To make an omelette, you have to crack a few eggs. While this saying isn’t usually taken literally, it resonates with many rock stars, including Eddie Van Halen. His journey to success was not only marked by achievements but also fraught with personal and professional controversies.
Van Halen transformed the rock landscape, establishing himself as a guitar virtuoso and pioneering techniques like “finger tapping.” This method, where both hands are employed on the fretboard, enabled rapid, intricate melodies that set new standards in guitar performance.
Saying Van Halen was crucial to the band’s success is an understatement. His influence extended beyond rock, as he bridged genres and inspired musicians to innovate and push boundaries.
However, his rise came with its share of fallout, particularly in his relationships with lead singers David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar. Roth, who was ousted in 1985, later returned, but the tensions persisted, ultimately leading to Hagar’s exit in 1996. Van Halen’s struggles with drug and alcohol addiction fueled many of these conflicts, often isolating him from those around him.
His erratic behavior and substance abuse impacted his health and intensified tensions in his personal and professional life. As he battled cancer, the strains in his relationships became even more apparent. Here’s a look at some notable musicians who openly criticized Eddie Van Halen:
David Lee Roth
The dynamic between Van Halen and Roth was a complex mix of creative synergy and conflict. While Van Halen focused on innovation in music, Roth prioritized the band’s image and performance, leading to significant clashes. Despite their collaboration, Roth has made it clear that they never really got along, stating in 2019, “We’ve never gotten along. We started in rival bands… But we were thrown together, and it was amazing.” Their relationship remained fraught even during Roth’s return for a 2000s tour and a 2012 album, underscoring a bond built more on necessity than friendship.
Dee Snider
During the upheaval of the 1990s, Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider voiced his loyalty to Hagar and called out Van Halen for his controversial behaviors. He praised Hagar, saying he was “the real deal,” while criticizing Van Halen’s erratic conduct. Snider recounted a particular incident where Van Halen showed up to a restaurant in a disheveled state, prompting Snider to reflect on his son’s observations about Van Halen’s appearance at a concert, calling it akin to looking “like a homeless person.”
Geddy Lee
Though Van Halen and Rush were contemporaries in rock, they embodied different styles—Van Halen leaned towards heavy rock, while Rush thrived on complex instrumentation. Geddy Lee’s tension with Van Halen stemmed from an incident in 1980 when Van Halen’s crew crashed a Rush party, and a spill from Van Halen’s drink ruined some of Lee’s tapes. Their interactions included playful banter during a 1981 concert, but misunderstandings lingered.
Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Buckingham, while representing a different musical style with Fleetwood Mac, didn’t hold back his criticism of Van Halen. In 2012, Buckingham stated, “I’ve always believed that you play to highlight the song, not to highlight the player.” His disdain seemed to imply that Van Halen’s virtuosity overshadowed the music itself, suggesting a preference for a more song-centric approach.
Pat Smear
Pat Smear, known for his work with Nirvana, once idolized Van Halen, calling the band “disgustingly brilliant.” However, his admiration soured after an unpleasant backstage encounter where Van Halen, intoxicated, made a racist remark. Smear recalled, “Eddie turns around and sees me… ‘Oh no, not a dark one.’” This encounter left a significant mark on Smear’s perception of Van Halen.
Eddie Van Halen’s legacy is undeniably profound, yet it is equally marred by controversy and interpersonal conflicts that colored his journey through rock history.
