One of the biggest misconceptions some people have about Van Halen's early history is that they believe the band's original producer, Ted Templeman, wanted to replace singer David Lee Roth with Sammy Hagar before recording their first album. This isn't true. Or, at least, it wasn't true for more than a moment of time. To set the record straight, here's a short excerpt … [Read more...]
Archives for 2020
Van Halen Plays Amsterdam As Hometown Heroes, 1978 (Photos & Audio)
On this day in 1978, Van Halen played the Amsterdam Paradiso, their third European show of their first world tour, after playing Poperinge (Belgium) and Delft (Holland). At this show a lot of the brothers' Dutch family were present. It was the first and only time their parents returned to Holland after their emigration in 1962. Below, enjoy photos and an audio recording … [Read more...]
Van Halen Drunken Summit: Carrie Stevens, Steve Brown, Philip Shouse, Greg Renoff
Playmate Carrie Stevens, Steve Brown of Trixer/Tokyo Motorfist, Philip Shouse (Accept/Ace Frehley/Gene Simmons) and author Greg Renoff (Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producers Life In Music & Van Halen Rising) get together, have a few drinks, and talk the Mighty Van Halen! The host of this little virtual get together is Izzy Presley, who runs, Another FN Podcast. "Another FN … [Read more...]
Watch Family Guy’s Van Halen Episode
Seth MacFarlane's no-holds-barred animated show, Family Guy surprised us with several Van Halen references in the latest episode. The new episode, (Season 18, Episode 17) which aired April 26th, is entitled "Coma guy," but just as easily could have been called "Van Halen Guy," or "Peter Discovers Van Halen." Having never read a book, Peter Griffin decides it's time, and … [Read more...]
Important Musical Message From The Circle
Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson are at it again. This time, The Circle shares a little message while on lockdown. The Circle has been recording covers while social distancing due to the Coronavirus. They're calling the jam sessions 'The Circle Lockdown Challenge.' Watch it below. … [Read more...]
‘Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer’s Life in Music’ Released Today
Greg Renoff, the author of the acclaimed Van Halen Rising, has just released the autobiography of legendary Van Halen producer, Ted Templeman! Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer’s Life in Music contains a great deal of never-heard-before Van Halen content in this book, straight from the producer of their first six albums! Crafting smash hits with Van Halen, The Doobie … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Shares ‘Lock-Down Laffs’ in new Comic Series
During these crazy times, David Lee Roth can't tour. But if you know Dave like we do, you know that he can't sit still for long. He's been drawing up some comics and sharing them with 10,000 of his closest friends. His new hand-drawn comics are called the 'Soggy Bottom' series, and they're all-new and relevant to what's going on in the world right now. The first, … [Read more...]
Sammy & The Circle Cover “Good Enough’ & ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ While on Lockdown
Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony bust out two more rock classics with their bandmates in The Circle while on lockdown. The Circle has been recording covers while social distancing due to the Coronavirus. They're calling the jam sessions 'The Circle Lockdown Challenge.' Sammy's been announcing them on social media. For a last week's cover of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Answers The Critics Regarding Keyboards In Van Halen
Sammy Hagar has heard it many times over the years. He’s the guy who wanted more keyboards and less guitar in Van Halen. Well, the former Van Halen frontman finally set the record straight on the topic and he had a rock-solid witness to back him up – Michael Anthony. “I didn’t do any of that. That’s what Eddie did,” Hagar said during yesterday’s interview on Sirius/XM’s … [Read more...]
Never-Before-Heard Alex Van Halen Interview From 1981
“There’s a little bit of Van Halen in everybody, and we’re just there to bring it out.” Talk about the perfect t-shirt. Those words came straight from the man who has brought the undeniable Van Halen beats we’ve been rocking to for over four decades - Alex Van Halen. They’re from a 1981 interview that has never been heard before until now thanks to the podcast The Tapes … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar’s Band Records New Song While On Lockdown
Sammy Hagar's band 'Sammy and the Circle' have recorded a new song this week, separately, while social isolating due to the Coronavirus. The short song is called, "Funky Feng Shui." The called the process 'The Circle Lockdown Challenge.' Sammy said on Facebook, "Sammy Hagar and The Circle are making ample use of their quarantine time cooking up some jams! Check it out! A … [Read more...]
Deraps Channels Van Halen with ‘Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll’ Single
We have featured the young players Jacob Deraps, Josh Gallagher and William Lachance many times on the Van Halen News Desk. And now, they have formed the power trio band, ‘’Deraps.” The recording of their first album is almost complete, and the debut single and music video is out now! So ladies and gentlemen, get ready to watch the new Deraps band rip through their … [Read more...]