The Rift Between Legends: How an Interview Altered the Dynamic Between Eddie Van halen and eric Clapton
The saying goes that meeting your idols can lead to disappointment, but the story of Eddie Van Halen and Eric Clapton offers a different lesson: anger your heroes, and they might reveal their true feelings about you.
In November 1978, when Jas Obrecht interviewed Eddie Van Halen for Guitar Player, the guitarist was still an emerging talent. His band’s self-titled debut album had just been released earlier that year,and this was the first time the world got a glimpse into eddie’s musical journey,techniques,and inspirations.
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One of the first insights shared about Eddie was his surprising admiration for Eric Clapton, a revelation that caught many off guard given Eddie’s distinctively aggressive and technical style. “Believe it or not, clapton was my main influence,” Eddie stated, despite acknowledging that his sound diverged significantly from Clapton’s.
Obrecht noted that Eddie’s style was reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix or Ritchie Blackmore, to which eddie responded, “I appreciate Hendrix, but my connection to Clapton runs deeper.” He elaborated, “I can still play every solo he ever recorded, note for note.”
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As Eddie’s career skyrocketed, he and Clapton eventually met and developed a camaraderie. Despite Eddie’s technical prowess, Clapton recognized an underlying connection to the blues in Eddie’s playing. “If Eddie appreciates my style, then he must resonate with the same influences I do,” Clapton remarked in a 1985 interview.
This acknowledgment from Clapton was significant, as it validated Eddie’s innovative approach to guitar, which, while different, was rooted in the same musical traditions that shaped Clapton’s own sound.
“He couldn’t be doing what he does and recognize Robert Johnson without there being something valid going on.”
– Eric Clapton
Clapton continued, “Eddie is incredibly fast, and sometimes it feels like he goes overboard. But that’s just my simpler style. I’ve heard he even slowed down my records to learn my solos. That’s dedication!”
However, beneath the surface, Clapton harbored doubts about Eddie’s grasp of the blues. Two years prior, Clapton had expressed his frustration over a tribute track on Brian May’s 1983 Star Fleet Project mini-album, titled “Blues breaker.” The nearly 13-minute jam featured may and Van Halen, but Clapton found it lacking in dynamics and sensitivity.
“It was so disappointing, especially since it was dedicated to me,” Clapton lamented. “They just played solos without any real structure or emotion.”
He further elaborated, “If Van Halen wants to play blues, he needs to understand it as a style with its own rules. It’s like a form of art that requires respect and understanding.”
If he was that tuned into me and missed that point, then he missed the whole point.
– Eric Clapton
Clapton’s critique was not just about Eddie’s playing; it reflected his own journey of understanding the blues. He recalled his early days with the Yardbirds, where he failed to appreciate the nuances of blues music, leading to his own frustrations.
“Every 12-bar blues is unique,” Clapton explained. ”I learned that the hard way, as I was once criticized for not recognizing the subtleties.”
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Clapton’s reflections serve as a reminder of the common pitfalls many guitarists face when interpreting the blues, and they come from someone who has navigated similar challenges. However, Eddie felt the sting of Clapton’s words and hoped to mend their friendship. Years later, at a party in New York, eddie attempted to reconcile, but Clapton, now sober, appeared indifferent. Eddie’s frustration boiled over, leading him to dismissively refer to Clapton as “that teabag.”
In a 1995 interview with Dweezil Zappa for Guitar Player, Eddie revisited his feelings about Clapton. “I grew up listening to Clapton, but don’t hate me, Eric! It feels like he’s lost that spark. When he solos now, it’s like he’s just going through the motions.”
I grew up on Clapton, but – don’t hate me, Eric! – it’s like he doesn’t do that anymore. Now when he solos, to me it’s like he’s pissing up a rope.
– Eddie Van Halen
Eddie continued, “Listen to his early work with Cream, like ‘Sunshine of Your Love.’ He spoke through his guitar. I thought every solo should have that kind of meaning.”
Clapton might have resonated with some of eddie’s critiques, as he himself acknowledged his tendency to overplay. “I often find myself wishing I had played fewer notes,” he admitted. “It’s a challenge to find that balance.”
despite their shared experiences and mutual respect, the two guitar legends never managed to bridge the gap that had formed between them.
