I am 63 years old, I love my guitars, Eddie Van Halen provided a large part of the soundtrack to my life. Every time a Van Halen song came on the radio every thing stops and turn it up..... You come across as a great guy and I follow your videos, you connect to people. A piece of my heart is missing now.
16 year old guitarist inspired by Eddie... Completely devastated. I'm taking the money I've been saving up to make a 5150 replica. Kramer Baretta Special, EVH Frankenstein Pickup, EVH premium guitar strap, and a sick paint job. Rest in Peace Eddie Van Halen.
im 17 and im going to be doing the same thing ever since i found out ive been watching old videos of him playing on stage and videos on how to make a guitar in is honor rip EVH
I think smoking had something to do with Eddie's death I've been smoking for 40 years now I haven't smoked the past 10 days I want quit for good when you smoke it's so addictive makes you want to light one up right after you just put one out you're actually depleting your oxygen level inside your body and replacing it with toxic smoke killing yourself basically smoking tobacco is a little different than smoking marijuana you smoke some marijuana take a couple puffs and you put it out and then you're good for a couple hours but tobacco is different because you want to light one up right after you put one out at least it is for me
I'm 69yrs young and this is exactly how I felt when Jimi Hendrix pasted. But I was lucky to have seen Jimi 3 times. Jimi and Eddie will live on as long as guitars are being played.
So sad my heart is crushed, the minute I read about his death my whole body froze and all I can think of he’s gone forever, no more interviews, no more music, no more live shows, only amazing and legendary memories left to cherish, I’m only 15 and sadly was unable to see them live, but his music and his tone and his playing touches my heart so much, and he is one of my biggest hero’s. I felt like I knew the guy from how much of an inspiration he is to me, especially as a young guitar player. Eddie died and apart of us all got lost. One of the greatest composers and innovators in all of rock. Rest easy Ed, not only was Ed taken to the grave he took Van Halen with him.Seriously where have all the good times gone, Light up the sky Ed😥
Kenneth So sad man I feel your pain. I just wasn’t able to take in the news. I had said to my dad a few months ago, I hope they reunite with Micheal Anthony😥Light up the sky Ed🙏
Hi Robert, thanks for sharing the stories, and giving a much needed positive message. Yesterday was rough with many tears. Probably my favorite story is also my first VH concert. I was in the seventh grade in 1984, and my family lived in the San Fernando Valley (suburban L.A. county). I had started playing guitar about 6 months earlier, and was taking lessons from a friend of my parents. One night, we drove to the lesson, and the teacher says "so what do you want to do tonight?" And I said something like "I guess learn some more chords?" And he said "how about we go see Van Halen" I could have crapped my pants. My parents bought the tickets and set it all up! It was beyond life changing. It was the old Los Angeles Forum and Van Halen were like the homecoming kings returning to town to tear it up. Roth was flirting with ladies up front and spitting out funny one liners... Michael had his Jack Daniels bass.... Alex had the gong behind him on fire at one point... and then there was Eddie... When his extended solo came on, I had no freaking idea what he was doing at the time - but it was the most wonderful and crazy noises I had ever heard. He even brought out that little contraption where he could angle the guitar body parallel to the floor (or flat angled to the floor) and do all of the crazy piano tapping stuff with his left hand over the neck. It was mind boggling... before that, the only footage I had seen of Eddie playing was in the Jump and Hot For Teacher videos LOL. I can tell you when I showed up to school the next day with a Van Halen shirt from the concert, more than one jealous tongue wagged. Okay, I'll shut up now. Long live the memory of King Edward, and thank you for continuing to wave his flag! :)
The first time I heard VH was 1978. I heard the Eruption on my radio. My jaw was on the floor. What was that?!! I had to learn a whole new vocabulary. Spent most of the 80's working on it. Eddie changed guitar forever. To steal a line from the Hitman He is the best there is, the best that was, the best there ever will be! R.I.P. brother
I still can't believe he's gone. Van Halen was my childhood and is the reason I picked up the guitar. I remember being around 4 years old (I'm almost 19 now) having Runnin' With The Devil on repeat, until one day my mom got tired of it on repeat. So with out the repeat, Eruption came on and it sounded so strange to me and it blew my mind. At that moment I pretty much knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Van Halen will always be my favorite band, and Eddie will always be my favorite guitar player. We may have lost a legend, but his legacy will live on. Rest in piece Eddie.
