2 minutes of Eddie Van Halen's ego, after Randy Rhoads died in the plane crash

[ModerationNow!]

It was 1982, and this interview was done not long after Randy Rhoads and 2 others died in the crash of a small Beechcraft Bonanza propeller plane. Eddie Van Halen(EVH) was asked how he felt about it, and he decided to first make it about himself! His initial comment was "Randy was honest, because HE admitted that he learned everything from me. Most other newer guitarists don't admit to it". That's complete crap, as Randy DIDNT put EVH near the top of his list of influences, and he was trained in classical technique, while EVH was based more in blues!

Another BS claim made by Eddie was that "they must have been wasted(he said fk-ed up) when they were screwing around with the plane". Well, Randy was completely drug-free, and only occasionally drank, but he wasn't a drunk! The pilot was apparently messed up though. "Who's a better guitarist", is subjective. But "who's a better human being" isn't! Unfortunately, the winner of that prize died in 1982....

The plane crash is a whole other story that deserves another look, and another thread. It appeared to crash as a result of the pilot "buzzing" the tour bus. That's a story that apparently includes a possibility that the crash wasn't as accidental as assumed by many. At least one witness said that he saw Randy and the pilot struggling for the wheel as the plane went out of control and crashed into the tour bus, then the house! There's actually a possible motive for the pilot to have intentionally crashed(which would explain why Randy was seen fighting for the wheel), but that's another thread.

 

[lwf]

lol! What a dick

 

[Peter King]

I like van Halen, but Rhoads was the far superior guitar player. He didn't need to learn from van Halen.

 

[ModerationNow!]

I like van Halen, but Rhoads was the far superior guitar player. He didn't need to learn from van Halen.

Yeah, and it's not like EVH invented fast lead guitar solos! I was just watching a live TV music show concert of the West German band, the Scorpions, from the 1977-78 timeframe, where their original guitarist(Uli John Roth) was ripping it up most impressively, as he had been doing BEFORE he would've ever even heard of Van Halen!

 

[ModerationNow!]

I like van Halen, but Rhoads was the far superior guitar player. He didn't need to learn from van Halen.

Maybe not..... maybe not....... But what we do know, is that Randy wouldn't have been able to become a great guitar player, if Eddie Van Halen hadn't invented the electric guitar AND the electric guitar amplifier! It was impressive that he found time to do it, while inventing the space shuttle at the same time!

Thanks EVH, where would the world be without you?? Lol

 

[Peter King]

Maybe not..... maybe not....... But what we do know, is that Randy wouldn't have been able to become a great guitar player, if Eddie Van Halen hadn't invented the electric guitar AND the electric guitar amplifier! It was impressive that he found time to do it, while inventing the space shuttle at the same time!

Thanks EVH, where would the world be without you?? Lol

Rhoads was already an epic classic guitar player.

And Randy's guitars were not based upon van Halen's guitar. He used guitars from other guitar makers. Also, van Halen started using his frankenstrat on albums after 1979, the first frankenstrat was produced by a company in 1983, a year after Randy's death.

Randy used his Flying V that was made by Sandoval and his 1974 Gibson Les Paul custom. And I am not at all sure that Randy Rhoads ever used an amplifier that had anything to do with van Halen. He (from what I know and have read) used only Marshall amps.

And again, before van Halen became a big star with his special amps and guitars, Randy was already dead.

 

[Helix]

I wasn't aware of that EVH quote. I'll add that there's a pretty good Disgraceland podcast episode about Ozzy during this time that includes a broad overview of the plane crash. I listened to it yesterday.

 

[ModerationNow!]

Rhoads was already an epic classic guitar player.

And Randy's guitars were not based upon van Halen's guitar. He used guitars from other guitar makers. Also, van Halen started using his frankenstrat on albums after 1979, the first frankenstrat was produced by a company in 1983, a year after Randy's death.

Randy used his Flying V that was made by Sandoval and his 1974 Gibson Les Paul custom. And I am not at all sure that Randy Rhoads ever used an amplifier that had anything to do with van Halen. He (from what I know and have read) used only Marshall amps.

And again, before van Halen became a big star with his special amps and guitars, Randy was already dead.

Yeah, I was joking that EVH invented electric guitars and amps.... Sarcasm.

