Tribute to an Original: Eddie Van Halen

My college roommate Sharon introduced me to Van Halen somewhere around 1983. I bought the albums Diver Down and 1984. The songs I played over and over were Dancin' in the Streets and Pretty Woman from DD, and Jump from 1984.

I didn't know a lot about their personal lives except that Valerie Bertinelli married Eddie in 1981 and they had a son named Wolfgang, named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. They nicknamed him Wolfie.

In the years since I learned that Eddie and Alex were classically trained pianists. 

Learning about Eddie's death a couple of days ago brought back a lot of memories from college and dating John. Van Halen and U2 were our in-common bands. After David Lee Roth left the band, we still followed VH through the Sammy Hagar years and part of the Gary Cherone years (the lead singer from Extreme who took Sammy Hagar's place. My two favorite Extreme songs I wore out were Hole Hearted and More than Words; didn't care for the album's name in case some may wonder, but I digress).

In the last couple of days I learned that Gene Simmons discovered Van Halen around 1976. I watched a short clip on ET on Gene Simmons' words about Eddie. He mentioned last seeing him shortly after Eddie's diagnosis. Eddie had his famous grin on and off the stage. Gene got the courage up to ask about his diagnosis, and Eddie kept it light, then bid goodbye. Gene commented on his constant kindness.

I also learned their father was Dutch and mother Indonesian. They came from Holland when the boys were young. The Van Halen's settled in California, the parents working a lot to keep the boys in school and in piano lessons. Eddie ended up purchasing a drum kit and somehow a guitar got thrown in, either by his parents, or Alex bought it. The short story is they traded instruments and the rest is history. Eddie's words about Alex were something like Alex made music on the drums.

There is so much I don't know, but will end with this; Eddie did the guitar solo for Michael Jackson's Beat It. He made a deal with the producer, Quincy Jones to do the rif. When the "Beat It" musicians were away from the studio, Eddie snuck in and played  around with a few rifs. He layed down a track which Quincy said was better than the one they had written originally. Eddie didn't want pay or credit as VH had a pact that none of them would do solo or side work. Eddie "got away" with it because everyone was on vacation and he had the time to do a favor for his friend Quincy.

In the little information I've gathered these last few days I discovered that though Eddie was a chain smoker and battled alcohol much of his life, he was still known for his good nature. In his later years, he was valued and remained humble. In a short interview clip he was telling his story to some college students and asked them about fifteen minutes into telling his story, "Is this interesting"? They all yelled, "Yes"!

Thank you Eddie for finding new ways to bring music out of an electric guitar and lifting so many spirits. Rest in Peace and know your family is in the world's prayers and hearts now.

The Healing Power of Good Art

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My father just had a kidney removed over a week ago. My sister and her husband drove all night to be with Dad for the surgery. My sister-in-law and our niece were there also.

While Dad was in recovery, the six of us sat in the waiting area. The surgeon walked up to my mother. The look on his face told us that something was amusing him.

"Mrs. Huff, your husband is singing in recovery." I asked if it was The Girl from Ipanema, and the good doctor replied, "I don't know, but everyone is enjoying the singing." Later that evening after Dad got settled in his room, his nurse let my mother and me know we could go in.

He told us his name was Gabriel and added, "He's taught me some Portuguese and I am teaching him some Spanish." Later Mom told me his name was appropriate as he had that extra gift of grace in all of his dealings with Dad. He told Mom that he liked to treat his patients the way he'd treat his own parents.

So I asked Gabriel if had heard Dad sing, specifically The Girl from Ipanema. At that moment, Dad, still in his half-wakened state began softly singing The Girl... Knowing the song, Gabriel chimed in matching Dad's volume as not to disturb the other patients.

As I have mentioned in other blog posts, my early years were filled with all kinds of music. Though my father is a minister and we love singing in church and singing hymns outside church, we love all good music. I believe it elevates our God-given spirits.

This song may sound like elevator music to some, but let me offer a different perspective. It comes from a family of music meant to relax the soul.

Life can be tough and harsh sometimes, and what better way to soothe the soul but to bathe in well-thought through melodies and beautiful word pictures. Relaxing songs nurture and bring out the goodness in one's heart. I am not a trained philosopher nor a theologian, I am simply making an observation that humans need rest, redirection and redemption, and good music offers all three.

I also believe that God gave us the gift of music to enjoy, as a means of therapy and connection with other people. When cultures produce good art that nurture the soul, I see a characteristic born from the Creator to want to heal the human spirit. Afterall, we are made in His image. 

Spring in Live Oak Park - Photo by DHM

He loves us individually more than anyone else and seeks our good. And He will use anyone He wants to produce good art. Ours is to listen and watch for it if we are artists that we may make good art. If we are not artists, it is good to appreciate good art by encouraging good artists and investing in art and artistic events that elevate the soul.

I was an art student my first two years in college, but continue that gift in a different way. My canvas is family and friends. My media are hugs, gifts, and love -- lots of love. Am I perfect in my results? On some days, hardly. But as I learned long ago, if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. My aim is to bring beauty and joy to my "patrons." I only hope their critical observations will be as graceful as the art I attempt to produce, because good art heals.

My father is home convalescing, and while he will nurture his soul spiritually with God's written Word, he also enjoys the therapeutic results of gardening, watching good movies, reading good books, turning on good background music and connecting with family and friends. He's a artist in his ministry, allowing God's love to flow through him to others, and it is coming back to bless him. Good art also heals the artist.

This post is dedicated to my wonderful father and mother. Dad, wishing you great success in your healing! Mom, you are an artist incognito, your artwork is a clean and orderly home, lots of love for anyone walking through it's doors and good food to feed the body and soul!