Edward Van Halen was a highly influential American musician best known as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Van Halen. Formed in 1972 with his brother Alex, the band achieved substantial success with Eddie's innovative and energetic guitar playing often cited as a major influence on the rock genre. Beyond his guitar prowess, he contributed backing vocals and occasionally played the keyboard, showcasing his diverse musical talents.
January 26, 1955: Birth of Eddie Van Halen
On January 26, 1955, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen was born. He would become a renowned guitarist and songwriter.
1958: Acquisition of Frankenstrat Tremolo Arm
The tremolo arm for Eddie Van Halen's iconic Frankenstrat guitar originated from a 1958 Fender Stratocaster, highlighting his resourcefulness in utilizing parts from different sources to create his signature instrument.
1962: Van Halen Family Moves to the U.S.
Facing discrimination due to their mixed-race relationship, the Van Halen family emigrated to the United States in 1962, settling in Pasadena, California.
1964: Early Musical Success
From 1964 to 1967, Eddie Van Halen showcased his musical talent by winning first place in the annual piano competition at Long Beach City College.
1967: Early Musical Influences
Although excelling in classical piano, by 1967, Van Halen's interest shifted towards rock music, drawing significant inspiration from British Invasion bands like The Beatles and The Dave Clark Five.
1971: Inspiration for Tapping Technique
In 1971, Eddie Van Halen got the idea for his signature tapping technique after watching Jimmy Page perform a pull-off to an open string during a Led Zeppelin concert.
1972: Van Halen Forms
Eddie and his brother Alex founded the band Mammoth in 1972, which would later become Van Halen.
1972: Mammoth Takes the Stage
The year 1972 marked the beginning of Mammoth, a band formed by Eddie and Alex Van Halen. The band, later joined by David Lee Roth, became a fixture in the Los Angeles music scene.
1976: Gene Simmons and Van Halen
During a performance in 1976, Gene Simmons of Kiss noticed Van Halen's talent. Simmons attempted to help the band by facilitating recording sessions, but ultimately, the collaboration did not lead to a contract.
1978: Release of "Eruption" and Popularization of Tapping Technique
Eddie Van Halen's instrumental solo "Eruption," featured on Van Halen's 1978 debut album, became renowned for its showcase of the tapping technique, which involves using both hands on the guitar neck. Although Van Halen popularized tapping, he acknowledged influences such as Steve Hackett of Genesis, who is credited with pioneering two-handed tapping. Van Halen's innovative use of this technique significantly impacted the evolution of guitar playing.
1978: Van Halen's Debut Album
In 1978, Van Halen released their self-titled debut album, which reached #19 on the Billboard charts. The album was a major commercial success and solidified their place in rock history.
1978: Seymour Duncan Rewinds Gibson PAF Pickup
In 1978, a pivotal moment in shaping Eddie Van Halen's signature sound occurred when a Gibson PAF pickup was rewound by renowned pickup maker Seymour Duncan, further customizing his gear to achieve his desired tone.
1979: Frankenstrat Repainting
In 1979, Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat, initially painted black, underwent a transformation with a new coat of Schwinn red bicycle paint, solidifying its visual identity.
1980: Meeting Valerie Bertinelli
Eddie Van Halen met actress Valerie Bertinelli in 1980 at a Van Halen concert.
April 11, 1981: Marriage to Valerie Bertinelli
Eddie Van Halen married Valerie Bertinelli on April 11, 1981.
1982: Eddie Van Halen and Kiss
Rumors circulated that Eddie Van Halen almost joined Kiss in 1982, after Ace Frehley's departure. However, both Stanley and Van Halen have dismissed these claims.
1982: Collaboration on Michael Jackson's "Beat It"
In 1982, Eddie Van Halen lent his guitar skills to Michael Jackson's iconic track "Beat It," contributing the song's renowned guitar solo. This collaboration became a defining moment in both artists' careers, as "Thriller," the album featuring "Beat It," went on to become the biggest-selling album of all time.
1982: First Guitar Endorsement Deal
In 1982, Eddie Van Halen secured his first guitar endorsement deal with Kramer Guitars, launching the 5150 Baretta model. This partnership, spanning a decade, marked the beginning of Van Halen's influential collaborations with guitar manufacturers.
1984: 1984 and "Jump"
Van Halen released their album "1984" which went five-times Platinum and reached #2 on the charts. The album's single, "Jump" became the band's first and only #1 hit and earned them a Grammy nomination.