I never met Eddie, but to say he inspired guitarists for the last 40 years. He touched us all if you knew it or not. Eddie is now giving God his own concert in the sky. RIP.... 🤟🤟🤟 I am 46. I remember the music as it hit us all.
yesterday i had a "don McClean" moment....I was a kid when elvis died...but I remember my parents reaction....I understander that now....before eddie my "tree of life" for guitarist were page, beck, clapton...then Eddie comes along....he was more than a needle mover...he was for guitar what the wright brothers were for flight....every song and LP better that the last....wanna see his magic..go to youtube and look up Eddie playing Catherine (5150studio) plain magic...where would have eddie taken us next??.........God speed EVH.....
Emotional. I used to say, "Hey, Eddie" to the cardboard cutout of him with a psychedelic pancake everytime I went in and out of my local music shop. He'll live forever in our riffs and aspirations. So long and and thanks for all the licks. Rock In Peace EVH.
Thank you Robert for your tribute to EVH. He was a guitar hero to many of us. I got to meet him in person in the mid 80's at a small theater in Pismo Beach, CA. It was a small intimate group of people (about 40). If I remember correctly, he was there to coach the Greg Kihn band. Eddie was running around with endless energy and his personality was electric. I was in my early 20's...so I thought the best part of the deal was I got to sit next to Valerie. She was as nice as she was beautiful. I got to hear some amazing guitar work that day! I will never forget. I have a friend that worked at Ernie Ball (San Luis Obispo, CA) around that time and he tells a story about Eddie visiting the factory and tried to make a guitar string next to the station where my buddy worked. He totally messed it up! LOL It had something to do with the recent consumption of adult beverages. Another memory sure to last a life time. Thank you for all the recorded memories and RIP EVH. Rock On!
I met my best friend, of over 30 years, through a shared love of Van Halen - it was 5150 for us, but it quickly spread through every other album, then to Cream, Eric Clapton and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Then through the people Eddie touched - Sammy's solo work, Brian May, Vai etc. On the first ever Van Halen tour to Australia - for VH3 with Gary in 1998 - my friend and I traveled through 3 states and 4 concerts, following them around. One of my most treasured photos is of Ed and I at a record store signing and both flexing our VH tattoo. I don't know if I somehow knew - but I was awake early yesterday morning for no reason. Minutes later - a text from my friend came through announcing Ed's passing. We caught up last night - drank some Jack Daniels. cranked up the volume on a few albums and noodled around on our guitars. RIP Eddie Van Halen. Thankyou for all the memories. You now join the pantheon of Legends.
Great tribute to the greatest guitarist that ever shredded the strings. The man may be gone, but he will always be remembered by the gifts he left behind. His legacy is his music. And it will be an inspiration for generations. Thanks for posting, Robert. RIP, Eddie. Heaven just got a little louder.
I was in High school when the first 2 albums came out we were all Amazed. I had the good fortune of seeing them live twice in the 70's.Imagine seeing them when they played the whole first album. live . I was there. R I P Eddie your songs have been playing in my mind since I was 16 and will continue to do so.
I'm an 18 year-old player, started playing music at 13 on the piano. I listened to Queen for the most part, but I loved "Jump" with a passion. I took the chance to listen to Eddie on the keys, but when I heard "Cathedral." I was shookt when I watched Live Without A Net and heard Cathedral there. On my 15th Birthday, I was gifted an acoustic, and I jumped to the guitar and learned guitar within a month. That first month on learning introduced me to Jimi's playing style first since I loved "Little Wing," then Clapton's Cream and D&D's work, then to BB King, then Page, then John Frusciante, and John Mayer. When I felt like I developed my own habits, I finally learned to stretch my fingers to where I could play the tapping line to "Eruption," "Hot For Teacher," "Ice Cream Man," and many more. Playing those licks where always so satisfying and I learned to use the tapping technique well when I jam or record. Jump high, Eddie. you were always too good for us.
