Van Halen, the band, made us all friends.  Each one of us feels a connection to this band that is strong enough to qualify as life-long influence at least in some way for each one of us who comes here.  I don’t know Eddie Van Halen.  I don’t think any of us do.  Yet I do… know him.  All of you … know him.  We know him so well that we think of him as our friend.  We think of him as the person who influenced how we listen to music.  We think of him as the person who influenced how we play music.  Now if that isn’t love, well I don’t what is.  Happy Birthday to the man who keeps us all hoping and dreaming, and  dancing and jamming, oh and of course, loving, Mr. Edward Van Halen!