10 Greatest Hard Rock Guitarists Of The '80s
1. Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
Every now and then, there are certain guitar players that seem to be a cut above the rest. For as much as others may practice on their technique, these guys are the naturally gifted prodigies who have earned their spot in the realm of guitar greats with almost no effort at all. It almost doesn’t seem fair to have that much talent in one person, but what Eddie Van Halen created with his guitar didn’t even seem human.
When Van Halen first got the ball rolling, their fun loving sound defined what the glam rock scene of the ‘80s would become, but everyone was fixated on what the hell Eddie was doing to that guitar. Across the band’s discography, Eddie was the complete package, with a solid rhythm guitar foundation and some of the most awe-inspiring lead lines ever, which were often tapped out on the fretboard with both hands. It didn’t stop there though, with Eddie displaying different reinventions for the guitar like the volume swell solo on “Cathedral” or the phaser pedal effects, which made his guitar sound like it was being beamed directly into your brain.
As the years have gone on, Eddie hasn’t lost his touch, with his solos still sparking inspiration in guitarists around the world. It’s one thing to make a style all your own, but Eddie Van Halen’s approach to the guitar is the reason why ‘80s rock sounds the way it does.