More than four years have elapsed since the passing of Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen, yet the ache in his son Wolfgang's heart remains as poignant as ever. Wolfgang, who leads the rock band Mammoth WVH, candidly addressed the profound sorrow of losing his father to cancer in an episode of Billy Corgan's podcast, The Magnificent Others, which aired on February 26th. This heartfelt conversation took place during a taping conducted several months prior.
"As we approach the fourth anniversary of his departure, the pain hasn't lessened in the slightest," Wolfgang shared in the interview. "Zelda Williams, Robin's daughter, articulated it flawlessly in a way I could never have imagined: even a truck brimming with roses still carries a heavy burden."
When Corgan inquired about the persistent difficulty Wolfgang, now 33, faces in accepting his famous father's absence, the musician revealed, "It's because there's an abundance of milestones I can't share with him." He elaborated, "He never witnessed Mammoth's journey. He never saw me tie the knot or eventually welcome children into our world. These are cornerstone moments forever tinged with sadness, regardless."
Wolfgang tied the knot with his long-time love, Andraia Allsop, in October 2023 at their Los Angeles home, while his band debuted its album in 2021. His song "Distance" garnered a Grammy nomination in 2022, and Mammoth WVH released its sophomore album in 2023.
Eddie, who passed away at 65, was Wolfgang's biggest cheerleader, a void that dealt a severe blow to his self-esteem. Wolfgang explained, "My father's absence is a colossal weight I still carry daily. His immense pride in me has left a gaping black hole in its wake. Yet, I have my mother [Valerie Bertinelli] and my wife... people who see through my insecurities and strive to pull me through."
In January, Wolfgang honored what would have been Eddie's 70th birthday on Instagram with a whimsical photo of the legendary musician seemingly picking his nose backstage, a nod to Wolfgang's teenage years when he famously joined his dad's band. Alongside the post, he penned, "70. Quite a few candles indeed. Happy Birthday, Pop. I love you and miss you more than words can express."
Previously, in 2021, Wolfgang opened up to PEOPLE about the excruciating loss of his beloved father, describing it as "incredibly challenging." He confessed, "I might be adept at pretending everything is alright, but it's far from the truth. What truly sustains me is the memory of my dad. If I ever succumbed to despair and retreated into myself, as I'm tempted to do daily, I know he'd be incredibly disappointed in me. He's the sole reason I keep moving forward."
