Eddie Van Halen Names His Favourite Three Guitar Players

[@octatana]

1. 0:34 Allan Holdsworth 2. 2:11 Eric Clapton 3. 3:46 Jimmy Page

[@s_p_onarge8720]

Thank you!

[@thefuppits]

Thanks for sparing everyone the HORRID AI narration. No need to give these videos good stats.

[@elpepe9451]

Thank you, this guy keeps yapping, seriously

[@KingKull1971]

Eddie didn't like Page. He said "Page sounded like a child with broken fingers." Talk about revisionism.

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

Thanks for saving me some time. For a second I thought this video would be actually Eddie talking, silly silly me.

[@RichardWagenknecht]

What a great description of Page. On the edge of control. Though his acoustic stuff like Going to California and The Rain Song is what really set him apart for me. Great composer too.

[@Thadmotor1044]

Alvin Lee achieved what Page hoped for

[@keithstover2899]

Pagey forever!

[@Thadmotor1044]

@@keithstover2899 Like pagenine

[@Allan-et5ig]

What's overlooked, imo, and I guess it worked for EVH, LOL, is the real reason for Page playing at the "edge of his ability." Substances. I have heard soundboards (sure you have to) of Page playing with precision and control during SOUNDCHECKS. However, when you hear that show later that night, the show from the same night as the soundcheck, he's making a sketchy racket. The book LZ-'75: The Lost Chronicles of Led Zeppelin's 1975 American Tour, whose author was an eye witness, says this was down to the band (can't remember the word, it's funny) suddenly enjoying a huge intake of coke before going on. On top of (for Page at least) the alcohol. As far as some of his studio work that might be a LITTLE sloppy, I think he was too impatient to correct minor mistakes. Opinion, obviously my own. All the best.

[@damianwhite504]

@@Allan-et5ig I agree entirely with your opinion. You put that well.

[@petercook3911]

Love that he had so much gratitude and respect for Les Paul

[@davidsthubbins176]

That Les Paul tribute show is so cool!

[@donotwantahandle1111]

Weird, since Eddie favoured Fenders.

[@petercook3911]

@@donotwantahandle1111yes, I'm guessing it was more to do with Les Paul's playing and his earlier work with multi tracking etc.

[@jesseserna8424]

I heard Eddie say Roy Clark (in the 1980s) was the best which astonished me since completely different kinds of music .RIP to Both 🎸🪕

[@walterevans2118]

VERY GOOD analysis of Edward’s influences and those great contemporaries who also inspired him. Thanks for this because future generations need to know of his incredible legacy,,,,(Paul)

[@donbladsoe]

Glen Campbell, SRV, Roy Clark, Rhodes, JBryant, Bensen, Pass, Martino, Remler, Gamballe, SLane, Morse, EJohnson, MSchenker.

[@JayMac-kj9kt]

Is there room for Jerry Reed in that line up? Peace and brother love to you and all.

[@MGB18]

@donbladsoe: All great guitarists, but none hold a candle to Eddie, and what he accomplished.

[@D-FensDogG]

Danny Gatton!

[@raisinsawdust]

Especially Michael Schenker!

[@raisinsawdust]

If you know, you know

[@fenderbender8556]

Eddie also expressed respect for Ritchie Blackmore, until Blackmore dissed him at their first public meeting!

[@bruceharrison8160]

He also liked Blackmore 😊

[@carsgunsandguitars]

This is well made and well narrated, nice job.

[@ronr7905]

There is one major guitar player that EVH was influenced by, though he never mentions. If you think of he Strat style guitar, the whammy bar histrionics, use of effects, the innovation and changes to his guitar, creating his own famous studio, performing outrageous stage moves like the humping of the guitar against the amps, and copying the VH logo from a gig poster of said guitar player --that major player is Jimi Hendrix. For some reason, Eddie downright refused to name Hendrix as a main influence. I think it was because anyone who was a hotshot guitar player with a bit of flash was instantly "the Next Hendrix" and Eddie heard it too many times foir comfort. I see and hear nothing of an influence of Clapton but I see and hear a number of ways that EVH was influenced by Hendrix. It's obvious.

[@dkelley9661]

Holdsworth was NOT endless twiddling. Van Halen called himself a “tenth rate” Holdsworth. The reality is Holdsworth played on a level far above “pop” music. Just because many don’t understand his music, doesn’t demean his ability or material. Holdsworth remains the finest guitarist I’ve seen in my life, and I’ve studied music and guitar since 1976, seen nearly everyone. No one even comes close. Ask Steve Vai, who speaks very clearly about Holdsworth’s music and playing.

