Wolfgang Van Halen shreds like his dad at the Taylor Hawkins tribute show

Wolfgang Van Halen. That is all.
Backed by Dave Grohl on bass and Josh Freese on drums, while The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins handled lead vocals, the younger Van Halen shredded on lead guitar during renditions of Van Halen’s “On Fire” and “Hot for Teacher at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert.
“It should come as no surprise that Taylor Hawkins was a huge fucking Van Halen fan,” Grohl said before the mini-set. “Didn’t you see those tights he would wear every night? Well, we’re lucky enough to have with us tonight a real Van Halen.”
GET MORE SPIN:
Subscribe to SPIN on KZbin ➡️ / spin
Shop SPIN merch ➡️ spinmerchbooth.com/
Follow SPIN on Instagram ➡️ / spinmag
Follow SPIN on TikTok ➡️ / spin
Follow SPIN on Twitter ➡️ / spin
Like SPIN on Facebook ➡️ / spin
Read more ➡️ www.spin.com/
The following comes from a mission statement that appeared in the inaugural issue of SPIN. It means as much to this current staff as it did to the original writers and editors.
A confession: SPIN is imperfect. It’s rough-edged, restless, insatiably curious. A little aggressive, a little cocky. Youthfully uncompromising, but maturely flexible. Romantic - definitely! Irreverent - sure! Unpredictable - yes. Very alive.
#WolfgangVanHalen
#VanHalen
#SPIN
#SHORTS
#TaylorHawkins

[@Gixsir]

If your name is Wolfgang you must shred no matter who your dad was

[@Leddrums]

Ditto.

[@donaldgoodnight7853]

As taught.

[@johnstecker5825]

Legend comment

[@wolfgangproductions7472]

Yes indeed

[@ChrisSmithBass]

If you’re EVH’s son you must shred no matter what your name is.

[@markmckinney9821]

Crazy thing is Wolfgang also plays drums bass and piano that well. He is legit doing his dad proud and has been for years. The guy is a machine and being a van Halen fan it's so incredible to see this. I love it!!

[@shawndouglass2939]

well said and I agree 👍 💯

[@gratewight69]

Well let's not forget that Alex played drums and piano. The kid grew up in a family of musical prodigies, he had someone great to learn from around every corner.

[@waltermoldren4991]

didn't he become the bass player in VH after mike was gone?

[@brittanytovar2159]

Who the F is that singer?

[@MrMattnis1]

@@brittanytovar2159 looking for that answer too

[@shawnhuff3920]

The way he looked up and smiled he made a small gesture he knew at that moment all the practice was worth it 👌

[@Xyphra]

He did that cause he f'ed up the intro

[@RealTigress]

I think you’re right! Lol

[@lifeimitatingdeath3608]

RIP to a legend.. His dad is looking down proud as can be..

[@sweetwilliam5150]

He is the real deal. No riding dad's coat tail with his own material. Writes, sings and plays all instruments on his albums. He is an especially good drummer and singer.

[@Justmekpc]

Well uncle Alex was the driving force of Van Halen on drums so no surprise there either

[@binxbolling]

His songwriting is nowhere near his dad's level. He should make his living just performing Van Halen songs.

[@Motownisyourtown]

Come on, his music isn't very good at all. If he wasn't a VH his band wouldn't have been noticed at all, and now no one cares either.

[@YogsenForfoth]

@@Motownisyourtown Cope harder, loser. He’s had MULTIPLE hit songs that get tons of airplay on modern rock radio. Sounds like you don’t know what you’re talking about. 🫵😂

[@Motownisyourtown]

@@YogsenForfoth Cope? What are you talking about? Fan boy much? Weird. It's deriative and without the name, no one would care and that's just a fact. And BTW, he won't go out with you, however much you fan boy over him.

[@mrthundaboots]

The look Dave gives him is everything pure and beautiful in life...

[@guymann4016]

Ah, another Dave Grohl worshipper.

[@jr2904]

​@@guymann4016 are you gonna cry about it?

