Wolfgang Van Halen recently responded to backlash over his comments about his father, Eddie Van Halen, allegedly “ruining” the musical landscape of the ’80s. In a previous interview on Marc Maron’s podcast, Wolfgang humorously noted that instead of artists striving to find their unique sound, many simply aimed to emulate his father’s style.
After receiving criticism on social media, Wolf clarified that his remarks were meant as a joke and emphasized the importance of songwriting over technical prowess. He expressed that while his dad’s guitar skills were iconic, it’s the songwriting that truly matters, which he aims to emulate in his own work.
Wolfgang also addressed comparisons to his father, stating that he doesn’t need to replicate Eddie’s legacy to honor him. He believes that just by being a musician and continuing to create, he is paying tribute to Eddie’s influence in his life. He added that his existence and musical journey itself is a form of respect towards his father’s legacy.
After Eddie’s passing in 2020, Wolfgang chose not to continue with Van Halen, focusing instead on his own band, Mammoth WVH, where he has released two albums.
