Steve Vai's Eddie Van Halen Thoughts

Guitar god Steve Vai gives his opinion of the all-time master, Eddie Van Halen. #guitargod

[@RockNewsQuickies]

For long-form content go to @RockNewsDesk

[@lelinho885]

Faça a Tradução em português do que #Vai fala sobre #Eddie 🙏

[@lobotomyscam1051]

​@@lelinho885Put this into Google translator: He said only two guitar players have changed what was possible with the guitar, Hendrix and Eddie. He said Van Halen kept having more and more hit songs. He also said some new players are faster and less sloppy than Hendrix and Eddie, but those are the only two players to make everyone say woah, this is a game changer.

[@joshuataft5541]

Agree 👍

[@Digitalhunny]

Hold up... what about thee Santana or Slash?

[@Azznbad]

​@lobotomyscam1051 you may be more accurate and even faster but those two changed the way the instrument was played. That's the difference

[@richevans609]

Steve Vai is super humble....

[@ChrisBrown-zl2gu]

Yes Edward is good

[@scottykingdavid]

Now he is.. not back in the early 90,$

[@YammaChobba]

Iron Sheik got to him. Made him humble.

[@alexsaucedo8032]

The game changer. Guitar God. Edward van Halen. . KING EDWARD. 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@ouchboy-bs6ri]

so was ed ....

[@user-kimmyz]

Such an admirable compliment from one artist to another ❤ ....rip Eddie 🌹

[@paulh7589]

Those were kind words from a true gentleman.

[@friguy4444]

The Humility he shows makes it possible for him to tell the truth about things instead of trying to protect his ego or pride. A Very great Character trait chosen to be followed and submitted to in the life of a man or woman.

[@icankillbugs204]

Weird way of spelling horrible

[@forgeFe21]

Slow and Sloppy has been Ace's style since the formation of KISS. That never hindered his influence.

[@newagain9964]

I’m not a huge fan of either. But it’s a fair opinion. And a classy one.

[@amyhoffman7980]

Thankyou Steve. Thats shows alot of respect to Eddie!!!!!!!

[@donniesesnie4101]

I saw them in ‘81 and again with Hagar…EVH will be missed forever. Everything about him. He was really an inventor stuck in a musicians body. Built his own guitar searching for a specific sound, having that showmanship he had, his solos are out of this world. Album after album of hits…just a blessing to have seen him.

[@tgirard123]

I saw Van Halen at the Oakland coliseum when they opened for Black Sabbath on their first tour. Eddie did eruption, when he finished, there was a pause in the audience, like everybody didn't realize what the f*** just happened. Then there was a huge applause. It was an amazing show and we were all blown away. Half the people left when Black Sabbath came on. Ozzy said later it was the dumbest thing they ever did having Van Halen open for them...

[@coldwinter5710]

One of my brothers & a good buddy went to see them in 1978. They were opening for 2 other very well known, popular bands. They hadn't even heard of Van Halen before. After they were done, they literally walked out. No longer having any interest in seeing the other 2 bands. Woke up the next day, went to the record store as soon as it opened, & bought their album. If that isn't a Rock & Roll moment of the highest order, I don't know what is!

[@tgirard123]

@@coldwinter5710 what a great story! It was just so much fun being in the music in that era. I can remember waiting at record stores when they opened to go get my favorite band or to buy tickets for shows. Just so much fun...

[@scottmcalister6020]

My friends and I had a similar reaction when we first listened to their debut album. Not a word was spoken, but we just looked at each other as if to say what did we just hear? We couldn't explain it but we knew we liked it.

[@DRWFJ40]

I saw that tour... Ozzy checked into the wrong hotel and slept through the show... They had to reschedule & we couldn't wait to see VH again.

[@christopherijacobsen3159]

I don’t care who opened for Sabbath, No way I’m walking out on them, No way! It’s Black Sabbath!!

[@Willie_McBride]

All this praise coming from a guy who is in his own right a guitar God!

[@marklane870]

A good reason he is number three

[@samuelherman4859]

He is not a guitar God but yes is a guitar hero ...Guitar gods are the first one

[@clivewinter8321]

Agree 100% Steve vai is a fantastic guitar virtuoso ❤❤

[@DaveClark-ib6sp]

Snd would be nowhere without Eddie.

[@buckbreaker5185]

@@samuelherman4859 He 100% is a guitar GOD you mong

[@sidneyparker5706]

That’s a big deal for Steve Vai to say that!

[@stuartewoldt1513]

Well when it's true all have to acknowledge

[@frankrichards3089]

Not really.