[@Mongo966]

@@guymann4016 ...I mean, what reason is there to not love Dave Grohl? Objectively, he's one of the most worship-worthy artists in the industry.

[@CasualElk]

best part of the video hahaha

[@unowhavethebiggay1430]

​@@Mongo966speaking facts

[@YogsenForfoth]

One of Eddie’s greatest and most long-lasting achievements was blessing the world with his son, Wolfgang. ❤

[@user-wx6ue6bl4g]

"Like Father..Like Son"....I know in my heart that Eddie is proudly looking down from HEAVEN....you are truly the reason that he's is smiling nonstop in heaven!!!!! YOU GO BOY !!

[@hello_alpine1693]

Never in my life would I have expected to see Dave holding Nate's bass lol

[@P121463S]

Remember Dave performed all of the instruments on the Foos debut

[@hello_alpine1693]

@@P121463S true but it's still kinda surreal seeing him holding one since aside from Play I don't think he's played bass on a project since the debut

[@P121463S]

@@hello_alpine1693 amazing how talented he is

[@zarzy846]

@@hello_alpine1693 i think he played it on Marigold, Unplugged and some one off acoustic concert w Nirvana.

[@steezymongo1270]

@Guitarguy more like staring at wolf playing than him playing

[@angeladesilva7913]

That’s killer Wolfgang!!! Eddie’s smiling big from above - like father like son❤😊

[@jimmorrison3830]

Like GRAND Pa

[@Hieronymus_ihs]

Or from below, we never know!

[@Taylor.Dude.]

Eddie is looking up and smiling at Wolfie! “That’s my son!”

[@BUlrich-dw7xi]

❤️💕❤️

[@gerardpardon4280]

Too much burgers ! . . .

[@torykitchen633]

He's the "real deal" and his dad "EVH" was super proud of his son before his untimely passing! Way to go Wolfgang!

[@thomasdixon3307]

He is totally awesome! And his father would be very proud of him!

[@iamnotstephenking1126]

Wolf absolutely had the greatest guitar teacher EVER 😊

[@chrisscanlon3717]

Wolfgang gotta go easy on the double Cheezeburgs man!

[@pablolargaespada9545]

You can say that again 😊😊

[@Taylor.Dude.]

Jeff Beck taught Wolfie behind his father’s back!

[@larryn2682]

Best teacher for THAT style, which only certain people would even want to play.

[@ajlukelepuke]

Who was that?

[@alexanderhanksx]

Justin holding the mic to the strings cracks me up every time 😂

[@dannysanchez9919]

Love it. Like. Thats not how that works brah 😂

[@kendellsmith104]

😂

[@seanflanagan3287]

Singers are like bassists in the fact that they do not have brains

[@luisvillarreal5262]

Tryin’ to pick up the sound of Wolf’s fingers tapping on the fretboard, while the amp picks up the sound of the strings. Lol

[@gagefraw3182]

@@seanflanagan3287 He’s a great guitarist, actually. Try having a sense of humor, he surely does.

[@theirishbandit7301]

He felt that for sure. He was in it. One moment in time.

[@philliptarver8197]

You could've bought me for a nickel if I'd seen this live. This has to be one of most epic moments, to experience the torch pass from Father to Son. Every Father would be huge-chest proud to see this for their kid.

[@jeffreyprather5834]

EDDIE IS SMILING , THATS MY BOY

[@ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Not to mention everyone watching. Look at Pat Smear and Justin Hawkins' faces. They're just all in awe.

[@user-kw9no7eo2b]

You are awesome !!!

[@margueritemazzeo2904]

Yes..Eddie is..💯

[@rustyguion6010]

Yes he is!

[@rustyguion6010]

Yes he is!

[@fredwerza3478]

Mile-wide smile from EVH up in heaven over this!

[@alanwiggins47]

He's up there screaming "THAT'S MY BOY!!!"

[@scottdavey3804]

How do you know he's in heaven?

