Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen revolutionized rock guitar with a two-minute shock to the music world in 1978. His signature two-hand tapping technique, showcased in "Eruption," redefined lead playing and remains a milestone 45 years later. Van Halen's innovation created an entirely new vocabulary, influencing 90% of modern rock guitarists. This places his impact ahead of #7 Robert Johnson's foundational blues, as Van Halen's technique set a speed and virtuosity benchmark that the average rock guitarist still aspires to match.