http://www.guitarworld.com/poll-greatest-guitarist-all-time-round-5-eddie-van-halen-vs-joe-satriani

Poll: The Greatest Guitarist of All Time, Round 5 — Eddie Van Halen Vs. Joe Satriani
Posted 09/26/2012 at 10:52am
by Guitar World Staff

Round 5 — Today’s Match

With his triumphant return to the top of the guitar heap with Van Halen’s new album, A Different Kind of Truth, the timing seems perfect for EDDIE VAN HALEN to make a run toward the final round. Van Halen’s smooth ride to the Elite 8 has included convincing victories over Michael Schenker, Slash and Randy Rhoads.

Before 1987′s Surfing with the Alien was released, it was assumed that a guitarist would simply never break out without a vocalist. A platinum album and several Grammy nods later, and JOE SATRIANI effectively took shred mainstream, inspiring a wave of copycats hoping to earn their own spot on the Billboard charts with their technical prowess. A big victory over friend Steve Vai makes Satch an undeniable threat going into the final few matchups.

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JOE SATRIANI effectively took shred mainstream

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Satch is a shredder?

To me the difference between being a shredder and not being one is like being a heavy metal band and not being a heavy metal band. It’s as much about attitude and how you present/market yourself as it is the actual music you perform.

That list of 16 is a freakin joke. No Ritchie Blackmore,please! No Clapton? Sometimes you feel lucky to be an ole fart like me cuz you were fortunate enough to see truly great groups and musicians.The first concert I ever went to was Cream. That was the real Eric Clapton. Saw Blackmore with both Purple and Rainbow,an amazing guitarist. Saw Hendrix,it was an experience. Zeppelin? Saw them seven times. Most of those guys on their list of 16 have no business even being mentioned in the same breath as the guys I mentioned or Eddie Van Halen.

chickenfeets has 0% pride or integrity… of course they’re pushing this bullshit contest on their facebook page – they can’t wait to get a crumb of publicity on the back of VH… note VH taking the high road and not giving a single fuck.

EVH won the round, here’s the current grid:

Eddie over Alex any day.

videoman320:
That list of 16 is a freakin joke. No Ritchie Blackmore,please! No Clapton? Sometimes you feel lucky to be an ole fart like me cuz you were fortunate enough to see truly great groups and musicians.The first concert I ever went to was Cream. That was the real Eric Clapton. Saw Blackmore with both Purple and Rainbow,an amazing guitarist. Saw Hendrix,it was an experience. Zeppelin? Saw them seven times. Most of those guys on their list of 16 have no business even being mentioned in the same breath as the guys I mentioned or Eddie Van Halen.

This is perfectly stated.