Bonus clip #1:

Bonus clip #2:

From The Rad Report, submitted by Eddie on Tue, 06/30/2009:

When Eddie Van Halen and his fiance Janie Liszewski wed this last weekend one of the gifts presented to guests were custom printed M&M’s, among a number of other lovely items.

And as you know Eddie has a history with M&M’s. Specifically the brown ones. In 1982 the four members of Van Halen infamously destroyed the backstage of a venue when absentminded promoters failed to follow their policy of “absolutely no brown” M&M’s.

So where confectioners upheld to the same past details of Van Halen for the wedding?  The bride exclusively confirmed to theradreport.com that, well, there were no brown M’s present: “We chose green and white m&ms for this occasion.”

And there you have it.

From BigMusicGeek.com:

Acclaimed bassist Billy Sheehan (Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, and Devil’s Slingshot, among others), always a man of many words and interesting stories, was kind enough to take a break from his decidedly hectic schedule to speak with us regarding, among many other things, the release of his latest solo opus Holy Cow…

Here’s the Van Halen-related section:

Todd: Looking back, are you surprised that Talas didn’t eventually achieve mainstream commercial success?

Billy: “No. We progressed along the lines that everybody else did.  We got to a point where we got looked at by a lot of labels, we got promised deals, those promises were broken, we got promised more deals and those promises were broken.  But we were still expanding and doing well.  We were getting better and expanding our reach.  We knew it wasn’t going to be a quick overnight thing…it was far from an overnight thing.  …I had to replace two of the original guys with other guys.  The band was still good, but it just wasn’t the same, so when David Lee Roth called, asking me to join him, I said ‘Well, the only band I’d ever think of leaving Talas for is Van Halen, so if David Lee Roth calls, I guess that’s close enough’ (laughs).  So that was it.  I was done.”

Todd: Did you initially find it difficult to make the transition from the relative obscurity of Talas to truly high-profile exposure of playing with David Lee Roth at what was arguably the peak of his career as a solo artist?

Billy: “Well, it was quite a transition.  …I had a ’77 (Ford) Pinto.  You know those fake tires that come with new cars that you’re supposed to use in case you get a flat?  It’s not a real tire and you’re only supposed to use it to drive like ten miles to get to the gas station to get in fixed?  Well, I had that on my car for two years because I couldn’t afford to buy an actual tire.  So I did my time with poverty.  But we had fun, but boy were we poor.  So I went to L.A.  Dave flew me in.  I was the first guy he called and we started planning a band.  Within two nights, we were playin’ in a club and there were Paparazzi waiting there, so I went from driving my three wheeled Pinto to having my picture taken by Paparazzi comin’ out of a club (laughs).  That’s quite a steep little curve there.  …It was an interesting time.  We had a blast.

The original guitarist was Steve Stevens (Billy Idol).  That’s who Dave had in mind.  It didn’t work out, so I told Dave ‘Hey, I know another Steve that would be just perfect’ and sure enough, he called Steve Vai and he came down.  I love Steve Stevens.  He’s great, but I think Steve Vai was the perfect fit for Eat ‘Em And Smile.  He’s a wonderful guy.  They’re all just fantastic.  I just had dinner with him and all of the Eat ‘Em And Smile guys the other night.  Of course it was minus Dave because we couldn’t find him, but it was still myself, Steve (drummer) Greg Bissonette and the keyboardist Brett Tuggle…all of the guys that we did the tour with.  We’ve done it a couple of times where we have an Eat ‘Em And Smile reunion.  We all sit down, have dinner somewhere and tell stories.  It’s always a laugh riot…”

Todd: What ultimately led you to your decision to no longer work with David following the release of (1988’s) Skyscraper?  Was there the proverbial ‘…creative differences…’, or was it something on a more personal level?

Billy: “Dave took a chance.  He decided to try a new direction with the music.  In a way he was right because he wanted to mix dance beats into the music.  He was like ‘We need to be more Dance-orientated’.  And I was like ‘That’s great, but…’  …It just wasn’t me.  I just couldn’t get up there and do that kind of thing.  So I was gone, but in a way he was right because Dance music did become the next giant thing and now that’s pretty much all there is.  I call it Karaoke Aerobics.  It’s basically people doing Karaoke because they’re singers who don’t really sing on their records and just get pitch-corrected.  And then they get eight to twelve people to do Aerobics next to them and that’s ninety percent of the music that you see on TV now.  So in a way, he was right, but the problem with doin’ a switch like that when you’re a Rocker guy is that the Rockers are going to hate you because you’ve turned on them and the Dance guys are going to hate you because you were once a Rock guy.  …So unfortunately, he fell between the cracks, but in a way he was right.  He accurately predicted that Dance music was going to come in.  It did, but at the same time, we had a lot of other great music by a lot of other great bands.  I just think he threw the dice and they just didn’t come up with the number he needed.”

