Eddie Van Halen RIP.....

[Francus1971]

My personal GOD

[HorseyBoy]

I only found out that I hold a guitar pick the "wrong" way by reading about EVH holding his the same way (thumb and middle finger). Weirdly enough, I hold my women the same way…

[get_with_it]

Having worked in a music shop for 39 years I've probably heard Eruption played badly more than I should have . I actually played it a really badly myself in the 80s !

But , Ive just listened to EVH play it again and I was right back to when I first ever heard Van Halen .

There was a train strike in London so I was staying at Billl Leisegang's house because I couldn't get home . Bill was working at Macaris and had formed a band with Bruce Dickinson ( he'd later go on to play with a crazy list of artists ) he was and still is an amazing guitarist . Believe it or not we used to perform as a duo - 'Ant and Bill' !!!

So , Bill had just installed these enormous speakers in his living room - he couldn't afford carpet or wallpaper but he had these ludicrous speakers and record deck

So he put on Runnin' with the Devil - that was my first experience of Van Halen - guitar sounds I'd never heard before at extreme volume . The the next track came on - Eruption - game over !!

A few years ago someone posted a pic of Van Halen in the studio and there was a Supa Tone Bender on the floor . . . .very proud of that one

RIP EVH

[Fishleehooker]

I am really having trouble putting into words just how great and important I think Eddie is and was. I actually think he was somehow criminally underrated. I think history will show him as a Mozart type as far as Hard rock n roll is concerned. I hope so at least. He meant the world to me.

[Doc Holliday]

I must admit Eddie, was far more technically able than I could ever be. I could never aspire to play anywhere near the way he could.
Although he wasn’t a guitar hero of mine per se I completely concur and agree that like people like Hendrix, Clapton he changed guitar in a way for the next guitar hero generation. The solo in MJ’s beat it is one of the best of all time!

[bazguitar]

RIP ERDDIE the KING of Tone and Melodic ROCK
withTaste and pure joy
gone to soon

[1bottlerocket]

I have seen Van Halen 5 times over the years. One constant in every show was how EVH would play with such ridiculous talent. My older brother took me to see them in 1978 and I became a fan ever since. He was the main reason I picked up the guitar in the first place. It was pretty shocking to hear of his passing.