Who is more important to rock guitar, Hendrix or Van Halen?

Was having this argument elsewhere, wanted to see what this forum thinks..

 

Hendrix no contest IMO

 

Hendrix. No contest. That's like comparing actors Marlon Brando to Jim Belushi.

 

I hope this is a joke.

 

If you have to ask that...

 

They're both important.

 

While I have enjoyed the fine work of both players, there's no question that Jimi Hendrix had a much more substantial influence on the way that other guitar players approached the instrument.

I base this on my past experience as a guitar instructor. Hendrix pioneered and popularized so many electric guitar techniques. One can see a drastic change in the way so many guitarists played after Hendrix arrived on the scene. By the 1970s, guitarists in successful bands were usually expected to know the Hendrix style. Even Eddie Van Halen used Hendrix techniques right from the start with Van Halen. And the tapping he allegedly got from Steve Hackett, who was tapping on the fretboard at least as far back as 1971 on Nursury Cryme.

 

Roll over Rover...and let Jimi take over...

 

HENDRIX!

 

Hendrix had soul, EVH has dexterity.

 

LOL. Hendrix.

 

The way this question is worded, I would think both are equally influential to rock guitar playing. I'm no fan of Van Halen, but "Modern rock" guitarists sound a lot more like EVH, and have for a few decades. If we're asking which is more important to rock music in general, or to rock songwriting, I'd say Hendrix wins.

 

No offense to Eddie but there's really no contest. When it comes to electric guitar Hendrix moved the ball about 95 yards, there's only so much anyone else can do with it.

 

Jimi

 

April Fool's Right ?

 

At least Scott S. was on the right side in his argument.

 

Jimi.

I like EVH but it's not that close.

 

Hendrix is far more important to rock guitar although I'd much rather listen to Van Halen.

 

You know, I thought it was a no-brainer myself but I also frequent this place where they have an elevated view of EVH.

 

I agree.

 

Les Paul

 

It's really not that ludicrous of a question. Hendrix and EVH are both huge innovators in hard rock guitar playing. The difference I see is Hendrix was an iconic player who hit the scene when heavy rock was just getting some traction, hence he has more credit to his name. But, yes, hugely influential in terms of his sound, his showmanship, and his charisma.

EVH pioneered a technique that revolutionized the way future guitarists would approach it for guitar solos. Almost every rock guitarist took a small or large page from Van Halen. Hendrix, as I said, is an influential and larger than life musician and his influence is widely heard, but I wonder: if EVH had died, let's say after his 2nd album, would he be seen in the same stratosphere as Hendrix instead of people laughing at the comparison ? I'd say he would.

My top five influential guitarists in hard rock are as follows:

Hendrix
Page
Van Halen
Blackmore
Malmsteen

Every one of those guys changed the way guitarists approached the instrument. Beck could, arguably, take the place of Page or Blackmore depending on your predilections.

 

They keep coming out of the wood work. Sniffing glue is dangerous

 

The fact that this is even a question never crossed my mind until this thread.

Hendrix.