There are moments in rock and roll where the music transcends its genre and becomes a flashpoint. Moments that don’t really belong to any particular time but create a demarcation line of before and after. They’re rare, but they exist.
Jimi Hendrix playing the “Star Spangled Banner” at Woodstock in 1969. Queen at Live Aid in 1985. Bob Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Nirvana’s “Nevermind” being released in 1991. And Eddie Van Halen‘s “Eruption” released in 1978 is on that list as well.
Fans returned to the song after hearing of Van Halen’s death Tuesday. Moreover, they wanted to pay their respects to someone who is possibly the greatest guitarist of the 1980s performing what may be the greatest guitar solo of all time.
“The man who inspired the whole world to play guitar. RIP to the legend Eddie Van Halen,” one comment on the video read. “I saw this live. Today is such a sad day for Rock. RIP, Eddie. Your legend will forever remain,” someone else posted.
“Rest in Peace to one of the ABSOLUTE Guitar Gods! Eddie Van Halen will never be replaced,” someone wrote. “Legends never die! Thank you EVH!” replied another comment.
“The guitar solo that sold 1 million guitars,” someone else wrote.
Van Halen’s son Wolf posted about his father’s death from throat cancer on Tuesday.
“He was the best father I could ever ask for. 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,” Wolf Van Halen tweeted. It had been reported earlier this year that Eddie Van Halen’s battle with throat cancer was not going so well.
