One died in a cocaine-fueled, fiery crash, and the other succumbed to cancer, yet both passed away far too young. Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen, cross-town rivals in the burgeoning metal and hard rock scene, inspired a generation of young guitarists.
They were musical pioneers, transforming the LA scene with their extraordinary guitar skills, sparking debates among fans. Eddie was undoubtedly the man to beat; with his finger tapping and dazzling fretwork, he set a new standard for guitar mastery.
Still, this did not stop Randy from carving out his own legacy with his unique guitar style and sound. While Randy was likely influenced by Van Halen’s playing, he made every lesson distinctly his own.
If you believed Rhoads, he claimed much of Van Halen’s reputation was smoke and mirrors. One thing was certain: both saw each other as competition, yet both earned recognition as true guitar innovators who influenced millions.
Eddie broke through first with two hit albums: Van Halen I and in 1979 Van Halen II, solidifying his status as a guitar legend. In 1981, Randy’s new band with Ozzy Osbourne released The Blizzard of Ozz to global critical acclaim. This album showcased Randy’s virtuosity and positioned him as a rising guitar king.
In November 1981, Randy contributed to Diary of a Madman with Ozzy, his final album before tragedy struck. Shortly after, he died in a plane crash while on tour.
On March 19, 1982, Randy was persuaded to join a joyride in a small plane piloted by Andy Aycock, an unlicensed flyer. Aycock assured Randy, who feared flying, that the flight would be safe. To reinforce this, Aycock brought along Rachel Youngblood, who had a heart condition.
Aycock broke his promise, buzzing the tour bus multiple times while the band slept. On the fourth pass, after a night of cocaine use and partying, Aycock flew too low, clipped his wing on the tour bus, and crashed into a pine tree. The plane caught fire and exploded, killing all aboard instantly.
It appears Aycock was trying to get his wife’s attention after an earlier argument. Reports vary: some say Youngblood suffered a fatal heart attack and collapsed on the controls, others claim Randy and Aycock argued over the reckless flying.
Regardless, Randy Rhoads died at just 25, sending shockwaves through the rock world. How far could he have gone? Would he have surpassed Eddie? Randy seemed to be evolving, with rumors suggesting he wanted to pursue classical guitar, teach, and study music at university.
Around this time, Eddie Van Halen famously claimed Randy said he learned everything from Eddie—a possible jab after Randy’s passing, when he couldn’t defend himself.
Eddie released Van Halen’s fifth studio album, Diver Down, which hit number 3 on the Billboard 200, featuring several hit covers like Roy Orbison’s “Oh Pretty Woman” and Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancin’ in the Street.”
Van Halen’s last album with David Lee Roth was 1984, a massive success. However, internal conflicts over Eddie’s growing interest in keyboards led to Roth’s departure. Sammy Hagar replaced him, and the band produced several number-one Billboard hits.
After four solid albums with Hagar, Eddie’s struggles with partying, drugs, and health issues intensified. His refusal to seek help and ongoing conflicts led to Hagar’s exit. Attempts to reunite with Roth failed due to their volatile relationship.
Eddie underwent hip replacement surgery and was later diagnosed with tongue cancer. Despite doctors’ orders to quit smoking, he continued, believing his cancer was caused by holding metal picks in his mouth. He invited Sammy over to reconcile but had fallen into depression, looking worn and missing teeth.
Eventually, Eddie got sober, quit smoking, and improved his health. In 2007, Van Halen reunited with Roth, though Eddie’s sobriety wavered until his son Wolfgang inspired him to reclaim it. Sadly, in 2017, Eddie was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and given six weeks to live.
On the morning of October 6, 2020, Eddie passed away from cancer and strokes, surrounded by family at age 65.
To this day, both are celebrated for their contributions to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Millions of guitarists idolize Randy and Eddie; their influence lives on in their music. Perhaps no one will ever decide who was better—maybe no one can.
