The rock world reeled today when it was announced that founding Van Halen member and guitar revolutionary Eddie Van Halen had died at the age of 65. For many of metal’s most prominent musicians, Van Halen’s high-flying guitar work was why they picked up a guitar in the first place. Now, members of bands across the metal spectrum have paid homage to Eddie via social media.
Here are a few of the tributes posted to social media…
Anthrax’s Scott Ian: “A few years ago at NAMM I told him, “I stopped playing an amp with my name on it to play one with yours!” Eddie laughed, “Same amps and same shirts!” He was always the coolest. #EVH”
Machine Head’s Robb Flynn: “I had this picture on my wall as a teenager. My mind is seriously blown right now. I cried. He is the GOAT. Guitarists still haven’t caught up to what he’s accomplished on those first five records. He was one in a billion. I was just playing “Eruption“ two days ago at the request of a fan, thinking, goddamn this song is still so fucking hard to play over 40 years later. And that fucking guitar tone… Seriously… That fucking guitar tone even in this day and age is complete savagery.
.
“This dude was a ROCK STAR. Larger than life personality, so much style, so much class. They broke the mold with Eddie Van Halen. Rest in peace legend.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGA7SnOBs7d/
Slayer and Exodus’ Gary Holt: “I am CRUSHED. Loss of words. RIP. One of my hero’s. FUCK 2020”
Anthrax’s Charlie Benante: “So much love for #evh can’t believe this fucking year @vanhalen I often said that He was the One that revolutionized guitar playing , after #evh most guitar players started to sound like him. He was so percussive and he made mistakes sound correct ( tho he never made one) Our hero’s are all leaving and I hate it!!!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGA5avInbsu/
Phil Demmel: “The King has left our plane”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGBCHsBHnLO/
Comedian Brian Posehn: “I loved this dude like we were related. When I’m done crying, his guitar playing and destroying will make me smile like it always did. R.I.P Edward Fucking Van Halen”
Nita Strauss: “The word “innovator” gets thrown around a lot in this industry.
In my humble opinion, there is no one it applies to more than the great @eddievanhalen.
Thank you for being THE innovator, the ultimate pioneer of these six strings and blazing a trail for so many of us to attempt to follow. Forever an inspiration.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGA6HFcHaj8/
Overkill: “There are no words. RIP Eddie. True innovator. Thoughts go out to your family and friends #5150”
The Black Dahlia Murder’s Brian Eschbach: “I can’t even :[ EVH changed the game forever. REST IN POWER”
Haunt: “Let me tell you guys something about Eddie. When I was a little dude. He sat me on his lap and asked if I liked guitar. I told him I love guitar! He gave me a huge thing of guitar pics. 2020 is brutal.”
Mrs. Smith: “No no no no no my heart is broken.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGA7B7bpM-x/
Brendon Small: “Goodbye hero of heroes”
