I didn’t want to believe the news when I first heard, but I was quickly rendered virtually speechless and on the verge of a flood of tears once I read Wolfgang Van Halen’s heartbreaking Twitter post concerning the passing of his beloved “Pop.” At the criminally young age of 65, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen has left us for a better place…
I can remember exactly where I was and what I stopped doing the first time I heard Van Halen’s self-titled debut album in 1978. Mirroring countless guitarists of every level all over the globe, the slab of sheer guitar-playing genius changed everything. This man with a homemade axe and a handful of pedals driving a dimed Marshall stack reset the bar and changed me as a guitarist — forever.
It wasn’t just Edward’s innovative two-handed tapping, scary speed, articulate accuracy, brilliant whammy-bar abuse, and hauntingly creative use of harmonics either. It was everything… his tone, taste, rhythm work; his fire; his use of space; and those riffs — those timeless riffs. And let’s not forget that smile either…
I had the “pinch me” honor of working with Edward in 2008–09 on the launch of the EVH Wolfgang axe. What was it like? Priceless. Simply priceless. He was a funny, smart, driven, family-loving guy — in addition to being the finest rock guitarist on the planet. Result. While we were working on literature for his axe, I wrote something aboard a bus going to the Fender factory in Mexico. I texted it to Ed; he dug it and said, “Don’t change a thing.” It appeared in the Wolfgang brochure “as was.” Here’s my opening statement, and it says it all, IMHO:
“In 1978 a skinny kid from L.A. armed with a homemade guitar and a disarming smile grabbed the rock world by the throat and kicked its ass hard. Really hard. Eddie Van Halen and his crazy, never-seen-before talents rewrote the rules and raised the bar — big time…”
I could write a large freaking book or three on Edward’s impact on guitar playing, but I don’t have to — his music says it all. As do the amazing guitars, amps, pickups, and effects pedals he graced us all with. Just like his playing, they inspire you to play; to create; to rock; to improve; to push your limits; to just have fun; and to smile.
The thoughts, heartfelt condolences, and prayers of all of us at Sweetwater are with Edward’s wife, his son, his brother, family, loved ones, and friends. What a legacy. What a life. What a loss. I’m totally gutted but will remain eternally grateful for the priceless gifts of inspiration and innovation that lurk within the timeless music and gear he created. Oh yeah, and for that infectious smile, too…
RIP EVH… and a sincere, tearstained “Thank you,” good sir, from the very bottom of my heart.