Welcome Buckeye Randy.....
If it werent for Beck, Page, and Clapton there might never heve been Eddie Van Halen.
In his own words before he died....."I've always said
Eric Clapton was my main influence," he said, "but Jimmy Page was actually more the way I am, in a reckless-abandon kind of way." Speaking at an event at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in 2015, Van Halen discussed his life and the American Dream.
IMHO the first Zep was far more globally influential than Van Halen (quoted many times in articles) and more bands followed that template over time but many 'glam bands' did get inspiration from Van Halen. I also think Zep wrote far more interesting and better songs and imho Eddie never received the great songs to play he should have.
If Zep didn't 'reinvent' Brit and American blues they certainly transformed it.From an article: ". Rather than merely replicating traditional American acoustic Delta or electric Chicago blues like their peers, Zeppelin amplified it, added heavy rhythm, and infused it with mysticism and hard rock power. "
They are still considered the greatest hard rock band of all time by fans and critics alike.
I always thought Eddie was a great guitar player but never cared for Van Halen's material though they 'sounded good'.
