From his iconic “Beat It” solo to his wildly unique patented guitar innovations, the guitarist’s influence on pop culture stretched well beyond rock-radio staples like “Jump.” Van Halen was also a hero and occasional mentor to guitarists as wide-ranging as Dimebag Darrell, Tom Morello, Mike McCready, and countless others. With his exuberant, virtuosic playing, his lightning-speed solos, and his seemingly effortless “tapping” (a badass-sounding technique in which both hands are used in finger-tapping on the fretboard), the late rocker redefined the sound of the electric guitar and helped shape the course of ’80s rock and glam-metal. Photo: Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty ImagesĮddie Van Halen was the kind of outsize musician the term “guitar god” was invented to describe. They've continued to tour with Jason Bonham and Vic Johnson under the moniker The Circle, and have a pair of Nevada shows scheduled for Friday and Saturday (July 14 and 15) in Stateline and Las Vegas.The guitarist’s death this week has prompted countless fans, fellow rockers, and imitators to pay tribute to his influence and share their favorite Eddie Van Halen stories. Meanwhile, Hagar has maintained his close friendship and musical partnership with former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony. READ MORE: The 75 Best Hard Rock + Metal Guitarists of All-Time But, you know, from my time in Van Halen, there was always some stuff that gets in the way from just making music and having a good time. It’s just guys having fun making music and just having a good time. After being in Van Halen for a long time, I really have strived to have an environment where there is no walking on eggshells and there is no personality that you have to deal with. But, you know, I don’t like to speak negatively about people, but there are some people that make it very difficult to do anything when it comes to Van Halen. He elaborated, "What I can say is that there was an attempt at doing something. Last year (July 2022), Wolfgang Van Halen alluded to some dysfunction when it came to the idea of putting something together musically to honor his late father that featured prominent members of the band, telling Rolling Stone that "some people" are making it "very difficult" to move ahead with plans of any sort. But the thought of a Van Halen reunion without Eddie, no, there's no such thing." I would like to go in the studio and jam with Al. I said it recently, that I would love to play music with Al. But Mike and I are like this, and if Al wanted to come and play with us. Only good news about that is that I could sing his songs just fine. If I go out by myself without him, it's a half a Van Halen reunion. The singer then explained, "So if goes out by himself, that's not a Van Halen reunion that's half a Van Halen reunion. Dave and I are still alive, but there's no way he would cooperate with me," added Hagar. I've already said it a million times - Wolfie is doing such a great job with what he's doing, and he would be the perfect guy, so that's out. He then ran down a list of reasons why it's not happening. I haven't done it in a long time now, 'cause it's, like, 'Hey, you wanna talk to me? Call me.' But there's not going to be a Van Halen reunion," stated Hagar (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
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