Angus Young has always done things his way in AC/DC. With one of the best-selling records of all time under their belt, why would he alter a successful formula? Young has always been about high-energy rock and roll, and while other guitar heroes have emerged, he wasn’t particularly impressed with Eddie Van Halen’s style.
It’s hard to argue against Eddie’s talent; anyone who claims he’s a bad guitarist needs to reconsider their taste in music. Throughout his prime, Eddie revolutionized guitar playing, showcasing techniques like tapping that became his signature. While he occasionally relied on blues scales, his unique approach made his style almost a trademark.
However, AC/DC never aimed for that level of technicality. They built their sound on a solid backbeat and a swing rhythm, often relying on ringing open chords. Songs like “Highway to Hell,” despite being overplayed, remain a joy for newcomers to learn on guitar.
Angus Young often credits his brother, Malcolm, for much of their success, emphasizing that his playing laid the groundwork for Angus’s leads.
“Although he lets me take all the lead breaks, Malcolm’s still a better guitarist than Eddie Van Halen,” Angus stated in Guitar World.
“Van Halen certainly knows his scales, but I don’t enjoy listening to very technical guitarists who cram all the notes they know into one song. I mean, Van Halen can do what he does very well, but he’s really just doing finger exercises.”
Ironically, Eddie might agree with Angus’s perspective. Acknowledging the love for his craft, Eddie appreciated the music behind the technique and was primarily drawn to rhythm guitar before he explored tapping, focusing on the groove that drives each song.
Eddie wasn’t fond of the idea that his tapping techniques became a template for other guitarists, feeling frustrated that many overlooked the emotional depth of his playing. Nonetheless, he remained a fan of AC/DC, even highlighting some of their riffs as personal favorites. While both bands emerged around the same era, the contrasting approaches of Eddie and Angus to guitar playing create a striking distinction in rock history.
