EDDIE VAN HALEN was widely known as a guitar innovator, a tone chaser, and one of the most influential musicians in rock history. However, beyond his legendary status, he was also remembered by friends as remarkably generous. One such story comes from ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist JERRY CANTRELL, who recently shared a deeply personal memory involving a garage filled with gear.
While speaking in a new interview with Gibson TV, JERRY CANTRELL reflected on his friendship with the late EDDIE VAN HALEN. Their relationship began in the early 1990s and quickly grew into a genuine bond built on mutual respect, shared musical curiosity, and a love for guitar tone.
How JERRY CANTRELL first met EDDIE VAN HALEN
The two guitarists first crossed paths in 1991, when ALICE IN CHAINS was selected as a support act for VAN HALEN on the “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour.” At the time, ALICE IN CHAINS was rapidly rising, while EDDIE VAN HALEN was already an established icon.
Rather than maintaining distance, EDDIE VAN HALEN welcomed JERRY CANTRELL backstage. Over time, the two began spending hours jamming together before shows, trading riffs, and discussing gear setups. According to CANTRELL, those moments were formative, both musically and personally.
Gear admiration turns into something unexpected
During those backstage sessions, JERRY CANTRELL became especially enamored with the equipment EDDIE VAN HALEN was using at the time. This included the then-new Peavey 5150 amplifiers and the Ernie Ball Music Man EDDIE VAN HALEN signature guitars, both of which would later become iconic in their own right.
Like many working musicians, CANTRELL admired the gear but knew it was financially out of reach. Eventually, he worked up the nerve to ask EDDIE VAN HALEN if he could help him purchase one at a discounted price. However, the response he received was completely unexpected.
Transcribed by Gibson TV:
“He was like, ‘F-ck that dude, I’ll just give you a guitar! Everybody gives me everything for free now, when I can totally afford it. When I couldn’t afford it, nobody would give me anything. So let me do that for you,’”
Instead of offering a deal, EDDIE VAN HALEN decided to give JERRY CANTRELL far more than he ever asked for.
Life after tour and a strange request
At the time, JERRY CANTRELL was living with ALICE IN CHAINS manager KELLY CURTIS and his wife. After the tour wrapped up in mid-1992, CANTRELL returned home expecting a much-needed period of rest.
Instead, he was greeted with a puzzling request.
Transcribed by Gibson TV:
“He’s like, ‘Hey man, welcome home. You had a good tour? Now you can relax.’ Hey, by the way, do you think you could clear your sh-t out of my garage? I need to put my car in there.’”
Initially confused, CANTRELL had no idea what CURTIS was referring to. He hadn’t stored anything unusual in the garage, nor had he been home long enough to clutter it.
When he asked for clarification, the answer stunned him.
Transcribed by Gibson TV:
“He says, ‘Eddie Van Halen filled the garage with gear for you. I haven’t been able to park my car in my garage for months.’”
A garage full of generosity
According to JERRY CANTRELL, EDDIE VAN HALEN didn’t just send one guitar. Instead, he quietly arranged for an entire garage to be filled with amplifiers, guitars, and equipment—effectively setting CANTRELL up with a professional-level rig.
What made the gesture even more powerful was the fact that EDDIE VAN HALEN never made a spectacle out of it. There was no announcement, no expectation of repayment, and no strings attached. It was simply an act of generosity rooted in empathy and understanding.
For CANTRELL, who was still navigating the financial uncertainty of early success, the gift left a lasting impression.
More than a guitar legend
Stories like this have become increasingly common since EDDIE VAN HALEN’s passing. Fellow musicians frequently describe him as approachable, humble, and deeply supportive of younger artists. While his technical innovations reshaped rock guitar forever, moments like this reveal another side of his legacy.
Rather than forgetting what it felt like to struggle, EDDIE VAN HALEN remembered it clearly. That memory, as CANTRELL recalled, motivated him to give freely when he finally could.
Why this story still matters
In an industry often associated with competition and ego, the relationship between EDDIE VAN HALEN and JERRY CANTRELL stands out. It highlights a culture of mentorship and generosity that quietly exists behind the scenes of rock history.
For fans, the story adds emotional depth to EDDIE VAN HALEN’s already monumental legacy. For musicians, it serves as a reminder that success does not have to erase compassion.
Decades later, the image of a garage overflowing with gear remains symbolic—not just of generosity, but of a legend who never forgot where he came from.
