Eddie Van Halen HAS BEEN HAILED as the “Hendrix of his generation.” As the co-founder of the legendary Van Halen, the guitarist popularized the “tapping” technique. Wolfgang Van Halen knows his dad undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the history of rock music. However, the bassist isn’t sure that was for the better.
The game was never the same after Eddie Van Halen roared onto the scene with “Eruption.” Off the band’s self-titled 1978 debut album, the song introduced tapping to the guitar world. From that point on, it was all about “shredding.” And the shift prioritized show over substance, according to Wolfgang Van Halen.
“In a way, Dad kind of ruined the musical landscape,” Wolfgang said during an interview on the “WTF with Marc Maron Podcast.” “Because instead of everybody wanting to find out who they are, they wanted to be that.”
Those who strive to emulate Eddie’s technique are missing the point, his son says. “People focus on the guitar playing, but, overall, it was the fact that Dad is a great songwriter,” Wolfgang said. “And that’s what I shoot for, too. It’s not about flashy stuff.”
Wolfgang is not alone in his beliefs. Toto guitarist Steve Lukather expressed his opposition to “shred culture” during a December 2023 interview with Guitar World.
“Back when I started, there was no such thing as ‘shredding,’” said the GRAMMY winner. “In the ’70s, we were just trying to make good records.”
He continued, “But then Eddie Van Halen came along and changed the whole game. I remember him telling me once, ‘Man, I didn’t mean to start all this madness,’ but he really did change the entire game. That always cracked me up, as Eddie was the father of shred. But I never tried to do that, and I still don’t. I’m still the same melodic guy I’ve always been.”