[@CourtWatchAu]

@@frankrichards3089 Vai is very generous and humble,. Vai himself is a massive gamechange/innovator with increidble compositions and moved the guitar forward.

[@frankrichards3089]

@CourtWatchAustralia Great player no doubt, 1st Roth solo album has the best Vai playing to me.

[@CourtWatchAu]

@@frankrichards3089 Yeah its incredible. Vai surpassed EVH?Hendriz and everyone else on that album, plus Crossraods , plus his Flexible (solo album) is awesome, by 86/87 Vai had demonstrated he was the greatest imo :)

[@digidrum2003]

I was born in 1968 and I always said that Eddie was the Hendrix of my generation!

[@jsr-uz3oj]

I was born in 1963, and I agree with you.

[@revo1974]

Hendrix was a featured artist for only 4 years.

[@MichaelConroy-o4s]

Exactly.Not just the speed.The tone.The cleanness”. The dynamics.(I believe he was originally trained as a classical pianist.).💐

[@christopherijacobsen3159]

I’m so glad I grew up in that era, 70’s had the greatest music of any decade

[@ignaciogalvan1732]

I was there with you. 63 representing❤

[@JoshuaFitzgerald-e3h]

I disagree, the 70s did produce some awsome music, the 80s was full on metal and hard rock.

[@Aramis_Production]

80's

[@philgarza6158]

70's and the 80's.

[@KidRock1979]

​@@philgarza6158 80's and the 90's💥🎸💪

[@sweetwilliam5150]

Steve Vai is a classy guy. It takes class to humble yourself in regards to a contemporary and some would say a competitor while being rightfully regarded as a world class player yourself.

[@CourtWatchAu]

Yes Vai, is a kind and generous person, Vai is defintely a gamechanger himself, but too humble to say it

[@kennethgoin628]

Fans will always make comparisons, but throughout my career, I've always stood by my conviction that "it's not a competition." We, being individuals, can bring something different to the stage, so bring what you got and win 'em over! I've never been what I would regard as a "great player," but I had other musicians approach and say things like, "I looked up and thought, 'Damn! I gotta follow this guy?" I also had a couple of aspiring players that said, "I want to play just like you man! You just captivate your audience!" Meanwhile, I had guys trying to steal my spot... and almost succeeded! I was not great by any measure, in my opinion, but I was honest. I was real. "I" was on display and I didn't intend to impress anyone in the seats, I simply wanted them to have a good time and enjoy my performance. Looking back, I'd say I succeeded. And oddly, even though I was never signed, I'm still remembered amongst the peers and fans of my day.

[@CourtWatchAu]

@@kennethgoin628 you make great points, tahts interesting Kenneth, well done, and thankyou

[@danielluna1818]

Mr Vai is such a humble nice man ! He gives credit to both men in such an awesome extraordinary way .

[@NicknLex]

I think Allan Holdsworth was a game changer. Maybe not in records sales but guitar innovation.

[@scottsmith1607]

Everyone talks about his playing but his engineering and design was incredible for the time.

[@forevertoremain]

True.

[@99Gara99]

I've heard about that.

[@rudygracia5573]

For ALL time!!Before EVH,there was NO Strat with a humbucker in the bridge.OR an advanced whammy bar system.(Floyd)

[@FeatheredRaptorsMusic]

​@@rudygracia5573he actually wasn't the first to do it - Ritchie Blackmore and the guy from Bay City Rollers did it first - but he innovated on so many other aspects. He invented pickup potting, was the first to use a variac, and as you say, he literally is the reason the Floyd Rose (or any locking trem) is as good and as widely used as it is now. That's just scratching the surface - my main guitar is a Wolfgang and it is hands down the best-designed, most thought-out guitar I've ever held in my hands. But let's give credit where it's due - the humbucker strat existed before him, but he took it to heights no one EVER could have dreamed of, and made it an actual piece of ART 🤘🤘🤘

[@rudygracia5573]

@@FeatheredRaptorsMusic IF a humbucker Strat existed,I wanna see PROOF!!I've NEVER seen one captured in ANY photo ever!!Whoever played one of those would've been the talk of the musical"town".AND!I think Fender or other companies woulda pounced on the humbucker Strat idea.

[@mayorrodgers7446]

He just absolutely nailed, in my mind, what he brought to the table. Sure, there are “better” technical players, but what he did by way of innovation and craft was unparalleled.

