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.
“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.”
>> Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen dead at 65
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.