every tune which always leaves you with that same grin. Who's the best? Nobody knows. Who was the guitar players favorite?
I totally agree, You just can't help but smile back and not just for the amazing skills but for that smile!!!!!
I listened to a lot of Vanhalen guitar or music only. It's amazing the poetry. You can really hear the smile in every song.
Thank God we had Eddie untill his 60's. Imagine if Jimi lived that long.
If jimi lived that long he'll be exactly like what clapton is now.
@@Rnrf5150 Sorry but Clapton is nowhere near Jimi. He's way overrated.
Ok, so I know it's a year later but here's my concert story:
I went to Monster of Rock 1 at the LA Coliseum. The bill was Kingdom Come, Metallica, Dokken, Scorpions, Van Halen.
Promoters didn't understand Metallica fans yet and there was basically a riot when they came on. I remember the cops just retreating to the stage. It was an amazing set (the best single rock performance I saw) but that stadium was complete anarchy. It was 100 degrees, we were packed in like sardines. One of those crowds where it just moves in waves. They started hosing us who were near the front down with fire hoses to cool everything down. I saw a lot people passed to the side or front looking pretty bad.
Van Halen came out on stage. They were the headliner and no one expected to see them at 2 pm. Sammy started off by saying that people were getting hurt and people need to chill. I was probably 40 preople back at that point. It was pretty scary around there. Particularly for people who weren't thrash metal fan. Sammy did most of the talking, but it was when Eddie said that everyone needed to chill that I physically felt the entire crowd just...agree? It was like, Eddie said chill, so we did. 100,000 of us. Everyone sort of looked around, said, "Yeah, this is nuts and Eddie said cool it."
And every. Single. One. of the people in that stadium had that much respect for Eddie Van Halen. 20 words was all it took.
And six hours later, after the greatest food fight in American history, Dokken and the Scorpions taking care of business, Van Halen came out and killed their set for the hometown crowd.
And the crowd chanted, "Eddie. Eddie. Eddie."
R.I.P. you dutch legend!!
I was Lucky to see Van Halen and Alice in Chains when AIC was a NOBODY. lol ...it was at Atlanta Amphitheater in 1991. I have to say. I loved Plying Guitar back then....But Eddie Just Made all Guitarist sound devoid of Life and Color in their playing ...He was a Constant Tone and Melody Chaser!!! and His Solos were Jaw Dropping! Back then i used to go to at least 3 or 4 concerts a year .... And Many Bands back then that played in like DOME style concert halls had a BIG Problem. they did not sound like they did on a Album. Unless You used Ear Plugs at the concert. so at least You could HEAR and Enjoy the songs you heard. and Yeah these Bands had a Lot of energy! But Nothing Compared to Eddie Playing that day at Lakewood Amphitheater! I do know it is a OPEN Air Arena. Lakewood is.... and i am Sure if other bands played there....they would sound a LOT better than being enclosed in a Venue with a Dome on it. But, Eddie made it sound like you turned on a Record player Put on "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge". And it sounded like you were in a room with the Volume at a Good Level and you could hear ALL the sounds the Guitar Made. the Bass made Drums and even Sammy Singing! it just blew me away! and i had been to many Great Artist concerts....But NONE .....Was close to the VH concert i witnessed that Night! Thanks Eddie for a AWESOME concert! And we all Miss you ... Rest In Peace.
Eddie’s guitar playing was the beginning of what some people would say is the “end”….. for there is no where else to go with anything new…. If that makes sense 😎
Think about what Bonamassa said and look into the time intervals between the pre-/post (guitarist) era. For instance, Are Your Experienced by Hendrix came out in '67 and VH came out in '78, that's 11 years. We're STILL in the post-EVH era and it's been 45 years. We are still waiting for the next great rock guitarist to come around and put his name on that pre/post list.
No one cooler than Eddie
I really miss him
Spur of the moment king!!
Most of the musicians in this segment make this about them. Except Joe Satriani. His observations and insight are invaluable.
Joe B nice of you to mention Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe. Very innovative player. Modern Music is a masterpiece.
Hendrix,Stevie Ray Vaughn,Rhodes,EVH,Dimebag Darrell And Vai.My Mount Rushmore of players.Add Ace Frehley for introducing me to guitar.
There's a new interview from Vai talking about the impact EVH had on him. Not sure why you'd pick this really old interview.
eddie was a incredible or awsome solist but a f...rythm man ! oula ! a pure musician ! no doubt !
This video was posted on the day I saw Sammy Hagar and the Circle. 9.7.22. I'm headed to see Sammy again on Tues in his VH tribute tour with Joe
Just as a sidenote, I'm pretty sure Neal Schon got his decades mixed up when he referenced 1987. I'm pretty sure he meant to say 1977.
Anyone interested in rock rhythm guitar needs to listen to the isolated track from Mean Streets, it's the gold standard
I agree, also the isolated track from ‘Hang em high’ it’s so good I just can’t stop smiling when I hear it.