[@daviddigital6887]

@@scottdavey3804 no kidding, the guy lived a sinful lifestyle for his whole life.

[@alexmcgregor3920]

He even smiled like his dad doing that intro.

[@tiffanyshanley1419]

@@alexmcgregor3920 He really did. It's crazy how he looks like both his parents equally

[@TerryRosariojr]

I'm crying. 😢😢. That was beautiful. 😢

[@kkupsky6321]

You had me at Josh Freese and Justin Hawkins.

[@dsheldon4224]

Love freese first got to see him when he was with the Vandals

[@taffycat5049]

He really does sound like his father. 👍👍👍

[@Ottophil]

Unfortunately he looks like he ate his mom

[@JupiterKnight]

@@Ottophilshut up

[@lizzyfan1986]

​@@Ottophilass

[@austridge31]

​@@OttophilI think I just near soiled myself! 😂

[@garethlawton5278]

and yet he's still done more with his life than you, you're only insulting yourself little phil. @@Ottophil

[@starvoyager7313]

Wolfie BRINGS IT! He truly is his Fathers SON! Rock on bruh! 🤟🤟

[@OG_RUINER]

He's great live, completely blown away in his skills.

[@DoMw94]

I was there that day and for me, this moment was the highlight. The feeling in the stadium when Wolfgang started playing the first notes of Hot For Teacher was just incredible

[@calicocookietv7994]

He actually does every single part of a rock band, drums, bass, guitar, and vocals! He made a whole album by himself Pretty epic

[@stevehockett5111]

Needs to lose some weight

[@rr1pro]

Made w whole albums by himself that is!!! Yeah so talented i think that's even one of Eddie's guitars he's playing.

[@jred9686]

​@@rr1prothe guitar is new EVH instrument line call SA-126 that will release this month. The idea is come from Wolfgang himself.

[@2weird378]

My first memory of Van Halen was riding in the backseat of Dads car, smoke in the air (dad was a smoker). The speakers in the back window were waffling but Dad cranked it. The vibe and feeling were amazing. That was sometime in the late 70s.

[@fettbub92]

Favorite thing, he seems like the chillest dude

[@thelastperfectman4139]

Wolfgang got his dad's musical genes for sure. Keeping the Van Halen legacy alive and well.

[@fromulus]

Everyone's shocked but I'd be shocked if Eddie's son didn't know how to play that well.

[@filsolano5465]

He’s actually a drummer. But yeah I totally agree

[@CWyldePro]

Bass player not drummer

[@filsolano5465]

@@CWyldePro he plays all bass, guitar and drums. I just know that his main instrument is the drums

[@williamjordan5554]

​@@filsolano5465 bassist

[@rodneyowens4177]

It’s not difficult stuff to play.. and I’m assuming he’s playing through the same rig as his father. If I had Ed’s rig I could sound just like him too

[@merc0049]

Grohl looks like all of us watching this . 🤠

[@joeblow9850]

🤘🤘👍👍😢😢

[@WhiteManXRP]

Hes a demon behind hawkins death and kurt cobain....fact

[@DaveGrohlsprincess]

@@WhiteManXRP No he’s not…a lot more people would be dead if it was him…..

[@junkhead_92]

I saw Mammoth WVH last year and they were amazing, Wolfgang is a beast.

[@robertdehart9462]

Wolfgang is badass. Making his dad proud!

[@robertmcgiverin5298]

His father taught him well and he's been a good student we all miss you Eddie 😔

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Kind of gave me the chills. I saw Van Halen for each of their tours with David Lee Roth before Sammy. They’d pack whatever coliseum they’d play in and they just rocked! It wasn’t just a concert with VH, it was a PARTY! They were so much fun! It’s just a little hard realizing that Eddie has passed.

[@CorePathway]

Monsters of Rock, 1984 here. Oh, Crue opened the show, Gary Moore, Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy, THEN Van Halen. And AC/DC closed it. A lineup never to be surpassed, if ever equaled. 😁🤷🏼‍♂️🔥

[@DirtySouthConnection803]

You said it. Sarah!👍

[@tedj432]

​@CorePathway Wow incredible concert! Memories for life.

