“I was just like, ‘I need to make sure Frankenstein is safe’”: Wolfgang Van Halen stowed his dad’s most legendary guitar in his car as a precaution during the LA wildfires

Wolfgang Van Halen has reflected on the “doomsday energy” of the LA wildfires, during which he kept his dad’s legendary Frankenstein in his car for three weeks as part of precautionary evacuation plans. The fires caused monumental damage to the city, with thousands of buildings – many of them homes – reduced to ash. Though Wolfgang Van Halen's home and 5150 Studios were spared, the Mammoth leader had a plan to keep his family – and Eddie Van Halen's most famous electric guitar – safe, should the worst happen. “I was thinking about all of my dad’s instruments and all of his belongings before I could even think about mine. You can read Wolfgang Van Halen’s full interview in the upcoming issue of Guitar World, which lands on October 7 via Magazines Direct and includes a cover feature with Guns N' Roses.