There\u2019s no better way to honor a fallen guitarist than to shred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the death of legendary rocker Eddie Van Halen, who at 65 lost a battle with cancer on Oct. 6, Army Staff Sgt. Austin West took to the web to share a live tribute in honor of the late musician on Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wanted to show my respect but mainly my emotions for what had happened,\u201d West told Military Times in a text conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, his video has over a million views and thousands of comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt felt great but not for myself but for Eddie!\u201d West said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fact that so many watched \u201cshowed how much love people had for him and what he\u2019s done for music,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many viewers were touched by what they saw and offered encouragement to West to keep Van Halen alive through his own guitar playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you pull the trigger on a gun that fast, you could win a war on your own,\u201d wrote user Michael Mottram. \u201cAwesome playing and cheers for your service fella.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the three-minute tribute, West covered some of Van Halen\u2019s best-known works, including \u201cEruption.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
West hopes that people enjoyed the music and feel inspired. The 26-year-old has been playing for 13 years, and did a tour with the U.S. Army Soldier Show in 2015, which stopped at 74 bases. He once played a single song for an AC\/DC tribute band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe never rehearsed the song or played together, and it was done flawlessly in front of 10k people!\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although he currently serves as an Army recruiter, West will soon be joining the Army music group \u201cAs You Were\u201d for a three-year tour, WWNY reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have careers in which you can fulfill your dreams but always creates peace within our communities!\u201d West said. \u201cMusic is the universal language.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If he could send a message to the late Van Halen, West said it would be that he\u2019s “inspired so many like myself and to ask if he\u2019d like to rip up some tunes together!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n