His father was a rock ‘n’ roll legend who died on October 6 at age 65 after a long battle with cancer.
And Wolfgang ‘Wolf’ Van Halen has hit out at false rumors claiming he’s to replace his late father Eddie Van Halen as lead guitarist in Van Halen.
He took to Twitter to slam the rumors, adding that it was ‘not only hurting the fans, but hurting me and my family.’
Speaking out: His father was a rock ‘n’ roll legend who died on October 6 at age 65 after a long battle with cancer. And Wolfgang ‘Wolf’ Van Halen has hit out at false rumors claiming he’s to replace his late father Eddie Van Halen as lead guitarist in Van Halen; pictured with dad Eddie on October 15, 2015
The rock legend sadly passed away earlier this month, aged 65, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Following his father’s death, the Wolfgang Van Halen Fan Page on Facebook alleged that ‘there is a good strong possibility’ that Wolfgang, who already plays bass for Van Halen, will step in his father’s shoes and play guitar.
However, after being tagged in a post by the site Metal Sludge, who shared the gossip detailing the supposed lineup changes in the band, Wolfgang has fumed that the rumor is a s***** lie’ and disrespectful to the fans and his family.
Wolfgang retweeted the post and wrote: “This is just a s***** lie attempting to capitalize on these awful times. Please stop with this.
Candid: He took to Twitter to slam the rumors, adding that it was ‘not only hurting the fans, but hurting me and my family’
“Anyone peddling this s*** is not only hurting the fans, but hurting me and my family. (sic)”
It was also wrongly claimed that ex-vocalist Sammy Hagar will replace current frontman David Lee Roth, former bassist Michael Anthony will return and drummer Alex Van Halen will remain.
Wolfgang confirmed his father’s death on October 6.
RIP: Wolfgang confirmed his father’s death on October 6
He wrote: “I can’t believe I’m having to write this,] but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning. He was the best father I could ever ask for. Every moment I’ve shared with him on and off stage was a gift.
“My heart is broken and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover from this loss.
“I love you so much, Pop. (sic)”
Wolfgang shared a heartbreakingly sweet black-and-white photo of the father-son pair to his Instagram from when Wolf was just a tot just days after his passing.
In the snap, Eddie, who passed away at the age of 65, is seen holding his son on the couch, reading him a bedtime story.
Family: Wolfgang shared a heartbreakingly sweet black-and-white photo of the father-son pair to his Instagram from when Wolf was just a tot just days after his passing
Wolf peers at the camera in the picture, his hair in a boyish bowl cut, while Eddie kisses his cheek.
It was the third such black-and-white, captionless image that Wolf, now 29, posted since his father’s passing, showing the pair at various stations in life – rehearsing together, and also performing on stage together.
The pair were very close, especially since their bond was not only familial – Wolfgang replaced bassist Michael Anthony in his dad’s legendary rock band back in 2007, the same year Van Halen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
So sweet: It was the third such black-and-white, captionless image that Wolf, now 29, posted since his father’s passing, showing the pair at various stations in life – rehearsing together, and also performing on stage together
Making music: The younger Van Halen, along with his mother (and Eddie’s ex-wife), Valerie Bertinelli, have shared several nostalgic pics in the wake of Eddie’s death
The younger Van Halen, along with his mother (and Eddie’s ex-wife), Valerie Bertinelli, have shared several nostalgic pics in the wake of Eddie’s death.
Mom Valerie, 60, responded with a comment of a string of broken heart emojis soon after his passing.
For her part, the TV star shared her own flashback photo, showing her and Eddie as young parents, with baby Wolfie cradled in her arms.
’40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you,’ she wrote in the image caption. ‘You gave me the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang.
‘Through all your challenging treatments for lung cancer, you kept your gorgeous spirit and that impish grin,’ Bertinelli continued. ‘I’m so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you in your last moments. I will see you in our next life my love.’
Valerie also shared other vintage photos from her early days with the Van Halen co-founder, on a walk down memory lane on her Instagram story.
Very sweet: Valerie shared her own flashback photo, showing her and Eddie as young parents, with baby Wolfie cradled in her arms
’40 years ago my life changed forever when I met you,’ she wrote in her tribute to Eddie. ‘You gave me the one true light in my life, our son, Wolfgang’; seen in 2012