The best news in the world of rock is that Wolfgang Van Halen is using his father Eddie Van Halen’s guitars on his next record.

Wolfgang already impressed me with his band, Mammoth WVH, which came out in 2021. Wolfgang Van Halen wrote and recorded songs in the 5150 Studios where his father once recorded material. Wolfgang played every instrument and handled all the vocals, and wrote songs that incorporated elements of pop, hard rock, and heavy metal. It almost won some awards but was nominated for a few.

So the news that he is using guitars that have a deep Van Halen history is awesome. One guitar is a Gibson SG heard on “Dirty Movies” from Van Halen’s 1981 album, “Fair Warning.” That’s one of my Favorite Van Halen albums. The same formula is being used on Wolfgang’s new album. Right now, this will be the album I can’t wait to hear in 2023.

Wolfgang continues to amaze me with everything he’s doing. When Wolfgang played the Taylor Hawkins benefits and played some Van Halen Tunes it made my eyes water a bit with happiness. Can’t wait to see what he does next.

Rock Hall Induction Ceremony: 8 Biggest Drama Moments

• KISS

  Good lord…who could forget this one?! KISS’ induction was long overdue, but they certainly made up for the late honor with a whole boatload of drama. From controversy around only the original four members being inducted to whether or not the band would perform to the all-out war of words in the press, it’s amazing the band were inducted without a hitch.

• Blondie

  This one was awkward. When Blondie was inducted in 2006, past group members Frank Infante, Jimmy Destri, Nigel Harrison and Gary Valentine were invited to attend the ceremony, but Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke wouldn’t let them perform. During the band’s acceptance speeches, all the performance controversy came to a head thanks to Infante’s time at the mic.

• Creedence Clearwater Revival

  Another awkward moment! CCR was part of the 1993 induction class, and when it came time to perform, John Fogerty refused to so with former bandmates Doug Clifford and Stu Cook. Per Fogerty’s book Fortunate Son:  My Life, My Music, he said it was due to Clifford and Cook’s roll in an ongoing dispute with their record label.

• Steve Miller

  Many artists take issue with the Rock Hall in how they operate the induction ceremony, but no other artist has taken the system to task quite like Steve Miller in 2016.  With the exception of how he spoke to a publicist who was only trying to do her job, this might be one of the most rock and roll moments in Rock Hall induction history.

• Sex Pistols

  The Sex Pistols were a no-show when they were inducted into the Rock Hall in 2006, but they did send a letter, which was read by Rolling Stone founder/Rock Hall co-founder Jann Wenner. (Spoiler:  The letter’s badass.)

• Van Halen

  What a mess this induction was!  VH was inducted in 2007, and around that time, the following things happened:  Michael Anthony was fired and replaced with Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang; EVH was receiving treatment for alcohol/drug addiction; and David Lee Roth was rejoining the band for a reunion tour. Long story short: The only members to attend the induction was Anthony and Sammy Hagar. Velvet Revolver ended up performing in tribute to VH, with Anthony and Hagar performing “Why Can’t This Be Love” with the house band.

• Chicago

  After Chicago was announced as part of the 2016 Rock Hall induction class, an epic back-and-forth began regarding whether or not Peter Cetera would actually attend and perform at the induction ceremony.  In the end, Cetera opted to sit out the ceremony, which surely disappointed many of Chicago’s fans who hoped to see the founding singer/bassist reunite with the band since quitting back in 1985.

• Guns N’ Roses

  In hindsight, GN’R’s Rock Hall induction in 2012 is now even more awkward since Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan reunited for the “Not In This Lifetime…” tour.  At the time, Rose declined the ceremony invite and wrote a letter stating, “Let sleeping dogs lie or lying dogs sleep or whatever. Time to move on. People get divorced. Life doesn’t owe you your own personal happy ending especially at another’s, or in this case several others’, expense.”  Guitarist Izzy Stradlin also sat out the ceremony but considering his reclusive ways, that wasn’t terribly shocking.

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