When it comes to rock’s eternal debates, few rivalries stir up as much passion as Eddie Van Halen versus Randy Rhoads. Both were pioneers of guitar mastery, reshaping the sound of hard rock and heavy metal in the late ’70s and early ’80s. But according to former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes, the choice between the two is clear: Eddie Van Halen embodied the spirit of rock in a way Rhoads never quite did.
In a recent conversation, Holmes laid out his reasoning in his signature unfiltered style.
“I’d rather go to a Van Halen party, drink Schlitz malt liquor and get your teeth knocked out than hang out with Quiet Riot,” Holmes quipped, comparing the two legendary scenes.
For Holmes, Van Halen wasn’t just about groundbreaking technique—it was about atmosphere. The band’s music came bundled with an energy that invited chaos, fun, and camaraderie. Eddie Van Halen, in his eyes, wasn’t only the innovator behind tapping solos and blazing riffs; he was also the soundtrack to a wilder, freer kind of rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.
“Van Halen was a party,” Holmes continued. “That’s the difference. You put on a Van Halen record, you felt like you were part of something. Rhoads was a genius, no doubt, but his music was more structured, almost classical. Eddie? He made you want to crack open a beer, jump in a pool, and forget the world.”
It’s not the first time fans and musicians alike have contrasted the two guitar icons. Randy Rhoads, known for his meticulous, classically influenced playing, was revered for his precision and compositional brilliance, especially during his brief but legendary tenure with Ozzy Osbourne. Eddie Van Halen, by contrast, was a musical disruptor—raw, spontaneous, and electrifying, with a stage presence as infectious as his riffs.
Holmes was quick to stress that his preference wasn’t rooted in disdain for Rhoads.
“I don’t hate Randy. He was amazing at what he did, and his life was cut way too short. But if you’re asking me where I’d rather be? I’ll take the Van Halen party every time.”
In many ways, Holmes’ words underscore a larger truth about rock ’n’ roll: technical brilliance might inspire awe, but it’s the feeling, the chaos, and the connection that create legends. For Holmes, Eddie Van Halen wasn’t just the better guitarist—he was the better experience.