[@robertbirmingham6926]

Watched them way back in the day😂🎉

[@livelife7011]

A true talented musician. The man is proficient at many instruments. Rock on Wolfgang

[@SouthFloridaThrifter]

Best thing about this vid and this whole show was watching Dave's face as all his wildest musical dreams came true

[@Gladiator0719]

Son of a legendary genius and pioneer!!!! The kid can shred just like his Daddy!!!!!

[@bonessmith1276]

Carrying the DNA into the future! He really nails those songs. WVH is one talented human being.

[@wob6776]

Yeah too bad he absolutely refuses to play them.

[@pinksparkle4962]

It gave me the Chills. Pops is looking down so proud on Wolfgang !

[@MrAlexarctica]

He’s absolutely shredding and he looks like he’s barely even moving. It’s incredible

[@andrewlevistermma]

I loveeeee Dave’s face. He’s entranced in glee.

[@franktank679]

I love Pats smile behind Dave…. Yeah man!!!

[@jorgevillarreal1158]

The smile on the guy behind Dave is priceless 🕊️👍

[@PhillipCheatham]

The world is a better place with Wolf in it !

[@lorenharris2965]

Kid is amazing and an acclaimed songwriter.

[@matthewfrank4275]

And the legendary Josh Freese on drums!

[@michaelwebber5927]

I was about to ask if that was him. Loved him with APC. Very underrated drummer

[@TerryT0114]

That's one of my favorite rock songs ever, the whole intro is just awesome.

[@cc771]

Like father like son! Thank God we still have his presence !

[@philipbeasley72]

He is a monster guitar player. Very underrated as a shredder and a song writer.

[@marcelosb6941]

Songwriter i already knew. Shredder's knews

[@owenbruce4120]

He's a dedicated monster

[@bobabooey4537]

Are you serious? If so... theres no way you play guitars LOL. Wolf is actually overrated. If he was a 'monster' guitar player... we would hear ripping guitar solos from him, and we don't. His band sounds like 50 other bands we have already heard.

[@owenbruce4120]

@@bobabooey4537 take his name away, then what do you hear n see ?? This is the major problem with family lineage expectations...for example Dweezil flies on his own merit

[@jeffreyjohn2037]

Apparently a pizza lover too. 🍕

[@seemi9600]

It’s Saddens me to see Taylor gone so badly. BUT OH MY GOD THIS HONORS HIM SO MUCH HAVING ALL THESE LEGENDS. EVEN THE CHILDREN!!! Everyone is here!! This is magical. To me this was our “Live Aid” concert. This was THE big one for our generation.

[@hatala1]

I’m too busy watching Josh Freese shred those drums!!!

[@josephercastor8026]

Wolfgang, just having that name means your parents love you more than other parents love their kids

[@jeffjackson9385]

The look on Dave Grohl’s face at the beginning of the song is priceless… meanwhile, the drummer is stroking out ten seconds in… I hope Alex saw that

[@c.shannon3914]

Drummer is Josh Freese he's a great drummer. Played on hundreds of albums as a studio drummer and been in some great bands too.

[@maverickofkain]

Hot for teacher is incredibly demanding to drum, especially the intro. The rhythm is quick and the tempo is as well. You're technique is everything to make it easier on yourself.

[@jimmydean5882]

@@maverickofkain Herta

[@guitarrerist698]

and that is why Josh Freese is a highly sought-after drummer by many bands and artists.

[@TheDeev]

​@@guitarrerist698true! And that's why he got the gig with the Foos.

[@user-wv7qz7df1b]

A living legacy of his dad❤rip Eddie VanHalen,your memories live on!🎉

[@lorenzog81561]

He's so lucky. He had the best teacher ever, his dad.

[@bigchiefsmackaho387]

i think its funny anyone is shocked that Eddie's son can play exceptionally well. His dad is Eddie Van Halen and his uncle Is Alex Van Halen, he's been playing in Van Halen since he was 15. Dude is a beast.