Todd: Any truth to the rumors that you were approached regarding replacing Michael Anthony in Van Halen?  In hindsight, it’s a seemingly logical move considering your connection to David Lee Roth as a solo artist…

Billy: “Yeah, I was.  For a long time, I denied it because (former Van Halen bassist) Michael (Anthony) is a dear friend of mine.  I love him so much.  I was kinda caught in the middle.  …It’s happened several times.  Once right after we (Talas) toured with them in 1980, it happened again in ’82 after the Diver Down record, it happened again just before Dave called me…and then, when I was out of Mr. Big before the Gary Cherone thing (i.e. 1998’s abysmal Van Halen III) happened, I spoke with them and then I spoke with them again after that as well.  So it’s happened a bunch of times.  We’ve always been toying with it (laughs).  I went over to Ed’s a couple of times and we jammed and talked about stuff.  He’s such a wonderful guy.  I would love to go out with just Ed and a drummer, ya know?

But as much as I would have liked to be in the band, I didn’t want the band to change, because I’m a fan of Van Halen.  If Michael ain’t up there, it ain’t the same band, even if it’s me, ya know?  But I’m sure if the opportunity would have gone further, I would have taken it.  We talked about it seriously a couple of different times as several different points, but it never actually materialized.

When they got back together with Dave and went out without Michael, I was kinda sad about it.  So I’m very honored and I love all of those guys.  …Alex, Eddie, Dave and Michael, I love them all completely and I wish they were all together again.  At least Dave and Eddie are back together again.  I’m happy about that, ya know?  That’s how it goes.  …Who knows what tomorrow will bring.  I’m just glad they’re back together and hope they’re happy.  I love Van Halen.  I love all four of the Van Halens and they’ve all been a great, great influence on me.”

Todd: Commercially and musically, what do you feel has been your single greatest musical accomplishment?

Billy: “Basically, it was Talas, David Lee Roth and Mr. Big.  There were a few other things in between, but I never really joined any other bands.  I toured with UFO, I did a brief stint with Max Webster, (guitarist) Kim Mitchell’s great band and a few other little thing, but the only bands that I was really in were Talas, a brief stint in a band called Light Years, David Lee Roth and Mr. Big.  …Mr. Big, of course, was my biggest success.  It was more nine, of course, than David Lee Roth.  David Lee Roth is Dave’s band, but that was my first taste of it, so that was incredible.  It’s hard to pick one or the other.  And the early years with Talas…most everything that I know now I learned back then (laughs), so they all hold a significant place.  I’m glad to say that I’m still friends with everybody now after the smoke has cleared from Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big and all points in between now.  I’m really lucky to have those people as friends because they are some truly wonderful people.”

From guitarist Brian May’s official website:

No - it’s not a Ban-the-Bomb sign. It’s explosive. It’s …. a Chicken Foot!

For those who like to ROCK (enunciated with a deep gravelly voice, a la Tommy Vance …), in a classic grass roots, frig-off, out-and-out real way …

This is the new album you have to get.

Chicken Foot are a new California ‘Super Group’ of wondrous musicians having a ball together and playing REAL rock music.

Just reading the group line-up is enough to get your taste-buds going … it’s a Classic Rock Nerd’s dream … (I proudly count myself in that category) - the awesome Chad Smith (from Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums … undoubtedly one of the world’s finest … Michael Anthony (Van Halen) - undoubtedly one of the worlds greatest bass players … on vocals Sammy Hagar (Montrose and Van Halen) … undoubtedly one of the world’s great rock and roll vocalists, writers, guitarist front men. And … Jesus Christ … who would you like on Guitar? Joe Satriani!!! Well, our cup overflows, a finer guitarist you can find nowhere on this planet …

So … these guys play FOR REAL in the studio (and soon in a theatre near you) - with no clicks, only big bangs. I have had this album in my car since I came back from LA doing American Idol … I raced down to Sunset Strip where they were playing … after the TV show was over … to catch the end of the Chicken Foot show. And missed it! Very uncool. But I did come away clutching the new album in my hand. So - in the car? Well, it’s been a problem really … cos for a long time I could not get past track 3. Reason being … it’s so great. You just have to play it over and over again. It’s called “Sexy Little Thing” … a great great simple riff from Satriani … one of those riffs everybody wishes they had thought of … and then the colossal rhythm section kicks in … Big fat rolling growly bass. .. and enormous drums. Somebody’s gonna hate me for saying this, but I never quite felt Chili Peppers’ records quite captured the truly monumental power of this guy Chad, who has become a great friend … he played with us at the launch of WWRY in Vegas. On this record, you truly get the full effect of this frightening virtuoso hard hitter … there is a naked snare drum hit on this track which KILLS me every time it comes around … I have to turn it up and deafen myself every time … it makes me yell ! So probably many people have seen me driving around town recently and screaming like a madman. Well, this is why. You get the same kind of feeling from Sammy Hagar as you did on the Van Halen tracks “Why can’t this be Love” and “Best of Both Worlds” - pure excitement. He’s pretty underrated as a singer, in my opinion … never runs out of grit and top notes, or energy. Satriani? I LOVE hearing him play big fat rhythm - he still shreds and burns and performs impossible somersaults on the guitar … but that driving rhythm playing is … well, a total joy.

Enough. Go get it, please. It will cleanse and refresh and energise you.