 

[justabubba]

i believe this is the first time i have listened to the scorpions since the late 70s
seems like Rhodes was a single note player
VH was more adventurous in his approach
but the bottom line is VH is always full of **** when giving an interview

 

[Excon]

[SUP]It was 1982, and this interview was done not long after Randy Rhoads and 2 others died in the crash of a small Beechcraft Bonanza propeller plane. Eddie Van Halen(EVH) was asked how he felt about it, and he decided to first make it about himself! His initial comment was "Randy was honest, because HE admitted that he learned everything from me. Most other newer guitarists don't admit to it". That's complete crap, as Randy DIDNT put EVH near the top of his list of influences, and he was trained in classical technique, while EVH was based more in blues!

Another BS claim made by Eddie was that "they must have been wasted(he said fk-ed up) when they were screwing around with the plane". Well, Randy was completely drug-free, and only occasionally drank, but he wasn't a drunk! The pilot was apparently messed up though. "Who's a better guitarist", is subjective. But "who's a better human being" isn't! Unfortunately, the winner of that prize died in 1982....

The plane crash is a whole other story that deserves another look, and another thread. It appeared to crash as a result of the pilot "buzzing" the tour bus. That's a story that apparently includes a possibility that the crash wasn't as accidental as assumed by many. At least one witness said that he saw Randy and the pilot struggling for the wheel as the plane went out of control and crashed into the tour bus, then the house! There's actually a possible motive for the pilot to have intentionally crashed(which would explain why Randy was seen fighting for the wheel), but that's another thread.

[video=youtube_share;95M9cNlunYc]https://youtu.be/95M9cNlunYc[video][/SUP]

1. OMG! This is so stupid.
Eddie said something 38 years ago (you know, when he was younger) and you are all upset about it today. Wow! Talk about lame.

2. What he said was harmless especially as he was referencing what he read Randy was quoted as saying.

3. :doh FFS, he said he felt sorry for him and you want to take offense? Heavens to Murgatroyd.

"Who's a better guitarist", is subjective. But "who's a better human being" isn't! Unfortunately, the winner of that prize died in 1982....

Wrong.
Who is a better human is highly subjective.

 

[Excon]

Rhoads was already an epic classic guitar player.

And Eddie was trained to play Bach and Mozart on the piano. So what?

Eddie Van Halen

Early life.

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Edward Lodewijk van Halen is the son of Jan van Halen and Eugenia van Halen (née van Beers). Jan van Halen was a Dutch clarinetist, saxophonist, and pianist, and Eugenia van Halen was an Indo (Eurasian) from Rangkasbitung on the island of Java in Indonesia. The family eventually resettled in Nijmegen.

We came here with approximately $50 and a piano, and we didn't speak the language. Now look where we are. If that’s not the American dream, what is?
​

In February 1962, the Van Halen family moved from the Netherlands to the United States, settling in Pasadena, California.[SUP][4][/SUP] Both Eddie and his older brother, Alex van Halen, are naturalized U.S. citizens. The brothers learned to play the piano as children starting at the age of six. They commuted from Pasadena to San Pedro to study with an elderly piano teacher, Stasys "Stanley" Kalvaitis.

Van Halen revealed in an interview that he has never been able to read music. Instead, he learned from watching and listening. During recitals of Bach or Mozart, he would improvise. From 1964 through 1967, he won first place in the annual piano competition held at Long Beach City College.[10] Afterward, the judges would comment that he had an interesting interpretation of the classical piece. Van Halen's view was, "What? I thought I was playing it correctly!" However, according to one interview, playing the piano did not prove to be challenging or interesting to him.​

Wikipedia | Eddie Van Halen - Early life​

And Randy's guitars were not based upon van Halen's guitar.

Oy Vey!

Also, van Halen started using his frankenstrat on albums after 1979,

Ahhhhhhh... no!
Eddie created the frankenstrat around 74 (see video interview @ 3:17). He used it on Van Halen's first album which was recorded in 77 and released in Feb of 78. It was white with black stripes at that time and can be seen on the cover of the band's first album.

Spoiler

Van Halen painted the guitar black, and when it was dry he put strips of gaffers tape on the body and repainted it white. He repeated the process with red, creating the classic Frankenstrat.

Wikipedia | Frankenstrat - Finish

Spoiler

the first frankenstrat was produced by a company in 1983, a year after Randy's death.

No. As already stated, it was created in 74. The first licensed replica was produced in 1983 by Kramer Guitars.

Randy used his Flying V that was made by Sandoval and his 1974 Gibson Les Paul custom. And I am not at all sure that Randy Rhoads ever used an amplifier that had anything to do with van Halen. He (from what I know and have read) used only Marshall amps.

Another "Oy Vey" moment.

And again, before van Halen became a big star with his special amps and guitars, Randy was already dead.

No. Simply no.

