Wolfgang Van Halen disappointed with Grammy Awards’ short tribute for his deceased father Eddie

Wolfgang Van Halen disappointed with Grammy Awards’ short tribute for his deceased father Eddie

The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards were held yesterday evening (on March 14, 2021) in and around the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Many rock fans were expecting to see a fitting tribute to Van Halen‘s legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen who passed away after a long battle with throat cancer on October 6, 2020. Unfortunately, the opposite occurred as the Grammy Awards could only spare about 15 seconds to pay tribute to the legendary guitarist. Eddie Van Halen‘s son Wolfgang shared his disappointment with the Grammy Awards‘ rather short and flat tribute by posting the following message on his Facebook page earlier today:

“The GRAMMYS asked me to play Eruption for the ‘In Memoriam’ section and I declined. I don’t think anyone could have lived up to what my father did for music but himself.

It was my understanding that there would be an ‘In Memoriam’ section where bits of songs were performed for legendary artists that had passed. I didn’t realize that they would only show Pop for 15 seconds in the middle of 4 full performances for others we had lost.

What hurt the most was that he wasn’t even mentioned when they talked about artists we lost in the beginning of the show. I know rock isn’t the most popular genre right now, (and the academy does seem a bit out of touch) but I think it’s impossible to ignore the legacy my father left on the instrument, the world of rock, and music in general. There will never be another innovator like him.

I’m not looking to start some kind of hate parade here, I just wanted to explain my side. I know Pop would probably just laugh it off and say “Ehh who gives a shit?” He was only about the music anyway. The rest didn’t matter.

I’d love to get the opportunity to speak with The Recording Academy not only about the legacy of my father, but the legacy of the Rock genre moving forward.

Thank you.”

Eddie Van Halen performing “Eruption” during guitar solo in New Haven, Connecticut, USA on August 27, 1986: