Originally Posted by
Terry
Yeah, but by that logic, Roth should have been able to perform the same function for Steve Vai when Eat 'Em And Smile came around, rather than just let Vai basically jack off with his instrument as fast as he could for solo after solo. Thus, while I don't undercut Roth's contributions to Van Halen, the idea that he needed to tell Eddie what to play because Eddie wouldn't have figured it out otherwise...it's a bit much, don't you think?
Ed was more than adept at constructing songs, coming up with riffs, rhythms and hooks and the like. Sure, one imagines Roth would suggest putting riffs or rhythm parts that Eddie came up with in a different order at times. That's a far cry from how Dave was coming off in the interview at times, where he was kinda trying to portray himself as the "Mastermind of Van Halen." It's like, take a break from your ego, Dave: we all know how important your contributions were to the band...no need to oversell it.
Ed couldn't construct a song to save his life? So, in terms of Van Halen's biggest single, Jump...Dave didn't even LIKE that tune. Ed came up with it and Ed had to push to have it recorded...still sticking by your theory, there? :nuts: