The Van Halen News Desk is celebrating the careers of David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar this week as both celebrate birthdays. The VHND's Eric Senich and Van Halen historian Greg Renoff got together to talk the past, present and future of both singers. Renoff - author of "Van Halen Rising: How A Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal" and "Ted Templeman: A … [Read more...]
Wolfgang On Performing Van Halen Songs At Wembley: ‘If There Was Ever A Time, This Is It’ [VIDEO]
Guitar World's Chris Gill has shared video of his exclusive interview with Wolfgang Van Halen! In the 4 1/2 minute video above, Wolfgang talks about his performance at London's Wembley Stadium for the Taylor Hawkins tribute, how it all came together and the process he went through to prepare. The segment is part of a much longer interview that will appear in print in the … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Says A Sammy-Era/Dave-Era Eddie Van Halen Tribute Would Make Rock History
Sammy Hagar says he's willing to meet David Lee Roth halfway for an Eddie Van Halen tribute. But would Roth be satisfied with that idea? In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Hagar said the recent Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts got him thinking about the Eddie Van Halen tribute that's been often discussed among fans and the media over the last two years but yet to … [Read more...]
All Dave All Night: Fan Brings David Lee Roth To Animated Life With YouTube Tribute Channel
Credit: Ramses Rios Twenty years ago, when Ramses Rios sat down to play the video game Grand Theft Auto, he was a fourth grader raised on classical music. Rock and Roll music wasn't even on his radar. Then he heard David Lee Roth's music for the first time. "I became a fan when I heard 'Yankee Rose' for the very first time while playing a video game in 4th grade back … [Read more...]
He Really Is THAT Good! Rick Beato Shuts Down The Wolfgang Doubters
Wolfie just can't win with some folks. Thankfully, he has Rick Beato to shut 'em down! Wolfgang's performance of "On Fire" and "Hot For Teacher" on guitar at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert in London Saturday (September 3) was so good that there are actually those who feel it was too good to be true. Beato took to YouTube to respond to the doubters. Beato is a … [Read more...]
WATCH: Van Halen Fan Performs Classical Fingerstyle Guitar Cover Of ‘Love Walks In’
Eddie Van Halen's music has touched the lives of many people in many ways, some in ways we may not have ever expected. This fan's classical fingerstyle guitar interpretation of "Love Walks In" is one that is sure to tug on the heart strings. Musician William Wilson has created the video tribute above for his oldest son Tad as he is ready to move on to adulthood. William is … [Read more...]
Dutch Abstract Art, Pasadena Hot Rods & Punk Rock Guitars: The Origins Of Eddie’s Striped ‘Frankenstrat’ Design
Credit: Bill O'Leary Eddie Van Halen's classic red, black and white striped guitar affectionally named "Frankenstrat" may be the most recognizable instrument in music history. Rock journalist and author Greg Prato has shared an article he wrote for AllMusic with the Van Halen News Desk that digs deep into the origins of the guitar design. By Greg … [Read more...]
Cinematographer Shares Behind-The-Scenes Stories Of Filming Van Halen’s Toronto ’95 Concerts
Rock 'n' roll cameraman Tony Wannamaker recently recounted his experience filming Van Halen's concerts at Toronto's Molson Ampitheatre in August of 1995. Wannamaker, who is currently working on a book titled "Confessions of a Rock 'n' Roll Cameraman", shared the story for his podcast to support the upcoming book. "We were doing a program, a series of shows called the Big … [Read more...]
Tone Chaser: One Man’s Pursuit Of The Classic Eddie Van Halen Sound
Credit: Neil Zlozower Capturing Eddie Van Halen's early-era tone is much like cracking a secret code. It's no easy task and it most definitely won't happen overnight. Take twenty-six year-old Cameron Brown for example. He's been chasing Eddie's classic "Eruption" tone since he was 11. It's only now that he feels he's ready to share it with the world. Brown is a … [Read more...]
What Are The Ten Best Van Halen Deep Cuts?
Credit: Neil Zlozower Just how deep will you go when it comes to your Van Halen fix? Of the 131 songs in Van Halen's catalogue, 56 of them were released as singles. That leaves another 75 songs that can be referred to as "album tracks" or "deep cuts". Just recently, Metal Injection's Andrew Kapper posted his own ten best Van Halen deep cut list, which included the … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar’s ‘I Never Said Goodbye’ Featuring Eddie Van Halen Turns 35 [AUDIO]
Sammy Hagar's solo album I Never Said Goodbye featuring Eddie Van Halen on bass turned 35 today. The syndicated radio show "In The Studio with Red Beard" recently re-released the album's 25th anniversary interview with Hagar. About The Never Said Goodbye Album I Never Said Goodbye, released on June 23rd, 1987 through Geffen Records, was Hagar's ninth studio album overall … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar & The Circle Kick Off Summer Tour With Van Halen Heavy Shows [VIDEO & SETLISTS]
Summer nights and the music of Van Halen...that's all we need baby. Dont'cha know it! Sammy Hagar & The Circle's "Crazy Times!" tour kicked off this past weekend with shows in Connecticut and New Jersey. Of the 16 songs played each night, eight of them were from Van Halen's catalog, and not all of them from the Sammy era. Having the chance to catch the Connecticut … [Read more...]