Van Halen marked not only my introduction to guitar playing, but to music as a whole. I never really listened to music regularly when I was younger. Maybe the occasional AC/DC track and a few Cars songs here and there, but that was it. One day when I was probably 11 or 12, my dad left me in the car with the rock station on the radio while he went into the grocery store to grab a few things. Hot For Teacher came on, and I remember thinking something was wrong with the car when the drums came on. I was blown away when the guitar came on. On the way home, Panama came on, and I asked my dad who was playing it. When he told me, I went home and listened to the first 3 Van Halen albums. Van Halen inspired me to pick up the guitar and stick with it. The first song I ever learned from start to finish was Panama. RIP EVH. Thank you for everything
I’m 14 years old and never had the opportunity to meet or see Eddie live but I remember when I first heard Van Halen, I was in social studies with my friend Wyatt and he and I got really close by music. We would listen to music together when we worked and I’ll never forget the day he introduced me to Van Halen. I was blown away by Eddie's guitar tone and it just put a big smile on my face whenever I heard them. Thank you Eddie for the memories of listening to your awesome solos and riffs, thank you for inspiring me to pick up the guitar, thank you for everything I’ll never forget you I will introduce my generation to your music to keep your legacy alive. rock on man 🤘
Hi Robert, it was definitely a very sad day in music and in our lives, what an absolute innovator and legend he really was. Long live the King. RIP Eddie.
In my opinion Eddie was simply the birth of Modern Guitar playing. For those that don't know it's all about the tapping but for those that do it's not just the searing leads but the delicate subtlety, the incredible sense of timing, the riffs, the rhythm playing DEAR GOD the rhythm playing, the hair standing on up on the back of your neck EVERY TIME you hear THAT riff no matter how many times you hear it (for me it Mean Streets) . Such an inspiration to us all, words just don't seem to cover it. One that will never be forgotten and only imitated. May you rest in beautiful peace Ed.
I grew up in Los Angeles Ca. back in the late 70's, I was 16 in1975, Eddie and his brother played in a band called mammoth and Eddie was guitarist/singer, they played at parties throughout Pasadena Ca. then they played the Sunset strip in Hollywood, I was blessed to see and hear it all. I was at the farewell show for Van Halen at the Whiskey a go go before they went on the first world tour. I met them numerous times Eddie was was and is a phenomenal Human and he'll be sorely missed. I will cherish my collection of Van Halen albums, pictures & posters signed by Eddie! and dont forget the amazing Randy Rhoads! seen him with Quiet Roit on the sunset strip! met Randy hundred's of times. RIP Eddie, RIP Randy! I was blessed to see and live the Metal movement in Hollywood, Ca, and yes like the rest of you I play guitar and wont stop until its my time to depart plant earth...
10 years sober - Inspired by Eddie. For years my guitar sat in the corner, terrified to play sober - then I watched VH perform 'Mean Street' down under and that was it. Ordered my beautiful white EVH Wolfgang in December, learning to play again. Two days ago my dream came true, a rough hewn cover but still note for note. Put my guitar down and went to bed happier than I'd been in years. Got up for work, our hero is gone. Stunned. Thank you Eddie! For that scorching 1998 performance of Mean Street and the inspiration to stay sober! And thanks to you Robert! You taught me that a) Eddie's style is difficult to emulate b) I needed a metronome badly Awesome channel!!
I was 13 in 1979 and in Junior high I was in the school library and some kid picked up the Guitar Player with Edward on the cover . Black cover with Eddie in his VH 2 tour outfit. First song I heard was Dance the night away on the radio one morning while getting ready for school. In 1980 as soon as I could mow a lawn, get 5 bucks, ride my bike to the mall and buy women and children first it was on! Eddie made me want to play guitar and the awesome journey of learning an instrument. Yesterday my childhood died.
Saw VH so many times-sat in the front row right in front of him. He made you feel like you knew him. I got a guitar the day after I saw "Unchained" at Oakland 1981 on MTV. The absolute greatest in my lifetime. I really miss him. RIP Ed. ❤️😢
I saw Hot for Teacher on MTV at Grandma's house one Saturday morning. The part where Eddie's walking across tabletops while playing his solo blew my brain out the back of my skull. Totally changed what I wanted to be and what I wanted to do with my life. Thanks for everything, Eddie!!
