For those who don’t know, Van Halen was the Axeman for rock band Van Halen and had hits with ‘Jump’ and ‘Ain’t Talking About Love’ to mention just two. As well as hits with Van Halen, Eddie famously played the solo in Michael Jacksons worldwide hit ‘Beat It’. He was a guitar innovator known for introducing the technique of ‘tapping’ into the world of rock and metal.
Eddie was one of the original “Guitar Heroes” and in his heyday was ranked up there with rock/metal greats such as Toni Iommi from Black Sabbath and Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden. His extraordinary talent has never been more apparent than in the one minute 43 second solo Eruption on the album Van Halen released in 1978.
Trivium frontman and guitarist Matt Heafy posted on Twitter: “Rest In Peace to one of the truly greatest musicians of all time. My first guitar hero – the guitarist that I grew up listening to in car rides with my family,” and over on his on his Twitch channel he posted a cover version of ‘Ain’t Talking About Love’.
My all-time favourite guitarist Brian Haner from Avenged Sevenfold (better known as Synyster Gates) used his website to make the point that Eddie was so loved not just because of his innovative guitar playing but because he obviously also truly loved playing his instrument.
Amongst the guitarists he inspired was is his own son Wolfgang Van Halen. Growing up around one of greatest guitarists of all time inspired Wolfgang to follow in his dad’s footsteps by picking up the guitar at a young age. He later went on to be the bassist in Tremonti before replacing Van Halen bass player Michael Anthony to play right alongside his own dad on stage.
Eddie Van Halen was truly one of the greatest guitarists and will be sadly missed.
