I remember Eddie once saying in an interview "if you think I'm good you should hear Wolfie" and I seriously think he wasn't just being a proud dad talking up his kid. Playing great guitar, great keyboards, great bass, and great drums and singing great in time to join your dad's band at 15? Yeah, he's a phenomenon.
EVH said it in a few interviews. He knew and now so does Everyone. Wolf can shred with the best yet chooses too be a full Song musician with his own style of play.
The two performances that did it for me were wolf and Shane. Wolf….he’s been criticized for a long time for NOT playing VH songs since his dad passed. People can now STFU I guess. You have to respect this guy. His father is one of the greatest guitarists in the history of music yet he forged his own direction instead of riding his dads coat tails. What we saw and heard was a guy who CAN play VH material. When I watched him play I didn’t see a guy playing his dads music…I saw a son paying tribute the to his father and doing it justice. I could never watch wolf do any VH song and NOT view it as paying homage to Eddie. Absolutely fantastic. As for Shane…beyond emotional.
*OUTSTANDING COMMENT* *VERY WELL WRITTEN AND ON POINT. PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZE WOLFGANG VAN HALEN NEED TO SHUT THE FUCK UP* PERHAPS THESE PEOPLE ARE CRITICAL OF WOLF VH BECAUSE THEY ENVY HIS INCREDIBLE ABILITIES ON GUITAR, BASS, DRUMS, KEYS, VOCALS, ETC* *AND YES, EDWARD VAN HALEN IS THE GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER ON THE PLANET* *EDDIE LEFT THOUSANDS OF RECORDINGS FOR HIS SON, AND ONLY WOLF AND ALEX KNOW HOW TO SORT THROUGH THE TAPES* *AGAIN, OUTSTANDING COMMENT* SORRY FOR THE CAPS (STUCK) ALL THE BEST !
I taught my son to play guitar; what took me 40 years to learn took him six months. But the freaky part was that it was literally like listening to myself play - note choice, phrasing, chords - and his compositions sound & feel like my own. Musical DNA can run very deep in a family, I can attest to it. It is beautiful to see Wolfgang honoring his father so.
I taught my brother-in-law how to play (I also took him to a jazz guitar teacher) so he could read music too. The problem was he sounded just like me, one day he came over & I held the door & said; "You know everything I know plus what you know & you still can't play better than me (?) go home until you figure it out!" A few days later he came knocking on my door again & said; "Let's play!" Wow! What a difference. Sometimes a little kick in the pants is a good thing.
@Darwinism 2.0 In some areas I was the wild guy doing wheelies, and racing down country roads, but when I look at what this generation can do ... it's astounding & it's the way it should be, I'm pleased.
I'm not a parent but imo this is a vital lesson parents could live by... children digest our every thought and action. Try to present our highest for them imitate.
Not only does he sound like EVH, I know that it's important to WVH to play it JUST like his dad did. Note for note. We've all got dads. Wolfie mimicking his dad on this song is his greatest tribute to pops.
I would like to create my own delusional reality where Eddie Van Halen and Taylor Hawkins didn't die and they are still out there making music. I'm not sure what to call this alternate reality yet. Possibly "Planet Awesome". Admission to Planet Awesome is free. Nobody who want's to live there will be turned away. Other future addtions to this new reality may include....Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell and Robin Williams (okay Ribin Williams isn't a musician but he will bring joy and make us laugh...So he's in.)
@@gl3nnium i wish I could bring back so many young talented musicians. Kurt, randy Rhodes. I wish I could change history and make it so jason becker never got als. I wish I could stop srv from getting on that helicopter. I wish jimi hendrix lived to be an old man. So many musicians I'd gladly sacrifice myself for.
@@Ottophil that's his nickname? Wolfgang is so bad ass. I would hate wolfie if i were him lol. Sounds like a little kid. 21 years of being called gav and i still hate it every time someone says it. I'm definitely projecting but yeah.
I would LOVE to see you interview Justin Hawkins! He is so underappreciated and im glad this performance and Under Pressure highlighted his talents again.
100% on the time feel! He looked SO comfortable playing and that’s what most can’t replicate. Eddie’s feel was everything and it was evident in WVHs performance. Love that take, Rick.
I just want to say the way you show respect to the music you break down and to the players who play the music is so respectful and the world needs more people like you. I’m a huge fan of your videos
He also looked much more relaxed here than when he was playing in VH. Maybe in VH he was afraid of screwing up in front of his father. Or Mike Anthony fans made him nervous.
His smile during those songs really took my back to the 80's watching his dad playing. That man knew how to have fun bringing joy to other people and passed that on to Wolfgang. People need to stop giving him so much crap about not doing a Van Halen tribute. Go listen to Mammoth WVH! That man knows how to craft a song.
Eddie was incredibly proud of Wolfy, he doted on Wolfy and went out of his way to let Wolfy know how much he loved him. Whenever you mentioned the boy, Eddie's face lit up. Wolf has released a great record but this was just the beginning. Wolfgang is going to continue to amaze us with his music and he will carry on his family's legacy. He's involved with running EVH products, bringing out a new hollow body guitar and a Bass Guitar as well. He has taken over 5150 Studios too. He's so much more than a good musician.
Wolfie is the only one qualified to take that on...a kid with a vision who has blood ties. As a 50 year old father, I'm proud of my 21 year old only son. Every single day when I look at him, I want to hug him and tell him he's my greatest accomplishment. He took up guitar and bass a few years ago and he's getting good and I never complain when I'm trying to sleep and I hear his amp a little too loud.
Holy smokes!! He sounded exactly like his dad. I never knew the kid could shred like that. As for Hawkins, what a tragedy. I saw the Foo Fighters just once and am glad I did. That band is dripping with talent and Hawkins was a beast of a drummer. RIP
Hey Bradley,From another 1960 baby,I totally agree.I only got to see him 3 times.79 in RaleighN.C. 84 Atlanta and Eddie in person at the MAD MONK in Wilmington N.C. Watching the Bulletboy's.Vallarie was filming a mini series there 1985-86.
Millions of us guitar players around the world have tried to play this song as best we can, but there is something about watching Wolf play it that just send chills to my spine, that was a very memorable moment in rock history!
that "you do that just like your father" thing we all get applies to his guitar playing and it's something we're all so familiar with. He's even holding his arms similarly..similar posture.
There is a vid of Brad Paisley playing HFT. I will say this , I think Brad is an amazing guitarist... But man did he have trouble doing those tapping parts at the beginning. Gave me a new found respect for Eddie and now for Wolf
There is not another guitar player on the planet that could have played Hot for Teacher with the perfection of both execution and tone than Wolfgang did. DNA and a passion to perfect his craft has served him well. Plus the kid has a killer voice! I will be watching your career with great interest young Van Halen😎
I was deeply moved watching Wolf’s performance. I was nearly in tears and so excited, I was freaking out. Just an incredible moment I will never forget. He just continues to make his Pop proud and all of us Mammoth and Van Halen fans proud and inspired as well. Thank you Wolf and thank you Rick for bringing more well deserved attention to it!! EVH and WVH forever!! 🎸🎶🤘
Yes, I freaked out too, literally jumped up and started running around screaming when I heard him start playing..took me totally by surprise that he was playing guitar on a VH song. He killed it
Wow, I had no idea Wolfie was so good on guitar, too. I agree, he just has that same indefinable "feel" as his father. I'm glad Wolfie is here with us. Inside him, Eddie truly lives on today. And I think he will go on to create his own wonderful things, just as Eddie did.
Been following Wolfie since his solo work first dropped (his first song about his dad brought on the tears)...and he's just so multi-talented and as you say Rick he's a tremendously nice guy in all the interviews I've seen him in. It was great to see him on the Taylor Hawkins tribute and to a degree he was payin' tribute to his dad at the same time. No question in my mind the guitar work was all his with no backing track. You watch closely his fingers and the fret work and it all lines up perfect. WVH is the real deal - the dynasty lives on.
He's a Van Halen. He gave me chills. I closed my eyes and it was like listening to his dad play. I saw Eddie play in 2011 and it was like I was there all over again. Wolfie, you got yourself another fan.