[@matthewlamothemusic9041]

What’s funny is if you listen to Holdsworth and Eddie you can hear a lot of similarities specifically in the wide stretch phrases. That being said Holdsworth can be a challenging listen if you’re not use to that kind of thing.

[@BrianKlock-o6c]

all hail king Holdsworth

[@andrescano7006]

While Holdsworth was the King of Dissonance--Gary Moore was the King of Melody and mastered ALL styles. Moore actually performed Jazz/Rock fusion from the mid 70's to the early 80's. This is reflected in Colosseum II, and his solo projects.

[@D-FensDogG]

But... Steve Vai also said that if he had to name just one guitarist as the greatest ever - all things considered - he would name DANNY GATTON.

[@deanfreel211]

Hard to rank guitarists but any conversation should have Jimi in it. Kath, Beck, SRV and Townsend. Just outside that list is my two favorites, Frampton and Richrath.

[@hammer44head]

warms my heart to see Terry Kath's name on your comment, he's been one of my fave's since 1970 golly i miss him and Duane both so much. Thanks for mentioning Terry.

[@richardmitchell8213]

My 3 favorite guitarists are EVH, Dimebag Darrell and Greg Howe. All 3 were unbelievable technically, but the reason I revere them is their creativity. Music comes in song format, and between the 3 of them you probably have about 200+ high quality songs.

[@robertfindley921]

"Sonic alchemy" great phrase! And yet if you asked at least Clapton and Page, they would all likely name Hendrix.

[@RobertJagersky]

Eddie mentioned Alex Lifeson as a guitar god as quoted in Guitar magazine interview 1981 I believe.

[@jdsharp1366]

I was fortunate to see Rush 6th row center in 83, Alex Lifeson can play with the best of them.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@jdsharp1366 "Facts"

[@toothnail605]

It's been Page Lifeson and EVH for my top three. Got to see Rush Permanent Waves tour, Moving Pictures and many others. Saw VH with Roth 5 times and with Sam 3, Page only once with Plant but never Zepp, I was 14 when they played LA CA last. Peace and thanks for mentioning Alex

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@toothnail605 I could live with just: Jimmy Page, Alex Lifeson & Eddie Van Halen . . . "I'll take that" = 3 Legends

[@outspoken117]

One of the most underrated players of his time. Equally as powerful as his band mates.

[@rangerwhite5165]

I was at school in the 80s. A guy came in with a tape player (it was the 80s) and the first VH album. We honestly thought the end of Eruption was some keyboard effect or something. We'd never heard anything like it.

[@donjohn2695]

Clapton was Eddie's hero he listened to the Beano album by the bluesbreakers constantly studying Clapton's playing he said this in a interview that Eric was his guitar hero

[@canalaverdade.]

Edward Van Halen= God of electric guitar.

[@robertlavorna2968]

RIGHT AFTER HENDRIX!!!

[@canalaverdade.]

@robertlavorna2968 , Van Halen is way superior to Hendrix.

[@SuperPatrick777]

Light years from that.

[@SuperPatrick777]

​@@canalaverdade.Nowhere near even the average guitarist .

[@robertlavorna2968]

@@canalaverdade. I GUARANTEE Y0U HAVENT HEARD EVEN 10% 0F HENDRIX W0RK, T0NS 0F IiVE MATERIAI, AND STUDI0, M0ST 0F HIS PIERS SAY HES THE BEST AND T0 THIS DAY HIS IEGACY IS AS BIG AS EVER DUE T0 HIS UNIQUE, INN0VATIVE S0UNDS HE CREATED!!

[@Marco-tg3nk]

One of the best touch players of all times, and he had a melodical great music compositions and songwriter band, and yet he was a game changer too, just he and Hendrix were game changers

[@belotface]

I started playing at 16 in 1977 and all my friends that played were all about Clapton and I never got it, till I saw him in 1980. Holy shit! I got it.

[@Paul-ot9fe]

I still don't get it. Saw him live years ago. Boring! Too many solos. All sound the same. Like him for the songs and his singing. .

[@Dagger_323]

@@Paul-ot9fe Go back and listen to his blistering live solos in Cream. That's what inspired millions of players worldwide.

