Exclusively Van Halen: JOHN 5 on What Made #EDDIEVANHALEN Unique – 'It's All in the Hands' 12/29/24

https://www.youtube.com/live/ivlpTQwoaw8?si=GkuN_JaP1fla7nza During an appearance on AXS TV's Vinyl Obsession podcast, MÖTLEY CRÜE's guitarist John 5 shared his love for VAN HALEN's iconic 1978 debut album and KISS's Love Gun. Speaking about Van Halen, he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I bought this just because the cover said 'Gene Simmons,' and he worked on the record. I remember putting it on, and this album gave me the biggest shock because of the sound. I was already playing guitar, and it was like seeing a regular car but then seeing a race car. Eddie's guitar playing really freaked me out. And with Dave's [Lee Roth] vocals, Mikey's [Anthony] harmonies and bass playing, and Alex's [Van Halen] drumming, it was just incredible. Without these four guys, it wouldn't have been the same." On what made Eddie Van Halen's playing so unique, John 5 elaborated: "I remember using Eddie's rig and realizing it's all in the hands. His attack and the way he played were what made him sound like Eddie. You can hit all the notes, but players like Eddie or Yngwie Malmsteen have a unique swing or attack that's impossible to replicate. That's what made Van Halen so special."