For most guitarists, there are instruments, and then there are relics. For Myles Kennedy, getting the chance to hold Eddie Van Halen’s legendary Frankenstein guitar was something closer to myth than reality.
Describing the moment, Kennedy reached for imagery befitting a rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale. “Was it a total, Excalibur-level experience? I don’t even know how to articulate that,” he said, comparing the striped icon to King Arthur’s fabled sword. “It just felt… sacred.”
The Guitar That Changed Everything
The Frankenstein, Eddie’s famous red, white, and black striped creation, isn’t just a guitar. It’s the instrument that helped reshape modern rock. Built from mismatched parts and wired to deliver unprecedented gain and bite, it became synonymous with the explosive sound of Van Halen’s early records.
From the moment “Eruption” stunned listeners in 1978, the Frankenstein became a symbol of fearless innovation. It wasn’t polished or factory-perfect, it was rebellious, experimental, and uniquely Eddie.
For Kennedy, who has spent years fronting Alter Bridge and collaborating with Slash, the opportunity to cradle that piece of history carried emotional weight beyond its wood and hardware.
“You Can Feel The Energy”
Kennedy admitted that simply holding the guitar was overwhelming. “You can feel the energy,” he reflected. “Whether that’s psychological or something else, I don’t know. But you’re aware that this instrument was part of something that shifted music forever.”
Even for a seasoned performer accustomed to arenas and iconic collaborators, the moment left him searching for words. “It’s like touching a lightning rod,” he explained. “You think about the riffs, the records, the impact. You think about the joy Eddie brought to people.”
A Personal Connection
Kennedy has long spoken about his admiration for Van Halen’s artistry — not just the technical brilliance, but the spirit behind it. Eddie’s playing blended jaw-dropping innovation with an infectious sense of fun, something Kennedy has tried to carry into his own work.
“Holding that guitar makes you reflect on the responsibility of being a musician,” Kennedy said. “It’s not just about playing notes, it’s about creating something that moves people.”
More Than An Instrument
In the end, the experience wasn’t about celebrity or nostalgia. It was about standing face to face with a piece of rock history, an object that represents creativity unleashed.
For Myles Kennedy, the Frankenstein wasn’t just a guitar. It was proof that imagination, courage, and a willingness to break the rules can leave a mark that echoes for generations.
And if the moment felt like pulling Excalibur from the stone? Perhaps that’s fitting. Some instruments aren’t merely played, they’re legends waiting to be lifted.
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