Wolfgang Van Halen said he was hurt by the underwhelming tribute to his father Eddie last night at the Grammy Awards and hopes for change regarding the legacy of not just his father but for rock music. Eddie was included in Sunday night's "In Memoriam" segment at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, where The Recording Academy paid tribute to musicians who died in … [Read more...]
Archives for 2021
Van Halen’s Hidden Gem ‘Crossing Over’ Released 26 Years Ago Today
Ask the average fan to describe Van Halen's music and they'd probably think of good times, backyard parties, reaching for the skies and achieving dreams. But there is, as die-hard VH fans know, a darker side to the band, one that can deliver every bit as much power and emotion as their most uplifting tunes. A prime example is the song released 26 years ago today - "Crossing … [Read more...]
Great White Guitarist Recalls Van Halen’s Backyard Concert Days
Great White guitarist Mark Kendall shared his memories of Van Halen's pre-fame days during a recent interview with Alabama Life & Culture. Kendall, who grew up in Huntington Beach, California, was an aspiring guitarist in his teens when he first saw Van Halen perform. "I was just kind of a beginner on guitar, starting to learn my way around the neck or whatever," said … [Read more...]
Michael Anthony Had Plans To Perform With David Lee Roth In Vegas
Michael Anthony said he almost performed with David Lee Roth during his 2020 Las Vegas residency. Anthony was a recent guest on The Jeremy White Podcast and was asked about a possible future Anthony-Roth on stage reunion. "When [Dave] did his residence stuff in Las Vegas out here - of course it turned out where I couldn't do it anyway, I think Sammy [Hagar], we had … [Read more...]
Steel Panther Releases Tribute To Van Halen [Video]
Steel Panther have released a pair of covers from Van Halen's classic second album. The band's renditions of "Beautiful Girls" and "D.O.A." - originally from 1979's 'Van Halen II' - were filmed and recorded virtually from the band members' individual homes. “When we were playing weekly shows on the Sunset Strip, Van Halen music was essential to our setlists to keep the … [Read more...]
Never Before Published Sammy Hagar Interview From 1991
The Tapes Archive podcast is taking Van Halen fans back to the summer of 1991 when the band was on top of the world. Above is a never before published interview with Sammy Hagar which took place just prior to Van Halen's concert at Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana on August 24th, 1991. Marc Allan of the Indianapolis Star conducted the interview over the … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen Shares ‘Amazing’ Acoustic Rendition Of ‘Distance’ By Twelve Foot Ninja Guitarist Rohan
Wolfgang Van Halen shared an acoustic version of his Mammoth WVH hit single "Distance" performed by guitarist Rohan of the Australian band Twelve Foot Ninja. Wolfgang posted Rohan's performance to Twitter along with the comment: "The phenomenally talented Rohan of Twelve Foot Ninja with an amazing acoustic rendition of 'Distance!' The phenomenally talented Rohan of … [Read more...]
‘Fair Warning’ Among Top 10 Iconic Heavy Albums Released In 1981
Van Halen's 'Fair Warning' is among the ten most iconic heavy albums released in 1981, according to Ultimate Guitar. Ultimate Guitar's The Phoenician wrote, "All in all, 1981 seemed relatively tame at the time, but in reality, some of the albums released that year would go on to define the main players of the following decade and establish a couple of very exciting metal … [Read more...]
Listen: Arena’s Synthwave Cover Of ‘Dreams’
The alt/pop/synthwave artist Arena has released a cover of Van Halen's "Dreams" featuring Justin "JD" deBlieck of Ice Nine Kills on guitars. The song, now available digitally, also features a soundbite from Sammy Hagar, who recently gave the song his stamp of approval. Here's what Joey Arena and Justin "JD" deBlieck had to say about covering "Dreams" (from … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen On Making Mammoth WVH Album: ‘I Figured Out Who I Was As My Own Artist’
Wolfgang Van Halen said the process of making the debut Mammoth WVH album was also a journey of self-discovery. "This music is me,” he told Hollywood Life. “I figured out who I was as my own artist through this whole process. I like to joke with my friends and everyone that I never went to college, but this was basically my own little college for me, was making this album … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Forever! New Items Now Available
In honor of the incredible legacy of Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen Store is unleashing five new apparel items today. Three new “FOREVER” items consists of a new tee, long sleeve, and hoodie. Forever Tee & Forever Long Sleeve Forever Hoodie Eddie Vintage Tee Eddie Vintage Concert Jersey The new “Vintage Eddie” design is offered on a mineral … [Read more...]
Toto’s Steve Lukather On How He Ended Up Singing Backing Vocals On ‘Top Of The World’
Toto's Steve Lukather said he contributed backing vocals to Van Halen's 1991 song "Top Of The World" simply because he happened to be hanging out at 5150 Studios. "I was on the 'F.U.C.K.' record [on 'Top of the World']," Lukather told Ultimate Guitar. "I was just hanging around. I'd go pick up my kids when they were in school still. I'd pick them up from school and just … [Read more...]