Who Is Eddie Van Halen's Son, Wolfgang Van Halen?

It's never easy growing up in the shadow of a famous parent. Children of celebrities often have opportunities most people could only dream of, but they can also feel overshadowed or overlooked by their well-known mom and dad. The pressures of growing up in the public eye are something Wolfgang Van Halen (Wolfie for short), the son of rock legend Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli, knows well. After all, his dad is one of the most famous musicians of the 20th century, but Wolfgang has nothing but admiration for his renowned father. The rocker's son valued every moment they spent together — even if that time was tragically cut short.

Eddie, one of the co-founders of the legendary rock band Van Halen, died Oct. 6, 2020, following a long battle with throat cancer, reported TMZ. Wolfgang broke the news to the world, sharing a black and white photo of his father accompanied by a short note to his Twitter late that afternoon. "I can't believe I'm having to write this but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning," Wolfgang said. As Eddie's only son, Wolfgang is the sole namesake to his father's legacy. Here's everything you need to know about the rock n' roll scion.

The members of the Van Halen family are best characterized by their deep love of music. Case in point: the name Wolfgang Van Halen is a nod to Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Eddie Van Halen gave Wolfgang more than just an appreciation for music; he also gave him talent. Hours after Eddie passed away, Wolfgang made sure to acknowledge the bond they shared through music. "He was the best father I could ever ask for," Wolfgang said on Twitter. "Every moment I've shared with him on and off stage was a gift."

Wolfgang often joined his father on stage, but he is also a respected musician in his own right. As of 2020, Wolfgang was reportedly working on a solo album of his own and had even signed a record deal. Though undoubtedly inspired by everything Wolfgang learned from his father, the yet to be released album is reportedly a wholly original creation. All the vocals and all the instruments are performed by Wolfgang, a remarkably gifted singer and musician, per Guitar World. Safe to say, he's making his dad proud.