The Legacy of Eddie Van Halen: Acknowledging the Guitarist He Respected Most
“I could never replicate his style. Competing with Eddie Van Halen would be foolish,” Steve Vai shared with Rolling Stone in 2020, reflecting on his bond with the legendary guitarist. Vai, who stepped into the spotlight as David Lee Roth’s guitarist after Roth departed from Van Halen, understood the importance of carving out his own identity too avoid being overshadowed by Van Halen’s monumental talent.
Finding His Own Voice
“Joining David Lee Roth’s band was an remarkable chance to perform some brilliantly crafted rock anthems,” Vai remarked. “While no one can match Edward’s prowess, I always aimed to give it my all.”
Eddie was well aware of the guitarist who had taken his place alongside roth. Despite his own extraordinary abilities,he remained grounded and recognized that other musicians had valuable lessons to impart. For instance, he was a devoted admirer of Allan Holdsworth and actively supported him in securing a recording deal. For Eddie, it was never about rivalry; it was about the love of guitar and the pursuit of improvement.
Impressed by Innovation
As he listened to Vai, Eddie was pleasantly surprised by his unique approach. Unlike the many guitarists who imitated Van Halen, Vai blended innovative techniques with melodic storytelling. Joe Satriani, who filled in for Eddie during the Best of all Worlds tour, showcased his blues-infused fusion, while Yngwie Malmsteen dazzled with his neoclassical flair. Though, Vai’s style combined an almost operatic elegance with the avant-garde quirks reminiscent of his former mentor, Frank zappa.
When Eddie heard Vai’s interpretations of his songs in Roth’s band, he was genuinely impressed.
(Image credit: Niels van Iperen/Getty images)
A Mutual Respect
“I realized, ’This guy excels at what I do,’” Eddie confessed to Shaun Baxter in a 1995 interview. “Though, he sometiems lacked the groove… the essence. Technically, he was incredibly skilled, but there was a certain rigidity. It made me wonder, ‘Is that how people see me?’”
Vai remained with Roth from 1985 to 1989, contributing to albums like Eat ‘Em and Smile and Skyscraper. Once he departed, Eddie felt it was the right moment to reach out.
“The day after I left David Lee Roth’s band - somehow Edward found out – he called me,” Vai recounted. “That marked the beginning of a fantastic friendship.”
Over the next six months, they spent considerable time together, with Vai visiting Eddie’s 5150 Studios and enjoying exclusive listening sessions of Eddie’s unreleased tracks. “he played me some incredible material,” Vai recalled. “I suggested he shoudl consider a solo album, but he always believed that the Van Halen records were his solo projects.”
(Image credit: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
A Unique Bond
While Eddie regarded Vai as the one guitarist who could surpass him, Vai believes Eddie was a transformative figure in rock music, with only one true equal.
“If I had to trust my instincts,” he stated, “it’s Hendrix and Van Halen who stand out in rock guitar. Many talented guitarists have emerged, but these two reshaped not only our playing style but also our songwriting, fashion, and stage presence. Their influence runs deep,and I firmly believe Eddie was one of those monumental figures.”
Vai himself has garnered a dedicated following, with fans who see him as a revolutionary artist.Tosin Abasi recently shared his experience of working long hours in a salmon processing plant in Alaska to afford his Steve Vai signature guitar.
For those eager to tap into Steve’s guitar wisdom, his top three tips for guitarists are invaluable.
