Which of these two guitarists was better.

[coloradodem2005]

Poll question: Which of these two guitarists was better.

The two that helped define shredding.

[redqueen]

1. Randy

no contest

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

3. Eddie.

Please, that's like asking who's better Warrant or Damn Yankees. No contest.

[coloradodem2005]

4. You think that if he lived he would have eclipsed Eddie?

All else being equal. Think. Randy died in 1982 when VH put out Diver Down. Second to last Roth album. Then they put out 1984 in 1984. That was the last time Eddie sounded really good on guitar. Sammy came into the band and Eddie never sounded as good as he did with Dave. So, if Randy kept going, he probably could have eclipsed Eddie.

[redqueen]

5. Well first of all I think Eddie's WAY overrated.

Just MHO, but in addition to the what you just said, there really should be no question.

[coloradodem2005]

6. Well. I like Eddie as a guitarist.

The thing is, the first 6 VH albums with Roth, his guitar playing felt inspired and exciting. After Roth left, he changed his style. The other thing is that Sammy also plays guitar so Eddie didn't do as much on guitar and what he did do sounded less interesting than what he did when they had Dave.

Randy could have become a huge player around that time. In 1986 he could still have been in Ozzy's band or he could have gone solo but he would most likely have become a standardbearer by the late 80's if he lived.

[redqueen]

7. What did Eddie offer?

Really? Other than fast hammering?

Randy freaking originated that grindy metal sound. Eddie can't hold a candle to him.

[kwolf68]

2. Wow

Hard one. I liked Randy's playing better, but he just didn't leave us with enough stuff.

"Better"? Eddie Van Halen was/is incredible and is probably more innovative, but Randy kicks ass and has a "feel" in his playing which is why I go with Randy.

[louis-t]

10. You used the key word: innovative

I've often wondered what guys like Randy, Steve Vai, etc. would have sounded like if Eddie had never picked up a guitar. He brought the instrument forward several light years. I think Randy and others simply took Eddie's style to new heights. As a young guitarist, I remember the hair on the back of my neck standing up the first time I listened to the first VH album. Several months later, I joined a new band and did an outdoor show with VH and Seger in Bay City, MI. If anyone here saw their first tour, you know what a great show they put on back then. Strangely enough, that night I went to see Boston and Sammy Hagar in Pontiac at the Silverdome!

[coloradodem2005]

12. That is interesting. That you got to see Hagar the same day that...

...you played with Van Halen. As for your innovation comment, you have to remember that Randy Rhoades came about at the same time as Eddie Van Halen. That is why I think the question is relevant. Steve Vai and Joe Satriani came around later on, but Randy was I think doing what he was doing in Quiet Riot independent of what Eddie Van Halen was doing. I would say that they both had a huge influence on the way guitar playing went through the 1980's.

[BootinUp]

8. y'all should know who I voted for.

:)

[edbermac]

9. What about Esteban? I see him on TV all the time selling his guitars...

:silly:

[Westegg]

11. Not a fair contest. Rhoads died too soon. Having said that...

Eddie has had a larger impact on guitar playing and rock in general, though his best days are loooonnnggg behind him.

22 years since Randy died. Who knows what he might have done? We lost a great one there, but when it comes down to it, he hadn't made his mark by '82 the way Eddie had. Speed, technique? I give the edge to Randy---barely.

In the end I guess I'm againt these kinda polls (so why do I respond in the first place? I dunno. I guess I like to see my name in print). Randy and Eddie are great. Hendrix is insanely great. He died more than 30 years ago at the age of 27. My favorite guitarist of all time---the one who moves me the most---is Jimmy Page. Neither Page nor I ever squawk when Hendrix is perenially named the best guitarist EVER. Why should we? It's as close to an absolute fact as the world of rock can ever manifest. Just like there are plenty of faster, more technically proficient guitarists than Page. But no one grabs me by the scruff of my neck and shakes me like Jimmy.

I love listening to Rhoads. I am somewhat pessimistic about Eddie ever blowing me away again the way he did from '78 to '84.