William Reid calls Eddie Van Halen one of worst guitarists

In a recent interview, guitarist William Reid of the influential Scottish rock duo The Jesus and Mary Chain offered a sharp critique of the late guitar icon Eddie Van Halen. Reid stated he considers Van Halen among the world's worst guitar players and argued his style was detrimental to the genre.

William Reid expressed his views during a joint interview with his brother and bandmate, Jim Reid, for Stereogum, conducted ahead of a performance at New York's Total Bummer festival. The conversation stemmed from Jim Reid’s remarks on his own minimalist and instinctive approach to guitar playing. “Not having a lot of equipment actually forces you to be more inventive,” Jim Reid said. He added that he deliberately limits his technical skill, explaining, “I can play guitar, but only just. It’s kinda deliberate… And sometimes knowing too much about making music gets in the way, and it ends up back to Eddie Van Halen again.”

William Reid then interjected with his pointed critique. “I think guitar players should never learn scales,” he began. “I think the worst guitar players in the world, like Eddie Van Halen. I can’t stand Eddie Van Halen’s guitar playing.” He elaborated that he believes...