The late guitar icon – who passed away last October at the age of 65 – was referenced briefly in the show’s year-in-review segment highlighting music industry figures who have died in the past year.
“The Grammys asked me to play 'Eruption' for the ‘In Memoriam’ section and I declined,” shared Wolfgang on social media. “I don’t think anyone could have lived up to what my father did for music but himself.
“It was my understanding that there would be an ‘In Memoriam’ section where bits of songs were performed for legendary artists that had passed. I didn’t realize that they would only show Pop for 15 seconds in the middle of 4 full performances for others we had lost.
“What hurt the most was that he wasn’t even mentioned when they talked about artists we lost in the beginning of the show,” he continued. “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.
“I’m not looking to start some kind of hate parade here, I just wanted to explain my side. 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.
“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.”
In the weeks following Eddie’s passing, the rocker was acknowledged during a tribute segment on the 2020 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony; the HBO broadcast saw Slash, Kirk Hammett and Tom Morello comment on the Van Halen guitarist’s influence, impact and legacy; he was also posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The National Guitar Museum in December, while Pasadena City Council are also investigating options for an Eddie memorial of some kind in his adopted California hometown.
Wolfgang offered his own personal tribute to his late father with the release of his first single, “Distance”, from his forthcoming debut solo album under the Mammoth WVH banner, which will be issued on June 11.
See also:
Wolfgang Van Halen streams You’re To Blame lyric video
Wolfgang Van Halen performs acoustic Distance on The Today Show
Wolfgang Van Halen performs on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Wolfgang Van Halen streams new single You’re To Blame
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
