Here's some classic Van Halen humor that's well worth revisiting. Back in 2006, the cult comedy web series Yacht Rock turned its attention to Van Halen with Episode #9, "Runnin' with the Devil" — offering a completely fictional (and hilarious) account of how the young band convinced producer Ted Templeman to produce their debut album. For those unfamiliar with Yacht Rock, … [Read more...]
40 Years Ago Today: My First Van Halen Concert
Forty years ago today, on August 12, 1986, longtime Van Halen fan and drummer Kurt Ekstrom attended his first Van Halen concert — a night he still remembers vividly four decades later. Kurt has written numerous articles for Not So Modern Drummer and has appeared on the Drum History Podcast to discuss Alex Van Halen's drums and gear. With the 40th anniversary of that first … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Added to Alex Van Halen’s TEDxFargo Appearance This Thursday
UPDATE from Robert Vargas: The complete video will be posted on YouTube/TedxFargo platforms in a few weeks for the public to view. Three icons. One stage. One conversation you won't want to miss. David Lee Roth has been added to this Thursday's TEDxFargo event, where he'll join Alex Van Halen and artist Robert Vargas on stage. The event has been on fans' radar since … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Has A Message For David Lee Roth After Tour Date Cancellations [Updated Twice]
UPDATE AGAIN: Only ONE David Lee Roth has not been cancelled. That is August 7th at STURGIS. Original article: David Lee Roth's remaining summer tour dates have been canceled, with the exception of one scheduled appearance in Sturgis, South Dakota. Sammy Hagar has reached out with a message for his fellow former Van Halen frontman. News of the cancellations … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth on Eat ‘Em and Smile, the Van Halen Split, and the New Van Halen with Sammy Hagar (1986 Interview)
Forty years ago, just weeks after the release of Eat 'Em and Smile, David Lee Roth sat down with CREEM magazine for one of the most revealing interviews of his early solo career. With the Van Halen split still fresh, Roth had just assembled his powerhouse new band featuring Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, and Gregg Bissonette, while Van Halen was riding high with Sammy Hagar and … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth’s ‘Eat ‘Em and Smile’ Turns 40
And so the adventure continues...! Forty years ago today, David Lee Roth released his debut full-length studio album Eat ‘Em and Smile. Released on July 7th, 1986, the album peaked at #4 on the US Billboard 200 while eventually achieving platinum status for a million sales. For his first full-length release, Roth worked with long-time Van Halen producer Ted Templeman … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Brings the Best of All Worlds to MGM National Harbor
By Tom Prather I started my career photographing Van Halen back in '95. It was a dream come true then, and I never could have guessed I'd still be in the photo pit chasing those same songs three decades later. So when I walked into The Theater at MGM National Harbor on June 26 to shoot Sammy Hagar on The Best of All Worlds Tour, it felt like the whole thing had come full … [Read more...]
The Mystery Behind Alex Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher” Drum Intro
For 42 years, drummers have debated one of rock's greatest mysteries: What exactly is happening during the opening moments of Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher"? Was it a Lamborghini engine? A hot rod? Electronic drums? Four bass drums? Layered parts? Or was it simply Alex being Alex? In a new Drumeo video titled "Alex Van Halen Fooled Everyone With This Drum Intro," drummer … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth’s Summer Tour Is Bringing the Party Back
David Lee Roth is alive, well, and running with the devil on his 2026 'Don't Love Me, Rent Me' Worldwide Tour, a 27-date run that kicked off April 16th in Airway Heights, WA, and will finish up on August 6th in Sturgis, SD. No opening band, just Diamond Dave, one of rock's most iconic frontmen. "Forget everything you've heard about David Lee Roth lately. "Forget the … [Read more...]
Watch Sammy Hagar’s Full Noblesville Show From The Best Of All Worlds Tour
Sammy Hagar brought The Best Of All Worlds Tour to Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana, last night, and fan-shot video of the full show is now available to watch. Hagar's current band features longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani, powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, and new keyboardist Nathan Mercado. Together, they delivered a set … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Opens 2026 Tour with a Celebration of Van Halen
Sammy Hagar launched his 2026 "Best of All Worlds" summer tour Saturday night at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis, Missouri. Joined by Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, Kenny Aronoff, and new keyboardist Nathan Mercado, Hagar delivered a set dominated by Van Halen material, reminding fans that the music of the Van Hagar era remains the centerpiece of this ongoing … [Read more...]
Steve Lukather Clarifies Alex Van Halen’s Upcoming Project: “These Are Finished Tracks With Ed And Al”
For months, fans have been speculating about the mysterious project that Alex Van Halen has been developing with longtime friend Steve Lukather. Now, Lukather has offered his clearest explanation yet of what the project actually is — and what it isn't. Speaking with Guitar Player, the Toto guitarist emphasized that the music is not a collection of unfinished scraps pieced … [Read more...]