Pepe Pays Tribute to His "Brother!"

Who better to be a judge at the World Championship Air Guitar Dark Horse competition… than the long-lost brother of Eddie and Alex Van Halen? 

Jose (Pepe) is thrilled and flattered to be a part of such an important event, and he looks forward to meeting his fellow judges.

Born in 1963 in Mexico City, he grew up playing music in his adopted family's legendary mariachi-metal ensemble, Los Metales Pesados. He traveled the world meeting many types of people and learned the most important lesson of all: when love is in the air, so is a guitar.

Luckily, his parents never questioned his claim to be the brother of the famous rockers. When they first saw him at the orphanage, they simply said, “That kid rocks!” and let him be himself.  

While not a guitar player himself, Pepe is an accomplished marimba player. He still entertains tourists on the colorful canals of Xochimilco, occasionally setting down his marimba mallets to perform the entirety of Van Halen's first album on air guitar for excited children. 

What a talent! 

As a tribute to his brother Ed (RIP) Pepe transcribed and played a marimba version of the composition that put Van Halen on the map (Erupcion!). Van Halen's management never acknowledged the recording, but legal action was also notably absent.

Perhaps what he is most proud of is being on the board of directors for UNCAG (United Nations Committee of Air Guitar). His work with the UN has allowed him to spread a message of peace and harmony around the world through Air Guitar education. As the ambassador from Liechtenstein once said, “Pepe made me want to rock so hard that I put down my alphorn and picked up an air guitar! Now I look cool… even in lederhosen!”

Be sure to say hi to Pepe and get a selfie when you see him in Oulu.

And always remember, “Haz aire, no la Guerra!” (Make air… not war!)