[@BeatlesFan1975]

"technique" doesn't matter and it never did, it's ALWAYS been and feel and note selection. Those young guys who have impossible to play solos..... Nobody is gonna remember those guys. They don't have any great songs. They are wankers

[@LalmuanzualaMuanzuala-dh9ug]

​@@BeatlesFan1975i agree👍

[@logikman329]

​@@BeatlesFan1975 Well, not all of them are as you describe them to be, but I have to admit that a large proportion of the new generation, especially in metal, are going absolutely overboard when it comes to making solos... They aren't bad per say, but they can be very tricky to follow along, because of how technical they are and by their unusual/weird timing, which makes them more of a rhythm driven lead section than a solo. However, there are some great guitar players who happen to have a lot of feel even if their sound gets criticized often (Tim Henson, Ichika Nito, Tosin Abasi and more). Finally, if you've made it through it all, thanks for the time out of your day to do so and I hope you have a great one!

[@romanfields7900]

Better?

[@hilarity123]

Ahhh, I havent heard anyone technically better, Julliard trained Edward Lodewijk Van Halen was the best, Randy Rhodes #2, Hendrix #3

[@russc.9618]

I still can’t believe he’s gone

[@user-wv5gv3dw5u]

Honestly… It literally doesnt feel real

[@jason-hy8ci]

Yeah, I know this sounds..... Uh... ODD, and that's just the tip of the iceberg for adjectives here, but I never envisioned a world without EVH, but then again with every 20th century icon that dies(D Bowie, J. Strummed, etc) I feel that way.

[@Mike1614b]

yeah it sucks

[@squarewheel1587]

Neither can I. 😞

[@howdy1487]

Same here. The 2000's have been really bad for music legends, Prince, Michael Jackson, Eddie Van Halen. They are all Icons. All gone due to drugs, nicotine in Eddie's case.

[@gordr8024]

The one and only EVH, VH was a big part of my younger years. RIP Eddy…

[@kathywattier4551]

Respect... there will never be another Eddie. RIP to the GOAT.❤

[@Greg_In_SoCal]

Steve Vai gets my vote for being best human today.

[@gr8tnowwhat]

Such true words, so many technical and fast players but very few that can write and play songs with feeling and emotion that get the worlds attention.

[@Gregorypeckory]

That's a fair point, but the Internet pretty much guaranteed the world's attention will never again be as available for a great talent to grab as it was in 1978, when radio ruled the music world. There will never be a global superstar group like Hendrix, Van Halen, Beatles, etc, that everyone knows about when you bring them up.

[@andreah6379]

I have to agree. Musical genius is hard to measure,..but you know it when you hear it--over & over again. Eddie, like Jimmy were both beyond mesmerizing, like one with their guitar.

[@Santiago-619]

His words mean so much more than almost anyone, because Steve is also a legend. His comments are spot on!

[@beverlysmith6539]

Miss you Eddie Van halen ❤🎸❤

[@angelozararis8096]

Eddie van halen you are so so missed by millions

[@joeexposito2015]

Wish u were still here with us. (RIP). U R (MISSED) Brother.

[@jackieh925]

@@joeexposito2015 💔

[@madamtuzam]

Not For me a pretty Basic guitar player

[@k0slizard389]

@@madamtuzamA pretty basic guitar player doesn’t change the style of contemporary music, and bring forth innovative techniques that every modern guitarist adopts.

[@ChrisAnderson-o9t]

​@@madamtuzam"basic", LOL let's see a video of you playing better. There's a reason he makes the top ten of the greatest guitar players of all time. Being "basic" doesn't get that type of honor bestowed upon you.

[@johnsrous1616]

Steve Vai isn't one to exaggerate about Eddie Van Halen. Edward 's playing will never duplicated. He was in a class unlike anyone else.

[@jimbeam-ru1my]

it's not really his playing that vai is referring to, it's the techniques which eddie introduced that have now been adopted by 100% of guitar players. Now every electric guitar player learns how to tap. When eddie released eruption, no one had any clue what he was doing.

[@albertomaldonado-bq9ix]

Hey yeah you are right party on dude 👏🥁🍻🎸🍺

[@BrownBear406]

Steve lynch is a better tapper

[@Robert-nu4vc]

​@@BrownBear406we don't care

[@BrownBear406]

@@Robert-nu4vc just setting the facts straight amateur. That attitude is why you'll stay an amateur

[@dbmagee21]

I love vai. Hes so genuine and real and honest and humble. Rare

[@coldwinter5710]

As was Edward

[@MiaQuacko]

Steve Vai is the best guitar player I have ever heard .. he doesn’t cheat sweep pick he is shredding through and through

[@alehandroignassy4226]

У меня есть фото с Vai. Он был в России в 2014 году, в Воронеже и свободно устроил автограф сессию с ним и всей своей группой. Я с ним даже немного пообщался) И он спокойно общался со всеми людми, кто к нему подходил

[@gavinvl06]

@@coldwinter5710hate to break it but Eddie wasn’t that humble

[@Vendedoritres-jx7oc]

The part most loved about eddy, is how much funn his work sounds like

[@richardharris3449]

Perfect, his style and so fun to play. You just know he loved playing and his style was like flying

[@jamesragsdale8202]

Ed loved getting high. Chased it forever.

