Typing this through misty eyes, this one feels almost like a family member.
As the youngest of 5 kids, 2 older brothers and 2 older sisters, growing up in the 70's and 80's I was always going to be influenced by what my siblings listened to. My sisters love of ABBA didn't fully transfer over to me, but the music my brothers were into certainly did.
My brother (6 years older than me) passed on to me his love of The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Van Morrison, but I took my greatest musical queues from my eldest brother, who instilled in me the power of Status Quo, The Sweet, The Angels, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Dragon, and KISS, among many others.
But one album stood out above all else. I was 10 years old, and this album I remember courted some controversy because of the picture on the front cover.
But every story has a twist. I never actually owned a single album featuring David Lee Roth, but still own every single one released by Van Halen with Sammy Hagar. Music is all about tastes, and I just preferred Hagar, I think I was at the right age, if I was 10 years older I am sure it would be different.
Then in the early 2000's I took an interest in the guitar itself. Not playing (although that was always and still is an unfulfilled wish), but building them, painting them, stripping them and repainting them, then re-selling them, much to Eddie's chagrin, he copyrighted everything. I stripped and repainted an old Kramer Pacer I found on eBay, ordered a Floyd Rose Original from the US, the correct tuners, literally spared no expense in trying to somewhat recreate Ed's 5150 guitar. I used to be a member of some EVH guitar forums back in the day, and ended up selling the guitar for around $3000 to a guy in California.
I still have an EVH mash-up guitar to this day, based upon his MusicMan line from the late 90's, can post a pic if anyone wants to see. Still can't play it, don't even have anything to plug it in to, but it's mine. I even have the red, white and black striped Frankenstein high top shoes. I'm actually sitting here now in a Van Halen t-shirt, just coincidental that was what I put on when I got out of bed this morning, and hadn't heard the news.
I hope my neighbours are ready.
RIP Ed.
Ray Blacklock has passed away.
