Eddie Van Halen is often celebrated as a legendary guitar player, but not everyone shares that view. Jim Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain recently shared his thoughts on the iconic guitarist. In an interview, he emphasized that sometimes, simpler guitar playing is better. “I can play guitar, but only just. I play to the level I need to,” he explained. He believes that knowing too much about music can actually hinder creativity, leading back to the influence of Van Halen.
William Reid, Jim’s brother and bandmate, took it a step further. He expressed strong criticism of Van Halen’s style, saying, “I think guitar players should never learn scales. I can’t stand Eddie Van Halen’s guitar playing.” He feels that Van Halen’s influence in the ’80s and ’90s led many to copy his fast playing and complex notes, which he finds unappealing.
Instead, William admires the work of Peter Hook, the bassist from New Order and Joy Division. He believes Hook’s bass riffs are far superior to anything Van Halen created. Hook is set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year, highlighting the impact of his music.
