Mike McCready of PEARL JAM has performed Eddie Van Halen’s traditional instrumental “Eruption” as an homage to the famous VAN HALEN guitarist.
The performance took place on May 9 in Gila River Area in Glendale, Arizona, during PEARL JAM’s live concert. “I don’t suppose we have performed a present since Eddie Van Halen handed away, and he was one other legend that we mourn,” McCready said after frontman Eddie Vedder offered a brief remark about musicians and friends he and his PEARL JAM have misplaced in recent times. As a result, we’ve been looking forward to playing one for him.”
During an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” in October 2020, McCready referenced Eddie Van Halen’s death. “I started playing guitar a year after that first [VAN HALEN] record came out, and he was simply the most untouchable, unreachable guitar participant I’ve ever heard — save from [Jimi] Hendrix,” he said at the time. But, in a way, it was even more because it was during the time that I was learning to play the guitar for the first time. Eddie Van Halen, on the other hand, flipped everything upside down. And he was undoubtedly the most exciting aspect to emerge. They generally have some cool music. It seemed like summer was approaching all of the time. It was a fantastic party band. Furthermore, they were excellent musicians and songwriters.”
“I heard the first file [via] my guitar trainer,” Mike said when asked about his initial exposure to VAN HALEN’s music. He performed ‘Eruption’ for me. And when you’re a kid and you’re studying Ritchie Blackmore and Ace Frehley and things like that… He did it for me, and it sounded like it came from another world. Following that, VAN HALEN came to Seattle for a couple of months on the second album, and I saw them on that tour, as well as three more times with David Lee Roth. It was incredible to see them live on the second tour. Eddie performed ‘Eruption’ live, and he bumped into his amps, which nearly went over, but they recovered. As a rock band, everything about them was amazing. On the second tour, I saw them live, and it was one of the best exhibits I’ve ever seen. And it undoubtedly changed my life. And, without a doubt, because of Eddie’s participation.”
According to McCready, he is not the only member of PEARL JAM who like VAN HALEN’s music.
He stated, “Everyone in PEARL JAM has a VAN HALEN factor.” “I believe Eddie [Vedder, vocals] and Matt [Cameron, drums] both saw them open for [BLACK] SABBATH in San Diego. On the main tour in Montana, Jeff [Ament, bass] recognized them. So there is a VAN HALEN connection running throughout PEARL JAM. I mean, I frequently play ‘Eruption’ because I’m curious about how he achieved it. And because it is such an incredible aspect, I had to study it carefully. And I’m still working on it, but it’s one of those things that was always this high-water point for me, and it still is. ‘Trigger when he does that, he has such a sense behind it that no one else can actually understand whenever you try to tap and all that kind of stuff — at least in my opinion.”
In 1972, Eddie and his brother Alex Van Halen formed the band MAMMOTH in Pasadena, California, and later renamed it VAN HALEN after singer David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony joined.
With hits like “Runnin’ With The Satan,” “Dance The Evening Away,” “Sizzling For Trainer,” “Panama,” and “Leap,” VAN HALEN was one of the most popular rock bands in the United States during the 1980s. In 2007, the band was admitted into the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame, with Sammy Hagar on vocals.
After coming to the United States from the Netherlands in 1962, the Van Halen family settled in Pasadena.
Eddie Van Halen was voted No. 8 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists.