Wolfgang Van Halen: Yes, He Played ‘Live’ At Taylor Hawkins Tribute

Wolfgang Van Halen and his guitar playing were one of many highlights at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London. Regardless, some people thought he was using a backing track.

This notion that Wolfgang wasn't actually playing was taken to task by musician/producer/engineer Rick Beato via his YouTube channel. Beato received an email from a viewer with the subject line "Was Wolfie a little too perfect?"

Beato breaks down a variety of points in the video below, but he made a point to say, "Wolfgang Van Halen started playing in Van Halen in 2006 when he was 15. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, he plays every instrument incredibly well...Did you notice that his vocals were exactly dead-on? Well, maybe that’s because he sang the background vocals with Eddie when he was replacing Michael Anthony. He was in Van Halen."

The cherry on top of the breakdown was, "He’s playing it and it sounds like his dad, right? Well, of course it sounds like his dad – he played guitar with his dad all the time."

If you want further proof of his chops (even though no further proof is needed), Wolfgang recently shared a clip of him playing "Eruption" back in 2015 in honor of the 45th anniversary of the recording of the iconic guitar track.

Wolfgang is slated to perform at the second Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert taking place September 27 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. A number of the same names that performed at the London show will also appear at the L.A. show. Some notable different musicians appearing at the L.A. show include Sebastian Bach, Geezer Butler, Phil Collen, Joe Elliott, Joan Jett, Alanis Morissette, Krist Novoselic, P!nk, LeAnn Rimes, Gene Simmons, Nikki Sixx, Chad Smith, Brad Wilk and Nancy Wilson.

As of publishing, there hasn't been any announcement about the L.A. show streaming anywhere.

In memory of the first anniversary of the passing of Taylor Hawkins on March 25, we're looking back on the two tribute concerts organized by the Foo Fighters. The London and Los Angeles shows were incredible events full of light and love. They were reflections of Hawkins, himself. Foo fans the world over will forever miss and remember one incredible drummer and ambassador for rock music.

We send our thoughts to the family and friends of Taylor Hawkins on this anniversary and every day they miss the unique force he was.

The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at London's Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 3 will likely go down as one of the most emotional and cathartic moments in rock in 2022.

The stacked bill featured some of the late Foo Fighters drummer's best friends, biggest influences and peers. Combined, those artists delivered an incredible six-hour show. It's one the thousands in attendance and those watching around the world won't soon forget. The Foo Fighters, themselves, delivered an incredible set where they were joined by a number of different drummers. Among them were Josh Freese, Travis Barker, Nandi Bushell, Rufus Taylor and Shane Hawkins, Taylor's 16-year-old son. If that weren't enough, Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance, too.

Preceding the Foos' set was an all-star lineup of performers that included Queen, Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Stewart Copeland, Brian Johnson, Lars Ulrich, Mark Ronson, Violet Grohl, The James Gang, The Pretenders, Them Crooked Vultures, Supergrass and more.

Photos from the beautiful celebration that was the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert can be viewed below.