Wolfgang Van Halen
| Wolfgang Van Halen | |
|---|---|
Wolfgang Van Halen in 2012
|
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Wolfie, Wolf |
| Born |
March 16, 1991 Santa Monica, California |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, vocals, guitar, drums, keyboards |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Associated acts | Van Halen, Tremonti |
| Website | van-halen.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| EVH Wolfgang Stealth Bass Prototype | |
Wolfgang William Van Halen (born March 16, 1991) is an American musician. He is the bassist for Van Halen, having replaced Michael Anthony in 2006. He is also the bassist for the heavy metal band Tremonti.
Named in homage to the classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, he is the son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli, and the nephew of drummer Alex Van Halen. Wolfgang has said that he did not know his father was a famous musician until he "started picking up CDs and saw his picture on them".
Following the completion of the 2007/2008 Van Halen tour, Wolfgang headed back to school, hoping to graduate in the summer of 2009; he would graduate one year later in 2010. Wolfgang appears as the bassist for Van Halen in Guitar Hero: Van Halen.
Wolfgang had an indirect impact on his father's career from the very beginning of his life. The instrumental "316" was named in his honor, after Wolfgang's birthday. For a 13-year period ending in 2004, Eddie Van Halen collaborated with Peavey on a line of guitars, the Wolfgang series, named after his son. In 2008, his father named a custom guitar after him, the Fender EVH Wolfgang.
He always watched the rehearsals of Eddie, and at times would try to play his uncle's drum kit. Wolfgang started playing drums at the age of nine, and then his father gave him a set of drums for his tenth birthday. Some time later he moved on to guitar and bass. He can also play keyboards and "figure things out by ear". Wolfgang later began actively participating in the band. He also made guest appearances during some dates of Van Halen's 2004 tour, appearing during his father's extended guitar solo spot and playing "316" with him.
In late 2006, in an interview with Guitar World, Eddie Van Halen confirmed that Wolfgang would replace Michael Anthony as Van Halen's bassist. Wolfgang first toured with Van Halen in his new capacity in 2007. In August 2010, Van Halen announced that they would record a new album, with Wolfgang playing bass.
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