Originally Posted by ping2000:
This thread went sideways fast. Probably happened after Mozart died too. People claiming Bach was better, someone claiming his best friend built his horse drawn carriage, etc. Rest in peace Eddie. You were a great guitarist and we enjoyed your music. Cancer sucks.
Except the letters to the editor took months, not minutes [Reply]
Originally Posted by eDave:
It's the creativity and composition that sets Eddie apart from Stevie. Blues are easier too. See Joe Bonamassa.
Eddie Van Halen changed absolutely everything about the electric guitar.
He was the first guitarist or even guitar designer to put a Humbucking Pickup in a Stratocaster body, which he wax potted to eliminate feedback, which was a brand new concept. He was the first to use a Variac to decrease the voltage to his modified Marshall model number 1968, in which the tube rectifier had been replace with a silicon rectifier for a "tigther" tone and less mushy bottom end.
He not only revolutionized guitar equipment over the years, with his very own line of guitars and amplifiers but he dabbled in pedals, legitimized the use of Stainless Steel frets and strings (many people, me including, find both to be "plinky" but Eddie made it work) and of course, his signature two-handed-tapping technique that was copied the world over for more than 43 years.
He also popularized the Floyd Rose Locking Tremelo system, which has been standard on many guitar models since the early 80's. Nearly every serious guitarist has at least one "Super Strat" with a humbucker and a Floyd Rose.
The dude literally changed the music world. [Reply]
I am in the 50's age group and have been listening to his music my entire life.
Saw him in concert twice...Excellent!
On my afternoon run, I will be listening to Van Halen.
Sad Day :-) [Reply]
Originally Posted by eDave:
It's the creativity and composition that sets Eddie apart from Stevie. Blues are easier too. See Joe Bonamassa.
Eddie had the most distinct sound ever. He holds patents for his inventions. His guitars were the coolest ever built. He was a modern day Mozart. He inspired a generation to pick up the axe ( or build one) and learn to tap.
The Van Halen brothers had an amazing career. They built two huge bands with two completely different singers. Their musical catalog is legendary and ranks with the best of all time.
Alex is a musical prodigy as well. I am sure their story will be a movie some day. This is a sad day for the music world. [Reply]
only a few times I can remember being stopped in my tracks after hearing something for the first time.
Intro to Mean Street; first time I ever heard VH at all, when the sound came from my brothers room via record player. I was probably like,...5.
2nd time when I heard a Ducati 916 roll up to Shawnee Cycle plaza when I was there picking up a new visor for my helmet circa 2000. first time I had ever heard a Ducati. Sounded like a Chevelle rolling up. Been hooked on them ever since..though yet to own one still. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
Eddie Van Halen changed absolutely everything about the electric guitar.
He was the first guitarist or even guitar designer to put a Humbucking Pickup in a Stratocaster body, which he wax potted to eliminate feedback, which was a brand new concept. He was the first to use a Variac to decrease the voltage to his modified Marshall model number 1968, in which the tube rectifier had been replace with a silicon rectifier for a "tigther" tone and less mushy bottom end.
He not only revolutionized guitar equipment over the years, with his very own line of guitars and amplifiers but he dabbled in pedals, legitimized the use of Stainless Steel frets and strings (many people, me including, find both to be "plinky" but Eddie made it work) and of course, his signature two-handed-tapping technique that was copied the world over for more than 43 years.
The dude literally changed the music world.
I don't remember the year (1978-79?) but I was getting into my car one day and flipped on the radio. "Running with the Devil" came on. I sat there with my mouth hung open. Now, I have been a shade tree musician (Bass) since I was 10 years old - I have played with and heard guitar players for more years than I can even remember - but NEVER have I heard anyone like that - that included Hendrix, Farner, John McLaughlin, Robin Trower, Marino, on and on and on.....
Sure, tapping the fretboard was nothing new - it started years before, but Van Halen perfected it. And how!!!
Originally Posted by Halfcan:
I am sure their story will be a movie some day.
If there's a movie, it'll be whitewashed, big time.
Eddie was an asshole to just about everyone, including his own brother. He cheated constantly on Valerie Bertinelli, shit on Ted Templeman, on DLR, on Sammy Hagar and on bands in which he wasn't even involved.
He was a methed-out alcoholic asshole for nearly a decade, was completely wasted during VH's 2004 tour and as such, was a very, very lonely man who didn't have a circle of friends. [Reply]
