Eddie Van Halen voted “Best Rock Guitarist of 2008″ by Guitar World readers

May 21, 2009 150 Comments

Robert_Yager The readers of the best selling guitar magazine in the world, Guitar World, recently voted Eddie Van Halen the “Best Rock Guitarist of 2008″ in the 15th Annual Guitar World Readers Poll. Eddie won by a landslide, receiving nearly seven times as many votes as the runner up, Angus Young.

We mention this poll because it’s not just another meaningless list written by some random music critic. Rather, this is a case where the people have spoken, voting Eddie Van Halen as their favorite guitarist for the umpteenth time. He remains hugely popular after 30 years. Quite impressive!

The poll was conducted at the end of 2008 and the results were printed in the April 2009 issue of Guitar World.

Congratulations, Eddie Van Halen! Best Rock Guitarist, indeed.

Filed Under: Eddie Van Halen

Jim

Since Cherone………….
Eddie had a battle with cancer, had a divorce, had two long US tours, put out 6 new/decent songs (3 VH, 3 others), was in rehab, was highly involved in developing his own line of guitars/amps, helped raise his son, and had to reform his band after Hagar and Anthony bad mouthed Ed and left VH after the 04 tour.

To say that he hasn’t done anything recently is a bunch of crap. Unless there is somebody that we don’t know of now that comes up and re-writes the book, Eddie will always be the top show at guitar as long as he is alive and playing.
He is so far superior to anyone out there that is alive. It doesn’t matter what he plays or puts out.
Rick

For my info, excuse me, I dont really follow the musical “careers” of all these shredders, what has Satch put out in the last 30 years? Anything memorable like Ain’t talkin bout love, I’m the One, Jamies’s Cryin, Ice Cream Man, On Fire, Dance the Night Away, Somebody get me a Doctor, Beautiful Girls, Everybody Wants some, Romeo Delight, Mean Street, Hear About it Later, Unchained, So this is Love, Push Comes to Shove, Where have all the good times gone, Hang em High, Little Guitars, Jump, Panama, Top Jimmy, Hot for Teacher? Wait, wasnt there a self-titled tune called Satch Boogie and some thing someone is yelling Ariba Ariba over? Now give us all a break, please.
Aftershock

Karl put on his “newsbois” hat and shouted from his corner stand on Fleet Street: “Here’s the news dude:” …

I’m surprised you didn’t throw in an obligatory “Stop the
presses!” or “Read all about it!” to accompany your declaration, seeing as you’ve chosen to introduce yourself as an esteemed member of the media.

All life on the VHND comes to a screeching halt: Karl is about to grace the assembled masses with his all-knowing VH wisdom.

“The next Van Halen record is not going to be on a par with Van Halen.”

Wait … you created all that hyperbole for a meritless statement of what the next Van Halen record will or won’t be?

For the sake of real Van Halen fans everywhere, Karl, I hope you are equally as inept at foretelling the band’s future as you are at retelling its past. (Or do you still believe “Me Wise Magic” and “Can’t Get This Stuff No More” were part of the three new songs on “Best of Both Worlds”?

Personally, I prefer not to judge something until I hear it. But if you’re not bound by the same standards, more power to you.

Oh, in the miniscule off chance that you’re not actually a member of the media, a simple comma between “news” and “dude” in your statement would have made that distinction perfectly clear.

Thanks for playing.
Vanicionado

Rick.. your posts are tired, boring, weak and non-productive.

Go out back, roll up a fatty and chill out for a while!

Sheesh.
RickieVanWhalen

Satovan you are an asswipe. He is playing a major triad and the stretch is a perfect 5th, just like your IQ. Mean street is in the key of A minor moron, the solo is in A minor phrigian mode. Look it up in a music theory textbook if you know how to read jackass. You are the poser I am talking about. Bye the way… a classical guitar is one with nylon strings!
pushtoshove

Whatever Jim…I’ve had my problems in life and i get up and go to work and i am happy-not just content- Happy….and I don’t get to tour and be a rock star and get special treatment…Enough already with the ” Ed has been thru a lot” crap….wah wah fucking wah…quit your whining…lifes tough – make the most out of it or get out of the way for those who want it. Besides, Ed is a grown man – if he wanted to chill for a couple of years he should’ve said so-not and I qoute ” we are a band ( van halen wolf-roth )and we will continue and that includes new music” If he cant communicate clearly as a man its not my problem .
RickieVanWhalen

the point is… the tunes I refered to sound cool (IMO)and they are technically superior to satch. Ice cream man is one hell of a reach with that damn pinky! I see some guys on youtube pull it off on the high strings but that can’t quite do it on the low ones! The point on that is that EVH was blessed with very large hands.
pushtoshove

