Today we are pressing pause on our scheduled post to pay tribute to Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen was our Mom’s introduction to rock music. She can’t remember when our Uncle bought his first Van Halen album, but instantly the entire family was captivated by his guitar playing. In fact, as a child Mom named her “first dog,” a beloved stuffed animal, Eddie, after the musician.

Again, Mom doesn’t remember how it developed because he always seemed to be a part of her life, but her brother and parents talked about Eddie as if he was part of the family. A wedding photo from a magazine of Eddie’s marriage to Valerie Bertinelli hung on Grandma and Grandpa’s refrigerator for years. They celebrated when his son Wolfgang was born. They also hoped for the best as Eddie faced his demons, as well as battled many health issues.

Through it all his music filled her home. Van Halen was the soundtrack of Mom’s childhood. Whether it was fronted by David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar or even that brief time with Gary Cherone, it was Eddie’s guitar playing that her family enjoyed listening to the most. Seeing his guitar solos in concert were awe inspiring.

Rest in peace, Eddie Van Halen. You truly were the BEST guitarist.