[@RebeccaHargate]

Not only was he an innovator. He loved what he did. That love really shown in his playing.

[@jeanlucchapelon]

Steve Vai is humble and honest to recognize Hendrix and Van Halen were the TWO main guitarists !! And I think he’s right.

[@johnbonham9422]

Randy Rhoads?

[@maxrav1831]

I think you are right 👍

[@davidsides7253]

There will never ever be another Edward Van Halen! 👍

[@briansalisbury4764]

I got to see Eddie twice with both singers and it was amazing. You cannot describe how great he is until you see him live. I knew his cancer was always coming back but I still was shocked when he died. There will be no one like him again

[@A-Milkdromeda-Laniakea-Hominid]

"Often imitated never duplicated."

[@doodlepops707]

I saw him play on every tour. Can't even count them. I feel extremely fortunate to have grown up in the 70's.

[@kakodae6298]

My love and respect for Mr Vai just went up 100 fold!🤘🏿🤘🏻🤘🏽 Well said Sir, well said. 😢

[@tedfeast]

I'd argue that malmsteen was #3. His neo classical arpeggios changed the game for so many. Before him no one was doing that

[@FretsOnFire]

Yes, thank you for having the BALLS to say that. Steve has actually said the same in the past, but apparently he knows it's unpopular to say so now. I love steve, but like so many fans he is going by popularity. Holdsworth ought to disprove that! If a tree falls in the forest, it still falls even if no one sees or hears it. The fact is that after Yngwie came out, just as many guitarists were attempting to imitate him as there were attempting to imitate EVH. Maybe not so much of the public even heard him, but every rock guitarist knew exactly who he was. Yngwie created a whole school of players, like them or not. Paul Gilbert, Tony Macalpine, Vinnie Moore, and the list goes on and on. They all changed their styles later, but when they first came out they were all Yngwie clones. He definitely was the third game changer.

[@vanshipman]

Eddie played Steve some unheard instrumentals that he had written and recorded over at 5150. Steve said it was incredible. He asked Eddie if he was gonna put it out and Eddie’s response was “Who’s gonna wanna hear it?” Steve told him you need to do a solo record and put this out. I’d give anything to hear this stuff, I believe Paul Gilbert heard it as well.

[@steelewheels1365]

You just know there's a ton of tape with unreleased material on it.

[@MainPrism]

Wolf has said there's thousands of hours of recordings going all the way back to the 70s'. Hopefully they dig some of it out and repease it. The world needs it, or at least us the fans do. ​@@steelewheels1365

[@buckbreaker5185]

Have you heard EVH's jams with Holdsworth? OUT OF THIS WORLD

[@sharondowney1725]

Seeing VA at Wembley STADIUM opened for Bon Jovi i was mind blown seeing Eddie playing got to say ive seen some good bands but VA done it for me. And Eddie was born January 26 i was born the 29..good Aquarius

[@lespaulking69]

@@steelewheels1365it’s gonna be up to Wolfie to release it

[@JayRush-k9w]

I love Eddie Van Halen. Superdome, New Orleans, 1978. The Stones, Doobie Brothers, and Van Halen. Van Halen was the best

[@monty4336]

I remember hearing VH in late 1978 when my older brother got the first album (I was 9 years old) and all I could think was how can that guitar player pick so fast like that. All other bands I listened to until then had good players but this "new guy" (I didnt know his name at first) was something from outer space. 😆

[@gwabersold7943]

Totally agree Eddie live was very exciting to see perform a true bodhisattva of modern music.

[@ericanderson3453]

I've always said the same thing! First Hendrix, then Van Halen! I've been playing guitar since 73 and playing in bands since 1980 and I planned on being the greatest guitarist ever! I still play to this day and Jimi and Eddie set the high water mark for sure!

