Losing a parent is one of the hardest things anyone can go through, and for Wolfgang Van Halen, the pain has been especially deep. In a recent interview, he shared how the death of his father, legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, changed the way he thinks about life, death, and spirituality.
“I Became Less Spiritual”
Wolfgang explained that before Eddie died, he used to be a spiritual person. He believed in feeling a connection with those who passed on. But after October 2020, when his father died at age 65, something inside him shifted.
He said their bond was so strong that he expected he would still “feel” his dad somehow. But he didn’t — and that made him question everything he thought he believed. Instead of comfort, he felt a “black hole,” a kind of emptiness he didn’t know how to fill.
For Wolfgang, it wasn’t that he rejected the idea of an afterlife. It was more that he simply couldn’t feel the presence he hoped would be there.
One of Their Last Great Memories
Even though the grief is heavy, Wolfgang still holds on to good memories with his dad. One he shared was from 2019, when he took Eddie to see the band Tool live. Watching Eddie react to the music like an excited fan was something Wolfgang will never forget.
He also laughed remembering how he introduced Eddie to heavy bands like Gojira and Meshuggah. Eddie joked that in those bands, “the drummer better be getting paid the most!”
It’s moments like those that stay with Wolfgang today.
Living With a Huge Legacy
Wolfgang was only 15 when he joined Van Halen, touring and recording with his dad and uncle. After the band stopped in 2015, he began focusing on his own project, Mammoth. Even though he has created his own identity as a musician, people still expect him to play Van Halen songs.
But for him, playing those songs live after his father’s death is extremely emotional — and nerve-wracking. He said that if he ever messed up a Van Halen song in public, it would haunt him forever. That’s how much respect he has for his dad’s work.
He rarely performs Van Halen songs, but he made an exception in 2022 for a tribute show honoring Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.
A Simple Ritual to Honor His Father
Every night, at the end of his Mammoth shows, Wolfgang points to the sky. It’s a quiet tribute to Eddie. He said he does it because he feels he owes everything to his father — not just musically, but personally.
Even if he doesn’t feel a spiritual presence, the ritual keeps the connection alive in his own way.
Moving Forward, One Day at a Time
Wolfgang has been honest about his struggles with grief, anxiety, and the pressure of carrying the Van Halen name. But he continues to release music, perform, and grow as an artist. His band Mammoth is touring, writing new music, and building its own identity.
Wolfgang’s story is a reminder that grief affects everyone differently. Sometimes it challenges our beliefs, and sometimes it changes them. But even through loss, love and memories continue to guide us — just like they do for him.