Wolfgang Van Halen
| Wolfgang Van Halen | |
|---|---|
 Wolfgang Van Halen in 2012 |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Wolfie, Wolf |
| Born | March 16, 1991 Santa Monica, California[1] |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, vocals, guitar, drums, keyboards |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Associated acts | Van Halen, Mark Tremonti |
| Website | van-halen.com |
Wolfgang William Van Halen (born March 16, 1991), is an American musician. He is the bassist for Van Halen, having replaced Michael Anthony in 2006. On September 11, 2012, he joined the Mark Tremonti solo band as bassist for their first tour.
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Personal life [edit]
Named after the classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, he is the son of Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli, and the nephew of Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen. Wolfgang declared he did not know his father was a famous musician "until I started picking up CDs and saw his picture on them."[2]
Following the completion of the 2007/2008 Van Halen tour, Wolfgang headed back to school, hoping to graduate in the summer of 2009. Wolfgang appears as the bassist for Van Halen on Guitar Hero: Van Halen.[3]
Career [edit]
Wolfgang had an indirect impact on his father's career from the very beginning of his life. The instrumental "316" was named in his honor, after Wolfgang's birthday. For a 13-year period ending in 2004, Eddie Van Halen collaborated with Peavey on a line of guitars, the Wolfgang series, named after his son.[4] In 2008, his father named a custom guitar after him, the Fender EVH Wolfgang.[5][6]
He always watched the rehearsals of Eddie, and at times would try to play his uncle's drum kit. Wolfgang started playing drums at the age of nine, and then his father gave him a set of drums for his tenth birthday. Some time later he moved on to guitar and bass. He can also play keyboards and "figure things out by ear".[2] Wolfgang later began actively participating in the band. He also made guest appearances during some dates of Van Halen's 2004 tour, appearing during his father's extended guitar solo spot and playing "316" with him.
In late 2006, in an interview with Guitar World, Eddie Van Halen confirmed that Wolfgang would replace Michael Anthony as Van Halen's bassist.[7] Wolfgang first toured with Van Halen in his new capacity in 2007.[8] In August 2010, Van Halen announced that they would reform for a new album, but with Wolfgang playing bass instead of original bassist Michael Anthony.
Wolfgang made headlines in early 2008 by appearing on the cover of the April issue of Guitar World with his father, in the magazine's very first father-son issue.
Wolfgang recorded his first full-length album, A Different Kind of Truth, with Van Halen in 2011. The album was released on February 7, 2012.[9]
On September 10, 2012, Alter Bridge and Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti announced that Wolfgang would be filling for Brian Marshall as bassist for the first tour of Mark's solo band. Mark released his debut solo album All I Was on July 17. Wolfgang's participation with Tremonti continued into 2013, now permanently replacing Brian Marshall.[citation needed]
Musical style [edit]
Wolfgang started playing the bass as his father started asking if he wanted to play with him. Wolfgang first viewed bass as "an easier version of guitar, but as soon as I started playing it I realized how wrong that was", but stated that his experience with a guitar made it easier for him to deal with the instrument. His style was described by Eddie as a "rhythm bassist, like I’m a rhythm guitarist and a bassist put together." His favorite bassists are Les Claypool and Justin Chancellor from Tool, while he also enjoys Chris Wolstenholme from Muse, John Entwistle of The Who, Jack Bruce of Cream "and all of the classic players".[2]
Wolfgang uses a custom made bass guitar dubbed the "Franken-bass", based on Eddie's Frankenstrat guitar, including the striped design. Luthier Chip Ellis built two versions, one red like Eddie's guitar, and one blue as it is Wolfgang's favorite color. He uses the Peavey 5150 Amplifiers custom made for his father.[10]
References [edit]
- ^ AP (1991-03-18). "Van Halen names son Wolfgang". Rome News-Tribune.
- ^ a b c http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-wolfgang-van-halen-talks-bass-different-kind-truth-and-more
- ^ Eddie Van Halen considering New Tunes with David Lee Roth, 2009-02-02, www.spinner.com.
- ^ Mix Editors (2004-12-29). "Peavey Parts With Edward Van Halen". Mix.
- ^ "Eddie Van Halen launches the all-new EVH Wolfgang Guitar". International Business Times. 2008-12-16.
- ^ della Cava, Marco R. (2009-01-09). "This hand-crafted guitar is Eddie Van Halen's baby". USA TODAY.
- ^ Bradley, Simon (2006-12-12). "Van Halen: Anthony Out, Wolfgang In…". Music Radar.
- ^ Rodriguez, Brenda (2007-08-13). "Valerie Bertinelli a 'Proud Momma' at Van Halen Reunion". People.
- ^ "Van Halen Announce Album Release, Tour Dates". rollingstone.com. 2012-01-06.
- ^ http://www.guitarworld.com/father-son-eddie-and-wolfgang-van-halen-discuss-future-van-halen?page=0,7
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Wolfgang Van Halen |
| Preceded by Michael Anthony |
Bassist for Van Halen 2006–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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