On this week in 1996, Van Halen released Best Of - Volume 1. Sure, the album promised to please the casual fans with the familiar hits from the Dave and Sammy eras but what would be a reason for the Van Halen die-hards to spend their hard-earned cash on an album with songs they already owned? The band answered that question with not just one but two reasons - "Me Wise Magic" … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Continues Work On Next Mammoth WVH Album, Eddie’s ‘Fair Warning’ Guitar To Make Appearance
Wolfgang Van Halen has been working hard on the sophomore Mammoth WVH album and is keeping fans in the know along the way. Most recently, he revealed the news that his father's Gibson SG will be making its appearance on the album. In his most recent posting to social media, Wolfgang shared the photo above of Eddie's SG along with the news: "Pop played this SG on the … [Read more...]
Michael Anthony On His ‘Angelic’ Vocals To ‘Father Time’ [VIDEO]
Michael Anthony says he's done something on the latest Sammy Hagar & The Circle track "Father Time" that he's never done before, and the results are heavenly. "That could be my favorite song on the [Crazy Times] album even though it is a mellower song," Anthony said in a recent video posted to Sammy's YouTube channel, which tells the story behind the track. "This is one … [Read more...]
Dave & Eddie Under The McDonald’s Arch Photo Returns To Original Location
Photo Credit: (c) Richard Upper/rockandrollgallery.com The classic black and white photo of David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen under the McDonald's arch has returned to its original location close to 45 years after it was originally taken. The photo was taken at the McDonald's in Crestwood, Missouri by Richer Upper in the winter of 1978. Soon after it was taken, however, … [Read more...]
Talkin’ ‘Bout Dave & Sammy Then, ‘Right Now’ & In The Future With Author Greg Renoff
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...]