Wolfgang Van Halen has always made one thing clear—he’s his own musician, not just Eddie Van Halen’s son. But in a recent interview, he opened up like never before about how his father’s passing in 2020 completely changed his life. And now, one of Van Halen’s most famous frontmen, Sammy Hagar reacted to it.
Wolfgang recently appeared as a guest on Billy Corgan’s The Magnificent Others podcast, and reflected on his father’s passing in 2020. The rocker said, “2015 to 2018, making the first record. But then, when my dad got sick, I kind of put everything on hold.”
He went on to say, “It wasn’t until he passed in 2020, I was like ‘Okay, my life is
completely empty and I need something to give me purpose.’ And that’s what I’m doing ’till this day.”
When Smashing Pumpkins posted this brief part from the interview on Instagram, Hagar left a comment, writing, “This is wonderful good job interviewing that talented young man Billy.”
Despite Wolfgang’s talent and dedication, some hardcore Van Halen fans have refused to
accept him. They constantly demand that he play his father’s music, calling him disrespectful for focusing on his own career instead of performing full Van Halen tribute shows. Some even go as far as accusing him of trying to erase Eddie’s legacy—something that couldn’t be further from the truth.
