NEW YORK — Musician Jack White paid tribute to Eddie Van Halen on Saturday Night Live performing with a guitar the legendary guitarist had designed and given him.
Van Halen died earlier this week from cancer.
>> Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen dead at 65
“I thought it could be a nice gesture for me to use this blue Eddie Van Halen model guitar for one of the songs tonight on SNL. The guitar was designed by Eddie (with a few customizations I had added),” White wrote on social media before his performance. “Eddie was very kind to me and saw to it that this guitar was made for me to my specs. I wont even insult the man’s talent by trying to play one of his songs tonight. Thanks again Eddie for this guitar and rest in peace sir.”
The White Stripes frontman played a medley of “Ball and Biscuit,” “Don’t Hurt Yourself” and “Jesus is Coming Soon.” He also played “Lazaretto.”
White was a last-minute edition after original musical guest Morgan Wallen was removed for breaking coronavirus safeguards. The country singer was seen in a video earlier in the week attending a crowded party maskless.
>> ‘SNL’ drops Morgan Wallen as musical guest for violating coronavirus protocols
Wallen apologized and producer Lorne Michaels said the show will invite him to perform in the future.
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