Wolfgang Van Halen Names The Three Guitarists Who Changed The History Of The Instrument

Former Van Halen bassist, current founder of his own solo band Mammoth WVH, Wolfgang Van Halen opened up about the reason behind his decision to decline performing at the 2021 Grammys for a tribute performance for his father, Van Halen icon Eddie Van Halen in addition to revealing the three most influential guitarists in the music history, according to him.

As you might remember,  ‘In Memoriam’ segment which included numerous tribute acts to the legendary musicians who passed away over the last year for this year’s Grammy Awards show also involved late Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen after he passed away due to throat cancer.

For Van Halen icon’s tribute, Grammys offered his son, Wolfgang Van Halen to perform the iconic ‘Eruption’ solo at the ceremony to honor his father, however, former Van Halen bassist felt like it would be inappropriate to fill in Eddie’s place since he was one of the most legendary musicians in the history.

After Wolfgang Van Halen refused their offer, Grammys decided to put Eddie Van Halen’s guitar under a spotlight while a video of Eddie playing the iconic ‘Eruption’ solo for the tribute section all of which lasted about 20 seconds and felt quite inadequate for many fans.

During a recent interview with Rolline Stone, Mammoth WVH founder opened up about the reason behind his action which wasn’t right according to a number of fans because they wanted to see him reprenting his father, however, Wolfgang Van Halen did not feel right and comfortable about performing an iconic piece of his father.

On top of being his father, Eddie Van Halen was one of the most influential guitar players in the whole world and had big shoes to fill in, according to Wolfgang, there are only three guitarists that have an undeniable impact on the music history, Les Paul, Jimi Hendix, and Eddie Van Halen.

Here is what Wolfgang said:

“It just seemed like kind of a tone-deaf ask. It just didn’t feel right. And I think some people are like, ‘Well, you should have just fucking done it anyway.’ And I don’t think they were really thinking about the emotional attachment to it. And just the fact that it isn’t the right thing to do and something I’m not comfortable with.

I’ll always be here to champion my father and to further his legacy to the ends of the earth. I’m a little biased, but I think you cannot argue the impact that three guitar players had on the history of the instrument. And that’s Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, and my dad. And so when something like this happens, you think he would be deserving of a bit more time.”

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