Thread by @JasonLeopold

Gutted by the death of Eddie Van Halen. I idolized the band /EVH when I was in high school (ask @vladduthiersCBS).

In 1991 (or 92? Early 90s), I was working for a record label in NYC and Van Halen was performing a surprise lunchtime concert at the Hard Rock Cafe

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I took the subway uptown and made it in. Van Halen performed for nearly an hour with Sammy Hagar. I remember being so amazed seeing Eddie Van Halen up close soloing on his guitar. When the show ended I elbowed my way up to the stage.

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I still vividly recall how much of a fanboy I was at that moment. I wanted to say something to Eddie and what came out was, "I've loved you guys since I was in high school." I then turned around and started to walk away.

Then I felt a tug on my hair (I had very long hair)

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It was Eddie. He waved me back. He gave me a me a guitar pic and a hug (lol). The guitar pic had VH on one side and "FUCK PIG" on the other. It was one of those rare moments when meeting someone you idolized was exactly how you hoped it would be.

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My older brother was also a huge Van Halen fan. He was very envious of my brief encounter with Eddie and that I got to see him perform for such a small crowd (which was free btw).

When my brother died in 2016, I put the guitar pic Eddie gave me in his coffin.

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I was so bummed I never got to see Van Halen with David Lee Roth in their heyday but thrilled I caught their reunion tour in 2007 and again in 2015.

Rest in Power, Eddie Van Halen you legend, and Fuck 2020 and Fuck Cancer

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