Rock Community Angered at Grammy Awards Over Eddie Van Halen Tribute

Former Van Halen front man Gary Cherone is furious at what he considers is a mishandling of honoring the late Eddie Van Halen during the “In Memoriam” segment at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

While the show did feature 15 seconds of Van Halen playing “Eruption” as his iconic “Frankenstrat” guitar stood silent on the stage, Cherone feels it wasn’t enough.

“Maybe an Artist that reimagined how one plays an instrument, who continues to influence generations of musicians and, literally changed the course of rock ‘n’ roll deserves more than fifteen second at the Grammys? #LongLiveTheKing” he tweeted on social medial

Maybe an Artist that reimagined how one plays an instrument, who continues to influence generations of musicians and, literally changed the course of rock ‘n’ roll deserves more than fifteen second at the Grammys? #LongLiveTheKing

— Gary Cherone (@garycherone) March 15, 2021

Other rock fans felt that the show could have at the least utilized a current guitarist in a tribute, pointing out that the show had John Mayer on hand performing with Maren Morris.

“John Mayer is in the building with a guitar. He could have played a segment to honor Eddie Van Halen at the Grammys. #eddievanhalen#GRAMMYs .@eddievanhalen” wrote Belinda Thomas.

John Mayer is in the building with a guitar. He could have played a segment to honor Eddie Van Halen at the Grammys. #eddievanhalen #GRAMMYs .@eddievanhalen

— Belinda Thomas (@belindasLAmusic) March 15, 2021

Professional wrestler and lead singer of the band, Fozzy, was irate, going so far as to refuse a future Grammy nomination in a profanity laden tweet.

Even Vernon Reid of the band, Living Color, and Trunk Nation host Eddie Trunk couldn’t believe the brevity.

SMH. Seriously? @RecordingAcad ? https://t.co/ctNcmuSqxG

— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) March 15, 2021

How hard would it have been to have a guitarist rip Eruption?? Of course the major rock guy gets no tribute.. of course! or have @WolfVanHalen do Distance, a # 1 ROCK SONG!! New lows. I am sickened beyond words. This is a joke even for the #GRAMMYs !

— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) March 15, 2021