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Image Credit - Eonline[/caption]
Late rocker Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang Van Halen has expressed his disappointment over the 2021 Grammy tribute to his father. After the star-studded ceremony concluded on Sunday, March 14, he took to social media to express what he feels about the Memoriam segment as presented by the Recording Academy. It was a special segment that featured the late legendary rock star who breathed his last in October at the age of 65 after a long battle with throat cancer that ultimately took his life.
Wolfgang shared that he was asked to play ‘Eruption’ as part of the ‘In Memoriam’ section which he declined. He said in a post on Monday, March 15 that according to him, there is nobody who could live up to what his father has contributed to music apart from himself. He also shared that it was his understanding that the ‘In Memoriam section would have bits of songs performed for legendary artists who have passed away in the past year.
He expressed his disheartenment saying that he did not realize how the show is designed. They showed his father for 15 seconds in the middle of 4 full performances of other artists who have lost their lives in the past year as a tribute.
Wolfgang is a 29-year-old musician who was also formerly the bassist for the Van Halen band. He said that he hoped for a more meaningful tribute to his father by the Grammys.
With a heavy heart, he went on to add, ‘What hurts the most was that he wasn't even mentioned when they talked about artists we lost at the beginning of the show," Wolfgang noted. "I know rock isn't the most popular genre right now, (and the academy does seem a bit out of touch) but I think it's impossible to ignore the legacy my father left on the instrument, the world of rock, and music in general. There will never be another innovator like him.’
Wolfgang was clear about the fact that the post is not directed at anybody or meant to offend anybody in a quest to start a hate parade against the Grammys. However, he did what he felt was right and his right was in speaking and explaining how he felt.
His statement said, ‘I know Pop would probably just laugh it off and say 'Ehh who gives a s--t? He was only about the music anyway. The rest didn't matter," the guitarist wrote, adding, "I'd love to get the opportunity to speak with The Recording Academy not only about the legacy of my father, but the legacy of the Rock genre moving forward. Thank you.’ He continues, ‘He was the best father I could ever ask for," Wolfgang's statement continued. "Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift. My heart is broken and I don't think I'll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.’
Image Credit - Eonline[/caption]Late rocker Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang Van Halen has expressed his disappointment over the 2021 Grammy tribute to his father. After the star-studded ceremony concluded on Sunday, March 14, he took to social media to express what he feels about the Memoriam segment as presented by the Recording Academy. It was a special segment that featured the late legendary rock star who breathed his last in October at the age of 65 after a long battle with throat cancer that ultimately took his life.
Wolfgang shared that he was asked to play ‘Eruption’ as part of the ‘In Memoriam’ section which he declined. He said in a post on Monday, March 15 that according to him, there is nobody who could live up to what his father has contributed to music apart from himself. He also shared that it was his understanding that the ‘In Memoriam section would have bits of songs performed for legendary artists who have passed away in the past year.
He expressed his disheartenment saying that he did not realize how the show is designed. They showed his father for 15 seconds in the middle of 4 full performances of other artists who have lost their lives in the past year as a tribute.
Wolfgang is a 29-year-old musician who was also formerly the bassist for the Van Halen band. He said that he hoped for a more meaningful tribute to his father by the Grammys.
With a heavy heart, he went on to add, ‘What hurts the most was that he wasn't even mentioned when they talked about artists we lost at the beginning of the show," Wolfgang noted. "I know rock isn't the most popular genre right now, (and the academy does seem a bit out of touch) but I think it's impossible to ignore the legacy my father left on the instrument, the world of rock, and music in general. There will never be another innovator like him.’
Wolfgang was clear about the fact that the post is not directed at anybody or meant to offend anybody in a quest to start a hate parade against the Grammys. However, he did what he felt was right and his right was in speaking and explaining how he felt.
His statement said, ‘I know Pop would probably just laugh it off and say 'Ehh who gives a s--t? He was only about the music anyway. The rest didn't matter," the guitarist wrote, adding, "I'd love to get the opportunity to speak with The Recording Academy not only about the legacy of my father, but the legacy of the Rock genre moving forward. Thank you.’ He continues, ‘He was the best father I could ever ask for," Wolfgang's statement continued. "Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift. My heart is broken and I don't think I'll ever fully recover from this loss. I love you so much, Pop.’
