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EVH - Visionary
I've played guitar professionally or semipro for the last 25 years, and I can say without any hesitation or doubt that EVH is THE sole "visionary" rock guitarist of the last 30 years - without question.
His tone, style, attitude, you name it, it shaped what guitar playing was from 1980 until Cobain and the grunge idiots ruined rock guitar, which was about 1993 or so. It was completely unique and unprecedented. Hardly anyone has ever had that kind of run - not Page, not Clapton. The only exception is perhaps Hendrix, who, while his influence is undeniable, just died too soon before his potential was realized (which is scary).
You ask a regular music fan who Satriani is, or Vai, or Malmsteen, and they'll look at you like you just asked them to explain molecular fission. You ask them who Eddie Van Halen is...ahhh, there's another story.
Those guys are great players, mind you, but they aren't visionaries. EVH was.
Key word there - was. He ain't what he used to be, I believe with all my heart that if DLR could be thrown back in the mix, we might see some of that magic rediscovered. DLR brings out the edge in Eddie. Just listen to Me Wise Magic. Nuff said.
I think Stevie Ray was a total powerhouse that changed a lot of players, including me, about as much as anyone. Randy Rhodes was coming on, but again, died before his potential was realized. Page, Iommi, Nuge, Frank Marino (yes, a total badass), Joe Perry, Lynch, Tom Scholz, the list could go on and on of those who were influential on rock guitarists in the Golden Age of the 70's and 80's.
But visionary? To this guitarist with more miles on him than most here, Hendrix and Eddie are the only two deserving of that honorary title.
His tone, style, attitude, you name it, it shaped what guitar playing was from 1980 until Cobain and the grunge idiots ruined rock guitar, which was about 1993 or so. It was completely unique and unprecedented. Hardly anyone has ever had that kind of run - not Page, not Clapton. The only exception is perhaps Hendrix, who, while his influence is undeniable, just died too soon before his potential was realized (which is scary).
You ask a regular music fan who Satriani is, or Vai, or Malmsteen, and they'll look at you like you just asked them to explain molecular fission. You ask them who Eddie Van Halen is...ahhh, there's another story.
Those guys are great players, mind you, but they aren't visionaries. EVH was.
Key word there - was. He ain't what he used to be, I believe with all my heart that if DLR could be thrown back in the mix, we might see some of that magic rediscovered. DLR brings out the edge in Eddie. Just listen to Me Wise Magic. Nuff said.
I think Stevie Ray was a total powerhouse that changed a lot of players, including me, about as much as anyone. Randy Rhodes was coming on, but again, died before his potential was realized. Page, Iommi, Nuge, Frank Marino (yes, a total badass), Joe Perry, Lynch, Tom Scholz, the list could go on and on of those who were influential on rock guitarists in the Golden Age of the 70's and 80's.
But visionary? To this guitarist with more miles on him than most here, Hendrix and Eddie are the only two deserving of that honorary title.
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