Kerry King recently shared his thoughts on Eddie Van Halen’s influence, acknowledging the guitarist’s legendary status while admitting that his personal interest waned when Van Halen transitioned to a more pop-oriented sound.
Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking guitar work shaped the landscape of ’80s hard rock and metal, leaving a lasting impact even on musicians outside the mainstream spotlight. This includes thrash metal, where his influence subtly resonated. However, for Slayer’s Kerry King, Eddie’s musical direction later diverged from his tastes.
Appearing on the Lipps Service podcast, King discussed how his relationship with Van Halen’s music evolved over time. When asked if Eddie was a major influence during his formative years, King explained (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar):
“In the beginning, for sure. I think I saw them six times on the first four records. I didn’t go to the first album [tour] because I was too young.”
King fondly recalled his early experiences at Van Halen concerts, noting his efforts to study Eddie’s playing up close:
“I would always sit in the first-row lodge with binoculars, so I could go there and not just have fun listening to the songs I like, but I could actually nerd out on what he’s playing, and try to get a grasp on what he’s throwing at us. I went a bunch, and then they became more of a pop band, and I stopped going. Eddie was still a great player, but I just didn’t care anymore.”
While King admired Eddie’s technical prowess, Van Halen’s shift in musical direction ultimately led him to lose interest.
Despite their mutual connections in the music world, King revealed that he never had the chance to meet Eddie Van Halen, even though he shared a close bond with Dimebag Darrell, who was connected to Eddie:
“That’s somebody I never met. There’s not too many people like that, but Eddie’s the one. It’s just a different circle kind of thing. Dime was tight with him. I was tight with Dime, but I never met Ed.”
Eddie Van Halen’s legacy continues to resonate across genres, even among artists like King who moved in different musical circles. His influence remains undeniable, even for those who, like King, eventually found their paths diverging from Van Halen’s evolving sound.
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