Light up the Sky

Ed's phone interview with Guitar Player from '81.

In 8 parts...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJWB5NHCqjw[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrZYGPnBOBE[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTdnscTaCiM[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dcjf-KrH4o[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlhRmyV2He4[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_nC3FbmvgM[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2e3qlg_pHs[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRf-TcXUdIw[/youtube]

There ya go, Rav.

Well, I am just so grateful for this, Iro. I never knew this was out there--I listened to the first 6 parts so far, but then I looked at my clock and realized it was almost 3am, and I need to sleep. Thank you so much--I am enjoying this so--I just heard the beginnings of Jump, from way back in 1982! How cool was that? And that whole discussion he had about Allan Holdsworth was stellar. This was the Edward that was just the guy who loved to play music, before he got caught up in all the brouhaha with Dave and the substance abuse--what a likable sounding guy. (He did sound a bit petulant while talking about Joe Perry and Richie Blackmore hating his guts...but what's a basically nice guy gonna sound like when he's talking about his peers giving him sh*t for no reason, repeatedly....a little petulant, I'm guessing.)

I can't wait to play this for Maddy--it's gonna knock her socks off, I think. She loves this kind of behind the scenes talk...Thanks again, m'dear---this is indeed a treat!

*yawn* nighty-night,
rav

I think it must be one of the most insightful pieces in the VH Archives... really. It was never meant to be released, thats where its value lies. It was the basis in which Jas Obrecht (Guitar Player Magazine) would edit and transcribe for a written interview. If this was a public 'Radio Phone-in' you can bet Ed wouldn't be so calm, open and receptive to the questions... yes, he even talks about fellow players behind their backs.

Ed sounds so positive about Diver Down. Really, really proud of it. Pleased as Punch that he was able to work with his Father, that the direction of the record (cover tunes) worked out (I didn't realize it was Ed's idea to cover Pretty Woman!!) and at the same time he seems a completely down to earth guy. Ed is terrified to ask Jas how his playing is perceived... completely ego-less on that front, I thought.

As you mentioned rav, I also love how Ed is so eager to play Jas some new bits 'n' bobs he's working on.

All in all, I would say this is a great testimony on the character of the man.

His marked lack of ego through the whole thing was just confirmation of the kind of character I have always perceived him as having--I mean, it starts out with Edward apologizing profusely to the guy for not having called earlier in the day--it shows a human, so down to earth side of him that we don't often get to see. Although it sounds a bit weird to say, it was nice to hear him get flustered over dropping the phone, and excusing himself 'cause he had to pause to belch away from the phone. (That made me laugh!) The thing that struck me the most was Edward's concern that he might be taking up too much of Jas' time or boring him by playing him those little bits and bobs....you're right--complete lack of ego there...just Edward being a guy who loves to make music.

This is where I don't get it when people say, "It's all about Ed's ego." and "He's a first class a-hole"---Yeah, he did a bit of cocky posturing there, talking about Randy Rhoades learning everything from him, but what Guitar Hero of the 80's didn't run off at the mouth with that sort of thing now and again? Why is it that Edward gets called nasty names because of it, but everyone else gets a pass?

It made me smile when he said, "Music is my life." That was honest and from his heart. You could hear it in his voice. That's what makes him my guitar hero.

I wonder if he changed when Dave left?
Did Ed put up a front from then on?
Dave must have left an awfully big hole... just wondering how Ed filled it.

More booze. Ronald McDonald left, how did he fill that hole, with more booze, and after he relized how much VHIII sucked he knew he had to stop drinking.

WTH? Who put a censor on Ronald McDonald Hagar? Who ever it was I am removing it.