Jesus and Mary Chain guitarist William Reid comments on late rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen, saying Van Halen “ruined rock guitar” and also calling him one of “the worst guitar players in the world,” according to outlets reporting on Reid’s remarks. The statements are presented as Reid’s personal assessment of Van Halen’s style and influence on rock music. Both sources note that Reid frames his criticism in terms of imitation and broader musical trends, suggesting that many people copied Van Halen. The coverage emphasizes that Reid’s comments are evaluative and opinion-based rather than tied to any specific new evidence or events. Taken together, the reporting conveys that Reid challenges Van Halen’s legacy and argues that the guitarist’s mainstream impact has had negative consequences for the genre’s guitar playing. The outlets do not indicate that Van Halen or his representatives respond to the criticism in these reports, and the quotations remain the central element of the story.