Do yourself the favor and try not to mistake what i am saying for just being an Ed hater. I love his music-It is as much a part of my life as my own memories-and if and when he tours again no matter who it is with i will pay to see it.But i am tired of him somehow suffering more than the rest of us with his everyday problems because he is an ‘artist’ . Every time i feel lazy or discouraged i still go on whether or not i feel life is unfair or harsh.No fear.
Jim W.

Hard to believe. . . I really think the guitar work done on the new metallica and then the GnR album. Buckethead and bumblefoot pulled off some amazing licks that are way more current and modern which imo is enough to put them ahead. Especially for 2008. The VH tour was good but it wasn’t that good (at least not the show I saw). If we are going to judge by past work then why doesn’t clapton or hendrix win every year. . . Seems like a hollow award.
satovan

rickyvanwhalen read your post its says eddie is playing a triad or perfect 5th: which is it a triad or a perfect 5th? from the 12th fret? So there is an A minor PHRYGIAN mode which in the key of A still works over this complex blues jam which music theorist will say are NOT impossible! and thanks for the update on what strings a classical guitar has thats the only thing you got right! BIZOOCH! And check out the stretch satriani does on Mystical potato head groove thing, since you obviously know how to play it! (very well as per your post!)
Karl

Phew! thanks aftersock. i feel so much better now that i know the next VH record is going to be another fair warning or women and children first. really? you think so? hand up all thoise who think the next van Halen record is going to be on a par with classic Van halen? yeah right…

p.s. is their enough for you to play with there instead of dealing with the point?
JP

Saw VH in Philly, both nights, might have been the best show I’ve ever seen. That first night in Philly was so loud, been to Springsteen and U2 etc…. It was beyond electric. Than saw them in Atlantic City a year later and the boys were tired, esp Dave. Romeo Delight, Unchained, Atomic Punk and a killer speed metal Hot for Teacher might just be the best music form 2007-08 and those songs are over 25 years old. There is no doubt Ed is the best of 08. My only hope is that Dave rests, retrains his voice and they come back stronger than ever in 09-10!! Congratulations Ed, and thank you for your unbelievable performances.
Kross

Hummm. I dont think so. He didn’t release ANY NEW MUSIC. Yngwie,Schenker, and others are much more eligible for this .
SCAR

Will EVH ever release new music?
Will the VH drama ever stop?
Will Karl respond to aftershock after that spanking?
Will Rick roll a fatty and chill out?
Tune in later for these and other important answers on the exciting dramatic conclusion of VHND fans comments, Memorial Day weekend special, right here, right now, live in front of your naked steaming eyes!!!
http://www.501st.com Skutch

Amen, SCAR! Chili dogs are ON THE GRILL!!! Come on over, boys!!
Aftershock

Karl, pretty soon I’m going to start requiring you to dress up as Little Bo Peep before I respond to you. There’s your fair warning.

It’s ironic that you accuse me of dodging a point, when you are the one who apparently can’t properly read what I’ve written. During our short — albeit somewhat entertaining — history here on the VHND, you have dodged so many points that the site administrator is thinking of changing your screen name to Nancy Pelosi. I’m sorry it took me several long posts to finally drag it out of you why the three new songs on “BOBW” would only reflect on the 2004 tour. And many more instances, which but for the sheer boredom of our fellow posters, I will not suffer to rehash at this time.

As for our current one-sided tete a tit, let me recap where it all began:

I wrote: “I do wish Sammy and Mike well with Chickenfoot and expect that I will like the album when it is released. I doubt, though, that it will be on par with Led Zeppelin or Van Halen.”

After presenting yourself as a member of the media — or botching your sentence, you still haven’t said which (you dastardly point-dodger!), you wrote: “The next Van Halen record is not going to be on a par with Van Halen.”

To clarify the obvious: I never said it was.

You further misrepresented my statement by writing: “i feel so much better now that i know the next VH record is going to be another fair warning or women and children first. really?”

Karl, where did I say anything like that?

Again for the hard of reading, what I did say was this: “Personally, I prefer not to judge something until I hear it.”

