Eddie Van Halen’s blistering solos and groundbreaking two-hand tapping techniques revolutionized rock guitar in the late 1970s and 1980s, inspiring generations of players to push the instrument to new heights. But even a virtuoso like Van Halen had his own idols—guitarists he revered as untouchable. Among them, one stood out above all: Eric Clapton.
In numerous interviews over the years, Eddie openly described Clapton as his ultimate hero, even calling him “God” in his eyes. “Eric Clapton is the reason I play guitar,” Eddie once said, recalling how, as a teenager, he would lock himself in his room and play along to Cream records for hours on end. He learned Clapton’s solos note for note, developing the foundation of his own style in the process.
Unlike many who might try to mimic their idols, Eddie absorbed Clapton’s phrasing and blues sensibility before reshaping those influences into something entirely new. “I could play all of Clapton’s stuff,” he admitted, noting that those formative years gave him the technical grounding to eventually craft the explosive, innovative style that would define Van Halen.
Clapton’s fiery yet soulful leads on tracks like “Crossroads” and “Sunshine of Your Love” struck a chord with the young Eddie. To him, Clapton wasn’t just another guitarist—he represented the pinnacle of expression, tone, and emotion that could be achieved with six strings.
Ironically, while Van Halen’s music would later sound nothing like Clapton’s, the deep respect never faded. Even after Eddie became a global guitar icon in his own right, he remained humble about his beginnings. “Clapton is still the only one I’ve ever really copied,” he said.
The idea that Eddie Van Halen—often hailed as the most innovative rock guitarist of his era—looked up to Eric Clapton as “God” is a reminder of how even the greatest players are shaped by those who came before them. For Eddie, Clapton wasn’t just an influence; he was the spark that ignited one of the most transformative careers in rock history.
