Eddie Van Halen was the kind of musician for whom the term “guitar god” was pretty much invented. He was a guitar virtuoso. Anyone who heard Van Halen’s music could instantly recognize his lightning-speed solos, his effortless “tapping,” and his overall signature sound. The late rocker (who passed on October 6, 2020, at the age of 65) essentially redefined the electric guitar sound and ushered in a new era of ’80s rock and glam-metal.
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The guitarist’s death followed a long battle with cancer and sent a whole generation of rock fans into a state of mourning. That said, it’s about time we looked back at the man’s life, from the beginning to the end, to give you a glimpse of what it was really like to become rock ‘n’ roll’s guitar god. Whether it’s because of – or despite – his upbringing, Eddie wasn’t just a professional guitarist. He was also a pro at self-loathing.