I am from India and I have never met Eddie but I knew he was one of the greatest guitarist of all time...I always wanted to be like him....may his soul rest in peace.💐💐💐😢😢
I bought the debut Van Halen Lp when it was brand new not knowing anything about the band.....just liked the album cover.....went home and put it on the turntable and I was in awe.....amazing album.....1978...I was a junior in High School..... RIP EVH....
Such an enormous talent! Obviously as a lead guitarist, but also as a composer, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist. VH 1 is such an incredible album. It COMPLETELY changed rock music. Forever. RIP, Edward
I grew up listening to Van Halen. My uncle introduced them to me with Van Halen 1. Running with the Devil was the coolest thing I'd heard and then Eruption. My face melted and I was forever hooked. That was in 1978 and to this day he is still a god of the guitar. Les Paul even credits him as someone who has done more with a guitar than anyone else has ever imagined. RIP Eddie.
Eddie will always be my favorite guitarist as well. I was fortunate enough to see him live 3 times all with Sammy Hagar. The 2nd time I saw him was at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati. Front row center. Cost me $200 which what was a fortune for me at the time. Worth every penny. I was lucky enough to have him toss me a guitar pick during the show. A night I'll never forget. Eddie thank you for the memories, the music and the smiles. Rest in peace.
So yesterday, I finish work in Northern UK. Jump in my car, Spotify van Halen on shuffle, get home, pick up my guitar spending an hour trying to perfect I'm the one {at half speed} later that night, see the heartbreaking news of his passing on a Pete thorn fb post.. Evh has been in my thoughts every day for the past 35 years. R I P
I was a young teen, my third ever concert, women and children first, i had seen rush the week before, i was in for a shock!...damn Eddie jumped over the drum risers and broke into a transcendental galaxy of notes and howls....it took me a week for my ears to recover...what a showman and a humble talent...RIP.x
Eddie's sound has always tuned everything else out for me. One of the greatest escapes. When Eruption plays my world stops spinning. When Cathedral is on nothing else matters. Eddie helped me score every job. Eddie was their when I made a couple of my kids. Eddie was with me when I lost my dad, grandpa, ex-wifes. Tears for the loss of a man I never met.. THANK YOU EDDIE VAN HALEN!!! And thank you to the people who helped bring it to the world. ( not a musician just a fan )
Robert, you are a class act. I like your style, your demeanor, your humble approach to guitar playing, your talent, and your channel. I am 65 years old and Van Halen was an astounding influence on me as well. I was fortunate enough to be in a band called Geneva in 1979. We had a practice studio in a set of warehouses in Anaheim CA off Ball Rd and it was filled with Bands that could practice without complaints from neighbors since the area was all industrial. John Waite and the Baby's were working on the video for “Missing You” in the studio next to us, and Van Halen were working on Van Halen II (which of course we wouldn’t recognize the significance of until many years later). I remember us dropping our instruments to go over by their roll up door to listen as they played stuff we could only dream of! It was a small community of musicians in LA at that time. Sammy Hagar went to school with my first boss out of the Navy and he always said “Sammy will make it big.” Little did we know. R.I.P. Eddie, and thank you Robert for your considerate memory and appreciation of him, his talents, and his influence.
Thanks Robert for the tribute. I’m in my 50s now but can still clearly remember the first time I heard Eddie. It was at a party and somebody dropped the needle on VH1. The pick scrape behind the nut at the beginning of Running with the Devil was all it took!!! I spent the next 30 or so years chasing that tone and style, but never mastered it. EVH was an original and one of very few true innovators. Thanks Eddie - you were the sound track for a lot of people’s lives!!!
Sad day, my memory is hearing Eruption on the radio, way back when, and the entire lacrosse team stopped warming up and listened. What a moment to remember
My first concert was Diver Down and I snuck up to the fifth row and Eddie jumped on top of a Speaker right in front of me. He pointed at me and I went freaking wild and he jammed his ass off. 30 years later I saw him again and he played note for note everything correct... Awesome Man Mr. Eddie Van Halen!!!
