Eddie Van Halen quotes: on being an immigrant, putting down the bottle, his not-so-sexy secret to success, and more.
“To hell with the rules. If it sounds right, then it is.”
“There are really three parts to the creative process. First there is inspiration, then there is the execution, and finally there is the release.”
“You have to enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy it, forget it.”
“Like I’ve always said, if you like what you’re doing, you’re halfway there; if someone else likes it, that’s even better. If they don’t like it, at least you like it. Not to be selfish, but you kind of have to be.”
“I pay no attention whatsoever to anybody’s praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.”
“If you really want to be good you have to spend the time.”
“If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you’ll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you’ll get to where you want to be.”
“Rock stars come and go. Musicians play until they die. I’ll be making music till the day I die.”
“I never dreamt of being a musician for my livelihood. I certainly never would have wanted to be in the business that I’m in, meaning the fame and the glory, the glitter, the rock star, the famous part.”
“Music is for people. The word ‘pop’ is simply short for popular. It means that people like it. I’m just a normal jerk who happens to make music. As long as my brain and fingers work, I’m cool.”
“We all just got together and formed Van Halen. By the time we graduated from high school everyone else was going on to study to become a lawyer or whatever, and so we stuck together and started playing in cities in California.”
“We played everywhere and anywhere, from backyard parties to places the size of your bathroom. And we did it all without a manager, agent or record company. We used to print up flyers announcing where we were going to play and stuff them into high school lockers. The first time we played we drew maybe 900 people, and the last time we played without a manager we drew 3,300 people.”
“I do whatever I want. I don’t really think about it too much—and that’s the beauty of being in this band. Everyone pretty much does what they want, and we all throw out ideas, so whatever happens, happens. Everything is pretty spontaneous.”
“I started drinking and smoking when I was 12 years old. So for the first time since I was 12, I’m really living my life. Drinking ain’t the way to go. What I’ve learned since quitting drinking is the whole reason I drank was because I’d get so nervous playing in front people. Now that nervous energy is great. I’ve learned to deal with it in a positive way instead of trying to numb it with alcohol. I can have fun without drugs and alcohol. I walk off stage now and I feel that I could have played a little better. Thank God, I saw the light.”
“I guess for the first time in my life I really feel good. I don’t really wanna get into the whole sobriety trip. But I’m just workin’ on a lot of things to get better at being here in the moment and stay clear, ya know? I have been drinking, smoking, and playing guitar since I was 12 years old. I still smoke, and I’m definitely playing guitar better than ever. I guess one of the three had to go. Along with some other sh*t. But alcohol was the wonder drug for me. It’s a trip to look back and go, ‘F*ck, I’ve been doing this for over 40 years.’ I’m lucky to be alive. I’m healthier and happier than I’ve ever been.”
“Nobody taught me how to do guitar work: I learned by trial and error. I have messed up a lot of good guitars that way, but now I know what I’m doing.”
“Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me. Music education and families are dealing with the economic times, and I wanted to help them. If I can help a kid discover a liking, or even a passion for music in their life, then that’s a wonderful thing.”
“There’s a plaque on our wall that says we’ve sold over 65 million albums, and I don’t feel I’ve accomplished anything. I feel like I’m just getting started. I’m writing, and just doing the same thing I always do.”
“You know, most people, they want to go to Hollywood. They want to be a star. They want to be a rock star. That thought never entered any of our minds, the Van Halen family.”
“We’re musicians. We make music for a living. It’s that simple. Nothing else matters.”
“The name Van Halen, the family legacy, is going to go on long after I’m gone.”
“Looking back on my life, I’m grateful for the experience as an immigrant. Coming here with approximately $50 and a piano, not being able to speak the language, going through everything to get to where we are, if that’s not the American dream, I don’t know what is.”
“It makes me feel kind of weird, but obviously the Man Upstairs gave me something and it touches people, and I’m just so blessed.”
“A great career. And of course my own company, EVH brand of guitars, amps and accessories. What the f*ck more could I ask for? I feel like my life is just beginning. That’s what the best part of being Eddie Van Halen is… in any year.”
“I had fun. I always have fun.”