[@Paul-ot9fe]

@@Dagger_323 I'll do that. Thanks for the comment!

[@kevinbush4300]

1:12... I can't think of the SynthAxe without thinking of Allan Holdsworth.

[@kpec3]

I remember seeing Eric Clapton on mtv in the 80s. Never heard of him before that. I thought that he was the same as the rest of the 80s hitmakers: Elton John, Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Paul McCartney, ELO.😊

[@user-zn6gz4ub7w]

Another guitarist Eddie admired not mentioned was Steve Lukather.

[@cmonster67]

I've always found it interesting that Eddie never really got into Hendrix.

[@16665150]

He was. He just never admitted it. How could he not be influenced by Hendrix?

[@777jones]

Eddie was not a blues based guitarist. He was playing it like a European instrument. Which is not surprising, because he was European.

[@hendrixandmitch]

he was into jimi he would never admit it.

[@wpl8275]

My guess is that he felt a competitiveness with Hendrix that caused some less than complimentary words about him.

[@16665150]

@@777jones are you sure? Last I heard Eddie used the pentatonic scale which is played in blues. To me Van Halen sounds like a blues player.

[@SidLaw500]

These are great presentations!

[@samkitty5894]

There should be a difference between playing and making noise.

[@OldHickoryAndyJackson]

Hendrix was his #1 American

[@donbladsoe]

Richie Blackmore

[@MrSpringfield01]

The GOAT - hands down , no argument.

[@bobwerner6967]

My two cents worth: The five greatest, in more or less order, would be: Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Duane Allman, Eddie Van Halen. With all due respect to all of the players listed here, all of whom could easily be on anyone's list, even yours! Peace.

[@Big_Island_Boi]

What about Randy Rhoads? Everybody knows he was a huge influence of Eddie and taught him a lot about playing the guitar.

[@matts6771]

I would trust George Lynch before anyone else.

[@Curtis-y9r]

I don't think so pal . Van Halen' formed in 73 or 74 anc their first album was 75 I think, maybe 76 and Rhoades wasn't anything until 80. They might have known each other but Van Halen were touring when Eddie was 20, 21 so I don't see how Rhoades could hsve been that much of an influence.

[@carloscardona3924]

Eddie said you want to listen to a good guitar player listen to Roy Clark 😅 Eddie, Stevie , and Hendrix were at a different dimension on guitars.

[@JayMac-kj9kt]

About damned time Roy Clark`s name showed up, thanks. Peace and brother love to you and all.

[@Blackmore.4580]

Blackmore was his hero.

[@princejeff3210]

I agree!! I also hear Billy Gibbons in his playing also.

[@j.reveille6815]

As well as Ace frehley. He watched Ace do shock me solo from front row several times when Ace was tapping . Go watch. 1977 shock me live

[@edwardking4784]

Indeed til he was belittled by Blackmore and John Bonham one night at the Rainbow in LA

[@henrico7niente]

Wonder, that Éric Clapton '' slowhand' was an example for EVH, a technical rapid monster.

[@OldHickoryAndyJackson]

The 1st name ever came out his mouth was Jimi Hendrix because he was an American

[@ImYourOverlord]

Also because Hendrix was the most important thing to ever happen to electric guitar.

Amazing how the US and UK just bounced it backwards and forwards.People always thought Van Halen were some kind of tiny underground band in the UK before the internet showed how widespread feeling for VH was over here.

[@donbladsoe]

GATTON, BREAU, DJANGO, WEST, SCOTTY ANDERSON. 7 more ; Holdsworth, Beck, Johny Smith, Hank Garland, John Williams, SRV, Van Halen.

[@davidwalker5054]

Django is the boss in my book one of a kind

[@mariannemaloneywitherspoon6335]

Loved Eddie! Wonder he ever met and heard Stevie Ray Vaughan? Rock! ❤️🤗🎸🎶 4:14

[@valleyoforion1]

He and Slash saw SRV in concert in Los Angeles

[@danburnes722]

Van Halen had good tastes.

[@youtoo2233]

People dog on Page for being "sloppy" but if he's one of Eddie's faves thats saying a lot!!!

[@larrycarter3765]

Wes Montgomery.

[@casedismissed8581]

van halen and his 10,000 mph hammer-on and that's about it !!

[@richardmitchell8213]

Holdsworth I completely get, Jimmy Page ditto. Eric Clapton is the one that puzzles me the most, but hey, he was Eddie’s boy so what can I say?