Creation: Inspiration: Determination: Motivation: Dedication: Most of all Appreciation: Appreciation for all of those listed above from a guitar genius. Rest easy Eddie. 🙏
You brought tears to my eyes talking about your Dad introducing you to Eddie and his magic. I introduced my son to AC/DC and Metallica and inspired his guitar playing. Legends create legends!
In high school my friends and I had our own radio show at the local college. The station was old and funky with tons of weird equipment including a turntable with a 16 rpm setting. We used it to play VH records at half-speed so we could figure out the licks. I still have my cassette of Eruption slowed down !! Thank you Eddie. You changed my life.
Eddie van halen greatest guitar player all time.he is the reason my mind filled with guitar.i'am a 13 years kid who watched eddie shred eruption.my brain was blown away by seeing and man it's awesome first time hearing eddie's guitar in michael jackson "beat it" song awesome solo two years ago he is a awesome man...
I saw Van Halen in concert, Hampton Coliseum 1991. AIC opened for them. I saw the country band Alabama do a cover live in that same Coliseum years before. Who didn't love EVH. Millions began playing because of EVH. I heard the news yesterday while being seen in the hospital. I'm struggling with my own health issues. When I heard about Eddie, I did something I've never done. I had to walk to a private place to shed some tears.
My favorite Van Halen memory is back in the 80s my car stereo blew one speaker and I was listening to a Van Halen record and the blown speaker lost vocals in the mix and the album became an instrumental... it was amazing!!! As a new guitarist at the time I was just blown away listening to him without the distractions of the other side of the mix and could really hear him for the first time in that detail. RIP to VH!
42 years that Eddie Van Halen was around to inspire so many guitar players. From professional musicians, accomplished players, in between to beginners and those who never touched a guitar. But he and the band along with the videos will continue to carry on his legacy. Now that is some kind of touch that only a few people people ever accomplish.
Im a teenage guitarist and he inspired me to pick up the guitar. I've been playing for about a year now and the news just made me cry. When I heard Eruption and Panama i just knew i had to learn how to do THAT. Rest In Peace, Eddie.
I was a hardcore Kiss fan in the 70's in elementary school (yes, I loved all the standard greats, too). I got Kiss Alive II in 1978, and blown away by Ace's guitar solo. Then I started hearing Van Halen on the radio (You Really Got Me). Then in 1982 I finally heard Eruption. I didn't want to confess it, but Eddie dethroned my hero Ace (who has his own contributions to his credit). I didn't want to admit it because some of my worst rivals in Jr. High school loved VH, but then I heard Eruption. I had to submit, admit, confess, then rejoice. Those were the years of jam boxes, so all my neighbors were blessed by Van Halen I that summer. Eddie was a genre of his own.
I thought my tears were done yesterday. Your video brought some more. EVH/DLR and VH are in my DNA. In 79, Junior High I was taken out of class for some sort of Gifted and Talented session in the lunchroom, and encouraged to write poetry. Didn’t have a clue as to why or what was happening, but they had chocolate milkshakes, and in a life changing moment, I sat with a girl that showed me a vinyl copy of Van Halen. Being a KISS fanatic, she pointed out Gene Simmons’s name at the top of the thank you list and I was intrigued enough to get a copy and give it a spin......my 9th grade mind was blown. The Mighty Van Halen over the years worked their way into my very fabric, became my favorite American band ( Bowie tops all for me). Each new album, and concert ( 5 DLR era) where magic moments in my life. If I’m honest, I’d guess my band image has always been a cross between Dave and Eddie.....at least told that countless times. Never been able to get near his level on guitar, but I’ve also consciously tried not to let his influence show too much because it would be a losing cause. Eddie is and always be the best rock guitarist of all time, on that we agree. I’ll miss him, but then again always have the part he gave us all. I pray for him, his family, friends and fans. God bless King Edward.
Sweet tribute! I grew up in Arcadia, CA (next to Pasadena) and went to school with Michael Anthony’s cousin. I first heard Van Halen in about 1979, and it was so heavy and brown and awesome! I can’t imagine never hearing Eddie play on stage again. Never saw him in person, and now I regret it.
