Wolfgang Van Halen has shared a heartfelt message commemorating the fifth anniversary of Eddie Van Halen's passing.

Since then, Eddie’s son has emerged as a prominent figure in rock music, establishing his band Mammoth WVH (now simply Mammoth) shortly after his father’s death in 2020. He began his solo career with the song “Distance“, a poignant tribute to his father.

Before launching his solo journey, Wolfgang played a key role in preserving the Van Halen legacy by performing bass alongside his father, uncle Alex Van Halen, and the band’s original vocalist David Lee Roth.

What Did Wolfgang Van Halen Say About Eddie Van Halen on His Death Anniversary?

In an Instagram post, Wolfgang shared a touching photo of himself with his father, captured during a moment onstage with their instruments. Accompanying the image was a heartfelt caption from Wolfgang.

“It’s been 5 years. The amount of things I wish I could share with you just keep piling up. I know you’d be proud… but I wish I could hear you say it. I’m trying to do the best I can. Love and miss you more than you know, Pop,” he expressed, along with a red heart emoji.

What Has Wolfgang Van Halen Said About Being in Van Halen?

Wolfgang has been candid about his experiences with Van Halen, emphasizing his desire to forge his own path without solely relying on the family name and legacy. He is also selective about incorporating any Van Halen material into his live performances.

In a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, he reflected on how his time in Van Halen shaped his understanding of band dynamics and what he wanted for his own group.

“With Van Halen, I learned a lot about how I didn’t want things to be with Mammoth. Why do we need to be walking around on eggshells? Why is there a problem all the time? Like, why can’t we just get along and play music? Don’t we all love music enough to put our differences aside and actually enjoy this as our livelihood? Shouldn’t it be easier than this?” he stated.

“That was one of the main goals with Mammoth, to create a healthy core group that can withstand any challenges we face.”

READ MORE: Eddie Van Halen’s Favorite Album, According to Wolfgang

In 2024, on what would have been Eddie’s 69th birthday, Wolfgang expressed, “I wish you were here so I could give you a big hug, go to dinner, celebrate it with you and make a silly joke about it being your 69th birthday. Just regular moments. I miss hearing you laugh. I miss laughing with you. It’s the little things.”