[blizzardofozz]

Ah your still here good I'd like to introduce you to Eddie Van Halen the man who revolutionised the way people played guitar he brought finger tapping to the world (didn't invent it) when Van Halen hit the scene so it's only right he deserves legendary status




Biography

Edward Van Halen was Born on January 26th 1957 in Nijmegan Holland and raised in LA and although he went on to become one of the most influential guitarist of his time who would have thought that at first he was planning to play drums. Eddie had already bought himself a drum kit and got a new job so he could pay the kit off. But, while he was working hard to pay the kit off his brother Alex Van Halen was at home learning then drums. And by the time Eddie could finally practice, he found that his brother Alex had become quite a good drummer. So instead he picked up the guitar, he quickly found that he was a natural on it. And so it started. Instead of Eddie going out on Friday and Saturday nights he would stay at home and practice guitar sometimes all night long. In an interview of some sort with Alex I think they asked how long Eddie practiced and Alex said that he would go out on the Friday night and Eddie would be practicing on his bed in the house and 6 hours later when he came back Eddie was still sat in the exact same spot practicing.

Eddie started listening to his favourite artists albums and trying to emulate him it was with this that he started to jam with his brother Alex . They formed several bands in high school but nothing came of them. Finally they met the lead singer of another band by the name of David Lee Roth. He was charismatic, fun, and an excellent vocalist they had heard but most important of all he owned his own PA. And fronting for another band was the bass player soon to be with them Michael Anthony who was incited to join Van Halen after opening for them.

When the rest of their classmates from High School were leaving to go to college the band of Van Halen were working on original material and gigging in local clubs around LA, Pasadena and other California citied and soon they were gaining a fan base. The band officially formed in 1974 and put out their first major-label album in 1978 entitled "Van Halen ". Eddie's flashy guitar style was all over the record from simple tracks like "Running With The Devil " to the track that made the guitarist an idol to many " Eruption " the album had it all and the fans seemed to think so too . Many years of partying ensued as Van Halen toured the world and Eddie won several acclaims to his talent such as all of the major guitar magazine awards several times over. Van halen released many other records of course which you will see in the biography below so I won't get too much into it . Although Van Halen seemed to be on a Elevator the top of the world not everyone stayed for the full journey and David Lee Roth Left and was replaced by Sammy Hagar also left and has now been replaced by Gary Cherone of Extreme. The singer's may have changed but for many Eddie and his guitar have always been at the center of Van Halen .

Eddie once an alcoholic went through Rehabilitation in the 90's which had a profound effect on his music and lifestyle. Although popularity of the band declined since the mid 90's Van Halen hasn't necessarily beem out of the spotlight. With frontman squirmishes and medical problems Van Halen have been in the spotlight throughout the late 90's . Eddie's most recebt battle was a serious one. In early 2000 Eddie had a portion of his tongue removed to stop the spread of a cancerous growth. It is yet unknown whether Eddie will ever continue his carrer in rock but his masterful guitar playing has already gone down in history as Edward Van Halen bacame a legend in his own lifetime



Discography

Van Halen:1978

Van Halen II:1979

Women And Children First:1980

Fair Warning:1981

Diver Down:1982

1984:1984

5150:1986

OU812:1988

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge:1991

Live:Right Here , Here Now:1993

Balance:1995

Best Of Volume 1:1996

Van Halen III:1998

Best of Both Worlds: 2004

List Of Sources: www.alltheweb.com / www.yahoo.com / www.msn.com / www.google.com / www.xtrememusician.com / www.van-halen.com / www.lewzworld.com/vanhalen/pics / www.rogerfisher.com/images/onstage/ / www.cei.santacruz.g12.br/~guitarra





Z

[Less Paul]

Yes, Eddie is very influential both to me and my playing. He does deserve legendary status and now he has it thanks to you!

[guitarfreak111]

Alright, finally Edward the Great.

[gypsy_queen]

I adore Eddie Van Halen. Although I think he may have lost his way at one point (he battled alcoholism), for a rock star it's inevitable. I have great respect for him, and it pisses me off that he isn't mentioned more often.
Nice one.

