Dweezil Zappa

I just got the 5150 package for my birthday.  I feel like I got a box of Godiva chocolates and I am savoring every bite.  A co-worker turned me on to Frank's music in the early 90's (grew up in a strict Christian house, Frank's titles kept his music out of my lp collection, love it now, along with your music but that's another post) but I wanted to thank you for this effort because, like many others, Edward was the whole reason I wanted to play guitar, has always been my favorite player, and I was crushed back in October with his passing.

I heard the first album when I was 15 on a portable 8-track player that someone brought to school in 78.  Everyone's head exploded when Eruption played.  Every album blew our minds.  And it soon became a shorthand way of making friends over music like Monty Python did with comedy.  I saw them play live a handful of times and was at the free concert in the streets of Dallas along with thousands of others.  It used to drive me crazy in the 80's when every guitar god was interviewed about their influences and NEVER mentioned Eddie when everything about their playing and equipment SCREAMED Edward Van Halen.  I suspect you'll go over that in some future episodes.

When he passed, I fell down the rabbit holes of tributes and came across your live video of Eruption and your stories about Edward and it really helped me appreciate what a good dude he was.  And then to see Wolfgang's video and the outpouring of these incredible stories about his generosity and humbleness in the teasers to your podcast from just about everyone you have had on so far is just so great to hear.  Bittersweet but great.

I just finished the first episode with Steve Vai.  My wife asked how I was enjoying my "birthday present" and I said, "I feel like I am a a big party, and I just found a group of guys with the BEST stories about some of my favorite things."  I keep listening and in my mind going "yes! exactly!".  Thank you so much for doing this project.  It is outstanding work and I can't believe the caliber of players who you have on tap.