Episode 16 - The Magic of Edward Van Halen

Here are a few of my thoughts on the late King of rock guitar, Mr. Eddie Van Halen. There are so many things I wanted to say about Eddie, but just couldn't find the words to articulate them. Most of what I wanted to say is just obvious from listening to his incredible music anyway, so I'll leave it to his records to say it best.
The riffs and licks in this video aren't exact, but they sum up some of what I loved the most about Eddie's playing.
Please feel free to post any of your EVH stories and thoughts in the comments below.
Some of the best of Ed, for your delectation:
• I'm the One (2015 Rema...
• Women in Love... (2015...
• Sinner's Swing! (2015 ...
• Van Halen - Best of Bo...
• Eddie Van Halen - Cath...
PayPal Tip Jar - www.paypal.com...
You can keep up to date with my social media channels on Instagram and Facebook:
IG - bit.ly/3ecI2Fg
Facebook - bit.ly/2UVkLjA
Thanks as always for the support, I'll see you in the next one!
Cheers,
Jack

[@Lempersbram]

Good to see younger generations appreciating the magic of EVH. This is how one gets immortal. Bravo.

[@rickgregory9870]

Wrong the way you really be come immortal is you become . SELF REALIZED but Eddie was a great guitarist and the music lives on.🤏🐀

[@Raul1971xxx]

I agree 100%.

[@bobilly]

Re:Eddie's rhythm playing, I think "I'm the One" is a masterclass in tight swinging rhythm, with his lead style perfectly interwoven. Brilliant stuff.

[@dsvet]

Jacob Deraps I'm the one cover. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnKXnKJuhstjY9U

[@spencerwarren9219]

I love to play that live my band always gets a killer response when we play that

[@JBurtonTenor]

For me, Ed’s real magic was in his rhythm playing. We all think of his solos, and they are singular and amazing, but for me, no one ever surpassed his work in the verses. LOL EDIT; got to the point in the video where you said the same. Cheers mate.

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

Cheers mate, and very special thanks for you-know-what!

[@SharpEdgeStandardOfficial]

That's because this playing, tone and everything we all swqack about was 98% pure Eddietude! He played with ATTITUDE!! His tone is more attitude than variac!!

[@dickey335]

Yes! Ed’s rhythm playing was absolutely incredible and very underrated. Mean street, 5150 (song), and most of OU812 my favs.

[@prs149]

Yes

[@iresentdoingthis1550]

Thank you for such a wonderful and heartfelt tribute to our King Edward. The Missus woke me up crying and for the entire day we couldn’t listen to a note of King Edward without the waterworks comin’ - so many good times with his music -it felt weird We found watching interviews with him and other kind folks like yourself paying tribute to Eddie makes it somewhat easier to bear. We literally had a day of intensely mourning. It might sound daft but Ed’s playing and attitude is hugely responsible for inspiring me to be the person I am. There’s a Bad Religion ( Punk Band ) Lyric that says it al “ Everyone you love leaves a mark on your soul, The world is a little less bright without King Edward Im fighting cancer and depression and its been especially tough with the news of Eddie’s passing but hearing all these wonderful tributes and reaction and the love and joy he brought and is bringing….makes it a tad bit easier Much love and respect! Thank you for honouring our King Edward. Eddie's music touched us so deeply because of his love for the instrument and the innovations he has done. To us, it feels like the brightest and best brother, Uncle, friend mentor you ever had is not in our realm anymore. You have Nothing but love from the rock/metal / guitarist community, respect for your tribute to EVH, Rock n Metal does not get the exposure and respect that other genres get. So, you are forever in the hearts of many a Rock / Metal / Guitar fan's hearts. Stay safe & all the best wishes to you. Watch this Video Interview and you'll see why we're hurting so much...The world is a little less bright without King Edward This is a brilliant interview if you haven’t seen it kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5OVZ3dul6eNeJo&ab_channel=Z%C3%B3caloPublicSquare most people don’t know the King Edward was a bi-racial half Asian / half white Immigrant and that his lifelong friends were the black kids who stood up for them when they came to the US. A definitive American Dream story. Eddie buried Dimebag Darrell from Pantera with his original Bumblebee Guitar when Dime’s life partner Rita asked him to make a Copy Ed said “an Original deserves an Original” Vinnie Paul ( Paantera ) Dimebag’s brother says the last words his brother said to him was Van f+*in Halen’ their nightly ritual before hitting the stage. Frank Zappa loved and respected Eddieand got him to teach Dweezil who was obsessed with ED When Frank died Ed was THE 1st first to call with condolences and to offer any assistance. He was the 1st to mod his guitars in such an extreme way chasing tone, Creating the Super Strat - Humbuckers in Strat style guitars, Waxing Pickups, Variac on his amp and did his first 2 albums with the original Fender Whammy which led to the creation of the Floyd Rose Whammy Bar. His Rhythm Playing was funky, tasteful and rockin’ and his songwriting is the reason his loss is affecting grandparents, parents, kids and all ethnicities alike as Van Halen songs will live forever. Enjoy EVH kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmrVXoGuqr6msMk&ab_channel=Hazardteam

