Edward “Eddie” Van Halen is undoubtedly one of the top influential guitarists in rock history. Eddie and his brother Alex originally formed the band “Mammoth”. With the addition of bassist Michael Anthony and singer David Lee Roth, the group then became “Van Halen”. Their 1978 self-titled debut was the lunching pad for them to become one of the most popular and influential rock bands to date. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, the band has sold over 80 million albums in their career.
Eddie’s virtuosic abilities have had a significant impact on endless rock guitarists. His technically demanding approach, which includes two handed tapping, legato, and tremolo picking, has set him apart throughout his career. Influences such as Allan Holdsworth sparked the inspiration for Eddie to approach the guitar in an unorthodox way. Large components of his sonic brilliance come from his unparalleled use of feedback and harmonics. Eddie is a true creative original. Everything from his songwriting, technique, sound, and guitars all bear his unique stamp. It’s the creative combination of these elements which make Eddie Van Halen a musical great.
This video clip was taken from a live concert in Connecticut in 1986. This is Eddie’s improvised version of two solo pieces 316 and Eruption.
More on Eddie Van Halen from Wikipedia
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