Finalists for the 12th annual hennemusic Rock News Awards are chosen by readers: the Rock News Story Of The Year is determined by page views, while the Rock News Artist Of The Year is based on the combined total page views of the top 50 hennemusic rock news stories of the past twelve months.
Today we unveil the No. 1 hennemusic Rock News Artist Of The Year!
2021 Rock News Artist Of The Year – Top 10
10 – RUSH
09 – THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
08 – DEEP PURPLE
07 – PINK FLOYD
06 – FLEETWOOD MAC
05 – JOURNEY
04 – MAMMOTH WVH
03 – ZZ TOP
02 – KISS
Rock News Artist of The Year No. 1 – VAN HALEN
Van Halen fans were still reeling from the death of guitarist Eddie Van Halen in October 2020 when the new year began, as the news was still fresh in their minds….and those of his bandmates.
In January, Michael Anthony reflected on Eddie’s passing and the long-unresolved issues between the two that may have been cleared up if a Van Halen reunion/farewell tour that was in the planning stages for 2019 had taken place; weeks later, the bassist confirmed his interest in performing at a tribute concert should one come together.
Eddie was among the artists featured in the ‘In Memoriam’ segment at the 2021 Grammy Awards, with son Wolfgang unhappy over it and placing the show’s producer in a position where he felt the need to defend the final product.
In May, Alex Van Halen shared a rare public message of remembrance of Eddie while the drummer marked his first birthday without his brother.
David Lee Roth released a new tune, “Giddy Up”, in late May, just a week before a lost 1981 Van Halen video for the “Fair Warning” track, “So This Is Love?”, surfaced four decades after it first aired on Italian television.
Wolfgang Van Halen released his Mammoth WVH debut album in June (stream it in full here); two weeks later he and his band played their first full show as they hit the road to promote the project .. including opening for Guns N’ Roses on their summer US stadium tour.
A tribute to Eddie in his adopted hometown of Pasadena, CA was approved and installed by members of the local city council in October, just days after the one-year anniversary of his passing.
Roth made headlines in October when he announced plans to retire from music following a series of Las Vegas shows early next year; more dates were added when the original ones sold-out.
Last month, the Eddie Van Halen tribute track, “Distance”, earned Wolfgang his first Grammy Award nomination when it was named among the finalists in the songwriters category, Best Rock Song, at the upcoming 64th Grammy Awards in January…. the same month Mammoth WVH returns to the road for a North American club tour.
See also:
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
Pink Floyd sweep the 2020 hennemusic Rock News Awards
The Rolling Stones sweep the 2019 hennemusic Rock News Awards
AC/DC and Pink Floyd win 2018 hennemusic Rock News Awards
The Eagles sweep the 2017 hennemusic Rock News Awards
AC/DC sweep the 2016 hennemusic Rock News Awards
