EVH’s moment consisted of his iconic Frankenstrat guitar appearing on stage under a spotlight while his solo “Eruption” played.
Many people took to Twitter to lament about the tribute or what was considered a lack thereof. Here are some notable reactions.
So I know this is going to sound very Gen X but …
Eddie Van Halen deserved a bit more than that. How many kids in the 80s picked up a guitar and wanted to be him?
My 9 year old said why couldn’t Slash have done a tribute and I honestly would’ve sobbed. pic.twitter.com/xolJSRUc6G
— Capital Chick (@acapitalchick) March 15, 2021
Eddie Van Halen’s guitar on stage alone is just so sad. #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/ZA0Vab5DgN
— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) March 15, 2021
Saw the #GRAMMY tribute for Eddie Van Halen.
The best we could do was a fly-by shot of his guitar with some music playing in the background?
A literal guitar virtuoso, one of the greatest musicians to ever walk the planet.
Pathetic.
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) March 15, 2021
I know electric guitars are all but forbidden on the Grammys, but Eddie Van Halen deserved more than that. Just saying.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) March 15, 2021
Eddie Van Halen deserved more than 17 seconds at the Grammy’s
— m.usher (@CoolTrainerMike) March 15, 2021
When the #grammys give a longer tribute to Kenny Rogers than Eddie van Halen pic.twitter.com/RGAfBzI3eY
— David Wight (@The_Rock_Oracle) March 15, 2021
Eddie Van Halen deserves a much better tribute.
pic.twitter.com/sFbZzTPzZk
— Nirvanafan420 (@Nirvanafan4201) March 15, 2021
Eddie Van Halen, among the greatest guitarists of all time, gets a 7 second tribute. #GRAMMYs
— Jeff (@jglow43) March 15, 2021
Eddie Van Halen was possibly the greatest & most innovative guitarist of all time (aside from Hendrix or Les Paul), a music icon & that’s how the Grammys paid tribute to him? What a shame, it’s just indicative of the ineptitude behind whoever runs this deteriorating event. pic.twitter.com/EpUxAgXlHg
— Naser (@NaserMestarihi) March 15, 2021
Eddie Van Halen’s guitar on stage #GRAMMYs
This gave me chills ….
pic.twitter.com/AwMY1JNKS8— Dr.WearYourFnMask (@PissOffTrumpz) March 15, 2021
Are freaking kidding me?? #GRAMMYs
You mentioned only THREE artists lost to us in 2020 and one was NOT Eddie Van Halen. Seriously. @RecordingAcad you have deliberately ignored rock music this past decade BUT tonights snub is unforgivable.#grammys2021 you are a joke. pic.twitter.com/SUQBgatKm7
— Simon Phillips (@SimonPhillipsOz) March 15, 2021
SMH. Seriously? @RecordingAcad ? https://t.co/ctNcmuSqxG
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) March 15, 2021