Eddie Van Halen wasn’t one to dwell on the past. The iconic guitarist, known for revolutionizing rock and metal, famously claimed during an interview with Denise Quan for the Smithsonian Museum of American History that he hadn’t purchased or listened to any music since Peter Gabriel’s So in 1987. For Van Halen, innovation meant looking forward, not backward.
However, even a trailblazer like Eddie had his inspirations. Among the numerous guitar heroes of his era, Van Halen credited a select few for shaping his approach to the instrument. Perhaps the most unexpected of these influences was Eric Clapton—a name that might seem at odds with Van Halen’s fast-paced, pyrotechnic playing style.
Gilmour’s Admiration for Eddie
Van Halen’s influence was so profound that even Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour—a master of tone and space in his own right—admired his work. Speaking to Guitar Player in 1985, Gilmour admitted, “I can’t play like Eddie Van Halen. I wish I could. I sat down to try some of those ideas, and I can’t do it… Sometimes I think I should work at the guitar more.” This acknowledgment from one of rock’s most influential guitarists underscores the creative chasm Van Halen forged in the music world.
Clapton: The Surprising Source
Despite his groundbreaking style, Van Halen’s ultimate guitar hero was Eric Clapton, specifically during his tenure with the Bluesbreakers and Cream. “Clapton was it,” Eddie revealed in a 1981 interview with Guitar Player. “I knew every note he played. That’s what I was known for around home. Me, Alex, and another bass player called ourselves Mammoth, and we were the junior Cream.”
Van Halen’s admiration for Clapton extended beyond technique. For Eddie, Clapton’s solos stood unmatched. “I haven’t heard anyone do a long interesting guitar solo outside of early Clapton,” he shared. “I do a guitar solo in the live show which is long. Some people may think it’s boring, but I have fun. Clapton was my favorite.”
A Contrast of Styles
Eddie was aware of the apparent contradiction between his fiery, high-octane playing and Clapton’s smoother blues approach. He acknowledged this in interviews, noting that many people were surprised by his admiration. “It’s funny. When I do interviews and tell people Clapton was my main influence, they go, ‘Who?’ Because they’re thinking about Clapton doing ‘Lay Down Sally,’ not the Bluesbreakers or Cream.”
For Van Halen, Clapton’s early blues work represented a high point in music history, one that shaped his own playing in ways that might not have been immediately obvious.
Other Influences: Iommi and Blackmore
Van Halen’s style was also informed by Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple. These proto-metal pioneers inspired the driving, heavy energy that defined Van Halen’s band. Yet, despite these contributions, Eddie always circled back to Clapton as his ultimate influence.
Even as Eddie revolutionized the guitar world with his tapping technique and custom-built instruments, his reverence for Clapton’s bluesy roots remained unwavering. It’s a testament to the way an artist can take inspiration from one genre and transform it into something entirely new, forever changing the musical landscape.
