02 ERUPTION VAN HALEN
GUITARIST: EDDIE VAN HALEN (1978)
Eddie’s iconic solo that shook the world
Way back in 1978, Van Halen’s self-titled debut album featured this mind-blowing instrumental guitar solo, which went on to inspire a generation of guitar heroes. No-one had heard anything as groundbreaking since the days of Jimi Hendrix, with its mix of fast legato hammer‐ons and pull-offs, pinched harmonics, whammy bar dives and, of course, two-hand tapping. The tapping gets the attention, but the tone, blistering legato, and creative note choices are all equally important. Amid all that virtuosity, Eddie still played with joyous rock ’n’ roll abandon. It makes his playing appeal to people who never listen to shred instrumentals.