[@Hummingbird_Merry]

I love Eddie Van Halen, because his love for his art shows in how he plays,his facial expressions, his craft, that’s what I love. I love seeing people sharing their joy and passion for their gifts and talents. his skill I’m sure was thousands and thousands of hours of just playing and practicing that’s what a lot of people don’t understand you don’t stumble into that kind of talent you work for it

[@PhoenixAndTheRaven]

This is spot on. Evh and Hendrix changed the guitar world. No other guitar players have done what they did. Many have done great things but none have done that

[@WillyHuebert-mw7kn]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[@JamesSmith-xs7sr]

Robert Fripp?

[@adrianlimon7974]

Yngwie

[@spacedye2001]

@@adrianlimon7974Definitely not Yngwie.

[@adrianlimon7974]

@@spacedye2001 I had never heard ANYBODY play guitar like that in 1984. I'd argue he was very instrumental in ushering a new wave of guitar virtuosity. Definitely a game changer in my book. Please let me know your opinion.

[@johndardi1334]

Steve is absolutely 💯 right. I’ve said that since back in the mid eighties when I started playing. There’s 2 game changers Jimi and Eddie. It’s been 40 years and I’m still waiting on a 3rd.

[@bobsebring2819]

yep I've said it back then too.

[@jimijamesnoob685]

Dimebag?

[@mikesteelheart]

Tony Iomi?

[@boxychubbo6922]

I think anyone with half a brain knows it's jimi and eddie. Other players are great and important as Steve said in the video, but they weren't paradigm changers like those two.

[@chrisgaines3072]

Yeah, Dime had his place i guess but in my opinion, not all his notes fit over the chords of their songs, and his tone was Horrid!! just my observations.

[@KeithMcHenry-sn9hg]

This guy is humble he recognizes very good talent he's not arrogant like all these other string players you know their brass their arrogant and then at the end of the day they don't even really know how to play they're just screechers that's all more than half these guitar players couldn't even hold his guitar caseI'm telling you man been listening playing to music over 60 years rest in peace

[@Ar41e]

Jimi and Eddie were more than just a guitarists revolutionaries. They were a real driving force.

[@RodCornholio]

Steve thinks EXACTLY like me, about Edward. He had a rare combination of virtuosity, technical creativity, and exquisite musical taste in execution. To my knowledge, no one has replaced him in such a way that has met or exceeded what he brought.

[@jacobkline6146]

Very well explained

[@kevinchisolm1847]

Well said! Both of them not only had a style and ability but both mad real, memorable music with it.

[@markstandohar5977]

King 👑 Edward‼️The Solos were truly amazing but the Rhythm Guitar 🎸 playing was also amazing and often overlooked - he made electric guitar fun during a time that was mostly brooding…Revolutionary Musician

[@FernandoLopez-ju4uv]

Amo a Eddie y a Steve son increíbles ❤

[@leonaudacity5313]

Very humble, there are tons of people that can shred and rip through the guitar but only a handful that can truly lock in to the guitar and make the guitar talk

[@TheGuitarho]

Thanks for Eddie!!! Thanks for Steve also! Any product of the 80's understands that without "Edward", the guitar would mean nothing. As they say... "Don't follow the money, follow the music." I'm proud to listen. Night night!

[@zydecbro]

well the first time i heard Vai play was DLR Yankee Rose and I was blown away how Vai was making his guitar talk

[@SquirrelTheater]

As a VH fan since 1979, I have to agree with Steve.

[@angelaguirre938]

A well-spoken virtuoso. Always speaks highly of his contemporaries.

[@masterpaine9161]

Eddie was the whole package. He pioneered more sounds and created hits with those techniques.

[@narcissewilson9900]

Couldn’t have said it better myself. “As far as WTF? There was Hendrix and there was Eddie and there hasn’t been a third” so true lol

[@audiemurray7947]

What about Yngwie?????

[@peppergrand1072]

Long live EVH. May his influence last longer than rock and roll.

[@flalawdog71]

This may be the most insightful and colorful explanation of EVH's brilliance and historical significance that I've ever heard. And from a musical genius who has left his own indelible mark.

[@travisfletcher900]

Steve Vai is truly a gentleman and a scholar. A musical genius, in his own right, he’s humble enough and smart enough to recognize the great ones.

[@Dean-qt3rp]

Steve Vai. Absolutely dead on correct. The two unrivaled game changers: Eddie and Hendrix. Will never forget the first time I heard Eddie. Totally jaw dropping stunned.

[@wewin03]

He is 100% correct.

