When it comes to guitar playing, I usually subscribe to the punk and indie school of rock: Less is more. In other words, I’m not one to bow at the altar of the almighty guitar god. And by guitar god I mean, you know, the upper-lip-biting, finger-tapping, look-how-cool-I-am-playing-this-crazy-10-minute-solo rock dude. Typically I think this style of guitar playing is over-the-top and cheesy. But Eddie Van Halen is the real deal.

It was a wild night of eardrum-shattering classic rock as the Van Halen reunion tour pulled into town on Tuesday. David Lee Roth and the guys partied like it was 1984, at the grandaddy of arena rock venues: Madison Square Garden. The newest member of the group — 16-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen — wasn’t even born yet when the band’s greatest hits were made, but he held his own on the bass.

I’m not exactly a VH superfan but I’ve enjoyed their hits through the years. The MSG set included all their Roth-era anthems from “Panama” to “Hot for Teacher” to “Runnin’ With the Devil” and of course “Jump,” which closed out the night.

But it was “Eruption” that stole the show. Eddie’s rendition of his infamous guitar solo that inspired a thousand kids to pick up a guitar was the spine-tingling highlight of the night. A truly amazing symphony of distortion. My ears are still ringing, but it was all worth it.
 

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