I said that “I doubt” the new Chickenfoot album will be on par with Led Zeppelin or Van Halen. That is an opinion, not a statement. You’d be well-served to learn the difference between the two. Unlike you, I don’t consider myself capable of judging something until I hear it. Sammy is the one who compared it to Led Zeppelin (directly) and Van Halen (indirectly). I merely said I don’t think it will be on par with either of those bands.

Savvy?

And while we’re taking a show of hands — who thinks Karl should find somebody else to read him my posts, a bit slower perhaps, before he attempts to respond to them?

But, then, what fun would that be?
phil

scar and skutch, BBQ my place scar, you bring the tequila. skutch, you bring the chili dogs. i’ll supply the ladies and VH tunes!!!!…..i’m calling it the NO DRAMA BBQ.
Deja Vu

Better late than never. Congrats EVH, Should be this way every year in every guitar poll. Hands down the best guitarist of all time. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric

Top number lists are bullshit designed by magazines and award shows to attract dollars and maintain a status quo. EVH is a great guitarist – no dispute about that. but to be the top guitarist of 2008 is ridiculous… I’m a fan of VH, but they don’t have new material. There are so many relevant acts and bands out there putting out new stuff all the time. I hate to say it, but VH is not relevant in 2008, big tour or not.
http://www.501st.com Skutch

This list isn’t BS because it was voted on by the fans, so it’s legit whether everyone agrees or not. I TOTALLY agree that lists made up by Rolling Stone or Spin (or even VH1) are totally ludicrous.

Phil, I’m on the way! Get the margaritas churnin’!
Rocko

Eddie Rules Plain an simple, He’s actually a better band leader than Dave will ever be. I choose Mikey over Dave. Mike has heart Dave has none. Eddie got my vote dispite the issues and demons.
Jake

How many of these polls has “Smokin’ Joe” won recently? That’s right, not many eh? Look, Eddie is one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time and that is why he is voted in on these things new material or not.

All you homo’s getting down on him for no new material say what you want because when the new disc does come out, look out.
Erick

Karl,
Fondue at Vanicionado’s place. You bring the Martini’s !
pete

i agree with rocko that eddie is the leader of this band,when he is on the bands on and when he is messed up then the band cant function.
Vanicionado

ROFL Scar!

Sometimes, it’s runnin’ like a soap opera ’round these parts!
crisscross

A lot of you wingers, cry babies and dickheads complaining about how Ed hasn’t released any new music lately, better have a reality check. (I would personal like to slam a guitar over each of your heads, but that’s destroying a craftsman’s good work!!) Eddie is a musician, it’s his life and he’ll be doing this till the lord tells him, “Edward? Time to teach me how to play that damn guitar!!”

He’s done plenty, but others (Mike & Sam) chose to focus the attention on Eddie’s (supposed!) problems. Let’s get one thing straight here, apart from his cancer, divorce, mother passing away, drinking problems, Mike & Sam disgracing the VH brand (‘the other half’ WTF?), and Warner Brothers dropping VH off their label…have I missed anything else? How would any of you naysayers cope, work & recover from that? Our Eddie has taken some rough beatings in life in the past, but the man has passed with flying colours!!

It’s easy to criticise. But that’s so typical of a bunch of losers slumped over a computer screen trying to tell those that DO SOMETHING how it’s all done! I get the feeling that all you morons actually think Eddie, Alex or Dave sit down and read this shit? I heard Mike does, said it himself in those VHND interviews. Shame really…I thought he would have more sense than get all wired up about what some (supposed!) fans have on their minds. But Mike never writes any music (he can’t!); he was on a couch ride the whole time in Van Halen (best job in Rock N Roll history!!), he’s got a lot of time on his hands (naturally!). I think Mike believed in his own myth or those vultures around him brainwashed him into thinking Van Halen is the dark side, the evil forces!! So he chose to get out of Van Halen. Result? Got stuck with Sam, great career move Mike…NOT!!!!

Van Halen has way too much class than to sit at a computer screen reading what idiots think!! They best use their time jamming, making music and touring then blogging!! They’re ‘OLD SCHOOL ROCKERS!!’ As Big Al jokingly said recently in a Modern Drummer magazine interview; “What’s an ipod?!!” Classic Big AL!!!
Karl

Well done Aftershock, I’m sure everyone’s very impressed and no-one thinks you’re self indulgent and could have addressed the point in a few lines instead of dozens.

OK, here’s the hand held version as you’re having a little trouble (deliberately, of course, so that you can demonstrate how oh so clever you are).