Cheers
Bri

Eddie Van Halen married his publicist Janie Liszewski at his Studio City home on Saturday night.

Eddie’s son Wolfgang served as best man and his brother Alex officiated the vows.

Janie wore a champagne colored v-neck wedding dress by Hanna Hartnell, while Eddie wore white pants by Sy Devore and Mark Nason flip flops.

The couple said their vows under an altar of white roses constructed by Mark’s Garden.

Prior to the ceremony, 100 guests, including Valerie Bertinelli, enjoyed cocktails on the lawn and music provided by  the Sonus Quartet.

Eddie and Janie dated for three years before tying the knot. They plan to honeymoon in New York and the Netherlands.

To view all 11 photos, visit Celebrity Bride Guide.

To view all 11 photos, visit Celebrity Bride Guide

From People.com:

By Vicki Sheff Cahan

Photo by: Bauer-Griffin, 2008

The ceremony took place in the garden of his seven-acre estate in the hills above Studio City, Calif., starting at 7 p.m., when Liszewski walked down the aisle to Van Halen’s “When It’s Love,” performed by the Sonus Quartet.

The 54-year-old groom’s 18-year-old son, Wolfgang, served as best man, while brother Alex Van Halen, an ordained minister, officiated at the 20-minute, nondenominational service. Among the 100 guests: Van Halen’s ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli (they divorced in 2006, after 25 years of marriage.)

The bride, 39, was given away by her mother under the watchful eye of Kano, the 15-year-old Pomeranian who walked Liszewski down the aisle. This was her first marriage and Van Halen’s second.

Liszewski wore a champagne and pink custom-designed Hanna Hartnell gown with matching Bulgari earrings and bracelet. Her sister, Jennifer, served as maid of honor. Eddie and Wolfie dressed casually in Sy Devore cotton pants, un-tucked buttoned-down shirts and flip-flop sandals – as did the bride and wedding attendants.

The couple wrote their vows and designed the rings – Janie’s, a platinum band beside a nearly three-carat diamond engagement ring; Ed’s, a gold band with yellow diamonds.

Non-Alcoholic Bar

At 7:30 guests were served appetizers such as mini hamburgers and corn dogs, roasted garlic-parmesan, French fries, and an assortment of nonalcoholic beverages from the lemonade bar. Later on, diners were treated to organic fare such as heirloom tomatoes, baby arugula salad, Niman Ranch Filet Mignon, orange and rosemary glazed grilled chicken, Mojito-marinated prawns and grilled vegetables.

The simple, elegant wedding cake was layered with white chocolate, strawberries, whipped cream and decorated with white hydrangeas. The bride and groom toasted with non-alcoholic French Sparkling Apple Cider and Sparkling Pear Juice honoring Eddie’s year and a half of sobriety.

The evening’s entertainment ranged from an aerial tissue performance to a contortionist in a clear plastic ball on top of the pool. After dinner, Ed chose Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” as the traditional first dance. Next came Janie’s choice, Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time, ” as she invited the guests to join them. DJ KMP provided the rest of the music as the bride and groom boogied into the night.

As the party ended, each guest received Calvin Klein and Kate Spade vases and flowers. They were also treated to old-fashioned-style candy, including ring pops, candy necklaces, pop rocks, wax lips and custom printed M & M’s.

The couple plan to honeymoon in New York, Germany and the Netherlands, where Eddie was born.

Eddie Van Halen appeared on Michael Jackson’s Thriller album for the song, “Beat It”.

Eddie reflects on his experience working with award-winning producer/songwriter Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson, in the later half of 1982:

“I used to have this old phone system in the studio. Phone rang, I picked it up and there’s this voice saying, ‘Yo, Eddie? That Eddie?’ There was lots of crackling and stuff. And I said, ‘Yeah, who’s this?’ But he obviously couldn’t hear me. So I hung up, figuring it was a fan. Phone rings again, and the same voice says, ‘Hey, Eddie.’ So this time I shout ‘Asshole’ and hang up. Phone rings a third time. ‘Hey, Eddie, Eddie, it’s Quincy Jones.’ Have I ever felt small.

‘Certain people in the band at that time didn’t like me doing things outside the group. But Roth happened to be in the Amazon or somewhere, and Mike was at Disneyland and Al was up in Canada or something, and I was home alone. So I thought, well, they’ll never know. Seriously: who’s going to know that I played on a black guy’s record? Michael said ‘I love that high fast stuff you do.’ So I played two solos over it and said, ‘You guys pick the one you want.’ It was 20 minutes out of my day. I did it for free and later everybody was telling me, you could have got a royalty point out of that record. But it didn’t matter because Quincy wrote me a letter thanking me, and he signed it ‘The Asshole’. I framed it. Classic.’

“Beat It” hit the charts on 3/12/83, lasting 15 weeks and reaching #1 in the U.S. and #3 in the U.K.

“Beat It” Guitar Solo (only):

“Beat It” Guitar Track: Solo (only) played by Eddie Van Halen, the rest by Steve Lukather

“Beat It” in concert, with special guest Eddie Van Halen:

For the “Beat It” video on youtube, click here.