Musical Mavericks: Eddie Van Halen's Tribute to Toto's Authenticity and Craftsmanship
Eddie Van Halen was known for his unique guitar playing and individualistic approach to music. He didn't conform to mainstream or alternative music norms and always charted his own path. Even when he played guitar on Michael Jackson's 'Beat It', he did so anonymously and with great passion, causing the studio amp to catch fire.
He believed that music should always be about the music itself and not about anything else. While he acknowledged that pop music was popular, he felt that the best music wasn't always presented to the people. When discussing Toto's album 'Kingdom of Desire' with Steve Lukather, he praised their musical prowess and originality, stating that their music was light years beyond what was dominating the radio at the time.
Despite Toto's musical sophistication, they struggled to get airtime due to the stigma associated with their name as "studio guys." Eddie Van Halen recognized their talent and authenticity, contrasting them with other bands that were merely imitating popular trends. Toto's song 'Africa' was even hailed as the greatest song of all time by a team of neuroscientists and music experts.
Eddie Van Halen admired Toto for their musical craftsmanship and unique sound, considering them heroes in their craft. He believed that Toto stood out from other bands that were simply following trends, highlighting their originality and musical excellence.