Hearing Jazz Fusion Icon Allan Holdsworth’s influence on Eddie Van Halen

[@michaelcarroll9416]

That Tempest album is killer. I like it even more than some of his later sideman work (on Bundles, for example). It’s crazy how good Allan got by the time he released IOU, Road Games, Metal Fatigue etc. By then he was just on a whole other level.

[@redastrachan8978]

Drop Dead Legs solo would be a more illustrative example of Eddie's admiration of Allan.

[@MetalheadNation]

I was listening to Tempest a few days ago, and drew a similar connection between two different songs. The intro riff to Ain’t Talking Bout Love by Van Halen sounds incredibly similar to the short riff played by Holdsworth on the song Gorgon (around the 4:19 mark). Even down to the guitar tone/effects. To think of how many people have listened to Van Halen (and especially Eddie’s guitar work) and never realized how much of that sound and style was influenced by Holdsworth. I’ve read that Eddie used a Marshall amp that Holdsworth had personally modified and owned to record the solo on Beat It by Michael Jackson, but I don’t know if that’s ever been confirmed. 😁

[@jamesmick8653]

I think it's a bit of a stretch to make that connection. I think you're joking about the amp thing but can't tell about the lick comment.

[@derrylgabel]

HI Brian, just discovered you. I love the way you play man. Anyway, take a listen to Road Games at the :34 second mark and Hot For Teacher at the :41 second mark. It's not note for note but it's similar. I think Allan may be playing from the C# Messiaen Mode 3 and Eddie takes that initial shape, transposes down to A minor, and moves it across the strings staying in the same position. One of my favorites is Eddie's Allan inspired tapping atonal lines in the intro to Dirty Movies from the Fair Warning album. Dweezil Zappa had planned to have me on his Running with the Dweezil podcast to talk about this very topic but it was postponed due to his upcoming tour.

[@BrianSheu]

Hey Derryl! Been a follower of yours for a long time, and love what you do! Thank you for the super kind words, and the knowledge drop here.

[@andrewkratz226]

Great post!

[@Dangzag]

Awesome video, great examples 🤘

[@gokhanersan8561]

Wow! Dude, you did a deep dive into Eddie’s arsenal.

[@AndrewJanusson]

Cool! Reminds me of when I first heard "Rough House" by Scofield, I immediately understood the influence it had on Rosenwinkel.

[@DroneCorpse]

I didn’t know you did KZbin videos. This was great! Can’t wait for more.

[@BrianSheu]

Haha it's not something I'll do super often other than post live concert clips or jammy things.

[@WailingGita]

As someone who is a huge lover of both of these players I love this topic and would definitely be up to hear about more. Eddie is how I know about Allan Holdsworth from being obsessed with EVH during high school!!

[@dalepiwek]

Id say the solo in push comes to shove shows more of the inspiration aspect rather than the similar notes

[@maxpower6658]

Yet rolling rag has no clue enough to have him on their crappy list.