 

[Superfly]

Why is this coming up now? I haven’t listened to either since high school.

 

[ModerationNow!]

Why is this coming up now? I haven’t listened to either since high school.

Really? What are you listening to now??
Maybe this:

 

[Superfly]

Really? What are you listening to now??
Maybe this:

At this very moment?

Certainly not Conway Twitter. *shudder*

 

[Checkerboard Strangler]

You won't hear this solo anywhere else.
It was done by a dear friend who was working for Gary Kramer back around 1981-1984.
He wasn't a luthier, he actually worked as Gary's shipping clerk.
If EVH had that big of an ego about his chops, apparently it wasn't a constant because when he overheard Rick, he asked to meet him.
The guy with the massive ego was Kramer, because Gary Kramer replied that he could meet Rick only if Rick was no longer a Kramer employee, and then Kramer waited six months before even telling Rick, the night before he fired him, allegedly because of Rick's side gigs in local bands.

 

[Excon]

Yeah, that is what I thought.
Folks run when their bs is confronted.

 

[Peter King]

And Eddie was trained to play Bach and Mozart on the piano. So what?

Eddie Van Halen

Early life.

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Edward Lodewijk van Halen is the son of Jan van Halen and Eugenia van Halen (née van Beers). Jan van Halen was a Dutch clarinetist, saxophonist, and pianist, and Eugenia van Halen was an Indo (Eurasian) from Rangkasbitung on the island of Java in Indonesia. The family eventually resettled in Nijmegen.

We came here with approximately $50 and a piano, and we didn't speak the language. Now look where we are. If that’s not the American dream, what is?
​

In February 1962, the Van Halen family moved from the Netherlands to the United States, settling in Pasadena, California.[SUP][4][/SUP] Both Eddie and his older brother, Alex van Halen, are naturalized U.S. citizens. The brothers learned to play the piano as children starting at the age of six. They commuted from Pasadena to San Pedro to study with an elderly piano teacher, Stasys "Stanley" Kalvaitis.

Van Halen revealed in an interview that he has never been able to read music. Instead, he learned from watching and listening. During recitals of Bach or Mozart, he would improvise. From 1964 through 1967, he won first place in the annual piano competition held at Long Beach City College.[10] Afterward, the judges would comment that he had an interesting interpretation of the classical piece. Van Halen's view was, "What? I thought I was playing it correctly!" However, according to one interview, playing the piano did not prove to be challenging or interesting to him.​

Wikipedia | Eddie Van Halen - Early life​

.

You do know we were talking about playing guitars, not playing the piano. Because Rhoads was also taught playing the piano by his mother at her music school.

Me saying he was a classic guitar player has something to do with his use of classical influences on his electric guitar playing, NOT about his knowledge of Bach on the piano. Now I like Eddie van Halen, loved his stuff but does not change the fact that I think Rhoads was a better guitar player. It is personal taste.

 

[Excon]

You do know we were talking about playing guitars, not playing the piano. Because Rhoads was also taught playing the piano by his mother at her music school.

Oy vey! Like I said; So what?
In other words it is irrelevant. They both have classical training.

Me saying he was a classic guitar player has something to do with his use of classical influences on his electric guitar playing, NOT about his knowledge of Bach on the piano.

Another "oy vey" moment.
Classical training influenced both of them.

Now I like Eddie van Halen, loved his stuff but does not change the fact that I think Rhoads was a better guitar player. It is personal taste.

JFC! Of course it is personal taste.
But just so you know, based on available polls, your opinion is in the minority, as Eddie is far more favored as a better guitarist than Randy.

(I was saving this for such a reply.)

Even Randy wanted to be as great player as Eddie is.

The very first time Randy Rhoads saw Van Halen, he took his girlfriend Jan with him. Jan told us that Randy was ‘devastated’ after the show. Here he was, the king of Burbank. Everyone was always telling him how great he was. Then he saw Eddie and it opened his eyes and he got a major reality check. It was healthy for him. He was inspired. He thought Eddie was great. He wanted to be great also. I know they met at least four times.
Randy Rhoads "Devastated" After First Seeing Van Halen
​

You also failed to address being wrong about the guitar.

 

[justabubba]

Oy vey! Like I said; So what?
In other words it is irrelevant. They both have classical training.


Another "oy vey" moment.
Classical training influenced both of them.


JFC! Of course it is personal taste.
But just so you know, based on available polls, your opinion is in the minority, as Eddie is far more favored as a better guitarist than Randy.

(I was saving this for such a reply.)

Even Randy wanted to be as great player as Eddie is.

