Rock music in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s was a vibrant and ever-evolving genre. It couldn’t remain static, as bands like The Beatles experimented, Led Zeppelin dominated, and groups such as Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, and Van Halen transformed public perceptions of rock music.
Change was vital to keep the rebellious spirit of rock alive, and some bands played pivotal roles in that evolution.
Van Halen’s Impact on Rock Guitar
Van Halen significantly influenced how rock music was approached. While the guitar has always been central to rock, with memorable riffs and solos, Eddie Van Halen revolutionized this aspect.
He popularized the tapping technique, which allowed guitarists to expand their capabilities beyond traditional playing styles.
This innovation eliminated the limitations of picking speed, enabling musicians to create faster and more dynamic songs.
The result was a thrilling live performance experience, as Eddie Van Halen and frontman David Lee Roth translated the energy of their recordings to the stage.
Industry Recognition of Van Halen’s Game-Changing Sound
Paul Stanley, the frontman of Kiss, recognized the seismic shift that Van Halen brought to rock music. He noted the significant impact of their debut album, saying, “It sounded great on the radio. I mean, ‘Runnin’ With The Devil’ sounded ridiculous.
There are certain things that come along that are undeniable. It’s just a matter of watching the momentum as it goes along. When that album came out, it was, okay, here’s a gamechanger, and every band that they played with suffered the consequences of having them opening.
They were just a force to be reckoned with. You didn’t wanna follow that.”
Kiss bassist Gene Simmons echoed this sentiment, praising Roth’s electrifying stage presence.
He emphasized that Roth elevated the role of the frontman to new heights: “At that time, Dave was the king. There’s nobody. If Jagger stood next to him, it would be like, you know, a sixth grader.
He really took it all the way, the whole band, the musicianship, the songwriting.”
Kiss: Acknowledging Competition in Live Performance
It’s intriguing to see Kiss, a band renowned for their extravagant live shows, openly acknowledge a group that intimidated them. Known for their theatrical performances characterized by pyrotechnics and flamboyance, Kiss understood the power of Van Halen’s live act.
Tony Iommi, the guitarist of Black Sabbath, reflected on the experience of taking Kiss on tour, stating, “Kiss was the first one to use pyro. You’ve never seen that.
I mean, the shock of that. And they were supporting us, so they weren’t even headlining. I went out and watched them. There were all these flames coming out of the stage and everything. It was like, Oh my God, what’s going on here?”
In conclusion, Van Halen’s innovative approach to guitar playing and their energetic live performances redefined rock music and left an indelible mark on the genre. Their influence is evident in the way subsequent bands approached their music and stage presence, proving that evolution is essential in the world of rock.