While fans know most rock groups tour extensively once signed to a record deal, and bands that get as big as Van Halen tour the globe (and have been pretty much everywhere there is to be), recently a story broke as far North as the boys have ever been. That includes places like Helsinki, Finland (where they played in May, 1998) and earlier appearances in countries like Norway … [Read more...]
Product Review: The Next Best Thing to Having Eddie with You
In the Personal Dilemmas section today: guitar woes. Recently got a new 6 string. Great looking guitar, to be sure, but I already had a red semi-hollow body from the same company, and wanted something different. So, bring it to a guy in town known for slinging acrylic and enamel. Fast forward a month. Things, y'know, like real life, keep getting in the way of me getting her … [Read more...]
‘Panama’ Blaring in New ‘Lost In Space’ Netflix Series
We know how big a part of the past 40+ years Van Halen has been, but if the creative teams behind current hit films and TV shows are any indication, the future'll be jam packed with plenty of hard rock from Eddie & crew as well. Recently, we pointed out how Stephen Spielberg set the tone for his latest blockbuster, Ready Player One, by featuring "Jump" under the opening … [Read more...]
Jump-starting Ready Player One
For my money, when I think about film directors who could put together killer soundtracks, there's John Hughes, and then everybody else. Yeah, Quentin Tarantino is up there, that man has an ear for music that fits his films like Frankenstein fits Eddie on stage, but still, it's a close second at best. However, since John Hughes is no longer with us, that leaves quite the … [Read more...]
Van Halen Makes History: ‘78 Tour Tidbits…& Other Big U.S. News
Happy Birthday! David Lee Roth, lead singer of Van Halen, expresses delight at a surprise birthday party given him after the group's European opening concert in Hamburg. Stefan Michel, left, product manager U.S. repertoire for WEA musik, and Michael Anthony, the group's bass player, share the fun. Just how big was Van Halen's first album? Warner Bros. had the band booked to … [Read more...]
Remember Your First Time?
Good or bad, there's always something memorable about your first time, isn't there? Whether or not there were other people around. Maybe what you were doing. Whether it was in your bedroom or the back seat of a car. If you were in a car, did you just jam it in, or did you take your time, unwrapping it slow? We're talking about your Vhginity, of course. LP or cassette? Or, … [Read more...]
40 Years Ago: Van Halen Erupts Onto the Scene With Thunderous Debut Album
It's 1978. Jimmy Carter is president, Leonid Brezhnev is the Russian premier and the Cold War is still raging. Disco is dominant, Saturday Night Fever is still raking in millions at the box office as Christmas fades, and the radio industry has a hard-on for Stevie Nicks bordering on priapism as Rumours continues to top the charts. In late January, though, things begin … [Read more...]