Guitarist Terry Kilgore is a worldwide renowned rock powerhouse, famously hailed by David Lee Roth as "the man who was Eddie before Eddie." As a foundational architect of the iconic Pasadena, California sound, Kilgore’s playing is defined by a raw, soulful blues edge and a mastery of "tubey" tone that eschews high-shred tropes for pure feel. Though he often bypassed the mainstream spotlight, his contributions to albums like Your Filthy Little Mouth and his deep roots in the Van Halen legacy have cemented his status as the ultimate "guitarist's guitarist." 

It's widely agreed that Eddie Van Halen popularized finger tapping on the fretboard, or at the very least, was the first rock guitarist to truly make it a regular part of his playing style. But it's also been recognized that several other renowned players beat Van Halen to the punch: Steve Hackett, Brian May, Ace Frehley, etc.

But during a recent interview with Metal Voice, former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes threw another name in the ring that may have inspired EVH to two-hand tap. And it's a name you've probably never heard of before. 

"Ed was the best," Holmes said (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar). "He was phenomenal. It's sad he's gone. I talked to my old singer the other day, and he gave me Terry Kilgore's number, my old guitar teacher. I've known since I was 15, 14. I called him up. If you listen to Terry Kilgore, you'll go, 'Wow, man, sounds like Van Halen'."