[@GregPhillion-hv3sm]

WOW He forgot to mention Terry Kilgore and Rick Derringer....when you know you know Like Greta Van Fleet saying that Aerosmith was their biggest inspiration

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Holdsworth was the John Coltrane of guitar.

[@robertmueller2023]

Georg Koenig is fantastic.

[@Texpantego]

Got to think he clipped a few from Billy Gibbons.

[@atlasgunther8947]

sonic alchemy ... I like that

[@combatOracle1]

Allan Holdsworth was definitely exploring a different musical cosmos, a magical journey I was privileged to follow for many decades.

[@ritualee10]

I'm guessing this is AI content and I'm bothered by how insightful it was. Sure do love Edward, tho!

[@SpenceCurry]

Holdsworth never met a note he couldnt over play

[@AllSpace]

simply the blues

[@donbladsoe]

Dimeola

[@servantofg-d5393]

I'm surprised Jeff Beck was not in his top 3. He was more versatile and influential then either Page or Clapton.

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

EVH had stated he did not listen to much Jeff Beck until “Blow By Blow” and “Wired” were released. EVH said he studied both albums forward and backwards because of Jeff’s technical prowess, ability to come up with a melody, his art of creating space, and his inventiveness of playing instrumentals that commanded the listener’s attention because the song was interesting and unpredictable.

[@Curtis-y9r]

Beck is the champ.

[@allanmakela3011]

Hear BB king,and Albert King,in all of them,but Evh hear Jimi,and some Holdsworth also for the in your face wild stuff,wish people, get off the one track Eruption reference,done into the ground,by too many others Ad Infinitum,Ad nauseum,he,d be sick of that too

[@teacherrussell5206]

Eddie actually played quite a bit like Clapton. The rambling in and out of time. Eddie might have actually done it a little better, or at least made it a bigger part of his style. The classic Crossroads solo with Cream live is a good example. I loved Eric growing up, but see him as a very overrated guitarist from his time now that I'm older. Jeff Beck, Duane Allman...head and shoulders above Clapton. No comparison.

[@richpaydirt]

The last guitar hero. It’s all been seen and done, there’s nothing left to improve or innovate in the guitar world. I’m glad I lived to see all of the greatest who’ll ever be.

[@bkmeahan]

🤣

[@crisprtalk6963]

You need to watch Jack Pearson.

[@j.reveille6815]

@@crisprtalk6963 don’t need Nuffin. EVH RIP!

[@73challenger5031]

Steve Vai has entered the room!

[@elpablosky6300]

Ritchie Blackmore was his hero but he don't mentioned because Ritchie was arrogant with him on a bar ( Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Bonham ) were too aggresive with him,i like Blackmore but that's to me ( i picked a beer and opening and dropped over his heads ) the Bad things on Eddie he later become a arrogant and a 🤬 with Michael Anthony,Sammy Hagar said :" Michael was the first guy on arrive to the rehearsals and the last on go Home. Sometimes you become a Bad person copying that Bad attitude like Blackmore do become his own enemy. On 2004 Edd cancel a tour with Neal Schon alternate band of that era called ,Soul Sirkus even his brother Alex said :" why you do this Edd "? ,on cancel the tour and the answer was the drugs and even later Eddie never make the peace with Neal Schon ( this guy love him since 1978 when Van Halen opening for Journey on that year ) and the last thing his son said :" he was a terrible teacher " ,so like Blackmore said too:" not always the smile people are the nicest , Yngwie Malmsteen wanna meet Eddie but he said :" I don't know why he escaping from me ?

[@andrescano7006]

His favorite player--Randy Rhoads.

[@herbcanter2114]

You have it all wrong , it was always Randy who loved EVH , listen to what Rudy Sarzo said. GW: What were Randy’s main influences? Sarzo: : His influences were late-’60s, early-’70s English rock guitar players. He didn’t have any R&B influence or anything, so it’s totally English. And classical music because of his schooling. His mother had a lot to do with that, teaching him and influencing him with classical music. So by the time he got to England, he was not like a typical American guitar player who had had the influence of R&B music and country music, because he’d never played that. GW: Were there any particular players he admired? Sarzo: Yeah, let me tell you who they were. He really admired Gary Moore and Eddie Van Halen. Those were the top two guys he really, really admired.

