Kevin Dodds, author of Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography, has written this special Edward Van Halen tribute article exclusively for the Van Halen News Desk: Edward Van Halen: My Hero This is hard. Edward Van Halen’s passing was a body blow with full impact for me personally and for so many other fans of all ages for whom Eddie was in fact their hero. I chose my … [Read more...]
Smithsonian Event a Major Milestone for Eddie Van Halen
By VHND contributing writer Kevin Dodds, author of Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography Photos by National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution On a bitter cold night in Washington D.C. on February 12, 2015, the atmosphere inside the Smithsonian Museum of American History was plenty warm. Fortunate enough to attend with a fellow superfan—my 12-year-old … [Read more...]
Jan Van Halen’s Story
By VHND contributing writer Kevin Dodds, author of Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography Jan Van Halen—the patriarch of the entire, extended Van Halen family—was a perpetually working-class musician until the release of Diver Down in 1982. He was over sixty years old when he finally landed his biggest gig: tracking a song in a recording studio with his two sons for a band … [Read more...]
Dave Davies on the Link Between The Kinks and Van Halen
The Van Halen News Desk recently spoke to The Kink's Dave Davies, who shared with us what he thinks of Van Halen's cover versions of two of their original songs. Those of course are “Where Have All the Good Times Gone?” and the classic “You Really Got Me," which features one of the definitive riffs in all of rock and roll. By VHND contributing writer, Kevin Dodds, author … [Read more...]
Remembering Dick Dale: Without Surf Music, Would There Be a Van Halen?
Dick Dale, the "King of the Surf Guitar," died Saturday at age 81. RIP, maestro. As we honor his legacy, we ask ourselves this: Would Van Halen exist as we know it - or even exist at all - without young Eddie and Alex first being influenced by Southern California surf rock? Two Van Halen authors share their thoughts on the subject... Dick Dale is best known for … [Read more...]
The Summer of Van Halen
By Kevin Dodds, author of Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography Chances are you heard someone say it during the past few months: “It’s the Summer of Van Halen again!” The summer of 2012 was one of only a few true 'Summers of Van Halen' in the band’s history. I’ll explain that statement...but first, let’s take a look back at the band’s history. The summer of 1982 was … [Read more...]
Van Halen Houston Concert Review
By Kevin Dodds Sunday night was my third Van Halen concert in five days. There is no point in writing from any other perspective than that – I cannot pretend I didn’t see the Dallas and San Antonio shows and review the Houston show in a bubble. I say that with one big “however,” though… On Sunday night in Houston, my family – the Dodds family – represented with three … [Read more...]
Van Halen San Antonio Concert Review
By Kevin Dodds First off, two things. Number one, this was my second of three VH shows in a row and my second in a 3-day span. So, I had a solid barometer with which to measure the San Antonio show -- the ass-kicking Dallas show on 6/20. Number two, this was the first time I took my own son to see Van Halen. He's almost 10 and plays guitar already and can play quite a bit of … [Read more...]
Van Halen Dallas June 20, 2012 Review
This review is from Van Halen author/fan, Kevin Dodds. The four guys that took the stage in Dallas last night were the supreme machine. My expectations were greatly exceeded. This being the first of three shows I am going to see in a five-day period, I watched this show mostly in awe. I didn’t really sing along or yell – sometimes I didn’t even clap after songs – I was … [Read more...]
“Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography” Now In Stock & Shipping
A new, incredible Van Halen book has just been released and is now in stock & shipping at VanHalenStore.com - Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography. This is it! The definitive and very detailed biography of the most famous and influential living guitarist. VanHalenStore.com proclaims this book to be one of the few MUST-HAVE books on Van Halen! In July of 1984, … [Read more...]