Wolfgang - who had a stint performing alongside his father as bassist in Van Halen - got his "closure" when he performed at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts in London and Los Angeles.
He said: "Personally, I feel like I got my closure when I played the Taylor Hawkins tributes, because
- at least just for me - they were just as much about my dad as they were Taylor."
He continued: "I was very grateful for the opportunity to be part of those celebrations - it meant a lot! I got a lot of my feelings out when we did those shows.
"That's what I've come to terms with.."
Further casting doubt of a tribute concert for the 'Hot For Teacher' rocker, he concluded: "When it comes to Van Halen, there's too much that isn't quite right. Some things are just the way they are, unfortunately.
Wolfgang Van Halen explains the technique quirk he inherited from Eddie Van Halen
Wolfgang's approach to tapping is unlike many others – and he has his father to thank for that
Mammoth II, the upcoming effort from Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth WVH, is already shaping up to be one of 2023’s best guitar albums. (Guitar World)
Not only have the first few singles from Wolfgang’s sophomore album demonstrated his evolving songwriting chops, but they’ve also hinted at a record that will see him totally let loose on his lead work.
The quirk is concerned with Wolfgang’s tapping hand: whereas many guitarists opt to use the middle finger to tap, owing to guitar pick-holding logistics, Van Halen instead uses his index finger to do the job, just as Eddie used to do.
Though difficult to decipher on the studio version, Mammoth WVH gave the song its live debut earlier this week, which showcased this particular approach to the technique that is most commonly associated with his father.
“I guess my approach just came from growing up and watching Dad do it. I’ve been around tapping my whole life,” he explains. “What I often do is grip the neck with the thumb on my right hand, which frees up the index finger to tap. That’s just how I’ve always done it.”
Mural honoring late Eddie Van Halen unveiled at Hollywood Guitar Center painted by Los Angeles artist Robert Vargas, the 17-by-105-foot portrait depicts the musician shredding his signature “Frankenstrat” guitar. (Los Angeles Times)
Van Halen died in October at age 65 after battling throat cancer.
“Eddie was one of my creative heroes,” Vargas said in a statement. “When I was young, the debut Van Halen record was the first album I ever owned. He influenced me over the years in so many different ways.
Located on Sunset Boulevard, Guitar Center’s Hollywood location already boasts multiple tributes to the “Runnin’ With the Devil” hitmaker, including instrumental memorabilia and Van Halen’s handprints, the latter of which are featured prominently outdoors on the store’s star-studded RockWalk. The building also bears a mural of another guitar god, Jimi Hendrix.