[@andycano5756]

I was being facetious. EVH resented the youngbloods who ripped off his riffs. I know EVH admired Holdsworth...as most guitarists did. I knew EVH had an early friendship with Gary Moore. Though, I never read where EVH praised Moore, or even mentioned him. EVH was influenced by Clapton. Though Clapton is quite deficient technically. I think EVH liked Beck. I never did. Beck's rockabilly forays were laughable.

[@fastted9390]

Sorry, it's Eric "Hack-ton."

[@icord50]

Holdsworth was the GOAT!

[@PaliGap1]

No Jimi?!

[@briangoss6685]

Eddie cited the tremolo picking in All Along the Watchtower as inspiration for his tremolo picking, but that was about it for his direct influence on EVH. He loved Jimi though.

[@Trwillis9]

He kinda hated on Hendrix

[@briangoss6685]

@@Trwillis9 How did he hate on Hendrix? The only negative thing I remember him saying was the common thing about him playing out of tune because of the Strat's tuning instability.

[@leostawicki7283]

Page had more scope...and was a better songwriter......

[@denmac19]

By far.

[@bobbycoltrane7552]

Was he? Stealing ideas/songs doesn't make you a songwriter.

[@jameskinchen2148]

And now, nobody plays the electric guitar. They just play a computer. And it sounds like mush.

[@ImYourOverlord]

Some do. And through valve amps driving real speakers 😁

[@Curtis-y9r]

Except for guys playing Rock music that is.

[@jameskinchen2148]

@@Curtis-y9r Right. Both of them.

[@SuperPatrick777]

Can't see what people seen in him totally tuneless no melody just all over the place.

[@pl33]

Everyone knows he worshipped Randy Rhodes 🤣

[@davidsthubbins176]

😂😂

[@Curtis-y9r]

So when they were opening gor the stones after their second record 2as released he worshipped a dude one year younger than HD was who wasn't anybody yet. Nope

[@sennathegreatone8827]

This is why Clapton is GOD

[@tonybarnes3858]

No one ever talks about the fact that although Van Halen was technically incredibly accomplished, he didn't play in a genre that was particularly beautiful or timeless.

[@holland736]

No one ever mentions that he couldn't improvise by his own admission ,see his interview with Shaun Baxter

[@tonybarnes3858]

@@sswulffable yeah, just my opinion

[@shoeplayisbad1]

Rock is timeless though

[@tonybarnes3858]

@@shoeplayisbad1 I meant his style of rock. Like I said, opinion.

[@shoeplayisbad1]

@@tonybarnes3858 not opinion

[@dr.smithx9120]

A.I. VIDEOS SUCK

[@ScottMcLain77]

is this AI generated?

[@privateprivate4378]

Dude, whether you like it or not, VH was primarily a 'stunt' guitarist because he valued that aspect over musical statement at every moment in every approach. His 'hammering-on' had no attack to any of the notes he played, and that's why the overwhelming majority reject this approach to musicianship: great musicians want every note to say something and the more that can be said with fewer notes the better: this was antithetical to Mr. Halen''s philosophy. He entertained you but will never go down as any type of great musician.

[@jdsharp1366]

The finger tapping didn't define Edward Van Halen, not even close, without it, his playing is still unmistakable, besides being an unequalled innovator he was also an inventor that received dozens of patents. I saw the man rock 8 times in a row starting in 80 all shows in StL MO. A guitarist that Hendrix said was the best he ever saw was Terry Kath, very underrated and a sad tragedy.

[@denmac19]

SRV > EVH

[@brittcunningham7914]

He said Randy Rhodes learned everything from him . What a joke , Randy was so much more accomplished with his knowledge of music and putting compositions together than Eddie . For him to say that is just pure jealousy of Randy .

[@howieat1574]

mentioned clapton and page but not jeff beck????????????

[@holland736]

Because by his own admission he didn't hear much Beck until after VH became big

[@alwayssomewhere74]

Or say...Black...more?😅

[@JeeDub-ru7ho]

He mentions Beck at the very end when he’s copying his vibrato licks on the Strat.

[@wildtimes3368]

He named Holdsworth.

[@StevenOslica]

Forgot something Eddie Jimi hendrix

[@valleyoforion1]

He was very jealous of Hendrix and Randy Rhodes as they were better music composers

[@S.Kona34]

They were tapping in the 50’s. EV just took it to another level…

[@Curtis-y9r]

He was known for it but another kevel? I don't think so.