When it comes to iconic hard rock and heavy metal guitarists, few have matched Eddie Van Halen in terms of virtuosity and innovation. Often regarded as the greatest guitarist in his field, Van Halen’s unique style and groundbreaking techniques have influenced countless musicians. His flashy fretboard tapping and other unconventional methods were often imitated, but few could replicate his distinctive moves with the same flair and mastery. While his style might have seemed showy, his undeniable talent left little room for criticism.
Though many guitarists were inspired by Van Halen’s approach, which blended technical precision with bold expression, not all musicians embraced his style. Some viewed him as an arrogant showoff, while others saw him as a bitter rival. Among the latter was Randy Rhoads, the legendary metal guitarist known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne’s band in the early ’80s and as a co-founder of Quiet Riot. Rhoads employed many of the same techniques Van Halen was known for, such as fretboard tapping and intricate solos, but he felt that some people wrongly accused him of merely copying Van Halen.
One of these critics was Van Halen himself. In an audio recording uncovered for the documentary Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon, Van Halen can be heard saying, “everything he did he learned from me,” and “he was good, but I don’t think he really did anything that I haven’t done.” This remark may sound harsh, but Van Halen clarified that he, too, had borrowed from other guitarists. He specifically mentioned Steve Hackett of Genesis, saying, “There ain’t nothing wrong with it, man. I’ve copied other people.”
Ozzy Osbourne weighed in on the supposed feud between these two guitar giants during an interview, remarking, “I heard recently that Eddie said he taught Randy all his licks… he never. To be honest, Randy didn’t have a nice thing to say about Eddie. Maybe they had a falling out or whatever, but they were rivals.”
However, the true nature of the rivalry between Van Halen and Rhoads is a subject of debate. In an era where so many exceptional guitarists were vying for the title of “best,” competition was inevitable. It’s likely that this wasn’t a case of bitterness, but rather a shared drive to remain at the top. Documentary filmmaker Andre Relis, promoting his film, explained, “Eddie would come check out Randy quite a bit, and watch him play, and there seemed to be some sort of competition between Randy and Eddie,” adding, “I think that Eddie, in my opinion, thought of Randy as a threat.”
Interestingly, Osbourne’s claim that Rhoads harbored intense animosity toward Van Halen was exaggerated. In a 1982 interview, Rhoads openly acknowledged that he used some of Van Halen’s techniques in his own development. “I have my own personality on the guitar but as of yet I don’t think I have my own style,” Rhoads confessed. “For instance, I do a solo guitar thing in concert, and I do a lot of the same licks as Eddie Van Halen. Eddie is a great player, but it kills me that I do that.” This seems to contradict the notion that Rhoads had nothing positive to say about Van Halen.
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