I can't believe Eddie Van Halen passed away today.  Like others, many others, his passing marks the end of my youth and a once youthful era that celebrated big hair, spandex, shoulder pads, parties (beer and cigarettes especially), fast and loud cars and Rock-n-Roll.  

When I first heard his playing, it scared me.  The sounds that were emitted from his signature guitar were something other worldly, rather something from the devil himself ?.  Who can forget Eruption!!?  And then the follow up, You Really Got Me.  For a 15 year old, hoping to impress the girls with his guitar chops, the bar was just elevated.  I guess I wasn't going to get laid anytime soon.  

Bless your life Eddie and all the fun and joy you gave us.  Your influence has left a profound mark on many:

To me an Australian, America's greatness, apart from going into bat for us in 1942, came from it's culture and values. My teenage years roughly coincided with Van Halen's first 5 albums. To me, America was made great by Eddie, Dave, Alex and Mike. The music of that era (and it was mostly American, and VH was my gateway to it) bonded me to the US. Sound bites and silly red hats don't make a country great, it's what you give to the rest of the world that makes greatness. ~ Shane Wilson (Australia)

I met Eddie at my first Hollywood party when I was 23 and was hoping to hear some scandalous rock star stories but that subject bored him, and he only wanted to pontificate on the brilliance of Mozart. Farewell, Mr. Van Halen and thank you for the sonic joy. You were the Mozart of the electric guitar.  ~Clay (LA)

Eddie was a bombastic innovator born outside the box. Some have compared his creativity to Les Paul and others, but in truth, he had no equal. We will deeply miss you Eddie and we know the mold was broken the morning you were born. ~Truth to Power, (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico)