From Guitar World · · 1m 30s
Angus Young: Malcolm was better than Eddie Van Halen
In 1986, Angus Young declared his brother Malcolm a superior guitarist to Eddie Van Halen, dismissing technical shredding as mere finger exercises.
In brief
In 1986, Angus Young declared his brother Malcolm a superior guitarist to Eddie Van Halen, dismissing technical shredding as mere finger exercises. Malcolm Young's rhythm playing was the foundation of AC/DC's sound, valued by Angus over Eddie Van Halen's technical virtuosity. Originally reported by Guitar World.
Malcolm was the real glue
While Angus Young gets the spotlight in AC/DC, guitarists know Malcolm Young was the glue holding the band together.
Better than Eddie Van Halen
In 1986, Angus told Guitar World that Malcolm was a better guitarist than Eddie Van Halen, despite letting Angus take all the lead breaks.
“Although he lets me take all the lead breaks, Malcolm's still a better guitarist than Eddie Van Halen.”
Just finger exercises
Angus dismissed Van Halen's technical playing as cramming notes into songs. He called it finger exercises that should be practiced at home.
“Van Halen can do what he does very well, but he's really just doing finger exercises.”
Not in front of me
Angus said there's a place for technical playing, but it's not in front of him. He doesn't enjoy guitarists who cram all their notes into one song.
“There's definitely a place for that type of playing, but it's not in front of me.”
Feel over technique
Angus praised Chuck Berry and B.B. King for their feel. They hit notes in the right spot and knew when not to play.
“Chuck Berry didn't care whether he was playing his tune, out of tune, or someone else's tune.”
No name too big
Angus also fired shots at Eric Clapton in the same interview, saying he wasn't sure what the hype was about.
Rock's most underrated player
Many agree with Angus's assessment. Justin Hawkins calls Malcolm rock's most underrated player, and Steel Panther's Satchel says he influenced more guitarists.
The one thing
Malcolm Young's rhythm playing was the foundation of AC/DC's sound, valued by Angus over Eddie Van Halen's technical virtuosity.
