Edward Van Halen was the guitarist and lead songwriter behind the band that bore his name: Van Halen. Eddie’s technical and melodic prowess – most famously his iconic use of the two-handed tapping technique – sparked an arms race in the 1980s rock scene, birthing the shred guitar movement.
Van Halen was also renowned for his tonal innovations and famed for relentlessly modding and, later, designing his guitars and amps – notably, the Frankenstein guitar, the Peavey 5150 amp, and the Peavey Wolfgang – before establishing the EVH brand. He passed away in 2020, but is widely regarded as the greatest electric guitar player of his generation – and, arguably, of all time.
Latest about Eddie Van Halen
Jeff Beck said he’d love to see Eddie Van Halen play live but “probably wouldn’t stay for the whole concert”
Beck shared his thoughts on the Van Halen school of guitar back in 1985
Eddie Van Halen’s old guitar tech has helped put together ‘the ultimate Van Halen guitar auction’
A collection of studio and stage gear amassed over the years is going under the hammer
How Steinberger started the headless revolution – with a little help from Eddie Van Halen and Allan Holdsworth
Ned Steinberger didn't invent the headless guitar but his GL series captured a moment in the ’80s that changed guitar for good
Wayne Charvel, legendary luthier who built guitars for Eddie Van Halen and gave rise to the Superstrat, dies aged 85
The revered guitar builder was one of the most influential modders and makers of his time, and sparked the custom shop revolution
How a glam-metal guitarist built Joe Satriani an amp that captured Eddie Van Halen’s tone
3rd Power’s Dylana Nova Scott leaned on an impressive production background to design boutique amps for some of the biggest names in the biz
The story of Van Halen’s 1984, and the end of the David Lee Roth era
Creative differences led to Roth’s departure the following year, but 1984 found the band firing on all cylinders, as Eddie Van Halen embraced his pop sensibilities while retaining the musical adventurism that made him the greatest of all time
Sammy Hagar reveals the Eddie Van Halen-produced track that could have been on a Van Halen album
Alex Van Halen largely preferred his brother Eddie to remain the band's chief songwriter – but couldn't resist this Hagar-penned track after it appeared on the frontman's solo album
How Michael Anthony went from playing backyard parties to sellout crowds with Van Halen
From humble beginnings to one of rock’s biggest bands, Michael Anthony revisits the defining moments of his Van Halen story
