Van Halen Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

New York - March 12 2007 - The popular hard rock band, Van Halen, was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in a ceremony at New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel. Van Halen's guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, was the model for electric guitar technique throughout the 1980s. Although Van Halen's music typically features vocals, Eddie's periodic instrumentals showcased this playing technique and set the standard for other guitarists to follow.

Eddie was unable to attend the Induction Ceremony due to the fact that he entered a rehabilitation facility the week prior. Also missing were drummer Alex Van Halen and original vocalist David Lee Roth. In attendance to accept Van Halen's induction was second vocalist Sammy Hagar and bassist Michael Anthony, neither of which are current members of the band. Prior to Eddie Van Halen's entrance into rehab, the band had been planning a reunion tour with original vocalist David Lee Roth. Replacing Anthony on bass for the reunion tour was to be Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang.

In accepting the award, Anthony said, "I'd like to say god bless you to Edward Van Halen. God bless you. He couldn't be here tonight. He had to get some help. I love you, man,"

A few minutes later, Hagar went on to add “I couldn’t tell you how much I wish everyone was here tonight. It’s out of our control.”