Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen (January 26, 1955 - October 9, 2020) is a Dutch-born Dutch/American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Eddie Van Halen is commonly known for his innovative performing and recording styles in blues-based rock, tapping, intense solos and high frequency feedback; he is also known for energetic and acrobatic stage performances. The All Music Guide has described him as "Second to only Jimi Hendrix...undoubtedly one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of the 20th century.". He is ranked 70th on the Rolling Stone list of Top 100 guitarists. He is best known for popularising the tapping technique, shredding and playing rapid and muted arpeggios on the fretboard.
Early life[]
Eddie Van Halen was born Edward Lodewijk Van Halen on 26 January 1955 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His father Jan was a clarinetist and saxophonist who played in a jazz band. When Eddie and his brother Alex wanted to be musicians, they played drums and guitar. Alex gave the guitar to Eddie, as the guitarist said he did not want to play drums anymore. When he wanted to be a rock musician, he sadly could not afford pedals, amps, or even a new guitar. In 1978, he bought a $50 body, an $80 neck and a pack of guitar strings. After building what would be his new guitar, he called it the Frankenstrat, but others called it Frankenstein.
Career[]
Although Van Halen originally formed in 1972, they were previously called Genesis. In 1977, Kiss bassist Gene Simmons heard Van Halen for the first time, and immediately liked their sound. He flew them to New York and booked them into Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios to record demos or songs. The following year, the band released their first studio album entitled Van Halen. One of the most mind blowing songs on the album was Eddie Van Halen’s Eruption. In 1979, Van Halen II was released. In the 1980s, the band dominated the hard rock and heavy metal sound with such hits as Jump, Panama and many others. Eddie’s father died in 1988 due to an alcohol related incident. Years earlier, Eddie had been told to drink alcohol and smoke by his father, which is referred to as “the cigarette and the drink” by Eddie.