Justin Hawkins Praises Nuno Bettencourt: A Guitarist Born in the Wrong Era
The guitarist from The Darkness, Justin Hawkins, has expressed admiration for a modern electric guitar virtuoso who he believes would have thrived in the 1980s alongside Eddie Van Halen. In a conversation with Rick Beato, Hawkins praised Nuno Bettencourt, suggesting that he was born in the wrong era and missed the opportunity to compete with Van Halen during the prime of the 1980s. Hawkins highlighted the competitive spirit and excitement that rivalries brought to music during that decade.
Hawkins explained that the excesses of rock 'n' roll led to its decline, resulting in Bettencourt's talents being overlooked in the early 1990s. He mentioned that extreme acts like Nitro, known for their high vocal ranges and fast guitar playing, marked the end of bands like Extreme, where Bettencourt was a member. Despite Extreme's commercial success, it was their ballads that resonated with the audience, according to Beato.
Reflecting on Bettencourt's potential, Hawkins lamented that he was born a decade too late, as he could have been a formidable competitor to Eddie Van Halen if he were younger. Bettencourt's admiration for Van Halen is evident in his music, as he paid tribute to the legendary guitarist by incorporating his influence into his work. Bettencourt's dedication to his craft is evident in his meticulous approach to writing and recording music, as seen in his solo for the song "Rise."
Bettencourt's connection to Eddie Van Halen is further highlighted by his use of a custom guitar modeled after one of Van Halen's iconic instruments. Despite their shared passion for music, Bettencourt regretted not allowing Van Halen to hear his work during a recording session, a decision he now considers a missed opportunity. Recently, Bettencourt revealed that a new guitar he showcased was from his own brand, Nuno Guitars, adding to his legacy as a respected guitarist.
In a separate incident, the Hawkins brothers made headlines for criticizing Yungblud's performance in an Ozzy Osbourne tribute at the MTV VMAs. Dan Hawkins described it as "nauseating," prompting Justin to defend his brother amidst the ensuing online controversy.