Say What You Want, But EVH Changed the World of Rock…

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Say What You Want, But EVH Changed the World of Rock…

February 23, 2011 by GoofyDawg

When Van Halen hit the scene as an opening act, no one wanted to follow them because of Eddie’s supernatural playing. Shred is old hat now, but even today, I still prefer EVH’s approach to shred than those who’ve followed; not just because he’s the original, but because his phrasing is so completely unexpected. He has a sixth sense with musicality of which even after all these years, I’ve never tired. Here’s a great video of an EVH solo back in the day…

Posted in Guitars | Tagged guitar, guitarists, Guitars, Music, musicians, van halen | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on February 23, 2011 at 8:35 am | Reply Dave G

Ditto ! He completely revolutionized what was going on in the guitar world at the time !
on February 23, 2011 at 9:19 am | Reply Mike

Well said. Too many people focused on the shred, they miss the musicality and phrasing. EVH is up there with Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
on February 23, 2011 at 2:41 pm | Reply Jon

I absolutely agree, Eddie is the reason I picked up guitar, and still is inspirational to me.
on February 23, 2011 at 6:46 pm | Reply guitarboy

Long live Van Halen! The absolute best rock guitar tone in the world is found on Van Halen II. (And many of his other albums). Nobody else had such an electrifying command of the instrument before or after.
on February 23, 2011 at 10:07 pm | Reply Doug

No question about it. Anyone who says otherwise is either not being honest with themselves or is just ignorant to the rock guitar scene from 1977 on.
on February 23, 2011 at 11:21 pm | Reply guitarboy

So has anybody ever figured out what–aside from abject jealousy–kept the editors at Rolling Stone from even listing Van Halen in the Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time? They should be sent to their room for leaving him off. He belongs in the Top 3!
- on February 24, 2011 at 7:08 am | Reply GoofyDawg
  
  There was absolutely no sense to their list. It was obvious they wanted to stir up the pot to create controversy. That has been their shtick. But Rolling Stone is a shadow of its former self now. My son subscribed to it, and all it is now is just another, edgier version of “People.”
on February 24, 2011 at 7:25 am | Reply guitarboy

An edgier version of People. Good analysis!
on February 24, 2011 at 9:23 pm | Reply ghfvhngfhd

the evh is not, but thats also a good trumpet
on February 24, 2011 at 11:07 pm | Reply Tweets that mention Say What You Want, But EVH Changed the World of Rock… « Guitar Gear -- Topsy.com

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on March 1, 2011 at 7:06 am | Reply 56lp

EVH = quantum leap in guitar playing.

I saw him again in concert a few years ago on the tour with David Lee Roth.
on March 9, 2011 at 5:07 pm | Reply Brian Boorsma

EVH is an artist people will be discovering and having their mind-blown by for centuries. Thanks for reminding us with the vid.
on March 9, 2011 at 10:01 pm | Reply guitarboy

Just got through listening to that solo again and am blown away! What made Van Halen so amazing was his total command of all the voices inside his instrument. He goes from church lady cleans to screaming banshee distortion all in the flick of a wrist! Thanks, Dawg, for posting this video!!!
- on March 10, 2011 at 1:43 pm | Reply GoofyDawg
  
  Church lady cleans! Love it!