As some of you may know, recently we lost a legend. Eddie Van Halen was a personality like no other. And towards the end of his life, his outlook never changed. And he never changed his music either. And from the first album until the end of time he will be inspiring people to pick up a guitar and maybe learn a few chords.
Some people say Jimi Hendrix was the greatest guitarist ever, and up until a few weeks ago I agreed. While Hendrix helped to form rock by mixing it with blues, Eddie took what Hendrix did and multiplied it by a thousand. When the first Van Halen album was released, people were astounded. Rick Beato tells an amazing story about the first time he ever heard Eruption. He along with everyone else had no clue what Eddie was doing on the guitar to get his signature sound. Now we know this as tapping, but back then it was revolutionary. It took years for people to even figure out what he was doing. As well, in my eyes Van Halen started the move towards speed. While people like Alvin Lee and Ritchie Blackmore may have planted the ideas, Eddie took those ideas and created what is now known as shred. As well the sheer numbers of people influenced alone, place him at the top. I have the privilege of saying that he is and always will be my biggest influence. (Thanks for everything Eddie. Rest easy)
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