Same thing goes for EVH. It was amazing then... But just about every shred head can play what EVH plays... it's nothing mind blowing.
Vai > Satriani > EVH
Stevie Ray > Jimi Hendrix > Eric Clapton
You'll notice that in each of these equations the guitarist to the far left is the one that is the most modern... the one on the far right is the oldest... That's the way it will always be. "The newest thing is the greatest thing"
Personal preference is the name of the game gentleman and opinions vary.