Well done Robert you are a great guy. I am also a huge Eddie fan i was only a kid but i bought the first album the day it was released in Australia, my life forever changed that day and my guitar playing road was set in concrete. I had the pleasure of spending a day with Eddie here in Australia in 1998, he was a gentleman and just a sweet guy and we talked about guitars and music, it was magical. Rip Edward Cheers Dave from Australia.
I can't believe how incredibly sad his passing makes so many of us...actually I can believe it... because I began playing guitar and it was years before I could play some of his more complex work. But Eddie was the Rock God we all knew was out there. May his friends and family, Wolf, be happy in the memories of the love and friendship they shared. I feel like it took a little piece of all of us in humanity, and every last one of us...we are so blessed for the gifts he gave us. RIP Brother.
I was lucky to see Van Halen twice in their heyday....the early 80's. The second time, they were huge ('82) and it was a sold out show....to be expected....and they were awesome! But the first time I saw them was in '79 0r '80....I was barely 16. My brother introduced me to their first album and Eruption blew my mind. When I heard they were coming to town I had to see them. I told friends I was going to the show and they had no clue who I was talking about.....at the time, they were the opening act for Eddie Money!!!! So I managed to get to the front of the stage to watch them play and planted myself in front of Eddie Frickin' Van Halen!! At one point he dropped his pick and I scooped it up....I still have it. It has a crack in it from his playing and his teeth mark!....it's a medium/heavy tortoiseshell with "Van Halen" in a simple font. Must be before he went to metal picks. Thanks for the inspiration and the memories Eddie!!
Hey Robert, thanks for this touching tribute to Eddie. My first memory of him is winning the Guitar Player Magazine player of the year award in 1984. He clearly deserved it. I got in VH when I was about 21 and I asked my guitar teacher to show me how to play Eruption. To me that's the bench of a good rock guitar player. EVH will live forever though his fans and his music! RIP
I saw the band (Eddie, Alex, Michael, and Sammy) in 2005. One of the best shows ever. Wolfgang came out during Eddie's solo and played a duet, then a blues jam with the band. It was an unforgettable night.
US festival 83. First time I heard this band ........ Van Halen..... and wow. Blew my mind. Still listen to their music ..... one of the best players of all times without doubt. R.I.P. buddy.
I'm 46, started playing around 11yrs old. Eddie and Rhodes made me wanna play, but Rhodes had me more hooked in the early days. But as I've gotten older, I kept slipping towards Saint Halen. Realized without him, there wasn't a Rhodes.. Hell there wasn't anyone without him. When my gf texted me as I was getting off work that he passed.. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I just sat in my truck feeling a way I didn't realize I would feel. Hit me how much of his playing had affected me over the years. Peace and light on your new journey. Evh forever
I got hooked on Van Halen when I heard Beautiful Girls when I was 12 and I got to see them in KC in 1984 it was one of the best concert that I ever went to. It was Michael Anthony’s Birthday and he fell into a huge cake! Eddie was definitely one of the greatest guitar players of all time! He will be missed!
So sad...I remember buying my first Van Halen album in 1978, vinyl of course, and I had to change my guitar to be able to dive bomb those harmonics...Saw them in 1982 at the Forum in Montreal. My ears were bleeding and it took days before I could wipe that grin off my face. R.I.P. Eddie.
I remember 85....wanted to have his hair cut....went to the "hairdressing".....and came out looking more like Jimi Hendrix than Eddie....f**k.....he even was the only one with that hair cut. WE ALREADY MISS YOU MAN !! KEEP ROCKING UP THERE !!! \m/
Thank you Robert for being real bro, Growing up in the 80s with all the great guitarists that grew up listening to their favorites of the past , we will keep Eddie's fresh all the time for decades to come..RIP Eddie.😔
I still can't believe he's gone... I was fortunate enough to see him live back in 2011. Like so many of us, he's the reason I picked up the guitar in the first place.
I was so grateful to be able to meet him backstage on the 5150 tour, he was everything that an idol should be! Best concert ever as he and Sammy Hagar are two idols and got to meet them both that evening in 1986! He now resting and when his rest is over, him and Jimi will be jamming!
