EDWARD VAN HALEN IS GONE.
The greatest guitarist of our generation left this earth on October 6, 2020, after succumbing to a long, painful battle with cancer that had kept him away from the public spotlight for the last few years. He was only 65 years old.
NEWS OF VAN Halen’s death shocked the guitar community, which is still mourning the loss of a man that many of us considered the most influential guitarist of our lifetime. It is certainly understandable to mourn Ed’s death, particularly since he passed earlier than most of us imagined he would, and his imagination and individual musical voice have now been silenced.
But while some are grieving his passing as the end of an era, the encouraging truth is that Ed’s numerous contributions to the guitar will live on for many more decades, and perhaps even centuries, well into the future. His life will endure as guitarists celebrate the many gifts Ed shared with the world that made our favored instrument better, more popular and enduringly cool.
This story is from the January 2021 edition of Guitar World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2021 edition of Guitar World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
KIM THAYIL
The mighty Soundgarden guitarist looks back on his most iconic riffs and solos, as well as the gear and tunings that guided him deep into the creative superunknown
ANDY BELL
The U.K. shoegaze pioneer discusses the recording of Ride's classic Nineties albums and his 10 years as a member of Oasis
MARC FORD
The respected SoCal guitarist explains why he chose the Black Crowes over Guns N' Roses - and how the Crowes' internal friction helped make them a compelling alternative to grunge
BRIAN VANDER ARK
Determined as he moves out of the shadow of his past, the guitarist recounts the origins of the Verve Pipe and the recording of a definitive Nineties anthem, \"The Freshmen\"
VERNON REID
From Vivid to Time's Up to Stain: How Vernon Reid's expressionist shredding juiced Living Colour through the grunge era
ART ALEXAKIS
The tenacious Everclear frontman/guitarist discusses the music, moments and \"dangerous\" amps that changed his life and maybe ours - in the Nineties and beyond
DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
The retro designs, digital innovations and misfit toys that defined guitar gear and technology in the Nineties
IT'S ALL A BLUR...
The rise and fall of Britpop, the Nineties' other massive, guitar-based movement
NEVERMIND NEVERMIND!
10 overlooked rock albums from the Nineties that are worth a second listen
A GRUNGY GUITAR GUIDE TO THE '90S
Guitar World
