Historical Figure
Eddie Van Halen
1955–2020
American rock guitarist (1955–2020)
Hear Their Voice
Original recordings and AI voice
"Agent-sourced (batch 24)" —
Generated by Today in History
Talk to Eddie Van Halen
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
Edward Lodewijk Van Halen was an American musician. He was the guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist and one of the primary songwriters of the rock band Van Halen, which he founded with his brother Alex Van Halen in 1972.
Timeline
The story of Eddie Van Halen, told in moments.
Van Halen's debut album drops on Warner Bros. "Eruption," a 1 minute 42 second guitar solo, rewrites what the instrument can do. He developed the two-handed tapping technique in his bedroom. Every rock guitarist after this has to reckon with it.
1984 is released. "Jump" goes to No. 1, built on a synthesizer riff the band initially hated. The album sells over 10 million copies. David Lee Roth leaves the band eight months later.
His guitar solo on Michael Jackson's "Beat It" becomes one of the most famous guest spots in rock history. Jackson called him directly. Eddie did it in one take, for free, because he liked the song.
Dies of throat cancer at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica. He was 65. His son Wolfgang was at his side. Guitarists from every genre post tributes within hours.
In Their Own Words (2)
Practice. I used to sit on the edge of my bed with a six-pack of Schlitz Malt talls. My brother would go out at 7pm to party and get laid, and when he'd come back at 3am, I would still be sitting in the same place, playing guitar. I did that for years — I still do that.
Eddie Van Halen in April 1996, in an interview with Guitar World, when asked about how he went from playing his first open A chord to playing "Eruption", 1996
I don't like doing interviews, I don't like doing what I'm doing right now. I'd rather be at home playing my guitar.
Talking with Kurt Loder on MTV's Famous Last Words show circa 1991., 1991
Artifacts (4)
Phi Psi Cli (electronic resource) (IA phipsicli1992elon)
Elon University Elon College Open Content Alliance
Eddie Van Halen -- Guitar Virtuoso: Includes 9 Classic Solo Guitar Instrumentals (Authentic Guitar Tab)
(Guitar Recorded Versions). Guitarist Eddie Van Halen is considered one of the finest players in the world, known for his great sound, blistering solos, and top-notch technique. This book features...
More from the Postwar
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Eddie Van Halen's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.