Wolfgang Van Halen Declined a Request to Play "Eruption" at the Grammys

Wolfgang Van Halen has revealed that he turned down a request by The Recording Academy to perform "Eruption" – as a tribute to his late father, Eddie – at the 2021 Grammy Awards. 

The ceremony – which was broadcast this past Sunday, March 14 – has been criticized for insufficiently highlighting and paying tribute to Eddie Van Halen. 

While a 20-second archival clip of Eddie playing a live "Eruption" solo – while a spotlight shone on his Frankenstrat – was shown on the broadcast, fans pointed out that John Prine, Little Richard, and Kenny Rogers were each given individual tribute performances.   

In a Twitter post, Wolfgang said he turned down The Recording Academy's request because, in his words, “I don't think anyone could have lived up to what my father did for music but himself.”

“It was my understanding that there would be an 'In Memoriam' section where bits of songs were performed for legendary artists that had passed," Wolfgang continued. "I didn't realize that they would only show Pop for 15 seconds in the middle of four full performances for others we had lost.

“What hurt the most was that he wasn't even mentioned when they talked about artists we lost in the beginning of the show.

“I know rock isn't the most popular genre right now, (and the Academy does seem a bit out of touch), but I think it's impossible to ignore the legacy my father left on the instrument, the world of rock, and music in general. There will never be another innovator like him.

“I'm not looking to start some kind of hate parade here, I just wanted to explain my side,” he continued. “I know Pop would probably just laugh it off and say, 'Ehh who gives a shit?' He was only about the music anyway. The rest didn't matter.

“I'd love to get the opportunity to speak with The Recording Academy not only about the legacy of my father, but the legacy of the Rock genre moving forward.”

The award for Best Rock Album at this year's ceremony went to The Strokes, for The New Abnormal, while Best Rock Song went to Brittany Howard, for "Stay High."