The track serves as a tribute to late guitar icon Eddie Van Halen

Red Hot Chili Peppers [Matt Bishop Photo]

Red Hot Chili Peppers have premiered their brand new single “Eddie.” The track serves as a tribute to late Van Halen guitar icon Eddie Van Halen. The song can be found on their forthcoming album Return of the Dream Canteen. Stream the official audio below now.

“Sometimes we don’t realize how deeply affected and connected we are to artists until the day they die,” frontman Anthony Kiedis said. “Eddie Van Halen was a one of a kind. The day after his death Flea came into rehearsal with an emotional bassline. John, Chad and I started playing along and pretty soon with all our hearts, a song in his honor effortlessly unfolded. It felt good to be sad and care so much about a person who had given so much to our lives. Although the song doesn’t speak to Eddie by name, it talks about his early days on the Sunset Strip and the rock n roll tapestry that Van Halen painted on our minds. In the end, our song asks that you not remember Eddie for dying but for living his wildest dream.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ all-new double LP Return of the Dream Canteen arrives on October 14 via Warner Records. The album will be available on double vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital download. Fans can pre-order the album now HERE.

In a statement regarding the new record, the band said, “When all was said and done, our moody love for each other and the magic of music had gifted us with more songs than we knew what to do with. Well we figured it out. 2 double albums released back to back. The second of which is easily as meaningful as the first or should that be reversed. Return of the Dream Canteen is everything we are and ever dreamed of being. It’s packed. Made with the blood of our hearts.”