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In my opinion, Randy Rhoads is better than Edward Van Halen.
1. Mastery of the Other's Material: Randy was a guitar teacher. Prior to joining Ozzy, he was constantly asked by his students to teach them VH licks and riffs, and in those days, you would have to learn by ear-especially if you're a guitar teacher. Randy had good recall, or the ability to replay something after hearing it only once or twice, whereas Eddie, by his own admission, had to actually slow down Eric Clapton's simple solos to learn them. (I couldn't see Eddie learning Randy's solos in Mr. Crowley.)
2. Emotionally Captivating: It is said that when Beethoven performed his compositions for an audience, he would play with enough conviction and passion to bring his listeners to tears. When I hear Randy's duet with the piano on the Tribute version of Revelation Mother Earth, or his solo on Diary of A Madman, I get chills down my spine. Eddie has yet to grow beyond his juvenile "wow" factor.
3. Musical Substance: Now, although Eddie has a certain energy to his playing, once you peer past the smoke and the mirrors, a more intellectually stimulating side to Eddie's composing is non-existent. Take away the tapping, the harmonics, distortion, and the whammy from Ed, and you're left with Clapton and Chuck Berry rip-offs. Take away those same things from Randy, and you still have really amazing musical ideas.
1. Mastery of the Other's Material: Randy was a guitar teacher. Prior to joining Ozzy, he was constantly asked by his students to teach them VH licks and riffs, and in those days, you would have to learn by ear-especially if you're a guitar teacher. Randy had good recall, or the ability to replay something after hearing it only once or twice, whereas Eddie, by his own admission, had to actually slow down Eric Clapton's simple solos to learn them. (I couldn't see Eddie learning Randy's solos in Mr. Crowley.)
2. Emotionally Captivating: It is said that when Beethoven performed his compositions for an audience, he would play with enough conviction and passion to bring his listeners to tears. When I hear Randy's duet with the piano on the Tribute version of Revelation Mother Earth, or his solo on Diary of A Madman, I get chills down my spine. Eddie has yet to grow beyond his juvenile "wow" factor.
3. Musical Substance: Now, although Eddie has a certain energy to his playing, once you peer past the smoke and the mirrors, a more intellectually stimulating side to Eddie's composing is non-existent. Take away the tapping, the harmonics, distortion, and the whammy from Ed, and you're left with Clapton and Chuck Berry rip-offs. Take away those same things from Randy, and you still have really amazing musical ideas.
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