Who knows … jealousy? Not only is he the son of one of the greatest guitar players of all time … but now he also has the nerve to prove himself as a great guitar player in his own right. It’s more than some people can handle. That’s their problem.
I like to think that 100 years from now there's Van Halen offspring holding up a blazing torch of guitar and rock and keeping the music alive..because it's that important as music for so many of us. RIP King Edward
We know that Wolfgang does not want to spend his whole career covering Van Halen. He's his own powerhouse. But when he gives an occasional nod, it's very endearing. The fans just miss his dad.
Even though he was a part of his dad’s band VH replacing Mike on bass, he is his own individual and wants to do his own thing now and not copy his father. And he didn’t want VH to continue without his father or for him to replace his father as lead guitarist. So, VH the band died with Ed. But, he is going to alienate VH fans by doing his own thing and refusing to play VH songs or reform VH without his father. He used the f word in comments suggesting he is sick of fans demanding that he play VH songs and reform VH without his father.
WVH seems to have to always prove himself to some folks... He's nothing short of amazingly gifted. Did you mention his singing? Sweet Lord, that man can do it all...
Wolfgang🎶❤👍 How well do you understand the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? 🤔🤔🤔 His father (Leipold) knew his son (Wolfgang) was extremely gifted & made it known...at an early age, for THE WHOLE WORLD regarding Wolfgang.😎 Here, we see Eddie Van Halen bringing Wolfgang Van Halen "into the fold" AT 15. Eddie ALWAYS SAID his son plays better...up to the day where illness, time & age claimed our guitar hero. 💔🎸🎶 I see it possible that WVH could very well BE our NEXT "Mozart"...& that is NOT just "a Van Halen fan" talking. I saw them in the "VanHagar Era" 90's & the animosity between Alex & Sammy was so blatantly OBVIOUS...it affected the show severely (that's another subject because I like Sammy & I've met him). ANYTHING Eddie did was great. We just MIGHT see everything from Wolfgang be "better"🤔🎶 He sure is impressing alot of people. History MAY "repeat itself"...& give us "another Mozart"🤔🎶🙏
@@Craftlngo - I believe it. Teaching wasn't Ed's gift, no big deal. WVH got the talent, that's what matters. It in the blood. My brother died before he ever got to met his daughter yet she had the same body mannerism - it was like she had watched him her whole life. Wolfie saw and heard.
He did more than just mimic the playing, he did it with little effort, and he had the same spark in his eyes that dad used to have, a long time ago. It was a great moment, and I hope he plans to bring it more often, it was a pleasure to see..!!
This entire tribute show was so needed. Taylor, Neal, Eddie. All celebrated together. It was surely the night for Taylor Hawkins, but those who showed up to celebrate him as well as their lost brothers, fathers, and mates were insane. Bravo.
Unforgettable concert. Just the love for Taylor, the band and his friends. Quite extraordinary atmosphere I doubt I’ll experience again at a gig. I had a seriously wobbly lip and my eyes kept leaking. Dave getting through Times like these was incredible. Justin H gave it everything throughout- he was excellent. Get him on!!!
I was so devastated after Eddie’s passing, but knowing that Wolfgang can play as well as his father and sound just like him helps heal the loss of his dad. Can’t say that about too many musicians, Neil Peart comes to mind. No one will ever sound like him again. But Eddie Van Halen’s legacy is in good hands. I know he is looking down on his son with the biggest of smiles on his face, prouder than any father could be.
It's heartwarming to see that, in an industry where children were often little more than a byproduct, neither Eddie, Alex nor Valerie were too busy to nurture this kid. He deserves all the recognition he's worked to achieve.
Wolfgang must have had one hell of an inspirational childhood! Chip-off-the old-block has great roots. Fantastic concert and a well-heartfelt, send-off to the great Taylor Hawkins. 🤟
Alvin, to somone twice that age, it is. Regardless, there are a lot of sons and daughters of celebrities who grew up to be disasters. In some cases, they did it to themselves, but often they were the result of unplanned pregnancies or were born to people who thought money was a surrogate for actual involvement as a parent.
Or Janie, I'll add Ace Frehley of KISS who said at a live gig, amusingly, never taken a guitar lesson, and another, seemed to learn guitar by Osmosis! He's awesome as well!
Yes Rick, talk to Justin Hawkins! I saw The Darkness in 2003 and 2016, and they are better live than on the record. He hits every high note, screams through every guitar solo, and the spandex catsuit game is completely over the top.
Rick, it's such a joy to watch your videos, I learn something every time. Today I learned you're just a superbly classy gentleman sir. Just pure class. Thank you.
Wolfgang is an incredible guitarist. I didn’t realize he was that good until I heard him play during that tribute. I saw his dad many times through the years , and Wolfgang simply nailed it. His dad must be proud from the stars above.
Same...and following WVH he has always bagged on peeps who missed a note playing VH songs. I think he did one on piano showing where everyone fucks up the intro to Jump. I expected him to nail it to some degree, but there's alot more to WVH. I guess we'll see, I have no doubt.
I was at the concert, sat close enough to see him smash it out the stadium. Seeing Wolfgang play like that was amazing, never seen him before on TV or live but that memory of him doing EVH will be with me till the grave. Amazing 👏
From my point of view, the most impressive part of the solo timing-wise is at 7:17 - it's SPOT ON. Rick's face seems to concur :) . You can know the notes, you can come close to the tone, but getting that feel just right, is INCREDIBLE. Wolfie, your Dad is smiling with that huge smile from the great beyond and has never been so proud. Bravo !
What I love about Wolfgang VanHalen is that he’s super humble. I mean, he’s a killer musician but he won’t be the guy telling you about it. One interview I recall, he was talking about his dad teaching him guitar. And Ed was like: “hey Wolf, it’s really simple, just do this (Edward rattles of some amazing shred)”. Wolfgang goes on to say it was impossible for us mere mortals to play but simple for his dad to play because he’s Eddie F’ing VanHalen (or words to that effect). It was amazing to see Wolf play those songs at the tribute concert. I dig his Mammoth material. He’s great in his own right but to see and hear him play like his dad gives me goosebumps. Very few people can play like Ed. Wolf does.
Rick... always so impressed with just how you interpret content, and how you present yourself ... humility and integrity are priceless qualities... you have both.
I loved the whole show and watched almost all of it on UA-cam. One of the cool things about it was that it wasn't taped or lip synched - it was live music, perfect in its imperfection and had the occasional wobble. I thought Wolfgang was one of the highlights - watch the look on Dave's face when Wolfie breaks into the Hot for Teacher intro - and he KILLED that solo.
There will never be Another Eddie Van Halen,He was an innovator,Changed the way the guitar is played,a pure genius,Wolfgang is very talented in his own right, I read that Wolfgangs favorite instrument is the drums,For him to master the guitar the way he has on something that's not his absolute favorite instrument is amazing and just shows his talent as a multi instrumentalist even more
I was very fortunate to see Wolfie in concert with Mammoth, they opened for Guns N Roses in Hershey Stadium, Hershey Pa. I had never really paid much attention to him but after that show I became a huge fan. I could not believe how amazing his voice was and his guitar playing was simply outstanding. His voice is incredible live.
Lucky enough to attend. WVH's appearance with Dave Grohl on bass was a great moment in a six hour concert filled with them. You could do a whole series on the collaborations from the tribute.
No kidding, man. Seeing RUSH play with Grohl was genuinely unbelievable. How I'd love to go back to 1991 and tell everyone that this would happen someday. Nobody and I mean NOBODY would believe it.
Salute Wolfgang, you are great, & able to accept all the soft skills that his father has, giving extraordinary enthusiasm to his father to get back on his feet, I hope you will always be a good and healthy musician.
Bravo!! I’m so glad Wolfgang played this. He has sworn he’d never play his dads stuff. Healing takes time. No way to ever get over the loss, but healing is possible, and I’m so happy Wolfgang is healing enough he can pay tribute (WITH THE GREATEST DIGNITY) to his dearly missed and beloved father..🙏🏼 R.I.P. Eddie.. you’ll never be forgotten.
