Eddie Van Halen: is he all that?

[tomdkat]

I grew up listening to Van Halen and their first album is my fave and I also like "So this is Love?"

Do you think Eddie Van Halen is all that? If not, who has eclipsed him (other than Jimi Hendrix)?

Peace...

[firestorm]

That's a good question. I believe I have 8 of their albums, so I'm obviously a fan. But, I haven't actively compared others to him, so I have no clue. I'm also not a guitarist and don't know what is difficult and what isn't.

[Hollow Man]

As a guitar player, I've found it's best to treat groundbreaking guitarists as a group rather than attempt to figure out who is better than who. For my money, these are guitarists who I feel have been influential in the scene and/or are very strong players. The ones near the top tend the be the people I feel are most influential, but overall they are in no order, I may miss a few, and I know many may disagree, but it is a personal list.

-Jimi Hendrix
-Stevie Ray Vaughn
-Eddie Van Halen
-Randy Rhodes
-Eric Johnson
-Joe Satriani
-The Edge
-Alex Lifeson
-Jimmy Page
-Tony Iommi
-Kurt Cobain
-Dave Navarro
-Billy Duffy
-Angus Young
-Slash
-James Hetfield
-Kirk Hammett
-Kim Thayil

-HM

[Reaver]

* looks for Satch in Hollow Man's list *

* sees him listed after Eric Johnson *

* sees no mention of Mike McCready *

* disregards list *

[Hollow Man]

I said there was no real order to my list. Eric being "over" Joe is of no signifigance.

I'm not a personal fan of Pearl Jam, but if I was, I'd put him on the lower half, because I'd consider him to be a personal favorite, but not an influential guitarist.

-HM

[umainebearman]

Originally Posted by Reaver

* looks for Satch in Hollow Man's list *

* sees him listed after Eric Johnson *

* sees no mention of Mike McCready *

* disregards list *

As far as his list goes yeah I'm sure the list is his person prefernces. I love Ac/Dc but really Angus Young? Angug "3 cords" Young?

If I where to Have a list of guitarist though Tom yes in a band Eddie Van Halen above all others, without a doubt. He influenced any one that picked up a guitar in the 80s and early 90s, even Satriani.

He basically created a new playing style which gave rock music then a great new sound. He made guitarists then slap there heads and give the ole Homer Simpson D'OH! Why didn't I think of that. He used the frets on the neck and expanded that sound by tearing out the inards of his strat and replacing it with modified Gibson guts. Inovation was his way of thinking when most people where content with strumming along with what they had how they had always been.

Sure Clapton is god, and Satch is would be king (although I'd rather see Steve Vai in concert) but when it comes to getting the most defining sound in a gutarist Eddie is da MAN.

Oh one last thing too.... no one...and argue if you'd like... no one gets more sound out of there guitar than Mark Knopfler.

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by umainebearman

As far as his list goes yeah I'm sure the list is his person prefernces. I love Ac/Dc but really Angus Young? Angug "3 cords" Young?

Please explain "Angus '3 chords' Young"

Are you saying that AC/DC songs only contain three chords therefore he isn't a good guitar player? If that's your reasoning there are a few more guys on that list that need to be eliminated.

[Astrakan]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Yngwie Malmsteen yet...

KM

[Reaver]

Originally Posted by Astrakan

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Yngwie Malmsteen yet...

KM

Eh, the less said, the better.

[tomdkat]

Peace...

[El Lancito]

What, no C.C. Deville?

[Astrakan]

Originally Posted by Reaver

Eh, the less said, the better.

You may not like what he plays, but there's no denying his skill.

KM

[umainebearman]

Originally Posted by Wilson

Please explain "Angus '3 chords' Young"

Are you saying that AC/DC songs only contain three chords therefore he isn't a good guitar player? If that's your reasoning there are a few more guys on that list that need to be eliminated.

No I'm saying if he would use more than just the few chords it takes to make an Ac/DC song they might have had more good album past The Razors Edge.

Yngwie Malmsteen, oh no I would never forget him but unfortunately material has to be good for people to really take notice of your skill. The man could definately play but the majority of his stuff....eh.