The very first time Randy Rhoads saw Van Halen, he took his girlfriend Jan with him. Jan told us that Randy was ‘devastated’ after the show. Here he was, the king of Burbank. Everyone was always telling him how great he was. Then he saw Eddie and it opened his eyes and he got a major reality check. It was healthy for him. He was inspired. He thought Eddie was great. He wanted to be great also. I know they met at least four times.
Randy Rhoads "Devastated" After First Seeing Van Halen
​

You also failed to address being wrong about the guitar.

rhodes was technically proficient, but his tone often sucked
in contrast, VH was not as musically educated, but he had exceptional tone and he played music that made people move to it

and maybe this thread does prove the adage that writing about music is like dancing about architecture

 

[Peter King]

Oy vey! Like I said; So what?
In other words it is irrelevant. They both have classical training.


Another "oy vey" moment.
Classical training influenced both of them.


JFC! Of course it is personal taste.
But just so you know, based on available polls, your opinion is in the minority, as Eddie is far more favored as a better guitarist than Randy.

(I was saving this for such a reply.)

Even Randy wanted to be as great player as Eddie is.

The very first time Randy Rhoads saw Van Halen, he took his girlfriend Jan with him. Jan told us that Randy was ‘devastated’ after the show. Here he was, the king of Burbank. Everyone was always telling him how great he was. Then he saw Eddie and it opened his eyes and he got a major reality check. It was healthy for him. He was inspired. He thought Eddie was great. He wanted to be great also. I know they met at least four times.
Randy Rhoads "Devastated" After First Seeing Van Halen
​

You also failed to address being wrong about the guitar.

And again, personal tastes means I can think Randy is much better than van Halen, for the rest, go discuss it among yourself.

 

[Excon]

rhodes was technically proficient, but his tone often sucked
in contrast, VH was not as musically educated, but he had exceptional tone and he played music that made people move to it

Opinion.

and maybe this thread does prove the adage that writing about music is like dancing about architecture

Yes.

[...] VH was not as musically educated, [...]

Not as ...? No.

Compare what was previously provided about Eddie (post #11) with this about Rhoads.

Randall William Rhoads was born on December 6, 1956 at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California. With one brother (Doug) and one sister (Kathy), Randy was the youngest of three. When Randy was 17 months old his father, William Arthur Rhoads, a public school music teacher, left and allthree children were raised by their mother, Delores Rhoads. William Rhoadswould later remarry, producing Dan and Paul, half brothers to Randy.

Randy started taking guitar lessons around the age of 6 or 7 at a music schoolin North Hollywood called Musonia, which was owned by his mother. His first guitar was a Gibson (acoustic) that belonged to Delores Rhoads' father. Randy and his sister (Kathy) both began folk guitar lessons at the same time with Randy later taking piano lessons (at his mother's request) so that he could learn to read music. Randy's piano lessons did not last very long. At the age of 12, Randy became interested in rock guitar. His mother, Delores, had an old semi-acoustic Harmony Rocket, that at that time was almost larger than he was. For almost a year Randy took lessons from Scott Shelly, a guitar teacher at his mother&'s school. Scott Shelly eventually went to Randy's mother explaining that he could not teach him anymore as Randy knew everything that he knew.

When Randy was about 14, he was in his first band, Violet Fox, named after his mothers middle name, Violet. [...]

RANDY RHOADS BIOGRAPHY/TIMELINE ​

Randy was starting to learn rock guitar at age twelve while Eddie was playing piano recitals at that age.

What can be said is that given Eddie's inability to pick up reading music but still being able to play recitals of classics (albeit modified), Eddie was a natural.

 

[Excon]

And again, personal tastes means I can think Randy is much better than van Halen, for the rest, go discuss it among yourself.

Oy vey! How in the world can you not see that I agree with the sentiment that personal tastes are personal opinions. Doh!


But you are again failing to address where you were wrong about the guitar. That had nothign to do with personal opinion but with you being factually wrong. You simply knew not of what you spoke, as you usually do.

 

[Peter King]

Oy vey! How in the world can you not see that I agree with the sentiment that personal tastes are personal opinions. Doh!


But you are again failing to address where you were wrong about the guitar. That had nothign to do with personal opinion but with you being factually wrong. You simply knew not of what you spoke, as you usually do.

And your point would be?

Also, I might be wrong from time to time, but that is still a lot less wrong than you are most of the time.

 

[Excon]

And your point would be?

Still avoiding your being wrong. Figures.

Also, I might be wrong from time to time, but that is still a lot less wrong than you are most of the time.

Now you are just lying.