Disclaimer: I have no prior knowledge of Van Halen’s next album.

In my humble opinion, based on Van Halen having produced next to nothing in the last eleven years and what they have produced being best be described as weak, and given that their output prior to the hiatus (or should that be terminal coma?) was less than stellar and that the dozen or so Hagar years leading up to that are generally considered not the classic years (and Ed was writing the music remember), and given that almost every artist burns brightly only for a short period, it is my belief that the next Van Halen record, should one ever emerge, will probably be no match for classics like Women and Children First or Fair Warning. At best we’ll get something akin to one of the more forgettable Hagar albums. I must stress that I haven’t heard anything that may, or may not, have been recorded by the latest Van Halen line up so the above is pure speculation.

OK, is that plain enough for you? But you did get it the first time, didn’t you? You’re just desperate not to confront the issue.

A simple question for you (if, for just a moment, you can resist the urge to demonstrate your linguistic superiority while proving you reluctance to address a point).

If you had to bet the farm would you go for the next album being a) Right up with the best classic Van Halen. or b) Kind of O.K.

Try and focus on the point and not me when you answer.

p.s. “or botching your sentence, you still haven’t said which” I left a comma out of a sentence. Big fucking deal…
Karl

Erick

Fondue sticks to my teeth so I’ll just take the Martini.
Mark

The comparisons some people are making in regards to Joe Satriani are silly. No one was making them before Joe started playing with Sam.

And anyone who takes what Guitar World has to say about Ed as not being biased isn’t playing with a full deck. Guitar World has become Ed’s personal advertising agency within the last couple of years.
Karl

“And anyone who takes what Guitar World has to say about Ed as not being biased isn’t playing with a full deck. Guitar World has become Ed’s personal advertising agency within the last couple of years.”

Very true.
Brad

“Eddie may very well be the best guitarist of all time but, he also wins the award for crappiest human being. What he did to Michael Anthony was not only cruel but, par for the course with him… Especially after Michael stayed loyal for so many years an kept his mouth shut about the bullcrap going on with VH. I love Van Halen but this part of it sickens me. Wolf did a great job but, should be in his own band. Dad coulda helped him succeed!”

“Crappiest human being” for the whole Michael Anthony thing? You know, it’s a big world out there and believe it or not, there are people who have done worse…..

Apparently they had been thinking of replacing anthony for a while according to Billy Shehan….since the 80′s. I won’t what was up there. Problems are seldom only one sided.
Aftershock

Karl, it’s a pleasure to address, apparently, the world’s lone Englishman with a full set of teeth.

Where you get the idea that I’m desperate to confront an issue is beyond me. I have swatted every weak attempt you’ve tossed my way like Albert Pujols turning on a batting practice changeup.

Instead of keyboard-vomiting up your whole convoluted explanation of what the next Van Halen record will or won’t be, in the beginning you could have simply said: “I believe the next Van Halen record will not be on a par with previous Van Halen records.” That would have stated your opinion succinctly. Instead you run off on some wild tangent insinuating that I believe it will be the next “Fair Warning” or “Women and Children First.” You’re drawing your sword on windmills, Don Karl-Quixote.

Anytime you want to ask a simple question, instead of deigning to speak for me, I’ll be more than happy to oblige.

You asked: “If you had to bet the farm would you go for the next album being a) Right up with the best classic Van Halen. or b) Kind of O.K.”

My expectations would be right between the two. Expecting it to be equal to the best the band has offered over the past 30 years would not be realistic — especially to a betting man. I am highly optimistic, however, that it will be much better than “kind of OK.”

As an addendum, I would say that I expect I will like it more than Chickenfoot. That’s pretty much what I said in the beginning … but you knew that didn’t you? You’re just desperate to create an issue where none previously existed.

As for the comma, dude, I can only read things the way you write them. If a simple comma changes the whole meaning of a sentence, it is a big deal. If one accepts sloppiness in one area, next thing you know, it’ll be OK to start attributing songs to the wrong album and tour.

And we wouldn’t want that, would we?
Karl

Just wondering, are you scared people won’t realise you’re a genius unless you keep telling them at every opportunity?
Erick

Karl and Aftershock, you guys are getting even more boring now then Chickenfoot.
Bo-Sox

The last new material I heard from Eddie was that porn soundtrack and it was not impressive at all.
http://deleted Aftershock

There you go again, Karl, attributing things to me that I’ve never stated or implied.