[@MickLoud999]

Eddie was a game changer on so many levels. His rhythm guitar was unparalleled. His songwriting is sublime. Notice how it changed when Hagar joined. It became more pop with Hagar's voice. I listen to some of the solos that literally few people will hear and just shake my head. For instance the solos on "Bottoms Up", "I'll Wait", "Sinner's Swing", "One Foot out the Door", I could go on. He also built a guitar that he envisioned combining his favorite elements of Gibson and Fender guitars. He happened upon the sound by accident by forgetting how to wire one of the pickups. So he just put one in and didn't bother using it!!! One of my fave songs is "On Fire", how does one even conceive that? I don't know if this is well known but him and Alex are half Asian. Their mother is from Java.

[@kyrkwalters964]

I didn't knew that that's for telling me

[@9ckr716]

Those solos you're talking about are the best of the best little hidden gems. It's like a little reward for when you dig the deepest into the music. To add to that list: So This Is Love, Outta Love Again, All Over Tonight, In A Simple Rhyme, Girl Gone Bad are some other really good ones!

[@MickLoud999]

@@9ckr716 Thanks for that. Now I'm going to have to go down that rabbit hole, gladly though!!

[@9ckr716]

@@MickLoud999 report back when you do

[@vallanddess]

Vai is amazingly humble for being a legend in his own right. And you gotta love him for that.

[@stevemorin3647]

He always had a smile on his face while playing. For him I guess playing the way he did was effortless joy.

[@jerryhatrick5860]

Jeff Beck. Noone sound like him he was freaking awesome

[@little-ol-me]

"Noone" 😂😂😂

[@williamobryan682]

Steve seems oblivious . It fits .

[@SealofPerfection]

Beck was absolutely great. But nobody listened to him. As a result, he didn't have the influence that Edward did. Beck could really, really play. But you never saw someone doing any technique and literally everyone thought "Oh, he got that from Beck, that's the thing he does", or "He's got that nasty tone like Beck", etc. Then you get to the equipment, which everyone uses today. Even Jimmy Page used an EVH amp on a record. Nobody has ever been as influential across the board like Edward. Not even close, really.

[@damianb2374]

based on what? the polarised 'nobody'... ​@@SealofPerfection

[@SealofPerfection]

@@damianb2374 based on facts. Compared to Van Halen, basically nobody listened to Beck. People know who he is, but the average music fan can't name a single Beck song.

[@JimLucenti]

Not all about speed,has to have soul and melody and fire from the heart. Anyone can play aimless mastabatory notes. Eddie had it which is why he is or was a living icon. R.I.P. Eddie❤

[@mitsanut5869]

Absolutely right. You nailed it. He would go super loud one second, squeezing every ounce of that guitar, and next second you would hear the most gentle and barely audible sound coming out of it. He was super dynamic. Although I really liked only relatively few Van Halen tracks, you can't buy simply drop your jaws and go....how the hell is he able to THAT?

[@davidmorris1868]

DIMEBAG DARRELL, Is all I got to say. Some people might not believe that, and if you don't believe that, you didn't see DIMEBAG live on stage. R.I.P. DIMEBAG DARRELL AND EDDIE

[@monetedwards5673]

I agree Dime was the next game changer, what a fucking guitar player

[@chriscrooks1704]

Hey Stevie. Saw you in Little Rock Arkansas at a sold out show in 1988 on the Skyscraper Tour. Poison opened and I was down in front when the crowd went haywire and started pushing backwards for some reason and I almost got crushed up against a concrete guard tower like thing. I was so pankied I started punching the head in front of me when the guard lifted me up and saved me. Seriously. Poison was great, and you guys were so absolutely fantastic that all these years later and many concerts more, I still say that was favorite concert by far. There really is no comparison. Thank you for such a great memory. 😊

[@aboomalacani2732]

Lol. I was there for that one! I miss 'ol Barton's general admission craziness. You could by a ticket back then for under 20 bucks. If you wanted on the front row, well, that's up to you.

[@anontool2711]

I saw van halen in 1986, 1991 and 1993. I finally met eddie once very quickly in 1998. Their concerts were jam packed full of hits and good vibes. But eddies solos were the icing on the cake. For me that was the main reason to attend. If you witnessed an evh guitar solo in person you know what im talking about. No other band had that offering. Except when steve vai joined whitesnake. That was also very cool.

