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You are here: Home / 1955-73 (Childhood) / LISTEN: ‘Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story’ Author Paul Brannigan Exclusive Interview

LISTEN: ‘Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story’ Author Paul Brannigan Exclusive Interview

by Eric Senich — updated February 28, 2022 Leave a Comment

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The VHND‘s Eric Senich talked with author Paul Brannigan to talk about his book Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story!

Here’s a rundown of the topics covered in the interview:

  • Eddie’s guitar and recorder always by his side
  • The influence parents Jan and Eugenia had on Eddie
  • Forget the Fab Four, Eddie’s fire was lit by The Dave Clark Five!
  • Eric Clapton was the Cream of the crop
  • Why seeing Led Zeppelin at the LA Forum is a notable moment in Van Halen history
  • How David Lee Roth went from competing with Eddie to teaming up with Eddie
  • The real reason why Gene Simmons couldn’t get Van Halen signed to Casablanca label according to Paul Stanley
  • The origins of Eddie’s finger tapping technique
  • Van Halen’s rise to prominence during the David Lee Roth years
  • What actually happened when someone forgot to remove the brown M&Ms from the backstage dressing room?
  • David Lee ain’t talkin’ ’bout Eddie & Valerie being in love
  • Eddie becomes creatively “unchained” with the creation of 5150 studios
  • What really led to the breakup of the original Van Halen lineup?
  • Should the band have changed their name to Van Hagar?
  • Who was responsible for the end of the Sammy era of Van Halen?
  • How did the critical and commercial disappointment of the Van Halen III album with Gary Cherone affect Eddie?
  • Eddie makes his comeback while David Lee comes back to the band
  • Eddie’s renewed love of music and life thanks to Wolfgang
  • Alex’s poignant words

The interview was in conjunction with Eric’s podcast Booked On Rock with Eric Senich, which is devoted to books on rock music and the authors who’ve written them. Listen to the entire interview below:

Listen to “Episode 51 | Paul Brannigan [“Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story”]” on Spreaker.

Get your copy of Paul Brannigan’s book “Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story” at the Van Halen Store NOW!

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