Wolfgang Van Halen Remembers Father Eddie Van Halen on 1st Anniversary of His Death

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Wolfgang Van Halen remembered his father Eddie Van Halen on Wednesday (Oct. 6), the one-year anniversary of his death, with a touching reflection.

The elder Van Halen died on Oct. 6, 2020, after a battle with cancer at age 65.

“You fought so hard for so long, but you were still taken away. It’s just so unfair,” Wolfgang wrote while sharing an old photo of the father-son duo. “I’m not OK. I don’t think I’ll ever be OK. There’s so much I wish I could show you. So many things I wish I could share with you. I wish I could laugh with you again. I wish I could hug you again. I miss you so much it hurts.”

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

Eddie Van Halen

Wolfgang Van Halen

See latest videos, charts and news

Wolfgang previously opened up about his dissatisfaction with the Recording Industry’s tribute to his late father at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards. He declined an invite to participate in the “In Memoriam” segment, which only showed a short video of the Van Halen guitarist performing in archival footage and a lone guitar onstage.

“I didn’t realize that they would only show Pop for 15 seconds in the middle of 4 full performances for others we had lost,” the 30-year-old rock star wrote on Twitter at the time. “What hurt the most was that he wasn’t even mentioned when they talked about artists we lost in the beginning of the show. I know rock isn’t the most popular genre right now, (and the academy does seem a bit out of touch) but I think it’s impossible to ignore the legacy my father left on the instrument, the world of rock, and music in general. There will never be another innovator like him.”

Wolfgang honored his dad in the song “Distance,” billed to the younger Van Halen’s band Mammoth WVH. The song hit No. 1 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay, Hot Hard Rock Songs and Hard Rock Digital Song Sales charts.

“I’m trying to do my best here without you, but it’s really f—ing hard. I hope you’re still proud,” he continued in his new tribute. “I love you with all of my heart, Pop. Watch over me.”

See Wolfgang’s tribute to his father below.