Wolfgang Van Halen has reacted to criticism at the Grammy Awards, after The Recording Academy’s tribute to his late father Eddie Van Halen did not live up to the expectations of many fans.
In the ceremony, presented by Daily show presenter Trevor Noah, a short track by Eddie Van Halen performing Eruption was played while a spotlight shone on one of his famous striped guitars.
The segment was greeted with dismay by many fans, with the announcer Eddie Trunk tweet“In a show of more than three hours, with five months of preparation, it’s all that Grammy could muster for one of the most iconic, most striking artists in music history. They have reached new levels of shame and respect. I am beyond myself the Grammys. ‘
Now Wolfgang has revealed that he was invited to perform at the event, post a message on social media to say, ‘The Grammys asked me to play Eruption for the ‘In Memoriam’ section and I declined. I think no one could have complied with what my father did for music except for himself. ”
However, Wolfgang expressed his own disappointment over the report, saying: ‘It was my understanding that there would be an’ In Memoriam ‘section where pieces of songs would be performed for legendary artists who had passed. I did not realize that they would only show Pop for 15 seconds in the middle of four full performances for others we lost.
‘What hurt the most was that he was not even mentioned when they talked about artists we lost at the beginning of the program. I know rock is not the most popular genre at the moment (and academia seems a bit out of touch), but I think it’s impossible to ignore the legacy my father left behind on the instrument, the world of rock and music in general. ignore. There will never be an innovator like him again. ‘
Wolfgang ends on a conciliatory note, saying, “I would like to have the opportunity to speak with The Recording Academy not only about my father’s legacy, but also about the legacy of the Rock genre.”
In November, Wolfgang told the Howard Stern Show, “I’m not my dad. I’m not going to replace him. I’ve spent my life making sure I’m not like him and that I’m my own person. ”
He further explained how Eddie would have encouraged him to follow his own path instead of following in his father’s footsteps: ‘He will be like,’ What the fuck are you doing? Go do your own shit! ‘”
At the awards itself, Body Count won the best metal performance award for Bum-Rush, while the best rock album for The Strokes for The new abnormal.