The Tapes Archives channel has unearthed another hidden gem - an exclusive audio interview with Alex Van Halen from 1995. The interview (above) was conducted by Canadian music journalist and author Steve Newton as Van Halen was preparing to perform in British Columbia, Canada. Alex talks about growing up and playing with his brother Eddie, the drummers he was a fan of early … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2023
Dave Grohl, Gregg Bissonette & Chevy Metal Pay Homage with Electric Cover of Van Halen’s ‘Jamie’s Cryin’ [VIDEO]
Dave Grohl and David Lee Roth drummer Gregg Bissonette paid tribute to Van Halen at Rock & Roll Pizza in Simi Valley, California recently. Check out the video above featuring Grohl, and Bisonnette joining the band Chevy Metal performing "Jamie's Cryin'". Chevy Metal was formed by Grohl's long-time Foo Fighters bandmate Taylor Hawkins in 2013. Hawkins would routinely gig … [Read more...]
Andy Summers On Eddie Van Halen’s Unmatched Genius: ‘Nobody Did It Better Than Him’
Police guitarist Andy Summers says Eddie Van Halen was heavily copied but never duplicated. "I do think Eddie Van Halen was a great player. Wonderful. So musical. An absolutely one-off," Summers said during a recent appearance on Johnny Beane TV. "I never saw [Van Halen perform] but, of course, I was aware of [Eddie's] playing as they surfaced early on. Summers … [Read more...]
Unearthed Footage: Van Halen Castle Donington 1984! (UPDATED 2X)
Updated Aug 22nd: The original video has been pulled from YouTube. A new one popped up, embedded above. This is the most significant and important newly-unearthed Van Halen footage in many years. PURE GOLD. A truly Holy Grail gem. Watch a nearly-complete PRO SHOT concert from 1984, embedded above. Enjoy!! About this footage: This single-camera, … [Read more...]
Flashback To 1989: Eddie Van Halen & Michael Anthony ‘OU812’ Interview [AUDIO]
The Tapes Archive YouTube Channel is taking us back to 1989 for an Eddie Van Halen and Michael Anthony interview. That's followed by a special surprise - A 1985 interview with Eddie. From The Tapes Archive: In this episode, we have Eddie Van Halen and Michael Anthony. At the time of this interview in 1989, Van Halen was in Japan promoting their OU812 tour and record.. In … [Read more...]
Diamond Dave Shines Bright: David Lee Roth Makes Billboard’s List Of 50 Greatest Rock Lead Singers
Credit: Neil Zlozower David Lee Roth soared his way to number 20 on Billboard's recent rankings of the 50 greatest rock lead singers of all time. Here's what Billboard's Thom Duffy had to say about Diamond Dave: Before he launched his solo career as a clown prince of rock in 1985 with his campy cover of "California Girls," Roth wailed above the power chords of … [Read more...]
Mammoth WVH Strikes Twice: ‘Mammoth II’ Beats Debut Album’s First-Week Sales
So much for the sophomore slump. Wolfgang Van Halen's second Mammoth WVH album has surpassed the success of the debut. According to a post by Wolfgang on social media, Mammoth II is No. 1 as of this week on Billboard's Independent Current Albums, Rock Albums, Hard Rock Albums and Digital Albums charts. It also placed number four on the Album Sales, Vinyl Albums and Current … [Read more...]
Engineer Mark Linett Recalls David Lee Roth ‘California Girls’ Recording Sessions
Producer/engineer Mark Linett is best known for his remixing and remastering of the Beach Boys' catalog. It wouldn't be his first Beach Boys recording experience, however. That came when he worked on David Lee Roth's cover of "California Girls". During a recent interview with journalist Darren Paltrowitz, Linett (The Beach Boys, David Lee Roth, Randy Newman, Frank Zappa, … [Read more...]
Michael Anthony Reveals First-Hand Account Of The Effects Of Maui Wildfires: ‘So Sad, And In Disbelief’
Michael Anthony says he was witness to the effects of the Maui wildfires. Anthony, who was vacationing with his wife in Kaanapali at the time of the fires, shared a video on Instagram Thursday (August 10). "So sad, and in disbelief about what is happening on Maui right now, especially in old town Lahaina! My wife Sue and I have been in Kaanapali the last 10 days, and we … [Read more...]
Van Halen Celebrates Sammy Hagar Era With Remastered Box Set! [Updated]
Boxed Set Introduces Four Newly Remastered VH Studio Albums With Sammy Hagar, Plus Rarities Recorded Between 1989 And 2004 5-LP And 5-CD Versions Arriving On October 6 PRE-ORDER NOW direct from VanHalenStore.com Los Angeles - Van Halen will release a new boxed set this fall spotlighting the band’s second incarnation, with singer Sammy Hagar, guitarist Eddie Van … [Read more...]
Watch ‘The Van Halen 1984 Documentary’ Episode 4: The 1984 Tour!
The long-awaited fourth episode of 'The Van Halen Fan-Made 1984 Documentary' has arrived! It's the latest episode released by The Tapes Archive via YouTube. Watch and discuss in the comments below! The 1984 Van Halen tour marked the peak of their mainstream success, with the original lineup inching closer to their downfall. Despite grossing millions in ticket sales, the … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen Names His Favorite Eddie Van Halen Guitar Solo
Wolfgang Van Halen has a personal favorite Eddie Van Halen guitar solo and it's one you probably wouldn't have predicted. During a recent appearance on Talk Is Jericho with Chris Jericho, Wolfgang was given the difficult task of having to choose the best of all solos his dad recorded. “I like all of it, so take this with a grain of salt,” he said. “A solo I think is … [Read more...]