The first song I learned on guitar is ain't talking about love and my brother taught it to me cuz he's a huge guitar head and he was always huge into rock and roll and Van Halen, yesterday I blasted ain't talking about love while driving around with my windows down and everyone in the neighborhood was like what the hell rest in peace Eddie I saw you in concert once and I watched all your DVD music videos over and over again growing up
I feel the exact same way Robert. I'm 18, never met the guy, and yet I feel like I lost a close family member. He's the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place almost 5 years ago. Didn't expect it to hit me so hard but at the same time I guess I kinda took it for granted he was gonna be around for a long while yet. Gone, but never forgotten. We'll miss you Eddie
I remember hearing 5150 for the first time, I had listened to all the other albums and they were great but that first lick of that album just blew my mind
I had been playing guitar for about a year before discovering Eddie. I started playing when I was 10 and I hated it because my dad made me practice. I thought it was boring. My great uncle came over one day and was "You think guitar is boring?", He goes over to his car and throws Van Halen 1 in and cranks Eruption. It changed my life. 20 years later, I'm still playing. All because of Eddie.
I discovered Van Halen and Pink Floyd in the same few minutes. My best friend played me Eruption and Mother. We played the, both over and over. I’ll never forget that day. I was about 10 years old.
First VH song I ever heard was 1979 at the beach - Dance the Night Away. Never looked back, because the whole world had turned on its head. Bought VH 1 and 2 the next day and blew out my stereo! RIP, EVH!
“When do you think people die? When they are shot through the heart by the bullet of a pistol? No. When they are ravaged by an incurable disease? No. When they drink a soup made from a poisonous mushroom!? No! It’s when… they are forgotten.” ― Dr. Hiriluk One Piece Eddie didn't die ... in fact , he will live forever !cause he'll never be forgotten . his legacy, passion, and love for guitar has been passed and will continue to pass on to future generations.
I'm sad that I never got to see Van Halen in concert. I have so many memories of them though from growing up in the 70s and 80s. Watching MTV videos like "Hot for Teacher" and "Jump"...listening to the albums with my brother, who was inspired to play guitar and got a red Strat copy when he was 13..."Runnin' With the Devil"..."Ice Cream Man"...playing riffs...Now I am watching all these tributes on RU-vid, apparently Eddie was a nice guy as well as an amazing virtuoso. Maybe one day I'll get an EVH guitar.
Awesome! Eddie was my hero, the best ever in my mind, since I was 11 I am 47 now, and it for me was 1984 also, My Dad popped 1984 in his 1980 Camaro and I was hooked,,I heard of them before but was only in kindergarten when Van Halen 1 came out, Van Halen has been my favorite band ever since. My Dad went out and bought me all their albums and I haven't looked back, Even the Hagar and Cherone era.i love it all, I listen to them still almost daily, today I've listened to them all day! My Dad introduced me to Van Halen, I introduced my son to Van Halen, Sadly my Dad passed from cancer 18yrs ago, my son was the first to text me about Eddie passing, because I was at work. I had no idea and was totally shocked and saddened. Anyway RIP to the king 👑 Eddie fuckin Van Halen
And they say Elvis was the king... No one could match Eddie at the time, and no one ever will. Many have tried, some have come close, but they haven’t matched him. As ash Williams said in army of darkness... “Hail to the king baby” RIP KING EDWARD VAN HALEN (1955-2020)
Kids today have no idea how big Van Halen was in the early to mid 80's. I first heard Van Halen in 1980 or so. I was only 6, but my mother's close friend had older kids and they played it around me. Unlike a lot of the other hard rock bands they played (AC/DC, Maiden, Rainbow, Dio), VH appealed to me as a little kid because it was pure joy. Eddie's playing and songwriting makes people happy. His lead playing is technical and flashy but immediate and easy to grasp, unlike other virtuoso players that I have come to appreciate like Allan Holdsworth and Al DiMeola. But my favorite aspect of this playing is his rhythm playing, especially the dynamics. The intros and choruses rip, but the verse sections are often played with great feel and touch. Also, if you strip away all the distortion and flash, most VH songs from the DLR era are based around modified blues shuffles. You can really hear the Billy Gibbons and Cream influences once you know to listen for them. RIP Eddie.