[@jetfromholland9638]

iresent doingthis I’ve been crying so much the last couple of days, watching all these videos....your message touched me. I wish you all the best health wise. Much love from Holland!

[@iresentdoingthis1550]

@@jetfromholland9638 Thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes. I know exactly how you feel, we all lost a brother - from - another mother as they say. Much love & respect.

[@jetfromholland9638]

That’s it exactly, you put it well. I guess we can find some comfort in knowing we share that sadness with a lot of people.

[@toomanywaystofall]

We are all at a loss for words and when that happens, as for me, Eddie's essence, his soul is what I'll miss. He was a gift, he was here, and r0cked us all, now God has brought his treasure home. We miss you Eddie, love from us all...

[@Raul1971xxx]

Yes totally. He died by cáncer. I lost my father by cáncer too.. 😢

[@bobilly]

My first pro level guitar was an EBMM Axis, and EVH was a looming presence over all of the 1980s over the top shred guitar playing, very little of which could mach Eddie's feel, melody, and craft. He is up there with Hendrix for me in terms of guitar innovation and broad influence.

[@hamandvaid]

Well said. That was the difference that made the difference. Melody, note choice, feel.

[@scottdrumm4828]

EVH was otherworldly! Sounds awesome Jack 🎸

[@gregceltorius4962]

You smoke brah, not sure why you don’t have more views. Cheers from Montreal mate!

[@joemorris4424]

Hi Jack, just know you’re probably really busy but would love to see more videos. More deep dives into players and their styles and what you have taken from them. Hope you’re well and thank you for the amazing content already posted 🤟🏻

[@MrMike-fm8bp]

Excellent playing. Right on the money ! Well done sir

[@rickamadeo4187]

I agree with your points here, as I have the same view. I remember his arrival in 1978 very well. He was totally original in a way that was already fully realised. Considered the first of the 80s virtuoso players, he was so much more than that. There is a reason why he made such an impact, the reason why his commercial success was so much greater than those who came later. Being the first, no doubt, played it's part, but the real difference is in the complete package, original sound, totally original playing, and, vitally, the compositional ability to create music that conquered the world. Nice video Jack.

[@michaelperry8007]

A tear with feeling ....... never forget.

[@catcancrunch7260]

I was giving can't stop loving you a listen as a guitarist 10 year ago, and thought then how clever his rhythm style and approach really was, a very special talent indeed, greatest innovator since Hendrix imo, thanks for your upload 👍🙏🐈

[@cheenu711]

Great playing as always. There are so many minute details in even the simplest of his songs. The more I listen the more I realise the idiosyncratic nature of his playing. To think he came up with all that without having much of a reference point is testament to his genius. Being in my early 20s I was never around in his heyday. Absolute legend. May he rest in peace.

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

I never bought or listened to any VH music made after 1984 Its nice to see young people learn and appreciate his talent

[@juanpablomarin5463]

That harmonics!!! That sound and tone!!! Eddie is unique!!His legacy is infinite!! Congrats you nailed it perfectly!!!♥️♥️♥️

[@simply3141592654]

Balance is an underrated album from the Hagar era. That tone is awesome on that album

[@tonebender69]