[@MetalMama-Mimi523]

My gosh, he plays so effortlessly. This was such a phenomenal tribute concert, both were. RIP to both EVH & Taylor.

[@EdDiaz]

You gotta give the kid credit, he plays it exactly like dad🤘

[@shredder9643]

He killed it too. The riff after the tapping section there in the intro is such a groovy riff. So much steez in that riff.

[@butterfly2604]

We all know this Dude is just getting better and better..His career will be Starstudded⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟🌟 Rock on WVH!

[@way2sh0rt07grad]

His album is absolutely killer. With how well he plays all the instruments , there's no doubt.

[@Edenscribable]

This.makes me so happy to watch. I love how Dave is even blown away. He is the son of a legend after all, certainly proved the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Bravo.

[@WWHD223]

It’s absolutely amazing and mind blowing that Wolfgang clearly inherited all of his dads talent on guitar!

[@kaidemen156]

That dude has sooo much talent

[@peterboone4126]

Goosebumps Wolfgang your chip off the old block

[@scullyg811]

And the legend lives on let someone say that it doesn't if there ever was a reunion they should just put Wolfgang up front and create the feel and the vibe as the spirit of his father flows through his fingertips the legend lives on through the Son God bless Eddie Van Halen you are missed but you gave us a big present your son Carries On your legacy.

[@suewilbur1304]

Amen

[@wavydave]

I was reading one of the guitar mags the other day and it that possibility was mentioned in a "Things to watch out for" column... We'll just have to wait and see, if that happens I'll be waiting for the seconds to tick down for tix to go on sale.

[@BurleyHammondsjr-pe4no]

Keeping the legend Alive that's all that counts and matters.

[@retrocivinum]

Wolfgang is so underrated, his album is amazing

[@carlosarguello2931]

When you hear that unmistakable opening lick…..you know it’s serious 🔥🔥🔥

[@bullcorn420]

Everytime I watch this it screams to me why ain't he doing a tribute tour . I would pay 200 to see him thrash like he dad. He is so good. Dang.

[@dannyspl]

Because he's already stated that to do a tribute tour would be not a real tribute at all but a self-loathing. And he respects his father way too much for that

[@xpndblhero5170]

If ANYONE would know that song that good, it would be the son of the man himself..... Well Done. ❤

[@albingreen344]

Grohl looks like a proud dad watching his kid ride a bike and I think we all deserve having that

[@GiGi1217]

Yea he killed it That was awesome tribute to Taylor Hawkins, God I still miss him!!!

[@michaelsalisbury994]

Bless his heart Dad would be so proud

[@christophermyers4965]

Agree 100%

[@Rocksider2525]

Of course he shreds. My kids are constantly trying to outdo me. They usually master anything I can do within a short time but dad's got lots of his sleeve so I show em something new all the time. God Bless the youth.

[@donnaberk1289]

Do it Wolfie!!! I love it and hope to see you live one day!!

[@Revelator2025]

The SOLO is the most impressive part. Too bad it’s not shown here. Wolfgang NAILS it!!!

[@Rockon.4321]

Wolfgang you must make your father very proud, He was a guitar legend, He also taught you very well. Shred on brother. 😎👍🤘💯💥

[@chrisscanlon3717]

Wolfgang gotta go easy on the cheese fries and buttered popcorn

[@samanthacox7457]

If I close my eyes, I swear I could visualize Eddie playing it. RIP Eddie! Gone but, never forgotten.

[@watersharer]

I actually got chills.

[@frankbernat740]

I love that Dave Grohl is the ultimate enabler! He is part of the asking to do something, I’m sure but he takes part in it!!! It makes it happen

[@jimmynester1216]

I believe that Dave is just an all around great guy! Always smiling and willing to help out others! Cool dude would love to meet him!!

[@TheDabudz420]

Sick!!!! That was soooooooo perfect!!!! He has his dads feel!! Put that solo with the original you will freak out!!!!

