SANTA MONICA, CALIF.–Eddie Van Halen, the all-American guitar hero who, with his namesake hard-rock band Van Halen, redefined the sound and possibilities of the electric guitar in the 1970s and ’80s, died on Oct. 6 after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 65.
MSTies will remember that he was mentioned in a host segment in episode 303- POD PEOPLE, when Joel invented a three-handed guitar chord named for Van Halen.
Thanks to Tim for the heads up.
His ex, Valerie Bertinelli, sent out a long string of broken hearts at the news of his passing. You know you did okay when your ex sends hearts at your passing. RIP
I remember the guys did a gag in-theater during Zombie Nightmare when they compared Tony the soon-to-be zombie first to Eddie Van Halen and then to Valerie Bertinelli.
RIP Eddie. We will miss you.
Saw Van Halen back in 1981, and it was a good time. To see lean, muscular Eddie jumping in the air like that — he was the epitome of youth. RIP, Eddie!
I think the economical, yet insightful first comment made by someone called “ArgentoKaos” over on The Rolling Stone website yesterday summed it up best, when this story first hit the news. He/she simply said:
Take. 2020. Back.
On the plus side (if there is any “plus” to be had in a situation like this), I just heard that Eddie Van Halen’s ex-wife (Valerie Bertinelli) and son (Wolfgang) were both at his side when he passed…… :-(
I’ve read several interviews with her over the years, and while they didn’t stay married, she never bad-mouthed him. Said he was an incredible father. RIP Eddie. 2020 sucks.
I realize we project a lot onto our gods, icons, & celebrities. We grieve over people we don’t actually know and by proxy dip our toe into that dark pool of our own mortality.
But this one. This one is just f%&$#+g hard.
I am not exaggerating when I say I think of Tom Petty several times a week – and he left us three years ago already.
The death of Prince is still surreal. It feels “wrong.”
I don’t ask much of the Reaper Bastard:
Just allow all our musicians to live at least as long as Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts.
Please.
You shrouded no good scythe carrying son of a bitch.
????
(The question marks are indicating an incompatible frowning emoji command.)
Aye Aye Captain!
Eddie was like another Hendrix- he completely changed the music landscape.
I’m still reeling from the death of Mark Hollis from Talk Talk last year as well. If you’ve never heard their albums Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock, go treat your ears. . . just pure musically artistic masterpieces.
I was always waiting for an Eddie Van Halen instrumental solo album. Waiting. Waiting.
I appreciate the tip and will treat said ears.