To me, that's a ridiculous, utterly, truly ridiculous opinion. You actually propose he can play anything by any guitarist ever and do a good job? That's something I'm having a problem accepting that even YOU believe.
I believe it wholeheartedly and completely, unless I am told otherwise by a credible source (you're not that person). My friends have said that someone of Neal's caliber (or indeed of Vai's, Satriani's, EVH) would likely be able to play anything set in front of him with practice, and since he is already proven to be an outrageously talented guitarist, that it wouldn't take extreme effort to do so.
Get a credible source (which isn't you) to disprove it, and I will consent. But I have a really hard time believing that Neal (or anyone on par with him) couldn't do it.
If he was that good, he's be the best guitarist on Earth, is he? No.
I'm not claiming that he is the best on Earth. I am saying that Neal has reached a certain level of skill where he could decently play anything by any other guitarist. Hell, the kiddies from DragonForce (who have shown more speed and agility with a guitar than most - if not any guitarist) are inspired by Neal Schon's work according to allmusic.com.
You don't know that he can perform the same technical feats, you're guessing. We know EVH can perform EVH parts, we don't KNOW that Schon can, but then, in light of your above opinion, I'm not entirely sure there's much more I can say, really. You believe there are no guitarists on Earth that are better than Schon, skill wise. I find that to be unbelievably ignorant.
Alpha, let's get one thing out of the way, here. You've got less sources on your side supporting the idea of Schon's inferiority. You're not a guitarist, and - according to you - your friends whom you question "revere Van Halen" (thus, they'd be biased). Evidence-wise? You've got shit. Actually, you've got less than. You're basing this off of a dogmatic opinion that Neal Schon isn't as good as EVH, 'cuz he's not as famous and he's not EVH.
And, once more, I've never claimed that he is the best on Earth. Do you make a habit out of putting words in someone's mouth?
Wait, what are you even basing that on? Friends, family and Hagar? That's not enough to consider him that high.
It's more than you've got, clearly. Meanwhile, I have accounts of Brian May, Hagar, friends who do play the guitar, as well as the fact that Slash, Satriani, and EVH all - at one point or another - were going to join Neal's band. Certainly, if he's lesser than all of them, they wouldn't have even considered joining his band. Half of your argument went down the toilet right then and there.
That's something I'd have to see to believe, because if anybody could do this shit, it'd not be revered or acclaimed for being skillful.
Notice how I didn't say "anybody". The most I've said is that "with practice, any decently skilled guitarist" can play another guitarist's song. That requires time and effort, which sets people apart. For the final time, quit putting words in my mouth, Alpha.
Please don't speak of "ridiculous" when you're saying he's as skilled as anybody ever. I don't mean to be jarring here, because despite some of your claims, you're not the worst I've seen on these boards, but I don't think I can take your beliefs or opinions seriously anymore after that.
I hope I'm not the worst you've seen on these boards, having debunked your Perry arguments.
In all fairness, let's put Perry's acclaim in perspective. Not all Journey fans were singers, they weren't all sitting there focusing on Perry's technical ability, were they?
Well, let's compare: Journey's last album with Perry, Trial By Fire, went to #3 on the charts. They had a top 20 single and it was Grammy nominated. When he was removed from the band, the concert revenues went down considerably, and Arrival (with new singer Steve Augeri) didn't peak the Top 100. As a Journey fan, let me tell you that Perry was the icon of that band. In fact, I'd be willing to bet 9 out of 10 Journey Youtube videos will feature at least four comments of people begging Perry to return.
Perry was to Journey what Mercury was to Queen. Perhaps even moreso. They had a better replacement for Mercury (Good ol' Paul) than Journey did (Augeri is good, though).
On a base level, Schon did his thing, Perry did his, people were attracted to one or the other, and it turned out to be Perry. Hagar is far from a bad singer, he has what many consider to be a wonderful voice, based not on skill, so who's to say they couldn't have focused on Hagar or Roth over EVH? Roth was flipping all over the stage, running everywhere, he didn't steal Van Halen's thunder. Eddie Van Halen is single handedly responsible for Van Halen blowing Black Sabbath off the stage when they toured together. HE was getting all the acclaim, despite doing nothing on stage but stand around.
On a base level, Schon was restrained. Certainly, if you'd like to argue, feel free. But I've already got that victory in a handbasket, as everything after Perry features more kickass solos than ever before. Once again, comparing the two is ridiculous. EVH's playing was showcased in every song on every album. Schon wasn't so lucky. See 1986's "Raised on Radio".
Yes, he's revered, he's very skilled, but you're massively overrating him by saying he's the best ever, or best alive. Most skilled I mean.
I consider people like Schon, EVH, and so on to be on a level of skill that cannot be measured easily. I consider them to be on par with one another, and - with either practice or time - they could play any of each other's songs. I'm not basing this on Neal's shit with Journey, which isn't as skilled as Eddie's arsenal. I am comparing this from his entire collection of work, and if you truly have listened to it, it wouldn't sound so preposterous.
I have accepted it, I'm not saying he isn't underrated, but most skilled ever? Never in a million years. You are proposing, quite openly, that there is no guitarist more skilled.
I am not, and you should quit whining about misinterpretation, and then turn around and do it to someone else.
It was still a bit part, they weren't mad about having him.
Prove it.
Who the hell is saying Schon isn't revered or respected? I'm not saying that am I? He asked them, they agreed. Great for Schon, he wanted them more then they wanted him, though, it seems.
Actually, it was because of Schon's prior commitments to Journey, Hagar and Anthony's commitment to Van Halen (which was up for a reunion), Slash's aspirations for a solo album, and who the hell knows for Satriani? I've seen photos and reviews of them, five minutes ago, playing back in 2002 under the "Planet US" name.
Bottom line, if he wasn't even close to their level, they wouldn't have the incentive to join his band.
I'm not saying he isn't respected, of course he is, I'm just saying you're overrating him. I've never, ever, ever heard ANYBODY refer to Schon as the most skilled guitarist on Earth besides you. He could never play Midnight by Joe Satriani.
Prove that he couldn't play Midnight.
Precisely. What's his reputation based on? Would it be his guitar ability? Yes.
Automatically, then, if we were to go on reputation, Carlos Santana is more skilled than either Vai or Satriani. He's more famous. Slash is as skilled. Hell, Kirk Hammet would be a god. My advice? Stop relying so much on popularity and fame, otherwise Journey is miles and miles ahead of Vai or Satriani already.
Welcome to the real world, where the "best" aren't always recognized due to circumstances.
Not necessarily, but mostly, because he's an extreme talent. Slash can't play Beat It, the solo anyway.
Prove it.