Watch Wolfgang Van Halen 'shred like his dad' at Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
He performed two Van Halen classics
Last updated 4th Sep 2022
One of the many highlights of the spectacular Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert, Wolfgang Van Halen showcased his guitar playing prowess during his performance at London’s Wembley Stadium yesterday (3rd September).
Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl introduced Wolfgang Van Halen on stage, telling the 90,000-strong crowd: “We’re lucky enough to have with us tonight a real Van Halen.”
Wolfgang was then joined by Dave Grohl on bass, The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins on vocals and drummer Josh Freese for his two-song set that saw him tear through the Van Halen classics ‘On Fire’ and ‘Hot For Teacher.’
Proving that he’s a chip off the old block, a clip of Wolfgang’s blistering shredding during ‘Hot For Teacher’, while being watched by an agape Dave Grohl, has already been viewed more than 1 million times on Twitter.
The Twitter user who shared the clip wrote: ‘Wolfgang Van Halen shredding like his dad.’
Foo Fighters’ headline set at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert saw a number of drummers perform with the band – Josh Freese, blink-182’s Travis Barker, drumming prodigy Nandi Bushell, The Darkness’ Rufus Taylor, and Omar Hakim.
For the penultimate song, the Foos were joined by Taylor Hawkins’ 16-year-old son Shane for a powerful rendition of ‘My Hero.’
The set opened with an emotional Dave Grohl performing a stripped back intro to ‘Times Like These’ as tears rolled down his cheeks.
The band were also joined by surprise guest Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde for covers of The Beatles ‘Oh Darlin’ and ‘Helter Skelter’, and the set concluded with Dave Grohl playing a solo version of ‘Everlong.’
Other performers throughout the evening included AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor, The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins, Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Violet Grohl and many more.
Alongside fellow special guests Halestorm, Wolfgang Van Halen performs with Alter Bridge on their UK tour this coming December.
See Alter Bridge, Halestorm and Mammoth WVH at the following shows:
DECEMBER 2022
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena – Mon 5th
Glasgow OVO Hydro – Tue 6th
Dublin 3Arena – Thu 8th
Manchester AO Arena – Fri 9th
Birmingham Resorts World Arena – Sun 11th
London The O2 – Mon 12th
60 incredible photos of the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert:
Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The hardest working man on the night, Dave Grohl.
Liam Gallagher at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Accompanied by Foo Fighters, former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher opened the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert with 'Rock N' Roll Star' and 'Live Forever.'
Pat Smear at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Nile Rodgers at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Music legend Nile Rodgers performed David Bowie's 'Let's Dance' with Omar Hakim, Chris Chaney and Josh Homme. Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes' performed vocals on 'Modern Love.'
Nile Rodgers at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Taylor Hawkins was a huge fan of David Bowie's music. Much of the evening was geared towards Hawkins' favourite artists and songs.
Gaz Coombes at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes performs with Nile Rodgers, Omar Hakim and Chris Chaney.
Chevy Metal at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Chevy Metal opened their performance with a cover of 'Psycho Killer' by The Talking Heads.
Chevy Metal at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Kesha at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Pop singer Kesha joined Chevy Metal for a cover of 'Children of the Revolution' by T.Rex.
Kesha at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Justin Hawkins at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The Darkness' Justin Hawkins joined forces with The Coattail Riders for his first performance of the evening.
Justin Hawkins at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Justin Hawkins sang 'Range Rover Bitch' and 'It's Over' with The Coattail Riders.
Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Alongside Justin Hawkins on vocals, Dave Grohl on bass and Josh Freese on drums, Wolfgang Halen performed covers of Van Halen's 'On Fire' and 'Hot For Teacher.'
Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Wolfgang Van Halen with Dave Grohl.
Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Wolfgang Van Halen with Justin Hawkins
Wolfgang Van Halen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Wolfgang Van Halen shreds with Justin Hawkins looking on.
Violet Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Honouring one of Taylor Hawkins' favourite artists, Dave Grohl's teenage daughter Violet covered Jeff Buckley's 'Grace' and 'Last Goodbye.'
Violet Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Another of Taylor Hawkins' favourite bands, Supergrass performed 'Richard III', 'Alright' and 'Caught By The Fuzz'.
Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Supergrass at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Them Crooked Vultures at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Them Crooked Vultures – Josh Homme, John Paul Jones and Dave Grohl - reunited after a decade away.
John Paul Jones at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Them Crooked Vultures performed 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Gunman' and 'Long Slow Goodbye'
Them Crooked Vultures at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The Pretenders at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The Pretenders performed 'Precious', 'Tattooed Love Boys' and 'Brass In Pocket' with Dave Grohl.
Joe Walsh at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Joe Walsh and his reunited James Gang band mates performed 'Walk Away', 'The Bomber' and 'Funk #49', the latter featuring Dave Grohl.
Josh Homme and Dave Grohl at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Them Crooked Vultures band mates Josh Homme and Dave Grohl backstage.
Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Together with Chris Chaney and Jason Falkner, Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson covered 'Valerie' by The Zutons.
Violet Grohl and Mark Ronson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Together with Foo Fighters and Metallica's Lars Ulrich, Brian Johnson performed AC/DC's 'Back in Black' and 'Let There Be Rock.' Justin Hawkins also appeared on stage briefly.
Lars Ulrich at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich joined forces with Foo Fighters and Brian Johnson.
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Dave Grohl
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Justin Hawkins
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Chris Shiflett
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Dave Grohl
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Brian Johnson with Nate Mendel
Brian Johnson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Stewart Copeland at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Joined by Foo Fighters and Supergrass' Gaz Coombes, The Police's Stewart Copeland performed 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and 'Next To You.'
Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
With Dave Grohl and Omar Hakim filling in for the late-great Neil Peart, Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson arrived on stage to a hero's welcome.
Rush's Alex Lifeson at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Rush performed '2112: Overture', 'Working Man' and 'YYZ'
Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Rush at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Queen's Roger Taylor at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
With Luke Spiller, Roger Taylor, Justin Hawkins and Sam Ryder on vocal duties, Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor performed 'We Will Rock You', 'I'm In Love With My Car', 'Under Pressure' and 'Somebody To Love'
Queen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Dave Grohl performing with Queen's Roger Taylor and Brian May, plus Rufus Taylor on drums.
Sam Ryder and Brian May at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Eurovision runner up Sam Ryder belts out 'Somebody To Love' with Queen.
Brian May at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The Queen set ended with Brian May performing 'Love Of My Life' acoustically.
Queen at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
The crowd during Queen
The crowd during Queen
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Dave Grohl breaks down in tears during set opener 'Times Like These'
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
An emotional Dave Grohl during 'Times Like These'
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Chris Shiflett and Dave Grohl
Nandi Bushell at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
12-year-old Nandi Bushell played drums on 'Learn to Fly' with Foo Fighters. The band were also joined by Josh Freese, Travis Barker, Rufus Taylor and Omar Hakim throughout the set. Taylor Hawkins' son Shane poignantly performed 'My Hero' in honour of his late dad.
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Foo Fighters were joined by surprise guest Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde for versions of The Beatles' 'Oh Darlin' and 'Helter Skelter'.
Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Paul McCartney at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Paul McCartney with Dave Grohl and Pat Smear
Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert
Foo Fighters take the final bow after Dave Grohl's performance of 'Everlong'