Eddie Van Halen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eddie Van Halen
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Eddie Van Halen in 2015
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Lodewijk van Halen |
| Born | January 26, 1955 Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands |
| Died | October 6, 2020 (aged 65) Santa Monica, California, United States |
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| Years active | 1972–2020 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Pasadena, California, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Guitar |
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| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | Wolfgang Van Halen |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Alex Van Halen (brother) |
Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen (born January 26, 1955 – died October 6, 2020) was a famous Dutch-born American musician. He was an amazing guitarist, keyboard player, songwriter, and producer. Eddie is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen. Many people consider him one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
In 2007, Eddie Van Halen was honored by being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Edward Lodewijk Van Halen was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on January 26, 1955. His father, Jan van Halen, was a jazz musician. His mother, Eugenia, was from Indonesia. In 1962, his family moved to the United States. They settled in Pasadena, California.
Eddie and his brother, Alex, faced challenges at their new school. They did not speak English at first. The boys started learning piano at age six. They traveled from Pasadena to San Pedro, Los Angeles for lessons.
Eddie never learned to read music notes. Instead, he listened to classical music and played by ear. He won first place in piano competitions for several years. His parents wanted them to be classical pianists. However, Eddie loved rock music. He was inspired by bands like the Beatles.
In a fun twist, Alex started taking guitar lessons. Eddie bought a drum kit. While Eddie delivered newspapers to pay for his drums, Alex would play them. Soon, they switched instruments for good. Eddie became the guitarist, and Alex became the drummer.
Eddie and Alex formed their first band, The Broken Combs. They performed at their elementary school. Eddie later said this performance made him want to be a professional musician.
The Van Halen Band
In 1974, the brothers, along with David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony, formed the band Van Halen. They signed with Warner Brothers in 1977. Their first album, Van Halen, came out on February 8, 1978. This album sold millions of copies. It led to many world tours.
Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing was very special and new. He used unique techniques that inspired many other guitarists. His motto was "if it sounds good, play it." His amazing melodies quickly made him a guitar legend.
The band's 1978 album reached number 19 on the Billboard music charts. It was one of the most successful rock debut albums ever. By the early 1980s, Van Halen was one of the biggest rock bands.
The band won a Grammy Award in 1992. This was for their album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. By 2019, Van Halen had sold over 56 million albums in the U.S. and more than 100 million worldwide.
Other Musical Projects
Eddie Van Halen also helped change music television. He played a big part in getting R&B music videos shown on MTV. At the time, MTV mostly played rock videos.
He played a guitar solo on the song Beat It for Michael Jackson's huge 1982 album, "Thriller." This mix of Quincy Jones' production and Eddie's guitar work was groundbreaking. It created a new sound in music.
Van Halen also worked on movie soundtracks. These included Back To The Future and Wild Life. He recorded music with other famous artists like Brian May.
Eddie built his famous red and white striped guitar himself. He used parts he bought at a discount. Later, he helped create a new guitar with Peavey Guitars.
Family Life
In 1980, Eddie Van Halen met actress Valerie Bertinelli. They married on April 11, 1981. They had one son, Wolfgang Van Halen, in 1991. They later divorced in 2007.
In 2008, Eddie proposed to his girlfriend, Janie Liszewski. She was an actress and stuntwoman. They married in 2009 at his home. His son Wolfgang and ex-wife Valerie were both there. Eddie's brother, Alex, who is a minister, performed the wedding ceremony.
Legacy and Passing
Eddie Van Halen passed away on October 6, 2020. He was 65 years old.
In February 2017, Van Halen gave 75 guitars from his own collection to a charity. This charity, The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, gives musical instruments to students in schools that need them.
Images for kids
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Van Halen's "Frankenstrat" guitar
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Van Halen using the tapping technique
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Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli at the 1993 Emmy Awards
See also
In Spanish: Eddie Van Halen para niños
