Goodbye Edward Van Halen

 

As Disaster Amnesiac pondered writing an obit for Edward Van Halen, I pondered what it must have been like to do the same for, say, Gene Krupa in 1973. How does one communicate the timelessness of the music of a person that has become an iconic figure to a more seasoned generation and probably just a "name" to those that are younger? Does this even matter? As I've reflected on the music that seemed so important to so many, I have to admit that I've also reflected on the passing of time, and the fact that Van Halen's cultural relevance is so far removed in time. Thanks to Classic Rock radio formatting, it's very much an Establishment thing, but, again, Culturally, it strikes me as being of a period that is rapidly fading off into the distant past. Is this thought callous in light of his untimely passing?

All that being said, man, Edward Van Halen's guitar playing sure did have its effect on the culture of its time. He took the Guitar Hero model and exploded it, revamped it in his own image, and held that ground for a good ten years or so. Disaster Amnesiac can definitely recall being blown away on first hearings of Eruption, with its wild, pyrotechnic virtuosity. For a Rock fan, that solo virtuosity was key, of course, but let's not forget those riffs! Mean Streets, And the Cradle Will Rock, Dance the Night Away, Jump, Light Up the Sky, Atomic Punk.....just on and on. Edward Van Halen could conjure 'em up. The fact that he had such a swinging rhythm section behind him didn't hurt, but you've got to figure that it was his genius that provided the initial sparks for them. For that, he was awarded icon status by a huge chunk of the masses, and deservedly so. He had that magic touch on his axe and a persona that people adored to go along with those vast musical talents. The man had a gift, and his fans, Disaster Amnesiac among them, are grateful that he had a chance to share it with them. 

Goodbye Edward Van Halen, your run was epic!