In the late 1980s, the rock music scene was ripe for transformation. Originating in the late 1970s, Los Angeles’ hair metal scene initially showed promise but eventually lost its appeal. Bands like Winger, with their predictable songs, marked a departure from what fans truly desired.
Meanwhile, Slash of Guns N’ Roses was breaking the mold, not adhering to typical rock guitar techniques, and delving into rock history to forge his unique sound.
Slash’s work on Guns N’ Roses’ debut album, “Appetite for Destruction,” especially in tracks like “Paradise City,” showcased innovative and rapid guitar playing influenced by legends like Joe Walsh, Joe Perry, and Eric Clapton.
Yet, he faced stiff competition from established musicians such as Randy Rhoads, known for his classical guitar style.
Eddie Van Halen’s debut album profoundly impacted Slash, introducing a new era of guitar playing that predated the hair metal trend. Van Halen revolutionized guitar with techniques like fretboard tapping. While Slash didn’t emulate Van Halen’s style, he respected the meticulousness of his approach. Van Halen focused on creating catchy hooks instead of just showcasing solos in songs like “Hot For Teacher” and “Eruption.”
Slash acknowledged that many guitarists tried to imitate Van Halen, focusing on his obvious techniques like finger tapping and tremolo bar effects. However, he believed nobody could match Van Halen’s unique blend of skill and personal style.
In contrast, Slash’s blues-infused style in the early days of Guns N’ Roses set him apart, resonating more with Jimmy Page’s influence than Eddie Van Halen’s. Despite his ability to focus solely on this style, Slash maintained that Van Halen’s true genius lay in his heart and musical sensibility, rather than just his technical skills.
