An Apreciation of VAN HALEN

- Dedicated to Eddie and Alex Van Halen -
Quotes by Eddie Van Halen

Farewell to Eddie

About You Leaving

My Personal Farewell to Eddie

Eddie, through your few interviews, I know you didn´t like praise and believed that music is not a competition. You didn´t aim for the fame, wasn´t in it for the money. You said you were just a musician, and that music was your life. Probably you would think that someone dedicating a webpage to you is too much. Maybe you would tell me to "get a life".

What I do best is to write and express myself using words - so consider this my best expression, in appreciation of what you yourself did best. And I´ll try to keep it simple, ok?!

Like many people, I wasn´t aware of all the struggles and suffering you´ve endured. It´s seems so unfair that great souls - such as yours, should have to face all this. Hearing your music now is bittersweet. I´m forced to acknowledge you´re not here anymore, and that your boyish grin will be just a memory from now on... it brings tears down the face.

But, at the same time, you were part of my lifelong best moments and joyful memories. And, for that, I feel deeply honored and thankful. Your vivacity comes through in each song, and I can´t hide the feeling of happiness. It dries out the tears, and I smile back at you.

Keep rockin´ loud, Eddie! Love ya.

My heartfelt sentiments do Alex, Wolfang, Janie and Valerie. Missing him is inevitable. Forgetting him, impossible.

"I´m not afraid to fall on my face. There´s mistakes, there´s slop, there´s whatever - but it´s real emotion." (Guitar World 1998)

About leaving it all to you

Playing with Bliss is the Only Rule

When I first heard Van Halen, I was blown away. Brought home the vynil like it was a crystal relic. I asked for - and got, a guitar and an amp. For Eddie, that would suffice to make magic happen right before your eyes. Despite my efforts to play like he did, soon I realized I didn´t have what it took.

Eddie said that he didn´t like music theory, because he didn´t want to play music that someone else had written. Even if I´ve tried harder, still I would´ve sounded like a lousy copy. That´s because, besides having talent and good ears, Eddie was a musician, a songwriter, a composer. And, on top of all that, he played with feeling, and from the heart.

With no feeling of defeat, I rested the guitar on the stand, and gladly left it all to Eddie. It was twice the fun just to rock along with him and enjoy his uplifting energy. And this, no one can reproduce.

Eddie and Frankenstrat

"Where do ideas and music come from? They´re given. The key is to stop thinking and let it happen." (Guitar World 1998)

Eddie - The Best of Both Worlds

A Down to Earth Guy

During his lifetime, Eddie lived good and bad times, gone through ups and downs, experienced highs and lows - like many of us mere common people. All of this affected his life alone, and also the lives of those who were in close contact with him in this earthly life.

But what he delivered to his fans and the public was always an inspiring, contagious smile on his face, and an energy full of zest for life and for music. He loved what he did, and lived to share it with us.

People say that Eddie wasn´t much of a talker. He himself said he was shy. He kept to himself what he thought and felt. Music was his form of expression. And what an encyclopedia he left us! Always inspiring, full of inexplicable though delightful mysteries, ahead of its time until this day, and forever changing the scenery of rock.

With a Talent Beyond this Sphere

The second world of Eddie was, and forever will be, out of this ordinary world. He was gifted, but he never counted on it. He worked to make it better - as a luthier, as a composer/writer, as a scientist of the sounds - conveying new moods, vibes, tones and rhythms.

A new mountain was created in the musical universe, through Eddie´s and Alex´s unearthly compound of boiling energy. The Van Halen flag will forever stand full mast at its top. That´s what makes them special - unbelievably great - so much as to change history, while humble enough to make us all feel part of it - offering true inspiration.

All of this affected not only our lives as fans, but will continue to inspire generations to come - cause Eddie will always speak to us through something that never dies - the spirit of music.

Eddie jumping

"I´d just like people to like what I play. I don´t want people to say 'you´re number one'. It´s a matter of taste." (Guitar World 1981)

Eddie and Alex onstage

Within Him, the Eruption

Lighting Up the Sky

An eruption is the outburst of a contained energy, in the form of heat, fire and light.

The very song that blew everybody away is the one that perhaps describes Eddie the best - "Eruption", from their first album (Van Halen). Within him lay that blazing fire, that vibrant turmoil - constantly gathering strength and suddenly bursting out.

Always Unexpected. Unannounced. Unprecedented. Uneartly. The Unmistakable and Unparalleled "Brown Sound". Eddie described this sound as "warm, big and majestic." Eddie´s playing was so natural, spontaneous and seemingly effortless - no matter what instrument he chose to use as a creative vehicle.

What he truly enjoyed though was live performing, and a Van Halen concert is something unforgettable - this volcano of pure and fired-up energy that elevates you to a higher ground.

"Who´s to say what´s right? It´s all within yourself." (Guitar World 1985)

"All we’re tryin’ to do is put some excitement back into rock’n’roll." (Esquire 2012)

A Van Halen Tune

Tons of Tones

Every music Van Halen launched in their 13 studio albums has a unique vibe, reverberating a signature feel - that resonates mainly through Eddie´s magical musicianship and Alex´s spectacular, eclectic and bombarding drum skills.

