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
Malmsteen was on a shortlist that included Steve Stevens and Steve Vai but turned the offer down
Mayer’s guitar is an exact replica of the Axis that accompanied Eddie Van Halen on the cover of Guitar World in 1991
An unsung hero of the guitar custom shop, DIY guitar building and the hot-rodded electric, Wayne Charvel left behind a legacy that was larger than life
Greg Renoff’s research skills allowed him to gather stories about the band’s early days that may otherwise have been forgotten, including the accident that led to the recording of EVH’s masterpiece, Eruption
Jordan remembers his experiences of jamming with Eddie Van Halen
There’s a reason his legacy is so enormous, his shadow so large. But how well do you know him?
Glitter predates the band’s debut album by four years, making it the earliest Van Halen track to be released
José Arredondo modified amps for some of guitar’s biggest stars. Dave Friedman’s Jose amp pays tribute to this elusive legend and makes his formerly secret mods available to everyone
