Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen (born January 26, 1956) is a Dutch-born American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer. He is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, who have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Van Halen is known for his innovative performing and recording styles in blues-based rock, tapping, intense solos and high frequency feedback, and his energetic and acrobatic stage performances. Allmusic described him as "Second to only Jimi Hendrix... undoubtedly one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of the 20th century." He is ranked 8th in Rolling Stone's 2011 list of the Top 100 guitarists. Born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, Edward Lodewijk van Halen is a son of clarinetist, saxophonist and pianist father Jan van Halen and mother Eugenia. Eugenia van Halen was originally from Indonesia which was a former Dutch colony. Eugenia was half Dutch and half Indonesian. Edward's middle name "Lodewijk" was derived from composer Ludwig van Beethoven (Lodewijk is the Dutch version of Ludwig). Edward continued this naming tradition by naming his son Wolfgang Van Halen after composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In February 1962, at the age of seven, Edward moved with his family to the United States, settling in Pasadena, California. Van Halen learned to play the piano as a child. His older brother Alex also played the piano. The brothers were shuttled from Pasadena to San Padre to study with an elderly man who taught them classical piano. Eddie and Alex hated the commute but continued as their mother would discipline them if they refused to go. Eddie revealed in an interview that he never could read the music. He learned from watching and listening. So during recitals of Bach or Mozart, he would simply wing it. Afterward, the judges would comment that he had an interesting interpretation of the classical piece. Eddie thought, "What? I thought I was playing it correctly!" However, playing the piano did not prove to be challenging or interesting to him — he once said in an interview. Consequently, while Alex began playing the guitar, Eddie bought a drum kit and began practicing. He would practice for hours day after day.After Eddie heard Alex's performance of the The Surfaris' drum solo in the song "Wipe Out", he grew annoyed that his brother had overtaken his ability and decided to switch and begin learning how to play the electric guitar. He stated that he would often walk around at home with his guitar strapped on and unplugged, practicing. He claims that he would sit in his room for hours with the door locked as a teen, practicing the guitar. Van Halen notes the importance of supergroup Cream, holding their improvisation in high regard, considering 'I'm so Glad' on 'Goodbye Cream' to be mind-blowing. He once claimed that he had learned almost all of Eric Clapton's solos in the band Cream "note for note". Eddie has stated: "I've always said Eric Clapton was my main influence, but [Jimmy] Page was actually more the way I am, in a reckless-abandon kind of way."
Videos
Equipment
Guitars
- The EVH Wolfgang guitar (Ed put tons of work into making this guitar the perfect guitar for him)
- The Frankenstein Guitar
- Charvel Guitars
- Kramer Guitars - Ernie Ball / Musicman Guitars - Peavy Wolfgang Guitar - Steinberger TransTrem - Ibanez Destroyer (originally white. Later modified heavily) - Fender Strats and Telecasters - Gbson 1958 Korina wood Flying V
- Gibson 6/12 string double neck
- Coral Sitar
EVH D-Tuna Drop D tuning system
Note: You can now buy the Frankenstein pickups
Amps and Cabinets
- Marshall 100-watt Super Lead
- Soldano SLO-100
- Peavey 5150 - Peavey 5150 II - Peavey 6505 and 6505+ (the newer version of the 5150 after eddie stopped endorsing)
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