Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang reveals he’s prepared ‘for a wave of hate’ when he releases debut solo album
He’s the only child of rock star Eddie Van Halen.
And Wolfgang Van Halen says he’s prepared ‘for a wave of hate’ when he releases his first solo album.
Wolfgang, 29, who replaced bassist Michael Anthony in his dad’s group in 2007, made the candid confession during an Instagram Live session with fans earlier this week.
In his famous father’s shadow: He’s the only child of rock star Eddie Van Halen. And Wolfgang Van Halen says he’s prepared ‘for a wave of hate’ when he releases his first solo album
‘Trying to be me’: Wolfgang, 29, said on his Instagram he’s worried Van Halen fans won’t like his style of music because ‘it won’t be what people think it’ll be’
He posted his reply on his Instagram too, explaining it had been in response to being asked if he views his famous father’s legacy as ‘a gift or a curse’.
‘Being who I am, I think people at least will be interested in what my work will sound like, which is nice,’ he said.
‘But on the other hand, if it’s not exactly what they want to hear or if I don’t sound ‘Van Halen-y’ enough for them they’ll hate me and won’t give me the time of day.’
‘I’m fully prepared for a wave of hate when my music releases because it won’t be what people think it’ll be. I’m not trying to be my father; I’m trying to be me,’ he added.
In their genes: Wolfgang replaced bassist Michael Anthony in his dad’s group in 2007. They’re pictured performing together in New York in August 2015
His own man: ‘Being who I am, I think people at least will be interested in what my work will sound like,’ he said. ‘But on the other hand, if it’s not exactly what they want to hear or if I don’t sound ‘Van Halen-y’ enough for them they’ll hate me and won’t give me the time of day’
Wolfgang, whose mother is Valerie Bertinelli who divorced his father in 2007 after 26 years of marriage, has yet to announce a release date for his debut album.
In July 7, he explained on social media that the coronaviurs pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works and he’s having to adapt his plans as touring in support of his new music will not be possible in the near future.
According to Rolling Stone, he has been working on the album since at least 2015 and his dad Eddie has previously described it as ‘AC/DC meets Van Halen meets aggressive pop’.
Meanwhile, David Lee Roth told the New York Times this week that he doesn’t think Eddie, 65, will ever go back on the road and that he now represents the band.
Family: Wolfgang’s mother is Valerie Bertinelli who divorced Eddie, 65, in 2007 after 26 years of marriage. But the trio remain close, as pictured in recent photos posted to Instagram