What if the most iconic photos of Eddie Van Halen were nearly lost forever?
Gibson TV has shared the video below, along with the following introduction:
In this episode of Through The Lens, legendary rock photographer Neil Zlozower – known for his raw, high-voltage portraits of rock royalty – shares the unbelievable story of the long-lost photos from Van Halen’s explosive early days.
Watch as Neil recalls the first time he saw Edward Van Halen perform live – an experience so electrifying it left him stunned. “No one played like that,” he says. “He was unique. He created his own style.” From that moment on, Zlozower was hooked – and what followed were some of the most iconic sessions of Van Halen’s early career.
He takes us through the last shows of their 1978 tour, from San Diego Sports Arena to Long Beach Arena, and a legendary Oakland Day on the Green performance in front of 50,000 people, capturing the band at full throttle. Neil’s images – ”sardine-packed” crowds, David Lee Roth mid-flight, Eddie grinning on his knees, Alex towering behind the drums – are pure adrenaline and an incredible snapshot of a band at the height of its fame.
Van Halen: A Visual History, 1978-1984 [Hardcover Coffee Table Book at Van Halen Store]
But what makes this episode truly special is the story of the “lost” Ed photos – a series from the Van Halen II sessions at Sunset Sound. For decades, Neil believed Warner Bros. had the film. It wasn’t until a friend spotted them in an auction that Neil discovered over 50 unseen shots of Eddie were being sold off by their former manager. Photos Neil hadn’t laid eyes on in over 40 years.
He recovered them – and in doing so, brought back a treasure trove of Van Halen history which included shots of Ed’s bomb-shaped gear case, barefoot Dave in a white Capezio with a bandaged foot, and candid images that show just how wild and intimate those sessions were.
Neil also shares memories of Eddie’s shyness, his ever-present guitar, and how effortless and inimitable his playing was, alongside reflections on the rumored rivalry with Randy Rhoads, and how both guitar legends respected their own space.
Through the Lens is a Gibson TV Original Series that explores the untold stories behind some of music’s most legendary images, told by the photographers who captured them.
Watch the full episode below:
Celebrate the year of Van Halen’s explosive debut album and first world tour! It was a time to celebrate their worldwide success and the hint of even bigger triumphs to come!
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