[@ELPADREAIRBRUSH]

My friend YOU ARE THE THIRD GAME CHANGER STEVE you probably don’t remember me but we toured with you and Roth for a couple shows in the late 80’s and you showed me things on the guitar still at my old ass blow me away and still use to this day! And I showed to my son! You are a guitar virtuoso with Eddie and jimmy ! YOU ROCK 🤘🏻🤘🏻and Steve if you read this thank you for all you did for me ! Marc

[@geovaniraffaelli4508]

Dang you were lucky to be able to tour with him, good for you

[@ELPADREAIRBRUSH]

@@geovaniraffaelli4508 brother it’s priceless !! And the tricks and tips he taught me I’m passing it on to my son who plays ! Me and a close friend when grunge made the scene and pretty much wiped us clean off the face of the music earth ! Me and Bobby Blotzer ( drummer for RATT ) bought vending machines and placed them all over the greater Pittsburgh area so for like 10 yrs our hands smelled like change ! But it paid the bills and hair metal is coming back around I just was contacted and we might be touring with RATT and some other bands this summer like a hair metal revival tour ! Funny when we toured heavy in the 80’s we took our girlfriends and mistress’s now we’re taking our kids and grandkids on the tour busses lol how life changes I don’t know how old you are but live your life to the best everyday cause before you know it your pushin 60 and what we used to do all night now takes us all night to do !! Lmao YOU ROCK 🤘🏻🤘🏻!!

[@franciscoramirez4179]

Well said Steve! 👏 👏👏 Artists recognizing The GREATNESS Of Other Artists is a Sing of HUMBLENESS! 🎸

[@timothywooten1884]

Definitely the truth. EVH is by far the most innovative and best. Nobody makes EVH sound slow or sloppy.

[@johnathanandrus6586]

In specifically Rock, because outside of pure rock, you have to name Stevie Ray Vaughn. Hes another that broke the mold. There's still stuff he did that is beyond when it comes to advancing the instrument + artistry.

[@hectorchavez3405]

Hit wise you’re right,but Jeff Healy was as good as SRV, in my opinion a better player than Stevie.

[@chrisgaines3072]

i agree w/ you, and I love SRV and went thru a srv phase , but j. healy's playing and vocals were just a notch above anyone else at the time, in the blues genre.

[@user-ev2qo1hj1g]

@@hectorchavez3405 100 percent

[@mitsanut5869]

He was influential, yes. But as I said elsewhere here, people didn't get hooked in millions the first second they heard him. Artistry, the unbelievable set of skills, musicality, ability to instantly grab the listener, his incredible charm with ever present smile, making it all so incredibly easy. Nobody had it all but Eddie. I myself love to listen to many guitar players. Steve Vai, Steve Morse, George Lynch and others are amongst them, infact I think Steve Morse is one heluva virtuoso. But was he a complete package when it comes to presenting his guitar playing? No. Yet I absolutely dig him. But one must recognize that Eddie was simply the ultimate guitar player who had inspired tens of thousands kids to pick up the guitar in hope they one day will be like him. Nobody else could do that, ever, and nobody will be able to even come close. Steve Vai is absolutely right on the money with that one. It also shows his humility and respect.

[@liljimitwofeatherz9735]

Bull...srv good player but was playing his influence

[@ToddCox-j3g]

Well Steve you hit that on the head there,RIP Eddie, your the best!

[@SealofPerfection]

Nobody played or sounded like EVH. Nobody has been the complete package like he has, ever. Technique, sound, innovation, swing, gear, looks, writing, hits, sales. Nobody has done all that.

[@sealteam608]

I often wonder if Randy Roads would have lived longer he may have given Eddie a run for his money.. But Steve is correct these two where the goat boys

[@Phlakaton88]

How? He was imitating Ed and thus - nothing new really. Improving on something someone else pioneered - not really saying much. Game changer = Edward VH. You got it though. GOAT. Cheers!

[@linkbelt111]

No.

[@mordecai_wt]

@@Phlakaton88he had to play similar too eddie because he said thats what the kids found cool. After quiet riot and with his 2 albums with ozzy he blew eddie out of the fucking water.

[@sulatlalaki]

Beautiful, respectful commentary by Mr Vai. Such a great guy. Sure there are people online who can play Eddie's stuff but it's a whole nother matter to invent it and to create it on your own.

[@amazingflavour]

Vai is the third

[@joedivald1051]

Can't argue with him. Those 2 guys made your jaw drop.

[@GenuineLarry]

Eddie’s ability to engineer as well as play so well really gave him the upper hand

[@carpstudios4174]

Steve done some game changing. He took tapping and added fire. Excluding albums sold he had his own thing that inspired a lot playing.

[@ricaard]

If you exclude sales, then I would hand it over to Uli Roth, who influenced many, including Vai. There's a recording where, if he admitted it or not, he played an Uli line with harmonies exactly verbatim. Yngwie quoted Uli, as did Marty Friedman multiple times. Tapping I'd say is really owned after Eddie by Stanley Jordan.

