When was Eddie Van Halen ...

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 11.20.18, 04:33 PM

At his absolute peak as a guitar player?

**It's Mike** · 11.20.18, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by I Coulda Hada VH

At his absolute peak as a guitar player?

As a technical player or as a songwriter?

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**bklynboy68** · 11.20.18, 04:40 PM

81-86

After that he pretty much was Eddie by the numbers .

Speaking strictly about his playing.

**CaboChris** · 11.20.18, 04:40 PM

LWAN

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 11.20.18, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by It's Mike

As a technical player or as a songwriter?

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Good question. How about both?

**BlofeldsCat** · 11.20.18, 04:50 PM

To me the question is about his guitar ability - otherwise the question 'when was Ed at his best as a song writer?'
Besides, we don't know how much input the others had in the songwriting process so it's got to be guitar skills only.

**ArtyBoy** · 11.20.18, 04:56 PM

For the distinctive "Eddie Van Halen style" it was between `77 with Eruption, `79 with Spanish Fly, `80 with the Mean Street opening, and `82 with Cathedral. So `77 to `82. Might add LWAN in `86 because that dulcimer sort of sound he gets in the solo and the elaboration on the Mean Street intro are things I hadn't heard before. Also the horse and elephant noises in the VH Unleashed MTV special. Yep, so `77-`86. Nine years, a good long time.

My actual favorite playing is on that Gazarri's Dance Contest boot. Pre-whammy bar, pre-finger taps, just awesome funky licks and overbends. "We All Had a Real Good Time" sounds like some other guy completely.

**bklynboy68** · 11.20.18, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by BlofeldsCat

To me the question is about his guitar ability - otherwise the question 'when was Ed at his best as a song writer?'
Besides, we don't know how much input the others had in the songwriting process so it's got to be guitar skills only.

Well we know he taught Mike how to play.

**RRvh1** · 11.20.18, 05:11 PM

Cue that Admiral Akbar video loop... "It's a trap!"

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 11.20.18, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by BlofeldsCat

To me the question is about his guitar ability - otherwise the question 'when was Ed at his best as a song writer?'
Besides, we don't know how much input the others had in the songwriting process so it's got to be guitar skills only.

Let's go with guitar ability/skills.

**VH1988** · 11.20.18, 06:04 PM

His most innovative playing was on Fair Warning.

However, he was flawless in ‘86 on LWAN.

1984-1986 Eddie was untouchable.

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 11.20.18, 06:11 PM

Eddie did something groundbreaking on at least 4 of the first 6 records:

Eruption on VH
Spanish Fly and the intro to Women In Love on VH II
The Mean Street intro on FW
The Little Guitars intro on DD

His guitar playing on WACF and 1984 wasn't too shabby, either.

He obviously had his moments post 1984, but did he do anything truly innovative and memorable? Thoughts?

**It's Mike** · 11.20.18, 06:17 PM

I'm not a guitar player so I feel quite foolish talking about when he was technically at his best. I've never seen with my own eyes him play better than he did on the VH3 tour - that's his peak for me between 91 and now. But LWAN was beyond stellar. Don't know if that show was doctored much in the studio though.

As a writer, I don't think you can top the 84/5150 time.

**Van Squalen** · 11.20.18, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by I Coulda Hada VH

At his absolute peak as a guitar player?

He had three eras of max skill.

'81/'82

'86

'95

**RRvh1** · 11.20.18, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by I Coulda Hada VH

Eddie did something groundbreaking on at least 4 of the first 6 records:

Eruption on VH
Spanish Fly and the intro to Women In Love on VH II
The Mean Street intro on FW
The Little Guitars intro on DD

His guitar playing on WACF and 1984 wasn't too shabby, either.

He obviously had his moments post 1984, but did he do anything truly innovative and memorable? Thoughts?

Mastery of the Trans Trem and making it sound musical... Extremely innovative.

Coulda? You constantly do these threads which are predisposed to favor the Eddie pre 1986. We get it!!!