I miss Eddie terribly. I have tried listening to his son Wolfgang but totally two different styles of playing. Nothing against Wolfgang but I prefer his fathers playing style. There will never be another Eddie in yours and mine lifetime. I am extremely fortunate to grown up in the 80’s. No other decade can compare.
I think Wolfie's album is really good, especially considering he played all the instruments and sang all the vocals. But yes, very different style.
I was thinking about expansion of my horizons once again and want to learn some VH tunes. In your opinion what would be the easiest song of theirs to learn? And….can I pick your brain if I get stuck?
That's a tricky question. Eddie really swings on some songs, and the vibe can be hard to capture. On others, it's a technical skill he uses that may be new to you. Which albums are your favorites? Let me know and I'll try to pick an easier one from that to get started on. And yes, I'll be glad to help any way I can.
I love all of VH. I was thinking of starting with Unchained. Is it drop D or Eb tuning? I am using my 95 SG for this mission into Eddie’s world. My SG could stand some real loving! Lol
Don't know why I've never checked out this topic before now, but I'm glad I did. I just could not start from page one so I jumped in at 35 and I'm treated not only to a great freaky story, but a link to a helluva great guitarist I'd never heard of. HOLY CRAP is she good. Not just her spot on ballsy rock 'n roll, but her cool little flourishes she adds to her tightly rhythmic lead runs. Big thanks Alantig for adding that link in your VERY weird story. Weird enough to be the opening scene in Twilight Zone. De-de, de-de, de-de, de-de.So this was weird. Last night, my wife and I went out for date night. Hit a couple spots in the mall together, then I headed for Barnes & Noble, but first, a stop at the car to drop off the stuff from the Hallmark store. Walking out, I passed a woman who was wearing a long flowing skirt, which made me think of Hannah Wicklund (who I've mentioned here numerous times - if you haven't checked her out, people, do yourselves a favor).
Dropped the stuff off at the car, walk into Barnes & Noble. Got about 10 feet or so inside, and I can hear the CSNY song "Ohio". But it's a cover by a female artist. Damn, I think that's Hannah's version of the song. Okay - weird enough that I was just thinking about her, but even weirder that it's playing on the sound system at B&N. So I reach into my pocket for my phone so I can Shazam that sh!t, and...it's not the PA, it's my phone. My phone a) that has been in my pocket, untouched through all this; and b) that I don't use to listen to music; and c) did I mention I didn't touch it until I pulled it out to Shazam that sh!t?
Honest to God, Alnus, that's the funniest little ditty I've ever heard. I can just picture some old Irish gent reciting it in a little pub somewhere.
When I heard that Eddie had passed, it knocked the wind out of my sails for two days. I mean, I was really out of sorts. Even though I was 25 when VH's first album came out in 78, I felt like part of my youth had been taken away from me when he left this earth. Even though I don't play like him at all he was probably the biggest influence on me to try and get better on guitar. You know....do something and find your own thing.
I know exactly how you felt! I heard about it at work and freaked out. My guitar heroes will always be Mr. Edward Van Halen as well Angus Young. When I got home after work I cried my eyes out. It took me many months before I could even listen to VH.
I told this here before, but two old high school friends (who I rarely hear from) both called or texted me condolences when Eddie died. That's how much my friends knew I loved Eddie.