[@joeykramer7282]

What a tribute to Eddie from a guy who is a phenomenal guitarist.

[@BeatlesFan1975]

Eddie and Steve Vai are the best. I can't listen to the arpeggio pick sweepers

[@heavi-armed-infadel]

Respect. I already loved Steve but he just went up a few notches in my book. That was beautifully articulated.

[@jacobendicott113]

Very well said, sir. There will never be another who did it quite like EVH.

[@ericlorenzana683]

He was one of a kind and a legendary. Give to life

[@thirdlegstalliano]

No guitarist can create a groove like EVH.

[@sambourne4923]

This! Surprised to see quite a few ppl put EVH down over the years in comment sections, presumably because there are faster players out there today, but I feel they fail to realise the strength of Eddie’s groove (and feel and tastefulness of course). You can tell he started off on the drums

[@lucasvanti2200]

@@sambourne4923 Ed is the most underrated rhythm guitar of all time. He was incredible, he wasn't only the "eruption tapping" guy - Listen carefully to his rythm playing

[@sambourne4923]

@@lucasvanti2200Absolutely. His rhythm playing and groove are what made me a fan

[@3vimages471]

Jimmy Page laughs.

[@FFLL2112]

Hendrix was a good guitarist that changed guitar playing style.. Eddie was an innovative genius that changed the world of MUSIC.. playing style, tablature, sound and tone, amp and guitar equipment, keyboards, guitar effects and on and on.. there’s really no comparison between these two

[@Slowhand871]

You are definitely in the minority. Hendrix changed everything about guitar. Eddie would not have been as great as he was without Jimi.

[@JesusandaGun]

​@@Slowhand871Edward said he wasn't into Hendrix but instead Clapton.

[@ramsnover3599]

O ya, Jimi didnt have a locking nut, or even a 5 way pickup switch, Eddie was great ,Jimi set the stage.....

[@LaChartre]

So what happened between 1970 and 1978? Nothing? Pink Floyd/Genesis/Zeppelin/Yes? SO MANY bands contributed to all the things you’re talking about before Eddie came along.

[@xestore]

​@InverseDimension Kimg crimson, Van der graaf, Camel.. seems like everyone in this comment section is stuck at 4/4 rock ffs (yet ironically forgetting Iommi and Duane Allman..)

[@jamessmith5021]

I love you man… you’re all heart and love. Thanks for representing in so many ways.

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

You're not ' old and sloppy ' You're geniuses 😂❤🎸

[@skikski1198]

Buckethead!

[@MrMoonunit67]

I just commented the same. Missed ya

[@muccisebastian9300]

he is great but not a game changer. Malmsteen or Frank Zappa couldbe other game changers by innovation

[@andrewsandoz8005]

Hendrix and EVH, definitely top of the heep.

[@robertsegura6451]

The first time I heard that opening riff on Eruption I knew this something special.Nothing since then has been that explosive, thank you E V H

[@kevinguitard4986]

Well said Steve Vai. ❤You guitar gods are all enjoyable to listen too. All different nuances.

[@javiermendoza2942]

This is so incredible to hear. Having gone to school with the Van Halens. It was evident that Ed could play anything he heard. He was mimicking Grand Funk and Joe Walsh when he 14. The question wasnt if he was gonna make it. It was when and how. It really started to gain momentum at Gazzaries.around late 75.

[@quantumxfluxmd6821]

Man that panama solo and bridge was always one of my favorites so dark mysterious and beautiful

[@duckydrummer6331]

Eddie started playing guitar at 12yrs old. 5 years later, he’s already playing gigs. A couple of years after that they got signed to Warner Bros. He developed his style very quickly. Most people usually play for 15, 20yrs before they’re good enough to play professionally.

[@Randy-h4h]

Thank you for confirming what I have always thought myself, I honestly don't think of anyone else as a game changer

[@andzwe]

Especially today, leading musicians are so quickly and expertly imitated (and in some ways surpassed) that it is hard to imagine how special what they came up with was when it was new. However, the originality, ingenuity and allure that originals like Hendrix and Van Halen possessed will always remain unique.

[@rudygarcia775]

I’m my opinion, Steve Vai was also a game changer. He took expressing yourself through music to a higher level. His name will also be remembered with Eddie and Jimi.👍🏻

[@hanstubben]

Yeah, when Steve Vai is telling this, you better take notice! Eddie was a different kind of breed indeed.