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
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
Kramer goes for gold with its 50th Anniversary models
The ’80s shred classics are back – as streamlined as ever – and sporting golden limited-edition colorways.
Joe Satriani recalls being approached by David Lee Roth for a Van Halen cover band
Satch may be filling Van Halen’s shoes during the Sammy Hagar-led Best of All Worlds tour, but he was reluctant for decades to play the legendary guitarist’s parts
Wolfgang Van Halen opens up on his Van Halen cover anxiety at Taylor Hawkins tribute concert
The show, he says, was “do-or-die”
EVH 5150 III Hypersonic 6L6 2x12 review
Following in the steps of parent company Fender's Tone Master range, EVH releases a digital combo version of the coveted 5150 amp, combining digital modeling and a real guitar cabinet
How Joe Satriani found the amp builder for his dream Eddie Van Halen tone
Satriani needed an amp with exacting specifications for the Best of All Worlds tour – and he got more than he bargained for
