Moments after learning of the passing of Eddie Van Halen, Los Angeles news network KTLA spoke to a local music shop owner to get his thoughts on the impact Eddie had the L.A. music scene and beyond.
“There are very few people that change the course of modern guitar playing and he was one of them. It’s a very sad day but he’s left a body of work that will never go away. It will continue to inspire,” California Vintage Guitar & Amp owner David Swartz told L.A.’s KTLA’s 5 Live in the video which can viewed above. “He was a very profound figure when it comes to modern music.”
Swartz was asked what the people of Los Angeles will most remember about Eddie.
“I think in terms of the regional aspect he’ll always be sort of beloved in that sense,” said Swartz. “The people that grew up around him, around that period of time – the early 70s, the mid 70s. The guys playing backyard parties, and playing the high schools around there and then getting into the whole Hollywood Sunset club scene, there will always be a pride associated with that.”
“But he became a son of the world,” added Swartz. “He was globally accepted so in that regard he transcended all of that stuff.”