Introduction

The history of guitarists innovatively employing unconventional tools in their performances is as intriguing as it is transformational. Among the most fascinating instances is the use of power drills in guitar playing. The debate typically circles around two prominent figures: Eddie Van Halen and Paul Gilbert. However, it's a richer story involving both artists, their peers, and an unknown yet tantalizing possibility.

The Controversy: Eddie Van Halen or Paul Gilbert?

The first guitarist known for using a power drill as part of his performance was Eddie Van Halen, famously during the recording of the song Might Have Been. Yet, it's important to clarify that Van Halen didn't play the guitar with the drill; he merely amplified the sound of the drill through his guitar's pickups. For Paul Gilbert, on the other hand, the story takes a more direct path. He actually played notes on his guitar using a modified drill, complete with a pick attached to the end of it.

The Origin Story: A Joke or An Invention?

Myron Lipschitz, a lesser-known figure in the guitar industry, didn't quite use a drill during live performances, despite a young patient’s recollection of his dentist possibly using one. The true origin story emerges from a different angle. During Racer X's live performances in 1986-87, Paul Gilbert and his bandmate Bruce Bouillet introduced the drill-picking technique. This was around the time when Racer X was still gaining recognition in local guitar circles, decades before Mr. Big’s breakthrough.

The idea took hold as a humorous joke, akin to the concept in Spinal Tap where everyone was marveling at Gilbert's prodigious picking speeds. Jeff Martin, Racer X's lead singer, recounts the anecdote with a chuckle, mentioning that Gilbert eventually paid him a royalty after the Daddy's Brother recording.

The Influences and Innovations

Interestingly, Eddie Van Halen found an impressed tech during the recording of the Poundcake album, leading him to incorporate the drill-sound effect. This illustrates how one artist's innovation can influence others, even if not directly credited. Chris Erlandson, Eddie's guitar tech at the time, was highly impressed by the idea and encouraged Van Halen to follow suit.

Paul Gilbert's drilling technique was technically implemented first during Racer X's performances and recordings, but it wasn't until Mr. Big's Lean into It that drill songs gained wider recognition due to the hit single "To Be with You." This suggests that the production and release schedules of these respective albums played a significant role in the public's awareness of this technique.

Culmination: The First Guitarist to "Play" with a Drill

While both Eddie Van Halen and Paul Gilbert experimented with power drills, it's Paul Gilbert who is credited as the first to play the instrument using a drill with a pick. The technique allowed him to achieve inhumanly fast-picked single-note runs, making it a groundbreaking approach.

In conclusion, while Eddie Van Halen's drill effect is celebrated more widely, Paul Gilbert's drill-picking technique deserves recognition for its innovative playing style. Both stories highlight the collaborative and inventive nature of the music industry, where ideas can evolve from initial jests to becoming enduring cultural milestones.

Conclusion

The debate over who was the first to play with a drill on the guitar reveals a more complex and collaborative narrative than previously thought. Both Eddie Van Halen and Paul Gilbert made significant contributions that both enhanced their respective performances and paved the way for future innovations in guitar playing. The true origin of this technique remains a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of guitarists across generations.