Below are 3 videos of Billy Idol (with guitarist Steve Stevens) covering Van Halen. Two performances of “Jump,” and one of “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love.” How do you think he did? “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” performed by Billy Idol with ‘THE BIG BALL STARS’ @ Club Vodka, Hollywood, Ca 3/29/2009. The photo below is from when Eddie and Billy performed together at NAMM in 1987. … [Read more...]
This ‘Panama’/’Beat it’ Mashup is a Real Thriller! (Video)
Okay, so we all know that whilst producing Michael Jackson’s Thriller album in 1983, Michael's producer, Quincy Jones called up the hottest guitarist on the planet—Eddie Van Halen—and had a conversation that led to Eddie playing the immortal guitar solo on "Beat It." But what if it was the other way round? Imagine if—while David Lee Roth was AWOL in the Amazon—Eddie called … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Eddie Skiing
VHND reader Shawn Wiles ran into Eddie Van Halen skiing at the Kirkwood Mountain Resort years ago. It sure would have been awesome seeing Eddie doing all those iconic scissor-kick jumps off every mogul! “All Access” Photos is a weekly feature at VHND.com. Every weekend we feature a photo from a roadie, friend, or band insider. Many are never-seen-before exclusives. Tune in … [Read more...]
EVH iPhone 6 & 6 Plus Cases now available
"I like the way the STRIPES run up the back of your iPhone!" Van Halen iPhone 6 & 6 Plus cases have just arrived and make perfect Christmas gifts! (Also available for 4S, 5/5S & Galaxy S4). View all EVH Phone Cases HERE. iPad cases are also available: … [Read more...]
Exclusive: David Lee Roth Throws Us a Bone
Fans have been looking for clues about Van Halen's future that might be hidden inside David Lee Roth's zany new holiday video. Could there really be hidden clues? We asked Diamond Dave… and he answered! He sent the Van Halen News Desk the following message… “Yes, there are hidden messages in the video. The Kon-Tiki is the epitome of adventure. The VH flag and the Kon-Tiki are … [Read more...]
Rick Nielsen on Van Halen: ‘Everybody Loves Eddie’
Pictured here are Eddie Van Halen with Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen backstage at the CaliFFornia World Music Festival, held April 7th and 8th, 1979. Rick Nielsen gave two great quotes about Van Halen: “Van Halen is the musical equivalent of the yearly Harley festival in Sturgis. Loud, proud, and always a crowd." "Eddie’s creativity, his playing, and guitar technique have … [Read more...]
New DLR Song/Video: ‘Talkin’ Christmas Blues!’
Happy Holidays from Diamond Dave's Tiki Bunker! Straight from Diamond Dave's Tiki Bunker! Van Halen’s frontman delivers up some festive cheer in a new song titled "Talkin' Christmas Blues" — just in time for the Holidays! The Great Rothzonian posted a new video to ‘The Roth Show’s’ YouTube Channel today. The two minute-song features acoustic guitar and harmonica, and Dave … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday, Neil Zlozower! Watch Zloz Show Off His Van Halen Books (Video)
Happy Birthday to our favorite Van Halen photographer, Neil Zlozower! Watch the author of our two favorite Van Halen books give you a virtual book tour! Legendary rock photographer Neil Zlozower has published two hardcover coffee table photo books on Van Halen (Van Halen: A Visual History, 1978-1984 & Eddie Van Halen) both of which are absolute must-have items for … [Read more...]
“Dime was an original, he deserves the original” —Eddie Van Halen on Dimebag Darrell
The great “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was tragically shot dead onstage while performing on Dec. 8th, 2004 with Damageplan at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio. This is the story of why Dimebag's last words were "Van Halen!", and how he was buried with the guitar that inspired him most — Eddie Van Halen’s yellow and black striped Charvel hybrid guitar featured on the back cover … [Read more...]
Van Halen “Running With The Devil” (Smooth Jazz Version)
We here at the VHND simply cannot imagine a world without Van Halen, but entering the realm of fantasy for a moment, perhaps we could briefly entertain the notion of a Bizarro World version of the band – you know, one where instead of unleashing unparalleled blistering rock on an unsuspecting public, the alternate universe Van Halen dazzled the masses with … gulp … smooth … [Read more...]
A Story About the Rare Genius of Eddie Van Halen
Here's a truly interesting tale about Eddie Van Halen that some folks were discussing on Reddit.com: Here's a story about the rare genius of Eddie Van Halen, as told by Hartley Peavey to a longtime Peavey dealer I worked for. They had been doing some manufacturer's clinics with Eddie, and Hartley shared this nugget with him. I thought of this story today and decided to … [Read more...]
Sexy Video for Van Halen’s “Beautiful Girls” (Fan-Made)
"On this day (September 15th) in 1979, "Beautiful Girls” was released as the second single from the Van Halen II album. Originally titled, "Bring on the Girls,” the lyrics and title were later changed accordingly." That's what Eddie posted on Facebook today. Cool to see Ed celebrate the anniversary of a classic song! Watch this fan-made video for “Beautiful Girls,” one of … [Read more...]