Red Hot Chili Peppers Pay Tribute To Eddie Van Halen On New Single, ‘Eddie’

September 25, 2022

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have honoured one of their heroes on their latest track, with Eddie Van Halen serving as the inspiration for ‘Eddie’. The new track will appear on the band’s second album of 2022, Return Of The Dream Canteen, which is due next month.

Melodically reminiscent of material from the group’s 2002 album, By The Way, a statement from vocalist Anthony Kiedis noted that the track began to take shape immediately following the passing of Van Halen in October 2020. “Sometimes we don’t realize how deeply affected and connected we are to artists until the day they die,” Kiedis said.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – ‘Eddie’

“Eddie Van Halen was a one of a kind,” he continued. “The day after his death Flea came into rehearsal with an emotional bassline. John, Chad and I started playing along and pretty soon with all our hearts, a song in his honor effortlessly unfolded.”

Kiedis went to say that Van Halen was an inspirational figure for the band’s four members. “Although the song doesn’t speak to Eddie by name, it talks about his early days on the Sunset Strip and the rock n roll tapestry that Van Halen painted on our minds. In the end, our song asks that you not remember Eddie for dying but for living his wildest dream.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers announced the release of Return Of The Dream Canteen in July, a few months after the release of Unlimited Love, their first new album with guitarist John Frusciante in 16 years. The group will return to Australian shores in early 2023 for a headline tour, accompanied by Post Malone.

Return Of The Dream Canteen is set for release on 14th October.