Eddie Van Halen has died

Man, he was my childhood hero. This is my all-time favorite.

The pick rake he does at the beginning here is similar to the beginning of "Atomic Punk." It took me a minute as a kid to realize they were two different songs, the sound is so unique. I just thought, "Oh yeah, this is the song with the pick rake intro." Usually, a pick rake is part of a solo or a turn around, but here it is an integral part of the song. Brilliant.

We're about the same age, both emigrated from the Netherlands to the US in 1962 (he from Amsterdam, me from Utrecht), and we are both Indos (Dutch Indonesians). He moved to LA and got rich and famous, I moved to Denver ... and did not. I always used to tell people he was my cousin. He's not, of course, but still ... Rest In Peace, Cuz.

I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news.

RIP Eddie.

Anybody who has familiarity with pop music in the early 80's has probably heard his guitar playing. He has several uncredited performances in Michael Jackson's albums, for instance.

Yep

Tinker Grey said:

Eddie Van Halen Dies at 65

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RIP. So many legendary riffs, seared in my memory.

An obituary: Eddie Van Halen’s Otherworldly Sounds
Eddie Van Halen’s Otherworldly Sounds

RIP Eddie. My prayers go out to his family and friends. I saw Van Halen in concert in 1984. Eddie was an incredibly talented guitar player. One of the best ever!

RIP.

Weird, just the other day before he died I was Youtubing him vs Jimi Hendrix. Can't say I listened to his music a lot, but I appreciate his skill.