Eddie Van Halen Quotes

A collection of quotes by Eddie Van Halen.

Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020) was an influential guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the American rock band Van Halen. Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Eddie moved to the United States with his family at a young age. Alongside his brother Alex Van Halen on drums, Eddie formed the band Van Halen in 1972, which would go on to achieve tremendous success.

Eddie's guitar playing skills revolutionized the genre of rock music. He popularized the tapping technique, combining it with various other techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and dazzling solos. His virtuosic performances set a new standard for guitarists and forever changed the landscape of rock music.

Throughout his career, Eddie Van Halen played a significant role in the creation of iconic hits like "Jump," "Panama," and "Eruption." His innovative guitar work and distinctive sound were highly influential, inspiring generations of aspiring musicians.

Eddie's contribution to the music industry earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. His impact on the guitar world cannot be overstated, and he left an indelible mark on rock music culture. Eddie Van Halen's tragic passing in October 2020 marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Everything I did is because I wanted to do it. If I weren't

Everything I did is because I wanted to do it. If I weren't playing this arena, if I were playing a club, I'd still be doing it because that's what I want to do. I love playing the guitar.

Eddie Van Halen

On 'Van Halen,' I was a young punk, and everything revolved

On 'Van Halen,' I was a young punk, and everything revolved around the fastest kid in town, gunslinger attitude. But I'd say that at the time of 'Fair Warning,' I started concentrating more on songwriting. But I guess in most people's minds I'm just a gunslinger.

Eddie Van Halen

David Lee Roth had the idea that if you covered a successful

David Lee Roth had the idea that if you covered a successful song, you were half way home. C'mon - Van Halen doing 'Dancing in the Streets'? It was stupid. I started feeling like I would rather bomb playing my own songs than be successful playing someone else's music.

Eddie Van Halen

I never dreamt of being a musician for my livelihood. I cert

I never dreamt of being a musician for my livelihood. I certainly never would have wanted to be in the business that I'm in, meaning the fame and the glory, the glitter, the rock star, the famous part.

Eddie Van Halen

Music is for people. The word 'pop' is simply short for popu

Music is for people. The word 'pop' is simply short for popular. It means that people like it. I'm just a normal jerk who happens to make music. As long as my brain and fingers work, I'm cool.

Eddie Van Halen

I mean it's funny, playing music, how of course you want it

I mean it's funny, playing music, how of course you want it to do well, you want them to like it, but it's not competitive like an election, it's the Olympics, it's not a Formula 1 race. The Billboard charts are just to show you what people like.

Eddie Van Halen

If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run do

If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you'll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you'll get to where you want to be.

Eddie Van Halen

The name Van Halen, the family legacy, is going to go on lon

The name Van Halen, the family legacy, is going to go on long after I'm gone.

Eddie Van Halen

We're musicians. We make music for a living. It's that simpl

We're musicians. We make music for a living. It's that simple. Nothing else matters.

Eddie Van Halen

It's funny, when bands or younger musicians ask me: 'So, wha

It's funny, when bands or younger musicians ask me: 'So, what does it take to make it?' Well, first explain to me what you mean by 'making it': Do you want to be a rock star or do you want music to be your livelihood?

Eddie Van Halen

You know, most people, they want to go to Hollywood. They wa

You know, most people, they want to go to Hollywood. They want to be a star. They want to be a rock star. That thought never entered any of our minds, the Van Halen family.

Eddie Van Halen

I'm not a rock star. Sure I am, to a certain extent because

I'm not a rock star. Sure I am, to a certain extent because of the situation, but when kids ask me how it feels to be a rock star, I say leave me alone, I'm not a rock star. I'm not in it for the fame, I'm in it because I like to play.

Eddie Van Halen

When I'm home on a break, I lock myself in my room and play

When I'm home on a break, I lock myself in my room and play guitar. After two or three hours, I start getting into this total meditation. It's a feeling few people experience, and that's usually when I come up with weird stuff. It just flows. I can't force myself. I don't sit down and say I've got to practice.

Eddie Van Halen

I never took guitar lessons. I took classical piano lessons

I never took guitar lessons. I took classical piano lessons from the age of six when we lived in Holland. And when we moved to America, it was just the typical thing except I was really good at it so was my brother.

Eddie Van Halen

I never took guitar lessons. I took classical piano lessons

I never took guitar lessons. I took classical piano lessons from the age of six when we lived in Holland.

Eddie Van Halen

'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge' took a year to record that's

'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge' took a year to record that's why the playing on it might sound somewhat labored. 'Balance,' on the other hand, was written and recorded in only four months, so the whole process was quicker and more immediate.

Eddie Van Halen

I'm blessed with a good pair of ears. That's how I fooled my

I'm blessed with a good pair of ears. That's how I fooled my piano teacher. I'd watch his fingers and I'd listen to it, and I just kind of basically learned it by myself.

Eddie Van Halen