by Wolfgang Van Halen recently shared an emotional reflection on the final show he performed with his late father, Eddie Van Halen, in a heartfelt post on Instagram.
The post commemorated the 10th anniversary of Van Halen’s last concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The moment has taken on deeper significance in retrospect.
“10 years ago today, we played the last Van Halen show at the Hollywood Bowl,” Wolfgang wrote. “Didn’t know it at the time, but in hindsight it was definitely one for the books and was quite the high note to end on.”
He continued with a poignant personal reflection on what that performance meant to him.
“It was the last time I played a show with my dad as well,” he said. “I miss playing with him everyday.”
The emotional confession resonated with fans who continue to mourn the loss of the legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen.
Wolfgang’s reflection marks a significant milestone in rock history. That October 4, 2015 performance would become the final chapter of Van Halen’s legendary live legacy.
Van Halen News Desk reported that the Hollywood Bowl concert was the last stop of Van Halen’s 41-date North American 2015 tour. The show marked not only the end of that tour but ultimately became Eddie Van Halen’s final live performance with the band before his death in 2020.
What makes the performance even more poignant is the context of Eddie’s health struggles during that period. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that Eddie Van Halen was already battling serious health issues related to cancer during the 2015 tour. He had undergone treatment for tongue cancer, which had affected his ability to perform. Yet he persevered to complete the entire tour.
Since his father’s passing in October 2020, Wolfgang has forged his own path in the music industry while honoring his father’s legacy. He launched his solo career under the name Mammoth WVH. He released critically acclaimed music that showcases his multi-instrumental talents and vocals. Wolfgang had joined Van Halen as the band’s bassist in 2006. He played alongside his father for nearly a decade before that final Hollywood Bowl performance.
The 10th anniversary reflection serves as a bittersweet reminder of the bond between father and son, both on and off stage, and the enduring impact of Eddie Van Halen’s musical legacy.
