I was 18 and 20 when I saw Van Halen. Their music had been impactful to my life for years before that, but seeing them live was an amazing experience.
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R.I.P. Eddie VanHalen
- Thread starter two fingers
- Start date
So this pimply faced teenager walks into a record shop in 1978 and heads for the new releases section. There's an album form a band I have never heard of, staring me in the face. Looks like a fun band, I better buy this record.
I still remember sitting down at the turntable after listening to the whole record. I didn't know what to think. I had to put it away, way too much for this teenage brain.
Was fortunate enough to see them in 1979 and 80 in a small hall, I stood right in front of Eddie, slack jawed. I remember leaving both shows, completely exhausted, the way you are supposed to leave a rock concert.
Happy Trails Eddie,
Fishheadjoe
I still remember sitting down at the turntable after listening to the whole record. I didn't know what to think. I had to put it away, way too much for this teenage brain.
Was fortunate enough to see them in 1979 and 80 in a small hall, I stood right in front of Eddie, slack jawed. I remember leaving both shows, completely exhausted, the way you are supposed to leave a rock concert.
Happy Trails Eddie,
Fishheadjoe
He's often reduced to "that tapping guy", but he was more than that. I think he had the best sound and feel of any of the pre-Nirvana shredders. He came up with cool rhythm parts.
Being more of a B.B. King, Duane Allman, Roy Buchanan guy, I can't say that Eddie ever played one note that affected me emotionally-- it was more of a "gee whiz" reaction. But it's obvious why he influenced thousands of guitar players. An innovator with bravado.
R.I.P.
Being more of a B.B. King, Duane Allman, Roy Buchanan guy, I can't say that Eddie ever played one note that affected me emotionally-- it was more of a "gee whiz" reaction. But it's obvious why he influenced thousands of guitar players. An innovator with bravado.
R.I.P.
I wasn’t sure if it was 80 or 81. But what a great weekend of music. We went both days. I remember the brutal summer heat.
A singular talent, one of those guys you KNOW who it is in 3 seconds of anything he ever played. I shall always remember that unlike so many who look so pained while in the depths of doing their thing, he'd just smile like crazy from all those musical endorphins flooding his brain like a fire hose: That's how he could play like that.
I believe I've posted this before, but today would be a good day to revisit it. It's from a series of interviews at The Smithsonian Museum with immigrants who found success after coming to America. It's great as it's not the 'rock press' and none of the usual 'Sammy said this' or 'Dave said that' BS, and quite revealing, and in a way the story of a lot of immigrants.
I was working retail music stores when he hit, and it was mass hysteria among guitar players the way Beatlemania hit teenage girls !
I believe I've posted this before, but today would be a good day to revisit it. It's from a series of interviews at The Smithsonian Museum with immigrants who found success after coming to America. It's great as it's not the 'rock press' and none of the usual 'Sammy said this' or 'Dave said that' BS, and quite revealing, and in a way the story of a lot of immigrants.
I was working retail music stores when he hit, and it was mass hysteria among guitar players the way Beatlemania hit teenage girls !
Eddie is the Jaco of guitar!The use of harmonics to shape his sound,awesome.I wonder what it would sound if they were able to play together,when I get to heaven i'll be in the audience.RIP
Such a sad day for rock music 
Been telling my students (I teach music to kids year 7-9) about the genius of EVH all day
Also did this little doodle as a tribute:
Been telling my students (I teach music to kids year 7-9) about the genius of EVH all day Also did this little doodle as a tribute:
Right. As others have said, there was guitar before Eddie and guitar after Eddie. That's what the true greats do, the true innovators. I'll bet everyone who was there when it came out remembers Van Halen I and how it impacted them. That sort of experience will probably never happen again.
Never got to see EVHWell damn.
I got to see him live several times. He was the man.
Eddie Van Halen Dead at 65 from Cancer
Thank you for soooooo much fun music....and for inspiring two or three generations of guitar players.
RIP and rock on!
About 50 minutes in he's asked what deceased musician he would love to jam with. His answer? His dad. Here's hoping they're playing together right now.
Such a sad day for rock music
Also did this little doodle as a tribute:
Nicely done!
What a sweet moment. He refused to take any limelight away from Mr.Paul. He literally kissed the man on the head!
Quite a few shredders came after him that were no doubt inspired by him. Only a hand full of them came close to imparting the wonder and fun into the music, in the fashion he did. What a great composer. Most just want to show you their chops. Where have all the times gone?
I have a tremendous amount of respect for the fact that he put the time in, not only into playing and practicing, but into being himself specifically and never wavering.
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