Hi,

I'm not sure who reads these posts but hopefully a producer of the South Bank Show pops in here from time to time.  The Show has had many legendary and influential subjects over the years and I would like to ask if Edward (Eddie) Van Halen has ever been considered ?  As the most influential, inspirational and imitated guitarist of the past 30 years, Eddie should surely be of interest as a subject matter ?

Over the past 30 years, the band that bears his name (Van Halen in case you're not sure !) have released albums ranging from their 10 million selling debut with David Lee Roth through to their more commercial and 'popular' period with Sammy Hagar, on to their commercially unsuccessful album with Gary Cherone.  Throughout this period, Eddie has weathered raging alcoholism, cancer, divorce, a hip replacement, near band break-ups and constant media intrusion and expectation.

Now, in 2007, following Eddie's stint in rehab and the bands entry to the 'Rock and Roll Hall of Fame', Van Halen is back on tour with David Lee Roth as frontman for the first time in 22 years.  They are playing to sold-out audiences across America and getting rave reviews for every date.

As a result of the above concise overview, I think that Eddie Van Halen would be an excellent candidate for the South Bank Show.  For more information regarding Eddie and his influence, i'd recommend the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_van_halen

Thanks for listening.

Hi

I could not agree more with you.  Still to this day Eddie can play fantasticly live.

It's a shame that he is barely recognised as a legend over here to most of the ignorant British media.

Eddie has done great projects with the like's of Brian May 'The Star Fleet project' which was a group of Musician's including Eddie and Brian playing their guitars. Michael Jackson called upon Eddie to work with him on a single called 'Beat it' on his 'Thriller' Album, where he recorded the solo in less than Two hour's.

It seems unfair to me that, everyone know's the name of 'Hendrix' and 'Clapton' over here but Eddie's influential work over the past 30 year's has been ignored by the british media.  

I totally agree and back you up on everything you have wrote there about Edward Van Halen, he should be a top candidate for The South Bank Show.

Thanks for reading.