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Originally Posted by Rob
Over here in the UK, and the rest of Europe Van Halen are barely heard of. It's not good to say that the Van Halen brothers are both from Europe. Maybe Eddie gets the credit he deserves in America, but certianly not over here, niether does Bruce Springsteen. Bon Jovi are more well known over here, and apart from maybe Aerosmith and Guns 'N' Roses, they are the only American band to be massive in the UK, in the last 10 years.
As for Eddie being number one, then I disagree. He obviously is a great player, one of the best, but the best......? I would say that people like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Mark Knopfler are one step ahead. If you've never heard of Mark Knopfler, which you probably haven't because his band, Dire Straits weren't well know in the states, then I beg you to download Sultans of Swing. You'll see, or rather hear, what I mean.
I'm not knocking Eddie, or the band Van Halen, they are a good rock 'n' roll band, it's just I believe there is better out there. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion right?  |
It is true that Van Halen isn't that big overseas - they even opened for Bon Jovi in 95 I think. But they are HUGE in USA and probably will always be held in higher regard over Bon Jovi, simply because Edward Van Halen was an innovator in guitar.
Among the list that you mentioned, let me say this: 'greatness' in guitar playing is pretty much subjective. Does it cover technical skill only (which can be evaluated objecively)? Or does it include songwriting skills and feeling (purely subjective)? If we were to be objective, Hendrix and Page aren't that technical and Edward Van Halen is definitely better than them when it comes to technical skills. Jeff Beck is one hell of a guitar player and certainly has the best chops among his contemporaries (Clapton and Page). Of course he's the least popular, and in turn, less influential than the other two. Edward Van Halen is a great songwriter, so are Hendrix and Clapton. I say the 'greatest' (purely subjective in my opinion - the definition of greatness in my book includes technical skill, innovation, songwriting skill, rhythm playing, lead solo ability, knack for producing great riff, choice of notes, tone and feeling) in my book is Edward Van Halen. I have no problem however, with top 3 list that includes: Van Halen, Clapton and Hendrix because they satisfy most of the criteria (in Van Halen's case - ALL) that I use to judge (Page is probably #4). I say Richie probably has better chops than Hendrix but Hendrix is a far more influential and innovative guitar player.
I love Mark Knoffler's playing
but I think he's not up in the top 10 in my book.