Excellent tribute to a legend. You bring up the importance that we shouldn't overlook. And not just Eddie of course we can learn something from all musicians. Like you I discovered Eddie when he was blowing up in 1983 with the beat it solo. I was just starting high school. I began playing a couple of years earlier at 11 and I'm about to turn 51. My influences started early on with Elvis and then I discovered the Beatles. That's when I knew that it was time to get one because I was drawn to the instrument early on. The musical history in the USA is the richest of any and I'm very proud of it. ALL OF IT! I love the early rock stuff from Elvis, Chuck Berry, etc. And as I matured I fell in love with all other things rock. Hendrix, Cream, Zeppelin, Allman bros. Rockabilly, Blues, Jazz. All these pure musical forms have been integrated into rock. I picked up the guitar because of the Beatles. When I heard Eddie, I got my second guitar and never looked back. I was very emotional and shed a few tears on Eddie's passing. And you brought up all the valid points that I think we owe to him. Not just the amazing playing, but his incredible tone, rythm, timing, musicality. I wished that he had put out an instrumental album. I think he would have done it much better than Satriani and the rest. The closest we have is the soundtrack to the Wild Life. RIP legend

[@smileystevens3060]

To me it's great to see a young man as yourself appreciate the way other musicians accomplished their style of playing....from what I heard the way you play is a outstanding job and to me you can be the next guitar shredder next inline to take the reins of the music industry....And always remember.....Nunca pare la Musica....👍

[@pramesh.gurung]

Glad that you mentioned Ritchie Blackmore. One of the greats of early heavy rock and metal. People doesn't appreciate him that much. 😩😩😩 ..Not a big fan of EVH but he is one of the greatest 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@psofoss]

This is what we all waiting for! Jack you captured the EVH feel !

[@stringbender11672]

Badassery!!! You played that from the heart and you were dead serious about it. Subbed!!!! You got it!!!

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Finally found your channel! Awesome, and the heartfelt gratitude, respect and love you have for Eddie is very special, as far as I'm concerned he is the biggest influence on me as a guitar player, myself being a guitar player, still hurts he's gone, but I feel his spirit, my opinion the GOAT, look forward to checking out more of your video's, thanks from 🇨🇦

[@78evh22]

Beautiful tribute Jack, he was an incredible guitarist, had the pleasure of seeing him live 5 times. I cannot believe how he kept his guitars in tune especially after picking up the 78 eruption…. Just look at the whammy bar and it’s out of tune 😂. Keep on doing what you’re doing Toronto 🇨🇦

[@psubiochem]

I really appreciate you making a somber, genuine video to honor Eddie. It's good to see somebody as affected by his death as I have been. He is the reason I started playing. I heard eruption at 5 years old and it blew my mind.

[@jimharris3889]

Well said dude and great choices of some of his incredible works, you do an awesome job playing his style too, youre well spoken and I enjoyed your appreciation video about one of the greatest guitarists of our lifetime

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

Thank you Jim!

[@stevestarr6395]

Beautiful playing and tribute Jack. Eddie was also a hero and inspiration to me as well and miss him dearly! ❤️

[@joepipe1010]

Great tribute In a very bad moment.. Thanks, i hope that more people knows him , his works and contribute to the guitar world especially his rhythm style.

[@richardgarcia406]

Really appreciate your sensible and heartfelt monologue. Thanks for sharing, Jack.

[@5150show]

Absolutely brilliant

[@My6stringer]

Your guitar work is very well done bro !! Thanks for sharing !!!

[@guitarjonathan]

Great playing and a great tribute.

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

You started off with one of his most underrated pieces. Great choice.

[@chrislestermusic]

Jack, I saw VH in 1979 as my first concert and they played everything from VH l and VH ll...except “Women In Love”. Such a great song. No idea why they didn’t do it. On another note, I’m in love with your Suhr. Good choice in switching the pickguard to the tortoise. Beautiful.

[@michaelsteven1090]

Pssst..(Friedman guitars much better)

[@tommytaylor3547]

Perhaps I'm a little late with this, but Jack you are a hell of a player, and as the post prior to this one by Lempers stated...it is the ones like you that help keep EVH alive...Cheers

[@anmolatwal]

Man you are a killer player!! And no i am not just saying to blow smoke....every week, every video i find something new in your playing....and the biggest and the best thing is its all melodic and meaningful.....!1 Cheers mate!! Keep these videos coming.!!!

[@gokhanersan8561]

It was comforting to know, there was a positive force out there, even though I didn’t meet the person. Eddie was kind of like the Superman of music.