1985: "Brown Sound" Described as "Tone" and "Feeling"
In a 1985 Guitar World interview, Eddie Van Halen described his "brown sound" not as a specific technical aspect but as a distinct "tone" and "feeling" he continuously strived to achieve, emphasizing the importance of the player's intuition and expression in creating music.
February 1987: Performance on Saturday Night Live
In February 1987, Eddie Van Halen performed on Saturday Night Live alongside G.E. Smith on an episode hosted by Valerie Bertinelli.
1989: Ernie Ball Launches 5150 EVH Guitar Strings
Around 1989, Ernie Ball launched the 5150 EVH line of guitar strings, marking Eddie Van Halen's first string endorsement deal. These strings, with a slightly different gauge compared to typical electric guitar strings of the time, became synonymous with his signature sound.
1991: Birth of Son, Wolfgang
Eddie and Valerie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang, was born in 1991.
1991: Collaboration with Ernie Ball/Music Man
From 1991 to 1995, Van Halen embarked on a collaboration with Ernie Ball/Music Man, resulting in the creation of the Music Man EVH model guitar. This model, later renamed the Axis, showcased Van Halen's input in guitar design.
1992: Grammy Award Win
In 1992, Van Halen won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocals for their album "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge."
1993: Collaboration with Peavey Electronics for 5150 Series
In 1993, Eddie Van Halen partnered with Peavey Electronics to develop the 5150 series, encompassing a range of amplifiers and cabinets. This collaboration, which lasted until 2004, reflected Van Halen's influence on the design and production of music equipment.
1995: Diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis
Eddie Van Halen was diagnosed with chronic avascular necrosis in 1995.
1995: End of Ernie Ball/Music Man Partnership
Eddie Van Halen's partnership with Ernie Ball/Music Man concluded in 1995. The Music Man EVH model guitar, developed during their collaboration, was renamed the Axis.
1996: Partnership with Peavey Electronics
In 1996, Eddie Van Halen initiated a collaboration with Peavey Electronics, leading to the development of the Peavey EVH Wolfgang guitar. This partnership lasted until 2004 and highlighted Van Halen's continued involvement in creating signature instruments.
1999: Undergoes Hip Replacement Surgery
In 1999, Eddie Van Halen had hip replacement surgery, likely due to complications from avascular necrosis and his high-energy stage performances.
2000: Begins Treatment for Tongue Cancer
Eddie Van Halen began treatment for tongue cancer in 2000.
2002: Declared Cancer-Free
Eddie Van Halen was declared free of tongue cancer in 2002.
2004: End of Peavey Electronics Partnership and Focus on Fender Collaboration
In 2004, Eddie Van Halen's collaboration with Peavey Electronics on the 5150 series concluded. Following this, Van Halen shifted his focus to developing EVH products and the EVH brand in partnership with Fender.
2004: End of Peavey Electronics Partnership and Start of Fender Collaboration
In 2004, Eddie Van Halen's partnership with Peavey Electronics concluded. Subsequently, he embarked on a significant collaboration with Fender, initially releasing the Edward-endorsed Art Series guitars under Fender's Charvel brand and later establishing the EVH brand.
2004: Use of Touring Keyboardist
Up until 2004, during Van Halen's tours, including the "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" tour, while Eddie Van Halen focused on playing guitar live, touring keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald took on the role of playing keyboards backstage. This arrangement, intentionally kept low-profile, allowed Van Halen to concentrate on his guitar performance while maintaining the band's full sound.
2005: Guitar Support Device Patent Expires
Eddie Van Halen's patent for a flip-out guitar support device, which he used to facilitate his tapping technique, expired in 2005.
2005: Valerie Bertinelli Files for Divorce
Valerie Bertinelli filed for divorce from Eddie Van Halen in 2005 after four years of separation.
2006: Fender Creates "Frank 2" Replica
In 2006, Fender released the "Frank 2," a meticulously crafted production replica of Eddie Van Halen's original Frankenstrat guitar. Van Halen himself acknowledged the accuracy of the replica, stating that in a blind comparison, he struggled to differentiate between the original and Fender's version.
2007: Enters Rehabilitation
Eddie Van Halen entered rehabilitation for alcohol and drug addiction in 2007.
