Watch How Eddie Van Halen Can Pull Off A 12 Minute Solo In The 80s

The year 2020 was marked by the loss of many icons, including Eddie Van Halen, who significantly impacted rock music. The rock icon passed away after a long battle with throat cancer, a fight that spanned over a decade. His exceptional guitar skills and innovative approach to hard rock defined an era and influenced countless musicians.

As the lead guitarist of Van Halen, Eddie played a big role in bringing hard rock into the mainstream during the 1980s. This was a golden age for heavy meta where electrifying guitar solos and grand stage performances captured huge audiences. Though he didn’t know how to read music, Eddie developed a distinctive playing style characterized by rapid speed, precision, and a touch of flair that set him apart from other guitarists of his time. His inventive guitar-playing techniques and groundbreaking sound encouraged other artists to explore the boundaries of rock music.

“Eruption,” one of Eddie’s most famous tracks, perfectly encapsulates this brilliance. This brief instrumental solo from Van Halen’s 1978 debut album lasted just over a minute and a half. Still, it defined a powerful performance, introducing Eddie’s signature finger-tapping technique, which would later become a defining element of his style and inspire generations of guitarists. Eddie often extended “Eruption” into a 12-minute epic in live performances.

Despite his illness, Eddie’s passion for music never faded. Those who knew him spoke of his relentless drive to continue playing, even as his health deteriorated. His final years were a quiet struggle against cancer, a stark contrast to the high-energy performances that defined his career.

Eddie Van Halen’s legacy is one of innovation, passion, and an enduring influence on rock music.

Watch Eddie Van Halen in this rare 1982 footage below.