Wolfgang Van Halen insists it's 'impossible' for Van Halen to continue
Without his late dad Eddie
Last updated 18th Nov 2020
Wolfgang Van Halen has insisted that it’s “impossible” for Van Halen to continue without his late dad Eddie Van Halen.
A month-and-a-half on Eddie Van Halen’s untimely death, Wolfgang Van Halen premiered his poignant debut solo single ‘Distance’ earlier this week, which was written in tribute to his dad while he was battling cancer.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight to promote ‘Distance’, Wolf was asked whether the rumours about him stepping into his dad’s shoes in Van Halen are true.
Categorically ruling out the idea, Wolf said there was “no way” it will happen and fans need to accept that’s “impossible” for Van Halen to continue without Eddie.
“I think a message to the Van Halen fans would be that some things just really suck,” Wolf explained.
“I don't have a dad anymore and I have to figure out how to process that and deal with it. And, that's the process that Van Halen fans need to go through and realize that you can't have the band anymore without Eddie Van Halen.
“The music will live on forever, but you can't have (Van Halen) without him. Impossible.”
In a separate interview with The Howard Stern Show, Wolf confirmed that Eddie Van Halen was mooting the idea of a Van Halen reunion tour with both Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth on vocals, with Michael Anthony also rejoining the fold.
Ultimately, the reunion didn’t happen due to Eddie’s lung cancer and brain tumour diagnosis. Wolf said: "If only things had been better, (the tour) would have been amazing."
Released under his solo band moniker Mammoth WVH, a portion of proceeds from Wolfgang Van Halen’s single ‘Distance’ are going to The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation; a charity that was close to Eddie Van Halen’s heart that donates musical instruments to children.
Wolf says of the track: “As my pop continued to struggle with various health issues, I was imagining what my life would be like without him and how terribly I’d miss him. While the song is incredibly personal, I think anyone can relate to the idea of having a profound loss in their life.
“I never intended ‘Distance’ to be the very first piece of music people would hear from me, but I also thought my father would be here to celebrate its release. This is for him. I love and miss you, Pop.”
Eddie Van Halen - The legend in photos:
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in 1978
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, and Alex Van Halen in 1978
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen striking a pose at the Kouseinennkinn-kaikan, Tokyo, June 1978
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen performs onstage at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, April 6, 1979.
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen doing a trademark jump on stage in 1980
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Michael Anthony, Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Alex Van Halen in 1981
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen on stage in 1982
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in his live element in 1984.
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in the mid-1980s
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar in 1986
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in 1991
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen during Van Halen III Live in Chicago at Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, 1998
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen in 2012
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen with his son Wolfgang Van Halen in 2012
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth in 2015