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Van Halen - Light Up The Sky - Guitar Lesson

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Van Halen - Light Up The Sky - Guitar Lesson

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Van Halen - Light Up The Sky guitar lesson video
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Van Halen Hard Rock E major
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Light Up The Sky

"Light Up The Sky" is a track by Van Halen from their second studio album, Van Halen II, released by Warner Bros. Records on March 23, 1979. The album reached number six on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and sold nearly six million copies in the United States by 2004. The song offers electric guitarists a strong example of Eddie Van Halen's energetic rhythm and lead work within a hard rock context, making it a rewarding study in tone, dynamics, and style.

  • Van Halen II was released on March 23, 1979, making "Light Up The Sky" part of a rapid follow-up to the band's debut.
  • The album sold nearly six million copies in the U.S. by 2004, reflecting the enduring popularity of its guitar-driven tracks.
  • Critics praised Van Halen II's feel-good, party atmosphere, a mood that shapes the energy and playing style heard throughout the record.
Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

Eddie Van Halen pulled a Gibson PAF humbucker from a ES-335 to load his original Frankenstrat, giving him a low-output pickup that maintained clarity during lightning-fast tapping and legato runs despite heavy gain.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

Eddie's 1968 Marshall Plexi Super Lead, run through a variac at 90 volts, created his legendary 'brown sound' by pushing power tubes into sweet, spongy saturation at gig volumes, defining his harmonic sustain and responsiveness.

Soldano SLO-100
Amp

Soldano SLO-100

Eddie adopted the Soldano SLO-100 as a tonal alternative to Marshalls, delivering the high-headroom, articulate gain he needed for his finger-tapping technique while maintaining clarity in complex legato passages.

Peavey 5150
Amp

Peavey 5150

Eddie co-designed the Peavey 5150 to capture his signature tone in a modern platform, offering three channels from clean sparkle to crushing high-gain with EL34 power tubes for dynamic responsiveness across his entire playing vocabulary.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Eddie employed the Dunlop Cry Baby wah strategically on select solos, using it to add vocal-like expression and sweep to his lead lines without relying heavily on effect-driven tones.

MXR Phase 90
Pedal

MXR Phase 90

Eddie's MXR Phase 90 script-logo version created his signature swirling, vocal sweep on 'Eruption' and 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,' becoming one of rock's most identifiable effect tones through minimal, tasteful use.

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