Originally Posted by: pureif randy would have lived, van halen would be nothing. randy was tapping before halen even recorded his first album.

but guess who can play the crazy train solo (me)...

by the way what song is the one you're talking about?

Taking absolutely nothing away from Randy, but EVH was the first tapper of the two. RR was more classically inclined than EVH. Both are great talents though.

EVH is rightly credited with changing how rock guitar was played. Aside from being a great player, Eddie's an even more distinguished breed of guitarist as an innovator. He developed a style that many, many others followed. As great as RR was, he can't be given that honor, but he was definitely better than most of his contemporaries. And a nice guy, too.