Pick and listen to any Van Halen album - their music sounds as fresh, new, exciting, creative and dazzling today as they were when they were recorded.

Since the release of their debut album in 1978, special features and characteristics set Van Halen apart from any rock band - making their sound so full of charisma.

"I thank god on my knees that I’m alive, and obviously to be sober and to be working with my son. I’m so damn blessed it’s beyond word, I don’t even know how to explain.

And sometimes the reason I get emotional when people chant my name is because it’s like it’s really not me, I’m not a rock star, I’m just a musician. I make music for a living, I wouldn’t know how to act like a rock star. What is a rock star anyway?

But it’s almost like, 'Okay, what the man upstairs gave me, message delivered.' That’s how I feel; like, 'Okay, they get it.' It’s a feel thing, music is vibration, and it is the universal language. I think people pick up on the vibe that I’m not bulls*tting, that what I play comes from the heart, I put everything I have into it." (Forbes, Interview with Steve Baltin, 2009)

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Eddie & Alex - the Van Halen Brothers

They started the band. They jammed together almost daily since their childhood. Their chemistry, symbiosis and inherent musicianship are the core of Van Halen´s sound.

"He´s (Alex) not just my brother, he´s my best friend. We do everything together. We´re buddies. We argue about things, but we´re tight. We know each other better than anyone else." (G. Player, 1995)

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Contagious Backing Vocals

Eddie´s and Michael Anthony´s high pitched vocals give most of Van Halen´s songs that one of a kind feel, that makes you wanna sing along, and be a part of the fun. They managed to add another layer of melody, without sounding tacky - delivering an engaging vocal experience that invites you to be a part of.

"We don´t go for perfection, we just go for spirit." (Guitar World, 1981)

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Memorable & Fired Up Intros

Eddie was kind of an experimental scientist and engineer, exploring new musical moods and sounds, either with the guitar or the keyboards.

He didn´t use many pedal effects, keeping it all simple. Whatever guitar or instrument he picked up, it sounded like Eddie - the magic came through his fingers. And cranking the amp all the way up.

"I love making music just for the sake of it." (Guitar World, 1985)

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Amazing Rhythmic Guitars

Unlike any other guitarist, Eddie had a totally unique approach to the rhythmic guitar parts. He mixed the chords with riffs and gave it rhythm, almost as if he was singing along.

The notes are so well connected - there´s never a boring or repetitive piece of music. That´s why he didn´t use many overdubs in the albums. When performing live, Eddie did it all - rhythmic and solo guitars, ending up sounding just as perfect, or even more exciting, than the recorded version - spectacular!

"I don´t think when I play. It´s spontaneous, it´s feeling." (Guitar World, 1981)

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Charismatic Vocalists

Dave and Sammy - Van Halen´s two main vocalists, spiced up the sound in very different, yet very powerful and outstanding ways.

Roth was a sight to see - a flamboyant frontman. His bluesy, talkative, rugged voice - paired up with his performatic moves was perfectly suited for the band´s energetic wall of sound.

Sammy brought his breathtaking voice range and his own great guitar skills and, once more, upgraded Van Halen´s sound.

Unfortunately, Gary Cherone left a piece of him in only one album - Van Halen III. But Eddie considered it "the most important album of my life." I also consider it a very strong and melodic album.

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Kick Ass Instrumental Songs

In every Van Halen album (except 5150 and OU812) there´s an instrumental song, either played by Eddie alone, or accompanied by Alex. Their almost daily jam sessions surely were the inspiration for these great compositions.

Eddie once said: "Some people think a song without words isn't a real song. Tell Beethoven that and he'll kick your ass!." Isn´t he damn right?! These instrumentals take you on a trip that words can´t describe.

"Once we walk out of the studio, all you can do is feel good about what you´ve done, and then it´s out of your control. You can´t will your will onto others." (Guitar World, 1998)

"Every time I walk onstage is like a high point. I get instant feedback. They either hate it or love it." (Guitar Player, 1995)

Timeline

A Concise History of Van Halen

This webpage was conceived as a tribute to the band, to all its members, and above all, to Van Halen´s body of work and musical legacy.

This timeline is a concise chronology of all major dates and facts regarding Van Halen, since the birth of its members, spanning until 2020 - when Eddie passed away.

You can view all the tracks of Van Halen´s 13 studio albums, along with the album covers. This timeline is based on C. J. Chilvers "The Van Halen Encyclopedia", published in 1999.

Click on the button below to travel through Van Halen´s Timeline!

Photo GALLERY

"God’s not gonna give you nothing if you don’t practice or play." (Forbes, Interview with Steve Baltin, 2009)

Van Halen Family

Copyright and Webdesign by Cyntia S. L. - This webpage is a non-profit tribute - Photo Credits: gettyimages / mightyhalen.tumblr.com / John Tonne / Philip Kamin