[@TheNottheface]

fantastic- great playing - i agree about 'women in love' - those early albums sound incredible. i also love the 'balance' and carnal knowledge albums - i wore out my vhs of 'right here right now' live- it is on you tube and worth a look. i think the guitar is re-recorded but still a masterclass. it always got me how relaxed he was playing..

[@ericcarpenter3263]

Women in Love was such a great song, on my favorite album. The first is great but seemed like on VH 2 the distortion was way less and clear sounding. His rhythm work is top notch. Thanks for doing this Jack, definitely doing justice to his playing. Much love from Tulsa.

[@heikkileppanen9605]

Hi Jack, I´m happy to find you & your channel recently via Peach videos. I love your playing, awesome stuff, tone, time, touch, wow! Greets from Germany.

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

Thanks Heikki!

[@JasonHobbsGuitarist]

🤘 lovin it Jack! Keep em coming!

[@keithbuck8252]

Loved this mate very well put over and entirely true

[@lewisratford2908]

Great video as always. Interesting point about the touch to keep the guitar in tune / making it in tune after all the dive bombs and bends. I have a very old jazz master ( no Floyd Rose !) and when anyone else plays it they say it’s slightly out of tune. When I play the guitar it’s fine. Probably because I’ve played it for over 20 years and know it so well. One of those things that’s hard to explain

[@JudgeFredd]

Great hommage to the man

[@nellawell4976]

Thanks Bro, you hit that nail-on-the head.

[@ian_strachs]

Gorgeous playing, great guitar!

[@tomasrusso2285]

Awesome tone and playing man! Love Ed so much, thank you for doing this video, new suscriber right here!

[@nanettejameson4279]

Great stuff jack, yeah I discovered vh when 1984 was released, my friend played me hot for teacher and it blew my away , I then bought vh 1 and 2 and only just started to learn women in love a month ago.

[@odgeUK]

Nailed it. Jack - can ask where the metal shelving unit is from please? It looks like a brilliant storage solution for gear!

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

Thanks mate - it's an Amazon special! www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01A7JBFBG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@stevenpotter69]

Nice job 👍👌 from Steve O in Florida, USA!

[@Tonysmithmusic]

i’m the one is the best van halen track in terms of intro, rhythm and amazing lead. blew my mind 1st time i heard it, stil does, incredible driving guitar work.

[@spencerwarren9219]

He was my hero . I play all his equipment with my main axe being his last Main Guitar . The white antique relic wolfgang. I have owned prs, les paul, fender states, and carvin, I sold them all once I bought my wolfgang with no regrets except for my Paul my second fav guitar. I play thru a boss katan on Clean with the 5150 over drive pedal. What a spot on evh tone. I also use the boss ps6 detuner for that eventide 3000 effect he used to get the sammy years. A must have to get that fat tone a d also run a wet/dry /wet which makes all the difference. The trick is to add the correct delay 798 mill sec left pan 398 mill sec right pan. Gives you that real fat f.u.c.k and balance tone. The evh chours pedal,evh phase 90,evh flanger,evh wah. Those are my effects and everyone when we play live and do some vh is like my God your tone sounds just like his. Any way I am rambling. I miss my hero and all he did for me and reason I have played for 26 years now. Rip my hero.

[@brucesguitardemos8197]

Great playing and as Paul Gilbert always says great rock faces are as important 😂🎸🤘🏻👍⚡️

[@adriancummings3625]

Really great playing and a cool tribute the Eddie what amp are you playing through

[@iannicholls7476]

Nice one Jack.

[@PLOKIJUHGUITARE]

Well done Jack 🎸👍🏻

[@itsmorphed6416]

Awsome job mate 👍 EVH rip

[@gokhanersan8561]

“...the guy came up with the stuff.” that’s truly uncopyable.

[@fab.silva1119]

Killer dude!!!

[@josem2558]

SE FUE EL GENIO KING 6 STRINGS. 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🇳🇱🇳🇱🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸1984

[@DARKHORSE262]

10/10 👍

[@a.kguitars930]

Dude, im in LOVE with the tone! What pickup is in that Suhr?

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

Thanks man! It’s a Suhr SSV in the bridge.