But since you asked a question, I will answer it to the best of my ability.

I don’t consider myself a genius, although, relative to the inane drivel that you post, I suppose it might appear that way by comparison.

As long as our fellow posters on here can distinguish between a smart-ass and a dumb one, I’m fine with that.
Dave Bridge

Your right Skutch, EVH doesn’t owe his fans anything,he can sit back and revel in all his riches. Just one question why does he keep saying he’s got a vault full of music, is he teasing the fans?There is one thing,he can’t be honest with the people who gave him his lifestyle, the fans. He should either be straight and if he doesn’t want to do music , fine, retire or just shut up. I’m sick of hearing his childish excuses.Van Halen was great because of the sum of it’s pieces, not because of one guy!
Karl

Erick

Well I tried to keep is short and to the point (check my first post in this exchange) but Aftershock, as usual, insisted in turning it into practice for his amateur writing class. I agree, it sure does get boring when looking clever is more important than answering the point, especially when it’s plain you understood the point from the off.
Karl

‘is’ = ‘it’ and ‘in’ = ‘on’. Just in case we end up in another endless English lesson from hell.
http://www.freewebs.com/maelstromcustoms/index.htm MAELSTROM

Wow, man! people here get along about as well as any configuration of Van Halen ever did…
Aftershock

Poor Karl. It is such a challenge to write something that makes sense. He is so put-upon.

Even when his questions get answered, he still feels the need to go off on unrelated tangents.

So sad.
Karl

You devote line after line after line to a comma missed in haste (despite the fact that you knew exactly what I meant), playing VHND English teacher, and I’m the one going off on a tangent? Yeah, right.
Aftershock

Ooops, Karl asked a question … he might get his knickers in a twist if he doesn’t get an answer.

” … and I’m the one going off on a tangent?”

Yes.
Karl

You really are a grade A tosser.
Aftershock

Karl brayed: “You really are a grade A tosser.”

Yo, Newsbois, you may consider this — what did you call it … oh yeah — my amateur writing class, but I feel it’s only fair to inform you that you are grossly overestimating the grade I will be throwing your way.

Shame on you, Karl. Allowing yourself to be so easily goaded into proving me correct by — yet again — going off on another tangent.

I wish I could say I expected better of you. But experience has taught me otherwise.
Omar Van Halen

Bueno, genial saber que aún el gran EDDIE es querido y recordado por la gente. Eso demuestra que no necesito suicidarse para llegar a ser una leyenda. El es una leyenda viva.
Supongo que para el próximo año hay nueva música con la nueva versión de Van Halen que realmente me emociona. La verdad que me gustaría que fuera un CD con música que no grabaron en los “early years”. Se imaginan esas canciones con un sonido actual y moderno: “Bullethead”, “Babe Don’t Leave Me Alone”, “Angel Eyes”, “Get the Show on the Road”, etc.
Karl

I’m going to end with this one as I’m sure your tedious, disingenuous and fatuous nit picking over missing commas and your pretense at not following my drift in lieu of an argument have bored everyone into a coma. You sure do like the sound of your own voice. And as for opinion v. statement, I can’t be the only one who thinks it’s odd that while you present yourself as the master linguist, for some reason you’re not able to follow simple English with a little reading between the lines.

And then, after a number bloated, self-indulgent posts you say: “Instead of keyboard-vomiting up your whole convoluted explanation of what the next Van Halen record will or won’t be, in the beginning you could have simply said: “I believe the next Van Halen record will not be on a par with previous Van Halen records.” That would have stated your opinion succinctly.”

Well, if you hadn’t decided to give everyone a master-class in pomposity this exchange could have been very succinct. Something like:

Karl: Here’s the news dude: The next Van Halen record is not going to be on a par with Van Halen.
(I left the comma out as before because I know how much it thrills you…)

Aftershock: Granted, not up with the best of classic Van Halen perhaps, but I still think they’ve got it in them to deliver something special.

See how easy this could have been…
Adam

Karl & Aftershock,

I think I speak for everyone when I say, “Enough!” Can you imagine anyone wanted to read your little fight back and forth? You guys should be embarrassed.

You guys are both cool, because you like VH & CF. And, Aftershock, I enjoyed many of your earlier posts, but of course not this silly fighting. Please let it go, guys. Thank you.
Karl

I just did.
Chris

WTF, how can someone win best guitarist of 08′ when they haven’t put out a new album since 98′? Guitar World continues to be a joke!