SJ

[Less Paul]

I adore Eddie Van Halen. Although I think he may have lost his way at one point (he battled alcoholism), for a rock star it's inevitable. I have great respect for him, and it pisses me off that he isn't mentioned more often.
Nice one.

SJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed. I don't really think that Van Halen is the same without David Lee Roth. It was very foolish of them to get rid of Roth.

[räzzle]

I adore Eddie Van Halen. Although I think he may have lost his way at one point (he battled alcoholism), for a rock star it's inevitable. I have great respect for him, and it pisses me off that he isn't mentioned more often.
Nice one.

SJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He is great and has carved his place in history as the one who brought tapping to the masses. However, to be fair, as for him not being mentioned, he is presently on tour. He did grace the cover of Guitar World Magazine last summer. He is an aging rock star who hasn't put out any new work of note for some years. What's to mention?

[Less Paul]

I adore Eddie Van Halen. Although I think he may have lost his way at one point (he battled alcoholism), for a rock star it's inevitable. I have great respect for him, and it pisses me off that he isn't mentioned more often.
Nice one.

SJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He is great and has carved his place in history as the one who brought tapping to the masses. However, to be fair, as for him not being mentioned, he is presently on tour. He did grace the cover of Guitar World Magazine last summer. He is an aging rock star who hasn't put out any new work of note for some years. What's to mention?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That was a great Guitar World issue.

[joshsirjoshules]

I adore Eddie Van Halen. Although I think he may have lost his way at one point (he battled alcoholism), for a rock star it's inevitable. I have great respect for him, and it pisses me off that he isn't mentioned more often.
Nice one.

SJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed. I don't really think that Van Halen is the same without David Lee Roth. It was very foolish of them to get rid of Roth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

also agreed, while sammy has a bigger vocal range, david could perform his songs much better

also i think eddie just lost it when he stepped in front of a keyboard for real, around "jump" era, which is not a bad song, now if he had stepped in front of a piano it may have been different but i dont know.

This post has been edited by joshsirjoshules: 28 February 2005 - 10:02 PM

[c..g.]

He is so good. How can someone have so much talent.

[tacoshreder]

how is it that van halen isnt in the rock and roll hall of fame yet??

[guitarfreak111]

how is it that van halen isnt in the rock and roll hall of fame yet??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For the same reason ZZ Top entered last year

[VanHalen17]

I adore Eddie Van Halen. Although I think he may have lost his way at one point (he battled alcoholism), for a rock star it's inevitable. I have great respect for him, and it pisses me off that he isn't mentioned more often.
Nice one.

SJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed. I don't really think that Van Halen is the same without David Lee Roth. It was very foolish of them to get rid of Roth.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

someone correct me if im wrong but i believe Roth left the band, dont think they got rid of him. i could of read wrong but. hes a big influence on my guitar playing, hes awesome.

[alexparker]

I'm Not That Keen On Van Halen But His Legendary Status And Influence With His Eruption Song/Solo Is Undebateable.

[J.Hoang301]

good job

[Rhoads is thy master]

Van Halen rocks.

[fenderguitarfreak]

eddy rocks..van halen rocks. enough said. everyone knows that he deserves to be considered as a legend

[AckeX]

Eddie is awesome I have the cd BEST OF BOTH WORLDS and that album really rocks! VAN HALEN ROCKS!

[nealmac]

I adore Eddie Van Halen. Although I think he may have lost his way at one point (he battled alcoholism), for a rock star it's inevitable. I have great respect for him, and it pisses me off that he isn't mentioned more often.
Nice one.

SJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He is great and has carved his place in history as the one who brought tapping to the masses. However, to be fair, as for him not being mentioned, he is presently on tour. He did grace the cover of Guitar World Magazine last summer. He is an aging rock star who hasn't put out any new work of note for some years. What's to mention?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wrong. If you listen to their latest best of double cd, there are 3 new songs on there. Ok, so it's only 3 songs

[nealmac]

I adore Eddie Van Halen. Although I think he may have lost his way at one point (he battled alcoholism), for a rock star it's inevitable. I have great respect for him, and it pisses me off that he isn't mentioned more often.
Nice one.

SJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He also battled throat cancer, but yes, eddie's the man

[gypsy_queen]

its nice to know that something i posted about a decade ago is still causing a stir...