Guns N Roses guitarist Slash was an Eddie Van Halen fan, like most other guitarists of the 80s and 90s. In this interview, Slash tells what Edward Van Halen meant to him and to the guitar.
I’ve always loved Slash, what an incredible guitar player. His acknowledgment of Edward is very humble, kind, and accurate. I met Edward once in 1998 and got to chat with him for about 5 minutes and then of course people started recognizing him and it was game over. He was such a sweet and humble guy. I asked him about his metal picks and why the change, too long of a story for here. He said he had 3 left and would give me one but they were going to Japan and he had to make sure he didn’t lose those. I didn’t dare ask him for one, he just wanted me to have one. He gave me a handful of his plastic picks and that was great. The main thing was I got to meet him. I actually got to hang out with Michael Anthony for a couple of hours at the beach bar of our hotel. The band was all staying there. Mike was one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet. Great memories, but it’s so sad to think about losing Edward, what a tragedy. Van Halen has been my favorite band since I bought their first album in 1978. R.I.P. Edward, you are the GOAT🙏🎸
I have seen a lot of young people pick up a guitar and a few years latter they are stage worthy. Something about the right person picking it up! Love to see it.
@@danielbreaux1842Yes, and I think having like-minded band members who will support, not necessarily in an emotional way, but in terms of ideas. For example, famously Slash was doing a warm up through the scales, missing out some, and not thinking anything of it, when the others in the band, said 'hey, that would be a cool riff'. That would became the iconic opening of 'Sweet Child of Mine'!
Slash is a all around great guy. Back in the day Joe Perry of Aerosmith got in a tight and had to sell his 59 Les Paul. Eventually he got in a place where he could buy it back. He had people looking everywhere he guitar tech showed up oneday saying I found your guitar. In a guitar magazine he pulled out the centerfold and it was Slashes guitar collection. He immediately got through channels and got in touch with Slash. He said as soon as Slash picked up and knew it was him. He said Joe man please dont ask please dont do that. Joe offered him double its value and Slash said he would think about it. Well time passes and its Joes Birthday. The party planner had Cheap Trick come and play Joe said he sat in for a few songs. He said his guitar tech walked up to him with a guitar case. He opened it. There was his 59 Les Paul. Slash had gave it to him for a Birthday present. That is just screams class act.
Yes specially when double of what the 59 goes for , I could be way off but I’m guessing close to the half million mark? Specially considering who it belongs to and played by might add a few more bucks. Amazing guy!
First time I heard Joe Perry recount that story, I was amazed. Jaw to the floor. I mean, who just GIVES someone a ‘59 Les Paul as a birthday present??? As time has gone by, I’ve become more and more a fan of this Slash character. Hell of a guy.
Same here, I wish I would've learned about rock and roll and metal before high school. As of I'm 23 right now, and yet if I had to do it all over again. Had I discovered especially how great of a player Eddie Van Halen was, I would've ditched the saxophone to take guitar in high school in 9th great. Rock on in Peace Eddie! Your music and legacy live on! 🤘😢
Slash has soul in his playing. I’m actually not really a fan of his bands - but man his playing and riffs and solos are just chock full of grit and soul
I was lucky enough to grow up in Pasadena California and saw Eddie at backyard parties. I saw them perform in 78 at the Civic and in 83 at the US Festival. Every performance was better than the one before.
I was 10 years old when VH 1 came out i was already playing drums and tinkering with guitar both my parents were musicians but anyway the first time i heard the album full through it literally scared me, the fierceness and nastiness of his tone and licks on that album still give me chills to this day.
@@kamakaziozzie3038 Seriously? Where did you find one these days? Or did you already have it from another vehicle? I think my dad still has a portable 8 track player and some tapes. Reminds me of happier times.
I can only think of two guitarists that were so happy when they played guitar that they always smiled. First would be “Dangerous”Don Rich and Eddie Van Halen. If you visit Dons gravesite his headstone states “Always smiling” two legends gone well before their time.🎶
Slash Has a Early BCRich Koa Neck Through The Body Mockingbird We Only Made 8 Hand Crafted Mockingbirds a Day Hand Made Means No Machinery Hand Crafted Means Some Machinery That Guitar 🎸 Was Built Around 1978 or 1979 at The Original BCRich Garage on Valley Blvd Behind The Sip and Shoot Bar Once Michael Anthony Came To The Garage We Built Him a Red Mockingbird Bass Guitar in 1979 Sorry i Went Off Point Yet That BCRich Slash Is Playing Is a Real BCRich
Interesting because Slash was considered to be an antidote for all the theatrical shredders Eddie inspired in the 1980s. The two of them bookend 80s guitar playing nicely.
You will never see another Eddie come down the pipeline in yours and my lifetime. The man was a world class virtuoso. He was the best of the best! RIP EVH! 😢
When VH 1 came out it was mind blowing to us . I remember we listed to it over and over all day. It was an unbelievable musical discovery to all of us . Thanks for the soundtrack to my youth. And in my old age
...Apart from his tough looks and appearances, i find Slash to be very soft spoken, humble and he'd never talked ill of other musicians or general as s whole. 🎸🎸🎸😍👍👍👍👊...
Eddie was a great musician an will 4ever be misses so sweet of slash to put in a beautiful most musicians won't do that thaks slash for your sweet words your a fan if mine as well
EVH IS THE G.O.A.T. Jimi and Jimmy are great, but they weren't EVH - not even close. Ed came along and just blew the guitar-world away - cut it right off at the knees. Every guitarist wanted to sound like him, but none ever succeeded. THAT, is a true guitar GOD.
Sweet child of mine guitar riff was slash just practicing and not intended for a song. The man has talent and is very underrated and doesn't get the recognition he deserves
In an interview Eddie was asked what it was like to be the Greatest Guitar player in the world. Eddie replied, "Ask The Edge". The trute greats never say they are great. They are humble and credit each other. That is the sign of true excellence...
I remember I met slash at the 2009 NAMM show in Anaheim he was signing autographs at the marshal Exhibit, he was so cool a very good guy.QUICKLY we talked about my guitar playing told me to keep playing no matter what.
