Rating any musician like that is actually pretty pointless.
It is so subjective and era specific and "taste" specific that NO musician or sports figure or actor , etc...can be categorized as the best of all time.
Eddie was certainly innovative when he came out and he revolutionized guitar playing much as Hendrix did in his time.
But John Lennon is not even in the discussion. Lennon's soloing is negligible. I can't really think of any songs in which he played much lead in. I'm sure he did, but not even George's solos compare to any of the "greats"
Chuck Berry. Berry's music was influential and his playing was kinda new at the time, but hardly revolutionary.
but Best of all time is a useless category.
I can think of a lot more technically skilled and exciting players than Eddie.
But then again, those are only MY opinions. Some of course are backed up by mutual acclaim.
All that tapping and stuff also is questionable. It "sounds" fast. But is actually pretty easy to accomplish if you know how.
I have more respect for the guys who are technically fast and don't rely on tricks to be fast.
John McLaughlin, John Petrucci, Jan Akkerman, Al Di Meola, Those are just some of the technically fast players that don't have to tap to be fast. Petrucci of course is prog metal, so he does some of that stuff too, But I consider the ones who effortlessly use all four fingers in complex technical speed runs with only a pick and fretting, no taps are the " Best"
Petrucci is so fast and effortless that he pisses me off. LOL
But most of this relies on personal tastes in guitarists.
As one guy pointed out, Listen to Carlos Montoya or Andres Segovia. Classical guitarists of exceptional talent and ability.
We really enjoyed Eddie when Van Halen debuted. Those of us who were around for it cheered him for giving a re-birth to hard rock, in an era of Disco, Punk and radio friendly classic rock bands who sold out and softened up for air play.
Eruption was a wake up call to arms and many answered that call, Like Randy Rhoads.
Some guys tried to follow and couldn't really do it.
My favorite, Ritchie Blackmore, ended up trying to just play solos at high speed for the sake of high speed, instead of his technical speed and bluesy, classical based soloing, and ended up just making noise for a while until he backed off and played his usual style.
Angus is certainly one of my favorites. But not one of the "best" technically, but he has knack for good licks and tasty solos.
Keith Richards just makes me laugh. Not my cup of tea at all and he doesn't impress me as a soloist. Nor did Pete Townsend. I respect their body of work but "great" guitarists? Nah. Not to me at least....others will vehemently object to my opinion...but that's all it is. An opinion.
I'm not right, but neither is anyone else.
Same with sports players. All baseball records prior to 1947 should have an asterisk, because they didn't have to face Black players. etc....