Who influenced Ed VH?

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Though I'm sure it's already been discussed, I'd like to get opinions on this topic. Nothing to do with the name (pronounce: "Rott")...
I find it obvious that Scorpions' grand, flamboyant guitarist was a major influence in Ed's technique. You can hear many sounds he must have picked up in 4 early Scorpions albums, "Fly to the rainbow" (74), "In trance" (75), "Virgin killer" (76) and "Taken by force" (77).
Especially as soon as the intro of "Speedy's coming", you can but think of then forthcoming VH, the lead and solo in "Dark Lady" also obviously sound "familiar". A lot of fast tracks make it obvious as well. I won't mention them all in detail, it would be too long and I don't like talking about technique.
I know English-speaking people are uneasy with the Scorpions' records, due to K. Meine's weird English and accent, but I'm sure many buddies round here dig their old-time music. So, do you agree with my remarks, and who else do you see who can have influenced younger Eddie? (please don't mention Hendrix, for whose guitarist's life didn't Jimi revolutionize?). Thanx for helping!

[Seshmeister]

Biggest Influence?

[Nickdfresh]

I've heard Ed cite Eric Clapton and Pete Townsend as his biggest overall influences in addition to Hendrix of course, if not just in technique, in showmanship and composing.

The rest of his "motivation and influence" is right here (right now):

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Pouah! Heineken... Might as well drink his own piss after drinking some lemonade...
The only beer that makes it is BELGIAN beer!! Leffe, Grimbergen, Hommel, and hundreds of other divine beverages.
He would never have committed all that la-di-da shit if he had been on accurate beer.

Just to be precise: Van Damme's bullshitted brain has nothing to do with Belgian beer. He would even have been worse (more "AWARE") than that if he hadn't drunk a little of it through the years..

[lesfunk]

Clapton and Iommi

[academic punk]

Originally posted by lesfunk
Clapton and Iommi

Cream-era Clapton was far and away Ed's biggest, with mr. Iommi a DISTANT second.

Ed has stated MANY times trhat he was never deeply enamored with hendrix.

Thanks to Dave, Billy Gibbons also turned into an enormous influence. MANY of the riffs on VHII especially could easily have been ZZ Top riffs.

Others include his own father (Jan Van Halen, taught Ed that feel was more important than technique, and also instilled in him the discipline to hone his talent), Allan Holdsworth, Adrian Belew, and one other jazz-fusion-y guy whose name escapes me.

Ed has said many times he was not at all impressed with the likes of Ace Frehley or the Scorpions.

[degüello]

I've always found it interesting that the often-cited-by-Eddie Clapton influence isn't really that discernable in Eddie's playing, only in select little parts.

Nice call on the Holdsworth reference, academic punk. Very true.

[degüello]

There's that radio interview where Eddie plays the Crossroads solo for the interviewer, unaccompanied, live in the studio, and it's spot-on.

[Wolverine]

clapton without a doubt.....this has been known for years!!

[Terry]

Jimmy Page was a definite influence, 'specially in terms of composition. Blackmore as well, along with Beck and Hendrix (as much as EVH denied it).

Gibbons and Belew are good calls. Holdsworth, often given props by EVH, as well. Townshend too.

Yeah, I never heard that much of what Clapton did in Ed's playing either. Some blues bends, but Clapton didn't exactly hold a patent on that shit. Even if it turned out that Clapton was Ed's primary influence, wouldn't matter a bit to me: Clapton was always severely overrated. Least interesting guitarist to come out of the Yardbirds, Baker and Bruce fucking owned Cream and Clapton hasn't put an ounce of effort into anything since 1971.

[ELVIS]

Clapton - Iommi...

Ed thought Hendrix was sloppy and he said that Page sounded like he was playing with a broken finger...

I swear to God I am telling the truth...

[academic punk]

Page in terms of composition? I don't hear it.

Ed's been very critical of Page's playing: said he's sloppy, that he plays like a seven year old with broken fingers, etc. not exactly rave reviews.

then again, he once complained in an interview (musician mag, 1984, Charles M Young) that Zep was "transcendent" and hypnotic, something that Dave didn't permit him to be, because then Dave wouldn't be able to dance to it.

which was the weird thing for me after Dave's departure: I was expecting to hear this completely different side to Ed, and all it was was rehashed dave-era licks and riffs, played far less interestingly.

[blueturk]

Jerome is is dead on. People who think of "Blackout' or "Love At First Sting" when the Scorpions name comes up are missing out. Uli Jon Roth is one of the most under rated (and relatively unknown) guitarists in rock and roll. Listen to "Robot Man" and you'll swear it's EVH. A HUGE influence on Eddie.

[Matt White]

Go buy '74 JAILBREAK by AC/DC. I don't remember the specific tune. Play the entire cd. One tune has a ANGUS Hammer-pull off lead break. Think of the MELODY of the tapping section of ERUPTION.............
It'll freak you out.

[MAX]

Originally posted by ELVIS
Clapton - Iommi...

Ed thought Hendrix was sloppy and he said that Page sounded like he was playing with a broken finger...

I swear to God I am telling the truth...

Read that too....

Ed should shut-em-up-mouth after the crap he's collectively delivered post Roth.