Wolfgang Van Halen: How Dave Grohl Helped During Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

Wolfgang Van Halen opened up about his recent performances at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts where he honored his late father, Eddie Van Halen.

Wolfgang performed the Van Halen classics "Hot For Teacher," "On Fire" and "Panama" at the tribute shows. He was joined by Justin Hawkins on vocals, Josh Freese on drums and Dave Grohl on bass. The set was one of the highlights of both tribute shows, but Wolfgang was a bit unsure about whether he could pull off the performance.

He told Guitar World in a new interview, "I didn’t even know if I could do it. I had a lot of conversations with Dave. What a kind sweetheart of a man he is. We talked a lot about [it]. Initially, he was like, ‘What do you think? Would you be comfortable doing this?’ Initially, I didn’t wanna disappoint Dave Grohl. And I was like, ‘Sure.’"

Wolfgang continued, "I thought a lot about it and I was like, ‘You know what, if there was ever a time, this is it.’ I talked to him about it and I was just honest. I was like, ‘I don’t know if I could do this, but if I do I need your support. I need you up there with me.’ I was like, ‘Whatever the incarnation of what it becomes, I need you there with me,’ and he was like, ‘Absolutely.’"

Van Halen shared those songs were only rehearsed a handful of times before the performance. He said, "It was really exciting. It was really special, man. I’m super-happy and proud with how everything came to be."

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.