Trevor Rabin says he could have produced a Van Halen album in the 80s but declined the offer due to commitments with his band Yes. In a recent episode of the Paltrocast, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was asked by host Darren Paltrowitz if he has ever worked with a member of Van Halen. "They asked me to produce them years ago when Sammy [Hagar] was in the band," … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Almost Teamed Up With Ronnie James Dio On Animated Musical Project
Credit: Neil Zlozower Wendy Dio, the widow and longtime manager of rock legend Ronnie James Dio, recently said her late husband had considered creating an animated movie in the 80s, using the voice of David Lee Roth for the main character. The main character was a demonic beast named Murray. Here's the excerpt from Wendy's recent appearance on The Metal … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony On The “Deepest” Van Halen Deep Track: ‘Crossing Over’ [VIDEO]
Among the rarities included on the upcoming box set covering the Sammy Hagar era of Van Halen is an emotionally powerful song Hagar calls a "deep track on every level" - "Crossing Over". In the video above, Michael Anthony and Hagar talk about the song, initially written and demoed by Eddie Van Halen in 1983 under the title "David's Tune". He was honoring a friend who had … [Read more...]
‘Unchained’ Fan-Made Video Remix Re-Ignites The Fire Of Van Halen Classic
Just in case rock fans need a reminder that Van Halen's "Unchained" is among rock's red-hot classics, this video should light a fire under their collective asses. The folks at The Tapes Archive put together the video above by sourcing four separate videos of Van Halen performing "Unchained". Below is what they posted along with the remix video: This Van Halen fan-made … [Read more...]
Van Halen Dominates Charts In Five U.S. States, Claims Top Spot As Most Popular Band
Credit: Neil Zlozower Have you Googled Van Halen lately? You're not alone. Van Halen is the most searched-for classic rock band in five U.S. states, according to recent data study. The life insurance company Sell Easy analyzed Google Trends search data of 70 iconic rock bands at their peak pre-1990 to determine the most popular classic rock band in every … [Read more...]
What If Van Halen Didn’t Implode At The ’96 VMAs?
In late February of 1996, the original four members of KISS officially reunited at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. It was to be the biggest story in music that year. But there could have been one just as big. Maybe bigger: The reunion of Van Halen's original four. As Van Halen fans know, the reunion of David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Wolfgang Van Halen’s Metallica Moment: ‘We Were All Just Kinda Shocked’ [VIDEO]
Wolfgang Van Halen still can't believe his band Mammoth WVH are touring with Metallica. Maybe even harder to believe - the enormity of Metallica's stage setup. "Yeah, they have a really crazy stage so, it's definitely a first," Wolfgang said during his recent appearance on KLOS FM's New & Approved show with Matt Pinfield. "I'm very excited and honored to be a part of … [Read more...]
Jason Becker Selling Guitar Given To Him By Eddie Van Halen To Raise Money For ALS Care
Credit: Benny Goodman Jason Becker is selling the guitar gifted to him by Eddie Van Halen in 1996 to pay for his ongoing care for ALS. Eddie gave the #69 Peavey EVH EVH Wolfgang guitar to Becker, diagnosed with ALS in 1989, during his emotional visit to Becker's home on August 31st, 1996. He signed it, with the inscription : "Jason. We will play guitar together in the … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Says Van Halen-Heavy Setlists To Get Even Heavier (VIDEO)
Sammy Hagar says fans can expect more touring in his future, and the Van Halen-heavy setlists will get even heavier. During an appearance on the YouTube show That Rocks! yesterday (7/12/23), Hagar said he plans on going out on tour next year and continue to pack his setlist with Van Halen songs. "I do plan on going out and touring...I plan on doing even more … [Read more...]