Thats what surprised me.. Only just before Taylor passed, I saw WVH in interview say he would NEVER play his Dads music again. This was special. Did you see Wolfgang raise his fist in the air to his Dad at the end? Beautiful moment.
@Superduper Starwars Stopmotion Channel!(and more!) He did.. he said on Eddie Trunk and I quote “I will never play any fucking Van Halen songs without my pops”.. better do ya research sir. I’ve seen multiple interviews with Wolfgang saying that. This was an incredibly special moment. It WAS for his pops.
This show was probably the best of its kind since the original Live Aid. I was thrilled to have been able to watch the entire uncut thing live. Unfortunately they quickly took it down hours later and now it’s only available on Paramount+. As for Wolf, this is the result of being motivated to learn music and growing up with a guitar god dad. Apart from learning Eddie’s nuances from hearing him all the time and actually playing with VH himself, he has access to his dad’s gear and settings.
This is the biggest part. Yes, of course he sounds like his dad since he is often playing his dad's gear and instruments. He learned how to play the parts from the person who wrote them. Same when he played Bass to replace MA - He played with MA for so long and played the same gear as him, so it's not surprising he can mimic the sound. That's what a good band member does on a song like that!
@@dmccalldds Just by chance! I didn’t know about it either. I just happened to open UA-cam when it was about to start and it showed up on the home page.
I have to say that Eddie's passing made me so down and sad, we lost Neil Peart and Eddie so close together. To hear Wolfie nail his dad's stuff just makes me feel so good that the VH legacy will continue in good hands.
Not that I possess even 1/100th Eddie’s talent, but the day he died I took down the guitar from the wall that had been furniture essentially since I bought it, and started to learn to play. Two years later… I still suck, but I have a lot of fun sucking.
He’s the only person who actually sounded just like his dad. I mean, learning an EVH lick is one thing, but capturing his vibe is something else altogether, and Wolf has it.
@@mattt5006 Wolfgang can sling that axe with the best players on earth. I've seen him do it live. Yes, he can emulate Eddie to the letter, as I would expect. He grew up with Eddie as his father, played with Eddie in his band, and lived surrounded by Van Halen. That doesn't mean that he is inferior or a poor substitute.
@@gusseisern1151 He was an alchy since he was 12yrs old. She could no longer tolerate a drug addled alcoholic in her home with a young child, he'd promised to quit and didn't do it.
I was backstage stage left at the Wembley show. It was an excellent performance, Wolfgang nailed it., Dave on Bass and Josh nailed the drum part as well.
Man, seriously drummers don’t get enough respect and get replaced so often but they are running a marathon every single night playing live. Yes, it’s fun to play drums live but it’s also such a hard job.
the triplets on the bass drums come naturally until the ride comes in with the sextuplets. that's when I just put down the sticks and go touch some grass lol
Having listened to that solo for almost 40 years now…there are subtle differences here and there…but not many. A great performance. And WHO should be able to do it that close if not Wolfie?
Totally agree... you have to be really familiar with the solo and or have a great ear but the differences were obvious to many. one thing that amazed me - even though there is no reason to think he didn't have it - was that EVH swing... I think they all got it from Jan... the original swing musician in the family. You can play every note. You can figure out the tone... you can play the same guitar....with the same stripes.... but if you can't swing your phrasing and play with the VH feel - you will still not sound brown. AND THAT'S OK.
I don’t think Eddie himself played every second of the solo the exact same as the record, which is not a bad thing. Like everyone said, Eddie had a feel and groove and his son is the same way.
@@sonnymao9461 the person Rick was responding to implied Wolf was playing to a track of his father… So my answer included variables which dispute that. Just to be clear.
I LOVED seeing Wolfgang play 6 string ! He's so much more than just a bass player. I was also blown away by Shane's performance on the drums. Top notch stuff !!
Wolfgang van halen would have played his arse off practicing to get where he’s got . Nobody just picks up a guitar and plays well . He deserves a lot of credit .
Something a great many folks don't catch about Ed's "time feel" is this: in every song, and l mean _every_ one, Ed's driving. He's always "out front" on whatever the rhythm is, even if it's only a milli-fraction of a beat. He's always at the front of the measure, with Al a scintilla behind him and Michael Anthony putting the bass feel wherever it needs to be to suit what the brothers are laying down. That's the hallmark of why their music (and Ed's playing in particular) was so astounding. One can't learn that, you either have it or you don't. Wolfgang has it, in truckloads. DNA really does matter.
Such an art to it, too! I'm a guitar instructor and I wish I had a graph of all my favorite players displaying where their "laziness" falls in terms of ahead or behind the beat. Mine is almost the exact opposite to where I have to deliberately stay on top of the beat to play in time.
I did a transcription of a few Eddie solos, they were incredibly out of time. Like 80 bpm to 100 bpm in two measures. I was hell-bent on getting the timing correct. The whole band was "off". But it sounds right. You can't teach that.
I’ve had mad respect for Wolf as an artist in general, but that took it to a whole new level for me. Not just being able to play like his dad, but the fact that he could just piggyback off of his father but chose to be his own self, and it’s a gift to go rest of us. I’m excited to see him for the first time live in January. I can just see Eddie’s huge smile while Wolfie kills that solo.
Amazing! I really hope you do get together with Justin Hawkins. The entire tribute was an enormous success on every level. Taylor would have been proud. Thank you for this one, Rick. Always a fan.
Wolfie is killing that semi-hollow body. And I agree - the Mammoth WVH album is stellar - the writing is great, the tone is great, the riffs are great and the production is great.
It was a tribute that rivaled the Freddie Mercury concert. The one thing I took away from it is, the next generation of rock stars are being raised right. WFV, Shane Hawkins, and Violet Group are all super talented at a young age. You definitely need to do a breakdown of Violet absolutely nailing Jeff Buckley's Last Goodbye and Grace at this show.
I love how you addresses that Rick. Total class. I saw that performance and have seen WVH live. It never occurred to me to think that the performance with Grohl was anything but 100% talent. WVH is phenomenal.
Something not mentioned Rick is Wolfgangs grandfather Jan was a professional multi instrumentalist in Holland . The talent running through three generations including Alex ,whom is a highly underrated drummer, is very apparent. I personally think it is both environment and in the genes with the van Halens
Wolfie is the real deal. I loved how he was beaming playing Hot For Teacher. He was in his element and killing it. His album is fantastic. I love his singing voice. I think I saw an interview where he said that he is most proficient on drums.
Also, this should shut down ANY argument that an EVH tribute show should feature a huge cast of characters. It should be Wolf on guitar, Michael Anthony on bass, Alex on drums and Sammy and Dave can do vocals on the songs they did. As a fan, I think that would be the most authentic type of tribute show
Dave would kill to be able to do vocals. No offence to DLR, I love the lunatic. It's a weird thing because I'm a huge Sammy fan too. But Dave's voice is gone like a cool breeze.
Great job Rick! You answered that question much nicer than I would've. In addition to all the points you made, don't forget he was playing one of his father's guitars, through his father's 5150 amps. Wolfie is a monstrous talent!!
Rick- While I didn't think it was suspiciously "to" good, I was blown away at how much he sounded like his Dad. So much that it actually brought me to tears. Being a Dad myself, that connection he has with his Dad is beyond just learning how to play the song. It was just incredible to watch.
I just saw the solo clip of Wolfe the other day and I agree, it sounded EXACTLY like Ed. However it didn't shock me, it literally gave me goosebumps up my arms when I heard it. I watched 3 more times and same thing, goosebumps. The young man is incredible!!
Thank you for explaining to those who think he "faked" it. Look who his dad was and the VH album he played on, he matched hid pops licks on bass!! What a shredder he is!! And people need to understand, and they do, that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Eddie LOVED Wolfgang and taught him everything. C'mon you guys, Wolfie is genuine to boot!
He is a natural !! Wolfie, LOVES what he does, he feels it and plays with his whole being. You can see that and feel that... Thank YOU, Rick, for sharing your thoughts. I'm glad he went there to pay tribute to Taylor Hawkins.
