And then all of a sudden, the savior appeared on the radio and spoke directly to me. I’ve never lost that excitement every time I hear his guitar playing.

He smiled and he let you know that it was all for fun.


His rhythm was impeccable and intoxicating, and his note choice was hysterically funny and brave.


But the Van Halen brothers — Eddie and Alex together — had a devastating attack to the beat. Their sense of the pocket is just so intense. It’s so recognizable. And that’s what invited the whole world to listen. There’s a little song [on 1984] that’s overlooked called “House of Pain.” You just listen to that, the way that they pound that rhythm. (hey I picked that song!!)

Joe Satriani
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...ibute-1071819/