[@anmolatwal]

Also, I had requested your opinion on the new hiwatts, if you have come across the new ones!! Also, the slo30 and the friedman small box 50 are very close in price....which one would you pick for tone and versatility. Thanks again!

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

Thanks dude, I haven't played the new Hiwatts yet, but the old ones I've played are some of my favourite amps in the world. Of those two, I'd go for the SLO30 for versatility, but the Friedman will nail the classic Marshall tones, depends on what you're after!

[@garygaither8263]

🥰🤩🤟🎉

[@lieut89]

What age did you start playing? Super talented!

[@BobW5150]

Awesome video! What would you say is the best amp in the 20 watt $1000 range to get those great early VH tones? I've been looking at the 20 watt Friedman's and the Marshall Studio Vintage.

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

The Marshall SV will almost nail the EVH tone!

[@BobW5150]

@@jackgriffithsmusic Thanks man! I know it's tough to respond to everyone's questions. I've read that the SV is super loud, even in the 5w mode. What's your experience?

[@Raul1971xxx]

I have a cuestion: ¿Is that a low cost guitar with modifications?.

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

I’m afraid not.. it’s a Suhr Classic Pro 🙂

[@Raul1971xxx]

@@jackgriffithsmusic That's a good one.

[@paulbucci4126]

What Guitar Pick are you using and thickness ???

[@Fer666esp]

which gear do you use to run your amps at home, boss waza or straight into the cabinet?

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

I use most amps through the Waza now, apart from the combos and the Suhr Badger.

[@centaurus5676]

Thanks for not been an Asian Xerox [note for note copy] nice playing.

[@Raul1971xxx]

You have almost the same haircut than Eddie's, pal. 🎸🎼🎵🎶

[@ianthomas4568]

Those first two albums have never been equalled tonally or technically!

[@scottallen9556]

Thanks Jack. I should have guessed you'd do this justice as well. Here is a great interview with EVH from '79 right before release of VH 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3bcgn-ri8x-e5o An unbelievable view into what he was thinking about and planning before he knew how monumental he would eventually be.

[@PIlotrcm]

Which amp?

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

Dr Z Remedy 👍

[@waterfordjuniorhighandwhit5453]

@@jackgriffithsmusic great video. Care to share your settings for this video?

[@Koffieleuter]

All of us: Can you please play some Van Halen? Jack: Suhr

[@somerville_official8120]

Thanks for sharing! If you have a second, we tried our hand at a cover of Van Halen. As fellow music lovers, we'd love if you'd check it out. It's on our channel. Don't go too hard on us :)

[@BatFan1]

There are many great players, some even "better" than EVH, but the intangible missing that separates EVH from the rest: the music. The musical landscape for rock is ripe for someone to come in and take it over just like VH did in 78. Its just so bland and dull that it needs an injection. Who knows, maybe Wolfgang will be it. Not to put pressure on the kid, and he has already said do not expect VH 2.0 from his music, but if he can bring the same energy and fun to rock like VH did how awesome would that be?

[@sheer2waist637]

Eddie was overrated in my opinion all that tapping bollocks come on would legendary guitarists like Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Neal Schon or Steve Lukather do that ? The answer Is NO...Why? Because they have more sense they all have much better tone and feel in their playing...EVH was a one trick pony for people who liked loud showing off rock guitar and not for people who appreciate guitarists for their tone and melody nuff said.

[@jackgriffithsmusic]

Fair enough if that is your actual opinion, but this is not the place to express it. This video is all about love for EVH, nuff said.

[@ralphshaw9758]

Ed was the epitome of tone and melody and his keyboard creations are great too. Just a different harder rocking style.

[@sheer2waist637]

Ok fair enough only saying but each to their own at the end of the day is what it boils down to

[@SSStinger6]

Funnily enough, half the guys you cite (and a bunch of other older, notables like Les Paul, Brian May, etc) have expressed tremendous respect and admiration for Ed’s playing - so, your perspective on the guitarist landscape and what the ‘legends’ might or might not do seems a bit off.

[@sheer2waist637]

@@SSStinger6 ok fair enough yes and I’ve heard that they they thought he was an innovator who liked to push the boundaries in guitar playing so basically they left him to do it, they have no need to tap their own guitars leave it to someone who’s obsessed with it while they all carry on giving us the norm that a lot of us like, so no fancy tapping nonsense but good decent well constructed melodic tones 👍