Wolfgang Van Halen explained during a recent appearance on the Talk is Jericho podcast why he does not perform Van Halen tracks during his Mammoth WVH live sets.
He did however make an exception during the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts where he performed the Van Halen classics "Of Fire, "Hot For Teacher" and "Panama" and the all-star concerts honoring the late Foo Fighters drummer.
"It was wonderful. It was the exception where it was like, 'This would be the time to do it.'," Wolfgang said of the special event". Taylor was such a huge fan and to get my own satisfaction by doing a direct Van Halen tribute for Dad, it felt like the right thing to do in that moment. I'm really proud of it."
Wolfgang goes on to explain why fans should not expect him to cover Van Halen in the future, "I'm happy to be able to prove myself. The important key distinction is that I'm not doing what my dad did, I'm my own person, I'm my own musician... it's why I don't play any Van Halen music or have a plan to play Van Halen music during my sets.
"Even my dad hated doing covers back in the day, his quote resonates with me all the time when he says I'd rather bomb with my own music than succeed with somebody else's, and that's exactly how I feel about playing Van Halen music. I'd much rather fail on my own than succeed heartlessly by playing 'Panama'."
Wolfgang was on the podcast to promote Mammoth WVH's sophomore album, "Mammoth II". Stream the full Talk Is Jericho episode here.
Wolfgang Van Halen Forced To Change Mammoth WVH Tour Dates
Mammoth WVH Rock Jimmy Kimmel Live
Wolfgang Van Halen's Mammoth WVH To Rock Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Van Halen Taught Wolfgang What Not To Do
Holiday Gift Guide: Early Edition
Quick Flicks: Todd Rundgren and Billy Preston
Live: Debbie Gibson Acoustic Youth Tour Closes in Chicago
Live: Iron Maiden Rocks Chicago On The Future Past World Tour
Anberlin Plot Never Take Friendship Personal 20th Anniversary Tour
St. Vincent Previews New Album With 'El Mero Cero'
Armor For Sleep Announce What To Do When You Are Dead 20th Anniversary Tour
Within Destruction Unleash 'Kanashibari' Video
Watch Stick To Your Guns' 'More Than a Witness' Video
Interpol Share 'Say Hello To Angels' From Live At Third Man Records Album
The Cure Score Big Hit With 'Songs Of A Lost World'
Prophets Of Addiction Premiere 'Face The Music' Video