Of course y’all know that Eddie Van Halen passed away the other day. I won’t belabor the thing by saying much, beyond repeating what everybody else already said: the man was just a stupendous player, truly one of a kind. His influence on the evolution of rock guitar-playing is simply incalculable. I was fortunate enough to see ’em live in Charlotte on their first arena tour after that first blockbuster album was released, and was duly blown away not just by Eddie, but by the whole damned band—they were ALL fantastic. That show remains one of the best I ever did see, and ever expect to see. So without further ado, a vid or two.
My very favorite VH song of ’em all, and a goofy, fun video too. Which was typical of them; their videos were always light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek, and…well, just plain FUN to watch. You could accuse VH of a lot of things, maybe but taking themselves too seriously was never one of ’em. This next one is interesting: a compilation of five great live Eddie solos.
Next is another intriguing oddity: the one and only Slash opines on EVH’s passing.
Slash is a most hellacious player his own bad self, although I never much cared for Guns N Roses, honestly. Don’t get me wrong here; the band itself was excellent, as the short-lived Velvet Revolver side project with the late, great Scott Weiland more than amply demonstrated. It was that goddamned whiny pissant Axel Rose I couldn’t stomach.
Aw, what the hell, while we’re on the subject…yes, I know it ain’t EVH, but somehow I don’t think he’d resent the digression.
Goooood shit. Rest easy, Eddie Van Halen; the guitar-slinger bar in Rock ‘N’ Roll Heaven’s house band, already ridiculously high, just got seriously raised.
Five great solos but I had to laugh when Michael Jackson says Take It, Eddie in that 12 year old voice. It certainly wasn’t anything like “Play It, Steve” from Soul Man, that’s fer sure.
What more can be said about EVH though? One of the all time greats.
Another six stringer down. RIP.