Eddie Van Halen

Latest about Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen circa 1984
Eddie Van Halen was "a pretty complex person" says his longtime friend and biographer

By Phil Weller Published

Steven Rosen had a 26-year friendship with the guitarist, whose personality was split between the guitar and the rest of his life, he says

Guitarists
Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs on stage at Sleep Train Amphitheatre on September 30, 2015 in Chula Vista, California.
Eddie Van Halen shot down a film soundtrack near the end of his life, saying he hadn't been playing much

By Phil Weller Published

The news confirms Sammy Hagar's comments that the guitarist had lost interest in the instrument

Guitarists
Rock musicians Michael Anthony and Eddie Van Halen (1955 - 2020), both of the group Van Halen, performs onstage at the Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, March 15, 1986.
Michael Anthony reveals David Lee Roth's career-saving advice to Eddie Van Halen during Van Halen's early days

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

The former Van Halen bassist says the singer was concerned other guitarists would steal Eddie's technique before the guitarist could establish himself

Guitarists
Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen
Sammy Hagar says Eddie Van Halen was preoccupied with the cello when he died – and has called on Wolfgang to form a Van Halen tribute with him

By Phil Weller Published

The singer adds he's called on Wolfgang to form a Van Halen tribute group with him for at least one show

Guitarists
A screengrab of Michael J. Fox in the prom dance scene from Back to the Future
Gibson launches hunt for the 'Back to the Future' guitar that inspired John Mayer and Coldplay's Chris Martin

By Phil Weller Published

Used by Michael J. Fox in the film's dance scene, the guitar set a litany of greats on the road to playing, but it hasn’t been seen since 1985

Guitars
Rick Derringer poses with his Gibson Explorer backstage at the Shaboo Inn in Willimantic, Connecticut, before performing with his eponymous group, June 1976.
Rick Derringer has died. Read our exclusive 2024 interview where he recalled inspiring Eddie Van Halen and performing with Johnny Winter

By Joe Bosso Last updated

Derringer — whose work touched the careers of Johnny and Edgar Winter, Steely Dan, Neil Giraldo and "Weird Al" Yankovic — passed away May 26

Guitarists
Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020) plays his custom Frankenstrat guitar at Cobo Arena during Van Halen's "Hide Your Sheep Tour" on August 13, 1982, in Detroit, Michigan.
Eddie Van Halen was looking for a change as he tried to abandon Van Halen and guitars in 1983

By Elizabeth Swann Published

Gene Simmons claimed his encounter with the guitarist happened the same day Eddie tried to quit Van Halen and join Kiss

Guitarists
LEFT: Eddie Van Halen performs with a Strat-style white guitar with black stripes. RIGHT: Yngwie Malmsteen plays electric guitar as he performs onstage, mid-1980s.
Yngwie Malmsteen says Eddie Van Halen listened to his music all the time but ran from him every chance he got

By Phil Weller Published

Eddie was everyone's favorite, but Yngwie claims he always shied away from meeting or playing with him

Guitarists
Eddie Van Halen, performs during Van Halen's band's "Fair Warning Tour" on July 3, 1981, at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Eddie Van Halen's former guitar tech recalls the virtuoso's disastrous guitar battle before a packed NAMM show crowd

By Phil Weller Published

At an event where he also locked fretboards with Steve Stevens and Tim Bogert, it was a different kind of musician who provided Eddie with his most unique test

Guitarists
Eddie Van Halen (1955 - 2020), of the group Van Halen, performs onstage at the Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, March 15, 1986.
Eddie Van Halen on tapping, “Eruption” — and why the weight of the band rested on his shoulders

By Phil Weller Published

The last in a six-part series dedicated to the band’s early years is told through their voices, along with Van Halen producer Ted Templeman

Guitarists
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