Guitar Heroes: Eddie Van Halen vs Randy Rhoads

Odd pairing, sorry. Especially when it comes to body of work. Both beloved though. Just try to think which one you like more.

This is very difficult because they’re both two of my all time favorites. But when it comes down to it... Randy’s talent was limitless. If he didn’t die, who knows how much greater he would have become. He already was a master at age 25. But don’t get me wrong... Eddie is a pioneer and one of the greatest and most Influential players of all time!

Randy.

I love Eddie's playing. But I like Randy better overall.

Sorry Randy, but you must understand.



Hearing Eddie live flattens people.

Eddie. He was/is just so unique. Often imitated, never equaled.

Who knows what Randy may have done, tough basing it solely on those 2 Ozzy albums.

EVH, as he was the reason I love the sound of electric guitar.

Rhoads all the way!

Eddie.....

EVH

I'm going to go with Randy, even though Eddie has a larger resume. He's Rob Cavestany's guitar hero, so that's good enough for me. This was the most difficult of all the guitarist polls for myself

Eddie Van Halen. I never quite got the love for Rhoads. Certainly a great player but not to the extent that he's revered.

Not sure how this is even a contest.  Much less why RR is winning.  I got one thing to say to those voters on Randy's side.....  We will watch the children pray for you....




Yet, I withhold. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But a dozen absolute guitar genius albums over 2? Wanna get real on this?

I went EVH. When Van Halen s/t first came out (I think I was 5 th or 6th grade, so still young and only been listening a couple years) when I first heard it I didn’t know what to think. I loved it but it was a new sound altogether. When blizzard came out I loved it, but it hadn’t started a new sound. So for that I go Eddie.

Could EVH compose a solo remotely as epic as Mr Crowley? I doubt it...

But Randy could’ve (and probably did) play pretty much anything Eddie did. Randy was a master. He understood theory and had a progressive interest in the guitar. If Eddie died after the first two VH albums, I think people would see how great Randy was in comparison. But Eddie has a much bigger body of work. When it comes down to it, Eddie’s main claim to fame is his technique and popularizing of “tapping”. Randy was one of the first to fuse classical elements into a heavy metal context.

That said... I still love and admire Eddie’s music. He’ll always be one of the best!

TZ...never mind.......ugh.

What’s the matter Sax? It’s just my opinion.

I voted Randy because he wrote some of the best solos ever.

I never liked Van Halen to be honest. Tried to, but it just didn't work.

Van Halen

Thought this was an interesting listen.
I thi these were the last photos of him too, in concert.

Van Halen had better tone and innovation, but I believe Randy was superior. His solos were so well done and masterful. He was literally the blueprint for guys like Yngwie Malmsteen.

I love Eddie’s playing! I just think after the first few albums, he showed everything he had. After that, he was basically on cruise control.

My perspective...

EVH= What he played on first VH album is pretty much what he played on last VH album.

Then compare what RR played on the 70's QR albums to what was played on the Ozzy stuff... There was substantial growth in a few short years.

Not diminishing EVH's impact or innovation by any means, RR didn't appear to be be content with the past or the present in his playing... He was always looking forward.

Randy. I never really got into VH.

James B. wrote:

My perspective...

EVH= What he played on first VH album is pretty much what he played on last VH album.

Then compare what RR played on the 70's QR albums to what was played on the Ozzy stuff... There was substantial growth in a few short years.

Not diminishing EVH's impact or innovation by any means, RR didn't appear to be be content with the past or the present in his playing... He was always looking forward.

Well said. I agree!