The Van Halen News Desk has the exclusive on what members of Def Leppard have to say about Van Halen:
“I heard “Runnin’ with the Devil” and nearly shat myself!”
— Joe Elliott
“I still remember the night in 1978 when my friend rushed over to my house and insisted I listen to this album by this new, unheard-of band. He promised it was going to blow my mind. Well, he wasn’t wrong. The power emanating from the speakers was undeniable and immense. I’d never heard anything like it, and as a guitarist I was completely floored and inspired by Eddie’s technique and ideas.”
— Vivian Campbell
“One time I overheard David seriously talking to my mum about dogs and all things domestic. Seemed weird, considering Alex was having a drink-off with one of our guys at the same time.”
— Phil Collen
“To me, Van Halen is the most influential American rock band ever.”
— Rick Savage
“I still want to impress people, but what impresses me nowadays is Eddie Van Halen. He’s basically a blues guitar player with a modern day flash and a wang bar.”
— Vivian Campbell
“Eddie Van Halen is the last in line of a very elite group of electric guitar players. In fact, there’s only one other person, Jimi Hendrix (if you’re not including Les Paul the guitarist) who can be attributed with defining the electric guitar as we know it today. When I first heard Eddie Van Halen, I was thrilled and inspired. It was everything I ever wanted to hear in a guitar player. Love the technique, the fire, and the originality. And like any true pioneer—holds true to this day.”
—Phil Collen
Credits: The second Vivian Campbell quote is from Guitar World magazine. The other quotes are from the two coffee table photo books by Neil Zlozower, Van Halen (right) and Eddie Van Halen.
