At the time, the hype was the question of whether Eddie would play the keyboards like he played the guitar. To be certain, his keyboard playing was good, but he is such an innovator and virtuoso on the guitar, it could not be compared. In 1983, everyone, I mean EVERYONE was using keys and synths in their studio work as the dominant element. Not just Van Halen making that transition, but all of the late 70's acts also. The only bands that stayed on course with guitar heavy productions were the metal acts.