This Just Hits Different

Wolfgang Van Halen has released his first solo track. It is called "Distance" and is a tribute to his dad, Eddie Van Halen. The lyrics and the video together are a lot. In fact, I waited a few days before even watching this clip because I knew it would be upsetting. Still, Wolfie does a great job. He's named his solo project Mammoth WVH and is a massive talent in his own right. If he wants a huge solo career, he will have it.

Comments

[Him]

That is a lovely, touching, and (to my mind) heartfelt tribute from a son to a dad.

No coattail riding. No trading on his dad's fame. He is sharing a piece of himself, a piece that has so very recently been ripped apart and then subjected to the hailstorm of knuckle-draggers who pollute the interwebs. I can't even fathom dealing with loss like that while being subject to idle taunts and stupid jests. Those cut deep, folks.

The song's lyrics? They feel like they come from the right place and are a chance for a bit of catharsis. The song itself? Not my cup of tea. Sounds a bit like the Gin Blossoms or Toad the Wet Sprocket. To each their own.

But I second Allyson's point. He has a chance to make a career out of what he learned, and loved, from his Dad. Will he fail? Perhaps. But I wish him well. And I appreciate him sharing this. If we could all turn our grief into art, maybe things in this world would be a touch better.

[Shawn]

@HIM listen to the Howard Stern interview - They played another song I can't remember the name but it has a major ripping solo - The kid is extremely talented, humble, and honest. He played every instrument on the album. It is his own style as you stated not riding on the coattails at all. The distance video is a tear jerker.

[GNR]

No matter what life throws at you, thru ups and downs and high and lows. Riches and poor house, penthouse to the outhouse... you can always "try" to get one thing right and that's just be a F***ING dad to your kid(s). The world would be a better a place if more dad's did their part.

[Gary]

@GNR. Amen my friend. Amen 👍

[Him]

I did listen to it, Shawn. For all he has gone through, he seems (and this isn't a pun) balanced. I hope he takes care of himself and does well.

GNR, I second Gary. Having lost my father in April, I can attest to the impact a good dad makes on a person's life. From what I have heard, my pop was a bit of a hell-raiser in his youth. Then he raised a daughter on his own after his first wife went off the rails. Once he married my mom, he knuckled down and did what you do: worked a solid job for the city, raised myself and my brother, showed us what it meant to love nature, and made sure we had a good life.

Were there rough patches? Sure. Did I cause most of them? Yup. But I owe a lot to my dad. And my mom too. No one gets to choose, as the cliche goes, their family. And no family is perfect. But you are lucky when you can look back and recognize, as I think Wolfie does, the impact that the people who raised you can have.

[Metalboy!]

SO well put, GNR!

As far as Wolfie goes, I’ll give him a pass since he’s gotta he operating from a place of total shock.

I sure as h*ll was when my parents checked out.