Meta Description: Discover Van Halen’s surprising opinion on Jimi Hendrix as revealed by Kylie Olsson in an interview with Ultimate Guitar. Learn why Van Halen preferred Eric Clapton over Hendrix.
In 2020, Kylie Olsson, who was close to Van Halen, shared an introspective account of their time together with Ultimate Guitar. She revealed some shocking information about Van Halen’s opinion on Hendrix.
Van Halen’s Surprising Take on Jimi Hendrix
Olsson recounted, “We didn’t play. We just were there with guitars on the left. He asked me who my favorite guitar player was.” When she replied, “Well, that’s Jimi Hendrix,” Van Halen revealed his preference for Eric Clapton over Hendrix, feeling that the latter was too careless.
To describe Hendrix’s breathtaking tones as “sloppy” would be akin to referring to the Sistine Chapel as a “rushed job.” It sounds especially absurd coming from Van Halen, who is a very skilled guitarist in his own right. You would think he could appreciate the subtle nuances and intensely personal aspects of Hendrix’s style. However, Van Halen consistently insisted that Clapton was the only guitarist worth hearing.
Van Halen vs. Hendrix: A Matter of Style
Van Halen’s opinion on Hendrix might seem surprising to many, considering Hendrix’s legendary status in the guitar world. However, it highlights the subjective nature of musical preferences, even among the most talented musicians. While Hendrix was known for his experimental and free-form style, Clapton’s precision and technicality resonated more wit Van Halen’s Opinion on Hendrix: Surprising Insights from Kylie Olssonh Van Halen.
