Here's some classic Van Halen humor that's well worth revisiting. Back in 2006, the cult comedy web series Yacht Rock turned its attention to Van Halen with Episode #9, "Runnin' with the Devil" — offering a completely fictional (and hilarious) account of how the young band convinced producer Ted Templeman to produce their debut album. For those unfamiliar with Yacht Rock, … [Read more...]
Van Halen 1978 Archive
Van Halen Runnin’ With The Devil: Rhythm Scholar Rock ‘n’ Roll Inferno Remix (12” Version)
Hear This Wild Remix Of Van Halen’s 'Runnin' With The Devil'! Van Halen fans are usually pretty protective of the band's classic recordings - especially anything from the groundbreaking 1978 debut album. But every once in a while, a remix comes along that's so creative, so over-the-top, and so unexpectedly fun that even diehard purists might crack a smile. That's exactly … [Read more...]
Going Mad in Wisconsin: Van Halen Destroys the 7th Floor of the Sheraton Inn
In 1978, Van Halen was a four-man party looking for a place to happen. For the third stop of their first world tour, the band checked into Madison, Wisconsin's Sheraton Inn. The problem was that the seventh floor didn’t survive their visit. Inside the liner notes for their second album, Van Halen II, the band thanks, among others, “The Sheraton Inn (seventh floor), Madison, … [Read more...]
Remember Your First Time?
A lot can change in 48 years. But not this album. Van Halen's debut was released on February 10th, 1978. 48 years since guitar playing was forever altered. Do you remember your first time? Where were you when you first heard “Eruption”? … [Read more...]
New Year’s Eve with Van Halen Live at Whisky A-Go-Go!
On this night in 1977, Van Halen performed at the famous Whisky A-Go-Go in Hollywood. Review photos and listen to audio from the concert below. Listen to both Van Halen sets, featuring several unreleased originals! Some quotes from people who were lucky enough to see Van Halen at the Whisky: "I was there! The midnight show! One of the single best nights of my … [Read more...]
The EVH ‘Super ’78’ Flannel by Dixxon
EVH and Dixxon Flannel Company ("Flannels That Don't Suck!") are thrilled to announce their second collaboration - the Eddie Van Halen SUPER '78 Flannel! Paying tribute to Eddie Van Halen’s first iconic version of the famous Frankenstein design, the Super '78. A black-and-white pattern inspired by a guitar and sound that redefined rock. This collab piece is custom-built … [Read more...]
Dressing Van Halen
Fleur Thiemeyer and David Lee Roth. Photo by Neil Zlozower Fashion Designer to the Stars, Fleur Thiemeyer, was recently interviewed on “Final Resonance TV” for the Van Halen Stories Podcast. In the interview, Fleur recalls being asked to work with Van Halen in 1978, just after the band released their first album. In this exclusive new interview, she uncovers her … [Read more...]
This Day in ’78: Van Halen’s Incredible Paris France Concert [Audio Recording]
On this day in 1978, Van Halen performed in Paris, France, for the first time. We have a funny story about their trip to Paris, a rare photo of the band posing by the Eiffel Tower, and an audio recording of their entire concert at the Theatre Mogador, where they perform "Voodoo Queen," (an early form of "Mean Street"), Eddie Chochran's "Summertime Blues," (also know from covers … [Read more...]
From 1984: Steve Vai’s Handwritten Transcription of Van Halen’s ‘Eruption’
Rock journalist Jas Obrecht is sharing a very cool unseen document with the world - his complete scan of Steve Vai’s original seven-page handwritten transcription of Van Halen’s "Eruption," done in 1984. From Jas Obrecht's Talking Guitar: While I was a staff editor at Guitar Player, we decided to feature Eddie Van Halen on the cover of the July 1984 issue. Since I’d … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s Debut- If It Was Recorded in 1940!
Get ready for Van Halen like we've never heard before: a 1940s jazz twist on classic VH tunes! Imagine hearing Van Halen’s debut album transported back in time and reimagined in a 1940s jazz style. Sounds wild, right? That’s exactly what the Jazzified YouTube channel has delivered—with a little help from AI. Artificial intelligence plays a key role in this creative … [Read more...]
John 5 On Van Halen’s ’78 Debut: ‘Without These Four Guys, It Wouldn’t Be The Same’
John 5 recently recalled the "shock" of hearing Van Halen's 1978 debut album for the first time. "I bought [Van Halen I] from the cover alone, because it said 'Gene Simmons', and he worked on the record," said the Mötley Crüe guitarist during a recent appearance on AXS TV's Vinyl Obsession podcast. "And I remember putting this on, and I think maybe this record was the one … [Read more...]
Van Halen Was ‘The Nirvana For The Late 70s’
Few bands in rock history could create such a seismic shift in popular music in such a short time as Van Halen. In a recent interview, musician Roger Joseph Manning Jr (Jellyfish, Beck, The Moog Cookbook, Imperial Drag) recalled the first time he heard Van Halen and compared the band's impact to Nirvana's in the early 90s. "I remember being on my school playground and … [Read more...]