Rock & metal musicians have come out expressing their disappointment on Grammy Recording Academy failing to come up with a more meaningful way to recognize Eddie Van Halen at this year’s Grammy Awards.
The legendary VAN HALEN guitarist was included in Sunday night’s “In Memoriam” segment at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, where The Recording Academy paid tribute to musicians who died in the past year. At one point in the segment, Eddie Van Halen‘s name flashed across the screen over a clip of him shredding a guitar solo while a spotlight shone on his iconic red-white-and-black guitar.
Here’s the response from various musicians:
Former VAN HALEN singer Gary Cherone took to his Twitter to write:
“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.”
Eddie Trunk shared the following message on Instagram:
“So in a more than 3-hour show, this is all the @recordingacademy #grammys could muster for an ICON?! I am beyond outraged and disgusted. New lows even by Grammy standards!! They had 5 months to do something! @wolfvanhalen had a # 1 rock song that he could have played.
“Could have had a guitarist do Eruption. Could have said his name in the open when you did mention artists who died. This is pathetic! But sadly expected with this organization who are nothing but a popularity contest. Lost for rock since they gave [JETHRO] TULL the Grammy over METALLICA. But truly a new low in disrespect tonight. Astonishing.”
FOZZY singer Chris Jericho apparently didn’t notice Eddie tribute at all, tweeting:
“Hey @RecordingAcad …no tribute to @eddievanhalen tonight? You and your bullsh*t awards can GO F*CK YOUR A*S!! And don’t ever try to give my band a nomination. I’d rather win a @RazzieAwards … #F*ckOffGrammys #Grammys.”