Rick, I was listening to live Mammoth WVH and this popped up in my feed again. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. And Wolfie can only get better. Incredible.
I saw him come on stage on Saturday and I said to my husband "is that Wolfie"? And he's like "who's Wolfie". I hung my head in shame. And Justin Hawkins - that guy is so under-rated it blows my mind. He's the only guy that can strut in a hot pink catsuit.
Wolfgang Van Halen is the culmination of his father and uncle. If you live in a talented family, it's going to rub off on you. I love Wolfgang's album.
For those that don't know, or forgot, when VH started up again with Wolfie and Dave, Wolfgang had to re-teach Eddie a lot of the songs as he had forgotten a lot of them.
I just have to say that I love listening to you talk about music, in any and every regard. I come from a fairly musical family, and hearing you talk about everything musical reminds me of listening to all of my uncles talk about music as I was growing up, and it's truly a delight. it's the main reason I subscribed to your channel.
It's so live and so good! Wolfie even makes a tiny mistake on the very opening of the Hot For Teacher. He starts on the wrong note but quickly corrects. This is walk in the park for Wolfie. It's such a treat to get to hear him. Josh, Justin, and Dave absolutely slayed as well. Talk about a once in a lifetime gift. This whole concert was a rock n roll fantasy come true. It reminded me of the Freddy Mercury Tribute. ROCK IN PEACE, TAYLOR!
Honestly, while I was floored by how good he did on HOT FOR TEACHER, he had already blazed the trail by KILLING IT with ON FIRE. If there IS a EVH Tribute show, he needs to handle the guitar work and bring back Mikey!
I just saw Mike with Sammy and the Circle and Mike sang lead vocals on "Ain't Talkin Bout Love". He did it as a tribute to Eddie and it freaking rocked. He could have been a lead singer.
I was hoping you would do a video on this. Wolf is so good. I’m glad his father will live on in Wolfie, and we will get a new style on top of that one. I grew up with VH and will hang on everything he does.
Wolfgang kicking it so hard on that Gibson. Don't know the words let's try this . Eddie changed the rock world and then his boy brings it back so so very heart warming that performance.
I play violin, and my first violin teacher had a different vibrato technique than most. Starting from the shoulder with the whole arm instead of just the wrist. That’s the way I learned it. I’ve met several violin players with the same vibrato and they all had the same teacher. We recognize each other by that specific large sounding vibrato.
I remember Eddie once saying in an interview "if you think I'm good you should hear Wolfie" and I seriously think he wasn't just being a proud dad talking up his kid. Playing great guitar, great keyboards, great bass, and great drums and singing great in time to join your dad's band at 15? Yeah, he's a phenomenon.
EVH said it in a few interviews. He knew and now so does Everyone. Wolf can shred with the best yet chooses too be a full Song musician with his own style of play.
Also, someone once asked him what it was like to be the world’s greatest guitarist and he replied, “ask Steve Lukather!”
@@darinstgeorge he also said his favourite player was Bruce Cockburn
@Jessica Torres totally subjective. Time will tell.
@Jessica Torres you know it.
The two performances that did it for me were wolf and Shane. Wolf….he’s been criticized for a long time for NOT playing VH songs since his dad passed. People can now STFU I guess. You have to respect this guy. His father is one of the greatest guitarists in the history of music yet he forged his own direction instead of riding his dads coat tails. What we saw and heard was a guy who CAN play VH material. When I watched him play I didn’t see a guy playing his dads music…I saw a son paying tribute the to his father and doing it justice. I could never watch wolf do any VH song and NOT view it as paying homage to Eddie. Absolutely fantastic. As for Shane…beyond emotional.
Well said!!💯
Absolutely!!
Shane could be the new drummer for Foo Fighters. Absolutely amazing performance
Well said!
*OUTSTANDING COMMENT*
*VERY WELL WRITTEN AND ON POINT. PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZE WOLFGANG VAN HALEN NEED TO SHUT THE FUCK UP*
PERHAPS THESE PEOPLE ARE CRITICAL OF WOLF VH BECAUSE THEY ENVY HIS INCREDIBLE ABILITIES ON GUITAR, BASS, DRUMS, KEYS, VOCALS, ETC*
*AND YES, EDWARD VAN HALEN IS THE GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER ON THE PLANET*
*EDDIE LEFT THOUSANDS OF RECORDINGS FOR HIS SON, AND ONLY WOLF AND ALEX KNOW HOW TO SORT THROUGH THE TAPES*
*AGAIN, OUTSTANDING COMMENT*
SORRY FOR THE CAPS (STUCK)
ALL THE BEST !
You can see how Wolfgang lifted everyone's spirits around him. That is indeed a rare gift from above.
Really good point!!
People seem to really enjoy jamming with that young man. 🎸
He really has a positive vibe about him, doesn't he
😂😂😂 He is a mediocre guitar player!
Ok two songs in the top of the charts a soundtrack spot and a grammy nomination? If thats mediocre ill have some of that.
I taught my son to play guitar; what took me 40 years to learn took him six months. But the freaky part was that it was literally like listening to myself play - note choice, phrasing, chords - and his compositions sound & feel like my own. Musical DNA can run very deep in a family, I can attest to it. It is beautiful to see Wolfgang honoring his father so.
Can you teach me, lol? My one regret. My kids can play, but I’m hopeless.
I taught my brother-in-law how to play
(I also took him to a jazz guitar teacher) so he could read music too.
The problem was he sounded just like me, one day he came over & I held the door & said;
"You know everything I know plus what you know & you still can't play better than me (?)
go home until you figure it out!"
A few days later he came knocking on my door again & said; "Let's play!"
Wow! What a difference. Sometimes a little kick in the pants is a good thing.
@Darwinism 2.0 In some areas I was the wild guy doing wheelies, and racing down country roads, but when I look at what this generation can do ... it's astounding & it's the way it should be, I'm pleased.
I'm not a parent but imo this is a vital lesson parents could live by... children digest our every thought and action. Try to present our highest for them imitate.
@@22sojourner AWSOME
Not only does he sound like EVH, I know that it's important to WVH to play it JUST like his dad did. Note for note. We've all got dads. Wolfie mimicking his dad on this song is his greatest tribute to pops.
This was un real! Such an incredible performance.
"wolfie"
I would like to create my own delusional reality where Eddie Van Halen and Taylor Hawkins didn't die and they are still out there making music. I'm not sure what to call this alternate reality yet. Possibly "Planet Awesome". Admission to Planet Awesome is free. Nobody who want's to live there will be turned away. Other future addtions to this new reality may include....Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell and Robin Williams (okay Ribin Williams isn't a musician but he will bring joy and make us laugh...So he's in.)
@@gl3nnium i wish I could bring back so many young talented musicians. Kurt, randy Rhodes. I wish I could change history and make it so jason becker never got als. I wish I could stop srv from getting on that helicopter. I wish jimi hendrix lived to be an old man. So many musicians I'd gladly sacrifice myself for.
@@Ottophil that's his nickname? Wolfgang is so bad ass. I would hate wolfie if i were him lol. Sounds like a little kid. 21 years of being called gav and i still hate it every time someone says it. I'm definitely projecting but yeah.
I would LOVE to see you interview Justin Hawkins! He is so underappreciated and im glad this performance and Under Pressure highlighted his talents again.
How about Shane Hawkins?
@Ralph Reilly Underappreciated by more people than op.
What a strange thing to let get to you.
100% on the time feel! He looked SO comfortable playing and that’s what most can’t replicate. Eddie’s feel was everything and it was evident in WVHs performance. Love that take, Rick.
Exactly that incredible effortlessness is what amazes me the most about EVH
This made me cry 😢
No wonder why Valiere is so proud of him...
RIP EVH 🎸 🙏 🎶💞🎶
Valerie is so nice and did a great job with him as well.
I just want to say the way you show respect to the music you break down and to the players who play the music is so respectful and the world needs more people like you. I’m a huge fan of your videos
I’m not even a musician and upvote your compliment of Mr. Beato one hundred percent.
Me 2, well I play but not well. :)
cheers!!!
Rick is a class act!