2007: Divorce from Valerie Bertinelli Finalized
Eddie Van Halen's divorce from Valerie Bertinelli was finalized in 2007.
2007: Launch of EVH Branded Amplifiers
The year 2007 marked the debut of EVH branded amplifiers, produced by Fender in collaboration with Eddie Van Halen. This launch, followed by a limited-edition "Frankenstrat" inspired guitar, solidified the establishment of the EVH brand and its association with Van Halen's legacy.
2007: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, solidifying their place as one of the most influential rock bands.
2008: Achieves Sobriety
Eddie Van Halen shared in a 2015 interview that he had been sober from alcohol and drugs since 2008.
2009: Marriage to Janie Liszewski
Eddie Van Halen married Janie Liszewski, an actress and stuntwoman, in 2009.
2009: Release of Wolfgang-Inspired EVH Guitar Line
In 2009, Fender and Eddie Van Halen expanded the EVH guitar line by releasing models inspired by the Wolfgang design. This move demonstrated the ongoing development and success of the EVH brand.
2011: Alex Van Halen Officiates Valerie Bertinelli's Wedding
Eddie's brother, Alex Van Halen, officiated the wedding of Valerie Bertinelli, Eddie's ex-wife, in 2011.
2012: Eddie Van Halen Recalls "Beat It" Collaboration
In a 2012 CNN interview, Eddie shared his experience of collaborating with Michael Jackson on "Beat It." He detailed how he restructured the song and added his iconic guitar solo, declining payment for his contribution.
2012: Emergency Surgery and Tour Postponement
Eddie Van Halen underwent emergency surgery for diverticulitis in 2012. The recovery process forced the band to postpone tour dates in Japan.
2012: Use of Black Wolfgang USA Guitar on Tour
During Van Halen's 2012 tour, Eddie Van Halen opted for a black Wolfgang USA guitar with an ebony fretboard, showcasing his preference for this model during that period.
June 2015: Clarification on "Brown Sound"
In a June 2015 interview with Billboard magazine, Eddie Van Halen clarified that the term "brown sound," often associated with his guitar tone, was actually intended to describe the sound of his brother Alex's snare drum, which he perceived as organic and reminiscent of "beating on a log."
2015: Discusses Tongue Cancer and Potential Causes
During a 2015 interview, Eddie Van Halen discussed his previous battle with tongue cancer, speculating that his habit of holding metal guitar picks in his mouth may have contributed to the disease.
2015: Use of White Wolfgang USA Guitar on Tour
For their 2015 tour, Eddie Van Halen played a white Wolfgang USA guitar, a custom design by Chip Ellis, featuring a kill switch, further demonstrating his affinity for the Wolfgang model and customized features.
2015: Discusses Sobriety
In 2015, Eddie Van Halen gave an interview where he discussed his sobriety journey and being sober since 2008.
2015: Eddie Van Halen at the Smithsonian
In 2015, during an event at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Van Halen shared his life story and reflected on the American Dream, emphasizing his family's journey from arriving with limited resources to achieving success in the U.S..
February 2017: Guitar Donation to Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
Eddie Van Halen donated 75 guitars from his personal collection to the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation in February 2017, supporting music education for underprivileged students.
2019: Hospitalization and Cancer Battle
Eddie Van Halen was hospitalized in 2019 due to complications from throat cancer, which he had been battling for the previous five years.
2019: RIAA Ranking and Sales Milestone
In 2019, Van Halen achieved significant recognition for their commercial success. The band reached the 20th spot on the RIAA list of best-selling artists, boasting an impressive 56 million album sales in the United States and surpassing 100 million worldwide.
October 6, 2020: Death of Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen passed away on October 6, 2020.
October 10, 2020: Saturday Night Live Tribute
Saturday Night Live aired a clip of Eddie Van Halen performing with G.E. Smith from a 1987 episode as a tribute on October 10, 2020.
October 2020: Eddie Van Halen's Passing
After battling health issues, Eddie Van Halen died in October 2020 from complications related to throat cancer.
November 16, 2020: Wolfgang Van Halen Announces End of Van Halen
On November 16, 2020, Wolfgang Van Halen announced that Van Halen would not continue as a band without Eddie Van Halen.
2022: Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute
The Red Hot Chili Peppers released a tribute song titled "Eddie" on their 2022 album "Return of the Dream Canteen" in honor of Eddie Van Halen.