What did Eddie Van Halen think of David Gilmour?
At face value, Eddie Van Halen and David Gilmour occupy opposing realms as guitarists. The former is a metal master, pouring frenetic punk energy into virtuoso playing. In contrast, Gilmour is a master of feel who used the guitar as an extension of his soul, carefully choosing every note to create his profound sonic statements.
Notably, Eddie Van Halen is widely deemed one of the most technically gifted players the world has ever seen. He was the internal fire of the Pasadena Angeles rock band, with his distinctive work making them stand out from the mass of other groups the California scene produced at the time.
His searing sound, which popularised now-ubiquitous techniques such as string tapping and dive bombs, energised guitar playing for the 1980s, and although it might have opened the gates to a host of widely derided acts, there can be no doubt that the Amsterdam-born shredder was an innovator. From metalcore players to contemporary virtuosos, without his efforts, the electric guitar as we know it would be missing many of its familiar hallmarks.
As for David Gilmour, he also has one of the most unique sounds in rock. Although listeners have rarely heard him shred à la Van Halen, his all-encompassing approach pushed the guitar in a futuristic direction and ultimately set a precedent for postmodern palettes such as shoegaze. Preferring feeling over technical peacocking, Gilmour is part of an essential lineage of players that includes B.B. King and Peter Green and features subsequent masters such as Noel Gallagher and Jonny Greenwood.
Despite both men occupying different domains, they were both aware of each other’s work and full of praise. David Gilmour once famously said he wished he could play like Van Halen and asserted that he also changed rock music with his visceral style. Van Halen was a big fan of David Gilmour, too. When speaking to Doug Fox in 1998, the ‘Eruption’ star opened up about his Pink Floyd counterpart.
So, what did Eddie Van Halen think of David Gilmour?
Asked what singular question he would ask his childhood idol Eric Clapton, Van Halen responded: “Wow. I wouldn’t have any questions. I would just say, ‘Thank you’. And I have. I’ve met him a few times, and it’s, you know, it’s just amazing because now, over the years, I’ve met … Jeff Beck is a really good friend, Jimmy Page is a real sweetheart, David Gilmour is just incredible. All these guys, Clapton … you know, were just normal people making music.”
Watch David Gilmour in action below.