He looked so happy playing his dad’s tunes. Smiling away. Well done, Wolfgang 👏👏
Just like the ol' man used to do.
@@iblockpuncheswithmyface1490 A million years ago, Eddie's smile made me realize that if it's not fun, why play? It's been my mantra ever since.
He also looked much more relaxed here than when he was playing in VH. Maybe in VH he was afraid of screwing up in front of his father. Or Mike Anthony fans made him nervous.
I thought the same thing!
His smile during those songs really took my back to the 80's watching his dad playing. That man knew how to have fun bringing joy to other people and passed that on to Wolfgang. People need to stop giving him so much crap about not doing a Van Halen tribute. Go listen to Mammoth WVH! That man knows how to craft a song.
Eddie was incredibly proud of Wolfy, he doted on Wolfy and went out of his way to let Wolfy know how much he loved him. Whenever you mentioned the boy, Eddie's face lit up. Wolf has released a great record but this was just the beginning. Wolfgang is going to continue to amaze us with his music and he will carry on his family's legacy. He's involved with running EVH products, bringing out a new hollow body guitar and a Bass Guitar as well. He has taken over 5150 Studios too. He's so much more than a good musician.
Wolfie is the only one qualified to take that on...a kid with a vision who has blood ties. As a 50 year old father, I'm proud of my 21 year old only son. Every single day when I look at him, I want to hug him and tell him he's my greatest accomplishment. He took up guitar and bass a few years ago and he's getting good and I never complain when I'm trying to sleep and I hear his amp a little too loud.
@@CodeBleu724 that is fantastic. The world need more folks like you.
Amen to all of the above! 🙏❤
@@CodeBleu724 Way to go pops!
❤❤
Holy smokes!! He sounded exactly like his dad. I never knew the kid could shred like that.
As for Hawkins, what a tragedy. I saw the Foo Fighters just once and am glad I did. That band is dripping with talent and Hawkins was a beast of a drummer. RIP
I agree
Drugs are bad kids, what a waste.
I’m 62, I’ve seen Van Halen live many times since the 70s. Wolfgang absolutely blows my mind how good he is.
Hey Bradley,From another 1960 baby,I totally agree.I only got to see him 3 times.79 in RaleighN.C. 84 Atlanta and Eddie in person at the MAD MONK in Wilmington N.C. Watching the Bulletboy's.Vallarie was filming a mini series there 1985-86.
He had a Great Teacher 🙃🙃🙃
Millions of us guitar players around the world have tried to play this song as best we can, but there is something about watching Wolf play it that just send chills to my spine, that was a very memorable moment in rock history!
that "you do that just like your father" thing we all get applies to his guitar playing and it's something we're all so familiar with. He's even holding his arms similarly..similar posture.
There is a vid of Brad Paisley playing HFT. I will say this , I think Brad is an amazing guitarist... But man did he have trouble doing those tapping parts at the beginning. Gave me a new found respect for Eddie and now for Wolf
@@davyboy9397 This timeless video is about Van Halen legends. Not country music. Thank you.
@@kimsullivan5576 Wow, really ? Thank you genius
@@davyboy9397 You should know that already. Locate Brad Paisley, if you feel lost. This is about Wolf. You're welcome.
So happy to see Justin singing with them. Rick, everyone wants to see you collaborate with Justin Hawkins Rides Again!!!
Omg I just saw that you accepted the invite here. Yes!!
There is not another guitar player on the planet that could have played Hot for Teacher with the perfection of both execution and tone than Wolfgang did. DNA and a passion to perfect his craft has served him well. Plus the kid has a killer voice! I will be watching your career with great interest young Van Halen😎
Damn I’m actually shocked at how much Wolf sounds exactly like his Dad! The “time feel” is absolutely spot on!
I was deeply moved watching Wolf’s performance. I was nearly in tears and so excited, I was freaking out. Just an incredible moment I will never forget. He just continues to make his Pop proud and all of us Mammoth and Van Halen fans proud and inspired as well. Thank you Wolf and thank you Rick for bringing more well deserved attention to it!! EVH and WVH forever!! 🎸🎶🤘
Yeah, why has it been so hard to do something like that for Wolf's Father? Oh, I forgot. Everyone else's ego.
Yes, I freaked out too, literally jumped up and started running around screaming when I heard him start playing..took me totally by surprise that he was playing guitar on a VH song. He killed it
I sat up in bed when Hot For Teacher started, my wife looked at me and said honey are you crying? I same bro I’ll never forget that.
@@DebOnTheWebb Me too, it took me totally by surprise. I was like..Eddie, that you? So happy for Wolf, and love his album.
Wow, I had no idea Wolfie was so good on guitar, too. I agree, he just has that same indefinable "feel" as his father. I'm glad Wolfie is here with us. Inside him, Eddie truly lives on today. And I think he will go on to create his own wonderful things, just as Eddie did.
Been following Wolfie since his solo work first dropped (his first song about his dad brought on the tears)...and he's just so multi-talented and as you say Rick he's a tremendously nice guy in all the interviews I've seen him in. It was great to see him on the Taylor Hawkins tribute and to a degree he was payin' tribute to his dad at the same time. No question in my mind the guitar work was all his with no backing track. You watch closely his fingers and the fret work and it all lines up perfect. WVH is the real deal - the dynasty lives on.
He's a Van Halen. He gave me chills. I closed my eyes and it was like listening to his dad play. I saw Eddie play in 2011 and it was like I was there all over again. Wolfie, you got yourself another fan.
Don’t understand why Wolfgang has and will continue to have haters. He is such a terrific person.
Who knows … jealousy? Not only is he the son of one of the greatest guitar players of all time … but now he also has the nerve to prove himself as a great guitar player in his own right. It’s more than some people can handle. That’s their problem.
When he did the run on Fire I said ok now we are onto something
1. Jealousy and 2. They think he should play nothing but Van Halen tunes.
Too bad but the haters will always exist as will the ones that have to compare..they are missing the magic..probably always will.
People stuck in the past associating their identity with their idol. They need to drink either less or more beer.
I was right at the front at the TH concert at Wembley. WVH was an absolute beast and melted my face off!!
“Melted my face off.” Just love this description of yours and it’s the first time I’ve heard it. I’m gonna steal it when with my friends.😎
I like to think that 100 years from now there's Van Halen offspring holding up a blazing torch of guitar and rock and keeping the music alive..because it's that important as music for so many of us. RIP King Edward
Hawkins' son also played drums on "My Hero". Was very touching.
I thought that was the highlight!
@@SteveKaynan He was beating those skins like a pro. A lot of emotion to go through in a very public arena but he did his Dad proud.
Made me cry. I'm not even that big of a FF fan.
We know that Wolfgang does not want to spend his whole career covering Van Halen. He's his own powerhouse. But when he gives an occasional nod, it's very endearing. The fans just miss his dad.
Even though he was a part of his dad’s band VH replacing Mike on bass, he is his own individual and wants to do his own thing now and not copy his father. And he didn’t want VH to continue without his father or for him to replace his father as lead guitarist. So, VH the band died with Ed. But, he is going to alienate VH fans by doing his own thing and refusing to play VH songs or reform VH without his father. He used the f word in comments suggesting he is sick of fans demanding that he play VH songs and reform VH without his father.
WVH seems to have to always prove himself to some folks... He's nothing short of amazingly gifted. Did you mention his singing? Sweet Lord, that man can do it all...
incredible vocalist and song writer
Wolfgang🎶❤👍
How well do you understand the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?
🤔🤔🤔
His father (Leipold) knew his son (Wolfgang) was extremely gifted & made it known...at an early age, for THE WHOLE WORLD regarding Wolfgang.😎
Here, we see Eddie Van Halen bringing Wolfgang Van Halen "into the fold" AT 15.
Eddie ALWAYS SAID his son plays better...up to the day where illness, time & age claimed our guitar hero.
💔🎸🎶
I see it possible that WVH could very well BE our NEXT "Mozart"...& that is NOT just "a Van Halen fan" talking.
I saw them in the "VanHagar Era" 90's & the animosity between Alex & Sammy was so blatantly OBVIOUS...it affected the show severely (that's another subject because I like Sammy & I've met him).
