R.I.P EDDIE VAN HALEN

 Guitar Virtuoso Eddie Van Halen,

 for the Iconic Hard Rock Band Van Halen, loses his long battle with cancer at 65.

January 26^th, 1955 – October 6^th, 2020

 The news on the passing of guitarist Edward Lodewijk Van Halen was sadly confirmed by his son Wolfgang Van Halen on his Twitter account on October 6^th, 2020:

"I can't believe I'm having to write this," the Tweet said, "but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning. He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift."

 It's the kind of sad news that overshadows even the brightest sunny day. The news that hits hard when feeling that the connection to his music is as big as life itself, with the ups and downs, laughter, whispers and tears. When you realize that the awakening of your own path somehow has Van Halen's name inside.

 What else can be said about Edward Lodewijk Van Halen that hasn't already been said? A lot of memories, feelings and emotions invaded me deeply. The tears were inevitable. I was in high school when Van Halen first visited Argentina. These were difficult times in the country, it was not very safe to go out and come home late at night. Argentina was still under the military government at that time.

 Van Halen arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina at their best just when they were enjoying the greatest artistic time of their musical career. They performed at the Obras Arena on February 11^th, 1983. I will never forget that show. Eddie Van Halen, the sound of his Frankestran Guitar and his unique guitar playing, ‘Eruption’ and the whole band somehow marked on me, (and for some strange reason), the beginning of a path that still beats the rhythm of rock in my heart.

 Van Halen was initially called ‘Mammoth’ by its founders Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen in 1972 in Pasadena, CA. Bassist Mark Stone joined the Mammoth group that same year. In early 1974 vocalist David Lee Roth joined the band, which would change its name to Van Halen shortly after. In the middle of that same year Stone left the group giving way to Michael Anthony as the new bassist for the band. Mark Stone's work as the band's bassist can be heard on the demos "Gentleman of Leisure", "Glitter", "Believe Me" and "Angel Eyes". Sadly Mark Stone passed away on September 26, 2020 after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer.

Van Halen had 3 vocalists during their musical path: David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone. Van Halen gave Hard Rock a new impetus and placed them in a privileged position musically, having influenced dozens of bands over the years. 

 

Bassist Michael Anthony left the band in 2006 and was replaced by Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen, who was also the bass player for the band ‘Tremonti’ (Mark Tremonti: lead guitarist for ‘Creed’  and  ‘Alter Bridge’).

 

Eddie Van Halen is considered one of the most influential and innovative guitar musicians of all time. And although he popularized the tapping technique, he was not its inventor, as the technique had been used sporadically by Steve Hackett of Genesis in the early70s and became an influence on Eddie himself. According to what was consulted years ago, Hackett affirmed that Eddie is in fact a good guitarist and is the one who gave the name to the technique and contributed enormously to its development and perfection.

 

Whoever the inventor was, EddieVan Halen is the Master of Tapping, period!

 

VAN HALEN STUDIO ALBUMS

• Van Halen (1978).
• Van Halen II (1979).
• Women and Children First (1980)
• Fair Warning (1981).
• Diver Down (1982).
• 1984 (1984).
• 5150 (1986).
• OU812 (1988).
• For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991).
• Balance (1995)
• Van Halen III (1998).
• A Different Kind of Truth (2012).

 

THANK YOU EDDIE!