Born in the Netherlands, Van Halen received no formal music education but was influenced by British Invasion bands like The Beatles and The Dave Clark Five.
(Credit: NPR)
Eddie Van Halen Biography: Eddie Van Halen, whose real name is Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, was born on January 26, 1995. He was among the most inventive and significant guitarists in the history of American music. Eddie Van Halen was the lead guitarist and co-founder of Van Halen, his hard rock band. He taught himself how to play every solo by listening to Eric Clapton’s records at all hours of the day and night. He was an enormous fan of both Jimmy Page and Clapton. Eddie Van Halen recruited his brother Alex into the band, which he originally dubbed Mammoth. On June 10, 2020, Van Halen, 65, passed away from throat cancer. Today is his birthday, which we celebrate.
Born in the Netherlands and brought up in the US, Eddie Van Halen was an American musician, composer, producer, and inventor who was born on January 26, 1955. He was one of the original members of the rock group Van Halen. Jan Van Halen, a clarinetist, saxophonist, and pianist, and Eugenia (van Beers) were Van Halen’s parents. The Netherlands was the father’s native country. His mother was Eurasian, descended from Indonesian, Dutch, and Italian ancestors and originally from Rangkasbitung on the island of Java in the Dutch East Indies. The family lived in the Netherlands, in Nijmegen. The Van Halens relocated to Pasadena, California, in 1962, and subsequently attained US citizenship.
Despite having no professional training in music, Van Halen picked up improvisational skills by listening to Bach or Mozart recitals. He won the Long Beach City College piano competition each year between 1964 and 1967. Though his parents wanted their kids to become classical pianists, he turned toward rock music and was greatly influenced by British invasion bands like The Beatles and The Dave Clark Five. When Van Halen’s brother started playing the guitar and purchased himself a drum kit, Van Halen gave him the drum set and began playing the electric guitar after witnessing his brother play Surfaris’s “Wipe Out” drum solo. He says that when he was a teenager, he would often practice at home by walking around with his guitar on or by locking himself in his room for hours at a time.
Guy Fieri Biography: Age, Height, Birthday, Career, Business, Personal Life, Net Worth
| Name | Edward Lodewijk Van Halen |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1955 |
| Death Age | October 6, 2020 (age 65) |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Height | 5′ 8″ |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Net Worth | $100 million |
| Social Media |
His 40-year career and Hall of Fame induction demonstrate why he will always be regarded as one of the greatest in the genre. Each budding guitarist can learn from him.
Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch and Indonesian couple, his family later immigrated to the United States. This blending of experiences and cultures improved all artistic endeavors.
Despite his admission that he couldn’t read music notation, he named his first child Wolfgang in honor of Mozart. Given that his father was an expert in classical composition, his family had a strong musical background.
In numerous interviews, Van Halen said that his vegetarianism was due to health concerns; he completely gave up red meat due to worries about high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Eddie Van Halen claimed to have a few personal tattoos that held special meaning for him, but he hardly ever disclosed them to the public due to their locations.
Van Halen was the manager of a B.B.Q. Steakhouse with a rock ‘n roll theme in Pasadena, California, for a few years in the 1990s.
His company, E.V.H., makes guitar picks as a fitting tribute to the entertainer who was also well-known for hurling his picks at the audience.
His close friend Mick Jones recalled an instance when he offered Van Halen a role in Foreigners, but the singer turned it down for unspecified reasons.
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