ANYTHING Eddie did was great.
We just MIGHT see everything from Wolfgang be "better"🤔🎶
He sure is impressing alot of people.
History MAY "repeat itself"...& give us "another Mozart"🤔🎶🙏
Just imagine having Eddie as a teacher for HOURS every day, not only teaching technique but passing on the passion and love. RIP Eddie.
Wolfie has stated in an interview with loudwire that his father was a terrible guitar teacher 🤣
@@Craftlngo - I believe it. Teaching wasn't Ed's gift, no big deal. WVH got the talent, that's what matters. It in the blood. My brother died before he ever got to met his daughter yet she had the same body mannerism - it was like she had watched him her whole life. Wolfie saw and heard.
Wolfie said it was like that. More like influencer than like a teacher. I mean, no systematic learning
Wolf HATED when Ed tried to teach him!
In a recent interview, he laughed at the genetic connection and said that he practices A LOT! I am a huge Wolfie fan, he is just a great guy too.
Holy Moly!! He killed it! Hearing him channel his father makes me cry. No one plays like Ed, unless his son that is, and rightfully so. Respect.
Keep on dreaming 😂😂😂
@@MikeBackwhats up with the attitude buddy
I knew Wolfgang was super talented, but still…blew me away last weekend. Outstanding performance!
He did more than just mimic the playing, he did it with little effort, and he had the same spark in his eyes that dad used to have, a long time ago. It was a great moment, and I hope he plans to bring it more often, it was a pleasure to see..!!
Eddie left us a gift. Wolfgang keep doing your own thing .Awesome.
😂😂😂
This entire tribute show was so needed. Taylor, Neal, Eddie. All celebrated together. It was surely the night for Taylor Hawkins, but those who showed up to celebrate him as well as their lost brothers, fathers, and mates were insane. Bravo.
Unforgettable concert. Just the love for Taylor, the band and his friends. Quite extraordinary atmosphere I doubt I’ll experience again at a gig. I had a seriously wobbly lip and my eyes kept leaking. Dave getting through Times like these was incredible.
Justin H gave it everything throughout- he was excellent. Get him on!!!
What I love out Wolf play is the smile! His dad always smiled while playing and Wolf does it too!
I was so devastated after Eddie’s passing, but knowing that Wolfgang can play as well as his father and sound just like him helps heal the loss of his dad. Can’t say that about too many musicians, Neil Peart comes to mind. No one will ever sound like him again. But Eddie Van Halen’s legacy is in good hands. I know he is looking down on his son with the biggest of smiles on his face, prouder than any father could be.
I can't believe we lost Neil and Eddie in the same year.
❤
Dweezil Zappa picked up the torch and kept on running
@@ebrown2112_a my favourite drummer and guitar player.
Wolf is LEGIT. Playing on top just like his old man with just as much swagger. So damn cool to see.
I really Love him ...because i was SUCH a BIG Fan of his DAD ...to see that he hold his Heritage in SUCH a DAMM Cool Way ....
LOOVE !!!
he is not that good.....
It's heartwarming to see that, in an industry where children were often little more than a byproduct, neither Eddie, Alex nor Valerie were too busy to nurture this kid. He deserves all the recognition he's worked to achieve.
Wolfgang must have had one hell of an inspirational childhood! Chip-off-the old-block has great roots.
Fantastic concert and a well-heartfelt, send-off to the great Taylor Hawkins. 🤟
He's 30 years old...is that a kid?
Alvin, to somone twice that age, it is. Regardless, there are a lot of sons and daughters of celebrities who grew up to be disasters. In some cases, they did it to themselves, but often they were the result of unplanned pregnancies or were born to people who thought money was a surrogate for actual involvement as a parent.
Or Janie, I'll add Ace Frehley of KISS who said at a live gig, amusingly, never taken a guitar lesson, and another, seemed to learn guitar by Osmosis! He's awesome as well!
I am worried about his health and heart. Sincerely. He is pushing too much weight. LL&R
Yes Rick, talk to Justin Hawkins! I saw The Darkness in 2003 and 2016, and they are better live than on the record. He hits every high note, screams through every guitar solo, and the spandex catsuit game is completely over the top.
Rick, it's such a joy to watch your videos, I learn something every time.
Today I learned you're just a superbly classy gentleman sir.
Just pure class.
Thank you.
Wolfgang is an incredible guitarist. I didn’t realize he was that good until I heard him play during that tribute. I saw his dad many times through the years , and Wolfgang simply nailed it. His dad must be proud from the stars above.
Same to me.. i didn´t realize HOW DAMM COOL he can play ...till i saw this Video ..
Same...and following WVH he has always bagged on peeps who missed a note playing VH songs. I think he did one on piano showing where everyone fucks up the intro to Jump. I expected him to nail it to some degree, but there's alot more to WVH. I guess we'll see, I have no doubt.
I was at the concert, sat close enough to see him smash it out the stadium. Seeing Wolfgang play like that was amazing, never seen him before on TV or live but that memory of him doing EVH will be with me till the grave. Amazing 👏
Wake up the guy is at his best a mediocre guitar player!
From my point of view, the most impressive part of the solo timing-wise is at 7:17 - it's SPOT ON. Rick's face seems to concur :) . You can know the notes, you can come close to the tone, but getting that feel just right, is INCREDIBLE. Wolfie, your Dad is smiling with that huge smile from the great beyond and has never been so proud. Bravo !
What I love about Wolfgang VanHalen is that he’s super humble. I mean, he’s a killer musician but he won’t be the guy telling you about it. One interview I recall, he was talking about his dad teaching him guitar. And Ed was like: “hey Wolf, it’s really simple, just do this (Edward rattles of some amazing shred)”.
Wolfgang goes on to say it was impossible for us mere mortals to play but simple for his dad to play because he’s Eddie F’ing VanHalen (or words to that effect).
It was amazing to see Wolf play those songs at the tribute concert. I dig his Mammoth material. He’s great in his own right but to see and hear him play like his dad gives me goosebumps. Very few people can play like Ed. Wolf does.
Rick... always so impressed with just how you interpret content, and how you present yourself ... humility and integrity are priceless qualities... you have both.
I loved the whole show and watched almost all of it on UA-cam. One of the cool things about it was that it wasn't taped or lip synched - it was live music, perfect in its imperfection and had the occasional wobble. I thought Wolfgang was one of the highlights - watch the look on Dave's face when Wolfie breaks into the Hot for Teacher intro - and he KILLED that solo.
There will never be Another Eddie Van Halen,He was an innovator,Changed the way the guitar is played,a pure genius,Wolfgang is very talented in his own right, I read that Wolfgangs favorite instrument is the drums,For him to master the guitar the way he has on something that's not his absolute favorite instrument is amazing and just shows his talent as a multi instrumentalist even more
Of course. You SIT to play the drums.
I was very fortunate to see Wolfie in concert with Mammoth, they opened for Guns N Roses in Hershey Stadium, Hershey Pa. I had never really paid much attention to him but after that show I became a huge fan. I could not believe how amazing his voice was and his guitar playing was simply outstanding. His voice is incredible live.
I knew Wolfgang had great skills, but this was absolutely incredible. The guy has a amazing talent.
Lucky enough to attend. WVH's appearance with Dave Grohl on bass was a great moment in a six hour concert filled with them. You could do a whole series on the collaborations from the tribute.
No kidding, man. Seeing RUSH play with Grohl was genuinely unbelievable. How I'd love to go back to 1991 and tell everyone that this would happen someday. Nobody and I mean NOBODY would believe it.
We were all lucky to be there but in all honesty rather we hadn’t 😢
Seeing the sons carrying on their father’s legacies is awesome and both are truly talented in their own right 👍
Salute Wolfgang, you are great, & able to accept all the soft skills that his father has, giving extraordinary enthusiasm to his father to get back on his feet, I hope you will always be a good and healthy musician.
