Does this make eddie van halen the best guitarist ever?

Mike MCCready – eruption tribute

Fans of Pearl Jam know Mike McCready is a big Van Halen fan, Stone Gossard too.  Mike has never been shy about the influence Eddie had on him picking up on the guitar, even working Eruption and Ain’t Talkin bout Love into Pearl Jam shows.

But, If you haven’t seen this clip before, it’s Mike McCready playing a reunion show of sorts in 2013 with one of his first bands, SHADOW at Easy Street in West Seattle.  The set starts with McCready paying Eruption.

Easy Street is part record store/ part cafe that hosts live music.  The place might be able to hold a 100 people and the part usually spills into the streets.

dimebag darrell – eruption tribute

Checkout this early Pantera club day clip circa 1984, even Phil had a full head of hair.  Dimebag Darrell completely shreds Eruption as part of their live show.

Eddie Van Halen was a huge influence on “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott.  “Lead guitar has been blow up in the past but there was a reason for it.  You had badass dudes like Eddie Van Halen.  He Plays ‘Eruption’ and you go, ‘Shit! I never heard a guitar sound like that in my life.’  He was to our generation what Hendrix was to his.” – VNHD.com

Read the story on Eddie Van Halen bringing the guitar to Dimebag’s funeral.

zakk wylde – eruption tribute

No doubt Zakk Wylde has left his mark on Heavy Metal guitar with Ozzy, then standing boldly on his own with Black Label Society and now playing with Pantera in 2023. It was a fun to watch That Metal Show, Zakk holds Eddie in the highest regard not only as the greatest guitar player but he calls out the influence that Ed has had on EVERYTHING guitar. Check Zakk Wylde shredding Eruption as part of his solo on the Ozzy Live at Budokan release.

C.C. Deville – eruption tribute

Poison very well may have the stole the show during the 2022 Stadium Tour that featured Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Joan Jett.

C.C. and Poison hold no shame in being influenced by Van Halen.

“You’d have to be a fool to deny his influence on every rock player in this decade,” DeVille continued. “Eddie saved rock ‘n’ roll. In 1979, music was starting to head towards synthesizers and skinny ties, and Van Halen came out and made it very chic to play guitar. He’s still the greatest.

C.C. often played Eruption as part of his solo during the 2022 Stadium Tour.  check out this clip from the Miami show where Eruption starts at the 2 minute mark.

Rob Flynn – eruption tribute

Machine Head is no joke.  Rob Flynn has been laying some serious metal riffs even before the Machine Head debut Burn My Eyes in 1993.

His admiration for EVH goes down to the tone and.  “Dude was a ROCK STAR. Larger than life personality, so much style, so much class. They broke the mold with Eddie Van Halen. Rest in peace legend.”

This isn’t the only clip you will find of Rob playing eruption, Eddie fan all the way.

mike mushok – eruption tribute

Mike Mushok, the guitarist for Staind has laid some pretty heavy riffs of his own as Staind exploded in 1999 and in the early 2000’s Staind practically owned every rock radio station.

Though his guitar solo work in Staind was somewhat sparse, you can find several videos of Mike paying tribute to Ed’s influence and playing Eruption throughout the years. Checkout this one from the Ride for Dime All Star Jam in Dallas Texas, 2009.

dwezil zappa – eruption tribute

If you haven’t yet heard the entire story of how a Van Halen obsessed 12 year old Dwezil Zappa got an actual guitar and lesson from Eddie, check out the link and hear Dwezil tell it himself.

You can find plenty of clips of Dwezil playing Eruption online, we like this one from the 2012 Gather of the Vibes Festival in particular.

Dwezil also host a podcast Runnin’ with The Dwezil.  A podcast featuring guitar greats reflecting on Eddie’s legacy.