[@guitarhilley]

Nope. It was out of tune and out of time.

[@Bstonz85]

@@guitarhilley hey look, another guitarist that spotted that

[@evanator2003]

​@guitarhilley it fit with the vibe tho, heathen

[@brianpalmer2679]

That guitar riff is just SICK..

[@RockinRandall420]

Channeling his father! ❤

[@danm2494]

Crazy he's definitely Eddie's son with no doubt. I hope it's Eddie's guitar. I wonder about the emotions he's feeling playing his dad's music to perfection, and the band mbrs seem starstruck. Awesome Wolfgang, Dad's looking down smiling ear to ear proud af of you. Hope you carry on his music, in this way. He will never be forgotten but achingly missed.

[@tzon6802]

Its not his dad's guitar, he has his own signature line. Wolfgang has stated before he's not here to reincarnate his dad. He is his own artist and wants to be recognized for who he is, not Eddie 2.0

[@danm2494]

@@tzon6802 I'd want to be recognized for my own accomplishments as well. Still there's nothing wrong with paying tribute to his Dad and his roots. He doesn't need to be or have to be Eddie 2.0, to do that.

[@inakiaraluze4528]

The only way I could express myself correctly about this is by not saying anything at all, because I know that if I were there I would be absolutely quiet in amazement and awe, that was jawdropping.

[@user-kd8qp3tp4h]

Crazy that it sounds just like his dad mind blowing

[@BillyM148]

So effortlessly. Makes it look easy.

[@jasonkarcher3681]

aside from him playing it so well he really captured the tone.. and tone is so key when playing... tone tone tone.. Eddie was so key in creating "thee" tone for a generation.

[@Bstonz85]

Except he didn’t.

[@Gary19702]

@@Bstonz85 no. He did. Been there, seen it, heard it when eddie played it live, Wolfgang did just fine.

[@notbadforanoob8725]

Van Halen didn't create any tone for any generation. He was a dwarf compared to Page.

[@dratliff1321]

His father was a very tough act to follow… This guy is awesome 👏🏻, not too many can even be mentioned in the same sentence, his kid, yeahhhhhhhhh

[@michaelbovee6808]

He plays SO fluidly. The pace and the feel are at least as good as his pops. It’s nice to hear Eddie play through him. It truly looks effortless for him to play.

[@dorhinj23]

These masters in their serious focus to get it right, Echoes of the light-hearted brilliance, Passed perfection A joy

[@nilesanders5110]

I once voted this intro as the best guitar riff ever.

[@Robert-li4cr]

Eddie is looking down with that big grin saying that's ma boy!

[@jasvvolo]

His dad is all his band mates hero. Imagine that

[@stevensmith4009]

Love that the Wolf is keeping his Dad’s talent alive!

[@brandonguindon1056]

Not bad Wolfgang! Your dad would be proud 👏 🤘 R.I.P. Eddie

[@theyunggip4293]

That dude is never going to escape his father's shadow.

[@6StringPsychedelic]

Yea, think that’s a good thing though. 🤘 sure he’ll live a good life with the royalties.

[@thehigsy]

I think he just did

[@nomchowski8297]

Take some anti depressants will you. So other people don't have to suffer your negativity.

[@ccampbell7214]

He could if he could search inside his own soul, and innovate instead of imitate.. They're hundreds of KZbin videos of people shredding Eddie's lix... This is just a yawn for me. 🥱

[@stephenmoore3035]

Because his father cast a shadow that covered the universe

[@billubil3917]

Your Father is going to be the GOAT FOREVER !!! Wolf you sure bring it back, never stop ! ❤️👆

[@arturoflores4121]

It's hard following a legend especially when it's your father Wolfgang Van Halen has rapidly becoming a legend himself eerily he plays just like dad and he has mastered all instruments he can hold an audience all by himself I ❤️ this kid he is a throwback you don't see very often his band Mammoth is awesome!

[@3TVforall]

Most impressive 🤘🏻 that was fn perfect !!!