Bravo!! I’m so glad Wolfgang played this. He has sworn he’d never play his dads stuff. Healing takes time. No way to ever get over the loss, but healing is possible, and I’m so happy Wolfgang is healing enough he can pay tribute (WITH THE GREATEST DIGNITY) to his dearly missed and beloved father..🙏🏼 R.I.P. Eddie.. you’ll never be forgotten.
Thats what surprised me.. Only just before Taylor passed, I saw WVH in interview say he would NEVER play his Dads music again.
This was special.
Did you see Wolfgang raise his fist in the air to his Dad at the end? Beautiful moment.
@@BassMatt1972 absolutely. That was for dad! 🤘
@Superduper Starwars Stopmotion Channel!(and more!)
He did.. he said on Eddie Trunk and I quote “I will never play any fucking Van Halen songs without my pops”.. better do ya research sir. I’ve seen multiple interviews with Wolfgang saying that. This was an incredibly special moment. It WAS for his pops.
Wolf's performance gives me the bumps. Just so happy he's a great musician.
RIP Taylor Hawkins.
This show was probably the best of its kind since the original Live Aid. I was thrilled to have been able to watch the entire uncut thing live. Unfortunately they quickly took it down hours later and now it’s only available on Paramount+.
As for Wolf, this is the result of being motivated to learn music and growing up with a guitar god dad. Apart from learning Eddie’s nuances from hearing him all the time and actually playing with VH himself, he has access to his dad’s gear and settings.
This is the biggest part. Yes, of course he sounds like his dad since he is often playing his dad's gear and instruments. He learned how to play the parts from the person who wrote them. Same when he played Bass to replace MA - He played with MA for so long and played the same gear as him, so it's not surprising he can mimic the sound. That's what a good band member does on a song like that!
The entire show is on Paramount+. But.... it's not edited to remove the down town. Lots of audience shots.
How did you get to see it live? I never knew about it until after the fact.
@@dmccalldds Just by chance! I didn’t know about it either. I just happened to open UA-cam when it was about to start and it showed up on the home page.
I have to say that Eddie's passing made me so down and sad, we lost Neil Peart and Eddie so close together. To hear Wolfie nail his dad's stuff just makes me feel so good that the VH legacy will continue in good hands.
Amen 🙏🏻 ❤
Not that I possess even 1/100th Eddie’s talent, but the day he died I took down the guitar from the wall that had been furniture essentially since I bought it, and started to learn to play. Two years later… I still suck, but I have a lot of fun sucking.
Peart and Van Halen...2 of the best ever. If only Peart had somebody to pass his gifts too. Wolfie clearly has his dad's gifts.
He’s the only person who actually sounded just like his dad. I mean, learning an EVH lick is one thing, but capturing his vibe is something else altogether, and Wolf has it.
It's the tone. The tone was spot on.
If you have his exact equipment you have a better chance. There will be no other Eddie.
@@mattt5006 Wolfgang can sling that axe with the best players on earth. I've seen him do it live. Yes, he can emulate Eddie to the letter, as I would expect. He grew up with Eddie as his father, played with Eddie in his band, and lived surrounded by Van Halen.
That doesn't mean that he is inferior or a poor substitute.
His dad taught him music, and his mom taught him to be a kind, caring, person. He comes from a great family.
..Ed was very nice and humble on his video interviews anyway
And here I almost don’t like him just because of his mom!!! Ugh!!
Mom taught him how to eat lol
Yes exactly, that’s why SHE left Edward and he became an alcoholic. What a nice wife.
@@gusseisern1151 He was an alchy since he was 12yrs old. She could no longer tolerate a drug addled alcoholic in her home with a young child, he'd promised to quit and didn't do it.
I had the *biggest* smile on my face watching Wolfie perfectly play the VH songs like it was a walk in the park! ❤🖤🎸
It was a track.
I was backstage stage left at the Wembley show. It was an excellent performance, Wolfgang nailed it., Dave on Bass and Josh nailed the drum part as well.
Also watching Josh Freese working his ass off on drums shows how damn difficult that song is
Freese is one of my favorite drummers. Seen him numerous times live including with Nine Inch Nails and never disappointed.
Man, seriously drummers don’t get enough respect and get replaced so often but they are running a marathon every single night playing live. Yes, it’s fun to play drums live but it’s also such a hard job.
@@FWDSUXARSE Same - Loved him ever since Mer de Noms album by A Perfect Circle
the triplets on the bass drums come naturally until the ride comes in with the sextuplets. that's when I just put down the sticks and go touch some grass lol
@@JasonCGuitarOfficial absolutely!
Having listened to that solo for almost 40 years now…there are subtle differences here and there…but not many. A great performance. And WHO should be able to do it that close if not Wolfie?
Totally agree... you have to be really familiar with the solo and or have a great ear but the differences were obvious to many. one thing that amazed me - even though there is no reason to think he didn't have it - was that EVH swing... I think they all got it from Jan... the original swing musician in the family. You can play every note. You can figure out the tone... you can play the same guitar....with the same stripes.... but if you can't swing your phrasing and play with the VH feel - you will still not sound brown. AND THAT'S OK.
I don’t think Eddie himself played every second of the solo the exact same as the record, which is not a bad thing. Like everyone said, Eddie had a feel and groove and his son is the same way.
@@sonnymao9461 the person Rick was responding to implied Wolf was playing to a track of his father… So my answer included variables which dispute that. Just to be clear.
I LOVED seeing Wolfgang play 6 string !
He's so much more than just a bass player. I was also blown away by Shane's performance on the drums. Top notch stuff !!
Wolfgang van halen would have played his arse off practicing to get where he’s got . Nobody just picks up a guitar and plays well . He deserves a lot of credit .
😂😂😂
Something a great many folks don't catch about Ed's "time feel" is this: in every song, and l mean _every_ one, Ed's driving. He's always "out front" on whatever the rhythm is, even if it's only a milli-fraction of a beat. He's always at the front of the measure, with Al a scintilla behind him and Michael Anthony putting the bass feel wherever it needs to be to suit what the brothers are laying down.
That's the hallmark of why their music (and Ed's playing in particular) was so astounding. One can't learn that, you either have it or you don't.
Wolfgang has it, in truckloads. DNA really does matter.
Such an art to it, too! I'm a guitar instructor and I wish I had a graph of all my favorite players displaying where their "laziness" falls in terms of ahead or behind the beat. Mine is almost the exact opposite to where I have to deliberately stay on top of the beat to play in time.
I did a transcription of a few Eddie solos, they were incredibly out of time. Like 80 bpm to 100 bpm in two measures. I was hell-bent on getting the timing correct. The whole band was "off". But it sounds right. You can't teach that.
I’ve had mad respect for Wolf as an artist in general, but that took it to a whole new level for me. Not just being able to play like his dad, but the fact that he could just piggyback off of his father but chose to be his own self, and it’s a gift to go rest of us. I’m excited to see him for the first time live in January. I can just see Eddie’s huge smile while Wolfie kills that solo.
Well his band is named mammoth, so was early Van Halen, he uses a WVH logo, same as EVH, so there are some coatail riding there ok?
he was unbelievable! made me pick up my guitar and try to learn every detail of Hot for Teacher
You got it bad, got it bad, got it bad... go for it, friend! There's no better tribute to Eddie♡
Amazing! I really hope you do get together with Justin Hawkins. The entire tribute was an enormous success on every level. Taylor would have been proud. Thank you for this one, Rick. Always a fan.
Wolfie is killing that semi-hollow body. And I agree - the Mammoth WVH album is stellar - the writing is great, the tone is great, the riffs are great and the production is great.
It was a tribute that rivaled the Freddie Mercury concert. The one thing I took away from it is, the next generation of rock stars are being raised right. WFV, Shane Hawkins, and Violet Group are all super talented at a young age. You definitely need to do a breakdown of Violet absolutely nailing Jeff Buckley's Last Goodbye and Grace at this show.
And Nandi Bushell 12 years old getting up and nailing the drums like she's been doing it for 20 years. The kids stole the show.
I love how you addresses that Rick. Total class. I saw that performance and have seen WVH live. It never occurred to me to think that the performance with Grohl was anything but 100% talent. WVH is phenomenal.
Something not mentioned Rick is Wolfgangs grandfather Jan was a professional multi instrumentalist in Holland . The talent running through three generations including Alex ,whom is a highly underrated drummer, is very apparent. I personally think it is both environment and in the genes with the van Halens
Alex is criminally underrated, yet all of us credit him as a big influence, including some of the best guys on the planet.
I've seen Dwezil in person touring "Zappa plays Zappa" same deal, just pure fire! 🔥 And the swing of every nuance is just beautiful what a great kid.
Wolfie is the real deal. I loved how he was beaming playing Hot For Teacher. He was in his element and killing it. His album is fantastic. I love his singing voice. I think I saw an interview where he said that he is most proficient on drums.
Also, this should shut down ANY argument that an EVH tribute show should feature a huge cast of characters. It should be Wolf on guitar, Michael Anthony on bass, Alex on drums and Sammy and Dave can do vocals on the songs they did. As a fan, I think that would be the most authentic type of tribute show
Dave would kill to be able to do vocals. No offence to DLR, I love the lunatic. It's a weird thing because I'm a huge Sammy fan too. But Dave's voice is gone like a cool breeze.
No love for Gary Cerone.
@@bobbylenz3594 he was an unfortunately bad fit
@@bbb462cid yeah I never understood that move.
@@bbb462cid idk, no disrespect but i’d rather see dlr fuck everything up than have sammy haggar anywhere near such an ensemble.
Great job Rick! You answered that question much nicer than I would've. In addition to all the points you made, don't forget he was playing one of his father's guitars, through his father's 5150 amps. Wolfie is a monstrous talent!!
Rick and Justin is going to be awesome. The Darkness is the most underrated band of all time.
The Darkness is like one of those cult movies that is terrible..but you still want to watch it.
@@redzwestisbest Uh, no. They're not like that at all. They're bloody fantastic.
@@lwcarr3879 i'm talking about their own music... not my cup of tea.
His part felt like a double tribute, its was amazing and so moving to watch. And he seems like a really nice guy too.
It's a Shame that they can't seem to put something together for Wolf's Father.
I think triple. We have a tribute to Neil Peart too.
Watching that show all afternoon on Saturday was such a thrill full of tons of emotions. This performance was one of the best of the night.
Rick- While I didn't think it was suspiciously "to" good, I was blown away at how much he sounded like his Dad. So much that it actually brought me to tears. Being a Dad myself, that connection he has with his Dad is beyond just learning how to play the song. It was just incredible to watch.
I just saw the solo clip of Wolfe the other day and I agree, it sounded EXACTLY like Ed. However it didn't shock me, it literally gave me goosebumps up my arms when I heard it. I watched 3 more times and same thing, goosebumps. The young man is incredible!!
Thank you for explaining to those who think he "faked" it. Look who his dad was and the VH album he played on, he matched hid pops licks on bass!! What a shredder he is!! And people need to understand, and they do, that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Eddie LOVED Wolfgang and taught him everything. C'mon you guys, Wolfie is genuine to boot!
He wasn't just IN Van Halen, he IS Van Halen 🔥🔥🔥
I agree
@@gabrielleon7594 100%
David Lee Roth enters the chat!
@@pudder68 Van Halen is Van Halen regardless of singer
True
Eddie not only changed the caliber of rock and roll, he gave us Wolfgang, to carry on the touch... he is the God of rock guitar...
That sort of cringy adoration is everything wrong with western society in one phrase
He is a natural !! Wolfie, LOVES what he does, he feels it and plays with his whole being. You can see that and feel that... Thank YOU, Rick, for sharing your thoughts.
I'm glad he went there to pay tribute to Taylor Hawkins.
It's a shame that they can't seem to manage something like this for Wolf's Father.
He was incredible at that tribute - and to see Justin Hawkins and Paul McCartney was just awesome too
He was having fun on stage he even had that look that his dad did while he was on stage with that grin. He just has "it". Well done WVH
Rick,
I was listening to live Mammoth WVH and this popped up in my feed again.
I get goosebumps every time I hear it. And Wolfie can only get better.
Incredible.
Justin Hawkins nailed the vocals as well. He kept the phrasing of the lyrics true to the record. Which btw....Dave always struggled with. Always!
Is that even a goal?
If that was whoever sang, they were as far off diamond Dave's vocals as the son was from the father.
@@ericandrews1661 Huh?
@@ericandrews1661 he wasn’t trying to do an impression of Dave he was doing his own version
He was insanely good. Not surprised at all. I’ve seen him live twice once with VH and once with Mammoth. Always amazing.
I saw him come on stage on Saturday and I said to my husband "is that Wolfie"? And he's like "who's Wolfie". I hung my head in shame. And Justin Hawkins - that guy is so under-rated it blows my mind. He's the only guy that can strut in a hot pink catsuit.
Justin Hawkins should be a freaking household name. Can you believe his performance on Van Halen "On Fire?"
I could be convinced to stand in as husband under the correct circumstances.
@@soofitnsexy cringe
@@lwcarr3879 And the Queen songs. The man has serious pipes. And his UA-cam channel is amazing.
@@bbb462cid like if she is really a he I'm suspecting.
We must protect Wolfie at all costs. 🙏🏼♥️☮️🎼
From what? the ja b? As that is what did in Taylor
Amen
🙏
@@JimObsolete From drugs and alcohol, I'm assuming. We all know Eddie struggled with that
Get him to eat a salad on sin a while. My older brother died of that diabetes thing
Wolfgang Van Halen is the culmination of his father and uncle. If you live in a talented family, it's going to rub off on you. I love Wolfgang's album.
Exactly, just look at the Manning family
But why does he look more like michael anthony than eddie?
And his grandfather too. That family was all musical talent and I’m so happy Wolf is enjoying his musical journey. He’s fantastic.
Don't forget his great mother!
For those that don't know, or forgot, when VH started up again with Wolfie and Dave, Wolfgang had to re-teach Eddie a lot of the songs as he had forgotten a lot of them.
I've had my doubts about Wolfgang, but man he did incredible, I'm proud of that performance
I just have to say that I love listening to you talk about music, in any and every regard.
I come from a fairly musical family, and hearing you talk about everything musical reminds me of listening to all of my uncles talk about music as I was growing up, and it's truly a delight. it's the main reason I subscribed to your channel.
It's so live and so good! Wolfie even makes a tiny mistake on the very opening of the Hot For Teacher. He starts on the wrong note but quickly corrects. This is walk in the park for Wolfie. It's such a treat to get to hear him. Josh, Justin, and Dave absolutely slayed as well. Talk about a once in a lifetime gift. This whole concert was a rock n roll fantasy come true. It reminded me of the Freddy Mercury Tribute. ROCK IN PEACE, TAYLOR!
I think this concert will be an official release in a few months so they can fix his (very small) wrong note in post
Honestly, while I was floored by how good he did on HOT FOR TEACHER, he had already blazed the trail by KILLING IT with ON FIRE. If there IS a EVH Tribute show, he needs to handle the guitar work and bring back Mikey!
That would be heaven on earth. Don't tease me.
My friend, that is the only way it could/should happen!
I just saw Mike with Sammy and the Circle and Mike sang lead vocals on "Ain't Talkin Bout Love". He did it as a tribute to Eddie and it freaking rocked. He could have been a lead singer.
I'm low key hoping this was a shot across the bow to get Mikey and Alex (maybe Sammy?) to join him on the LA gig.
You're floored his son has his talent? You probably get surprised a lot in life, huh?
I was hoping you would do a video on this. Wolf is so good. I’m glad his father will live on in Wolfie, and we will get a new style on top of that one. I grew up with VH and will hang on everything he does.
Wolfgang kicking it so hard on that Gibson. Don't know the words let's try this . Eddie changed the rock world and then his boy brings it back so so very heart warming that performance.
Thats not a Gibson. It's an EVH branded guitar that's a prototype
I play violin, and my first violin teacher had a different vibrato technique than most. Starting from the shoulder with the whole arm instead of just the wrist. That’s the way I learned it. I’ve met several violin players with the same vibrato and they all had the same teacher. We recognize each other by that specific large sounding vibrato.