Legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin has photographed Van Halen many times over the years. Here's some of his incredible shots from Van Halen's second world tour in 1979. Thanks for the fantastic shots, Ross! You can keep up with him on Ross Halfin Photography's Facebook page. … [Read more...]
Flashback: Van Halen 1979 In-Store Appearance
We're featuring our stash of never-before-published photos from Van Halen's appearance at a record store in Seattle, Washington, which took place on April 13th, 1979. The young and hungry band was quite busy at the time—within three weeks leading up to this in-store appearance, Eddie Van Halen painted his Frankenstrat red, the band released Van Halen II, kicked off their … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: 1979 Radio Appearance
During their 1979 "World Vacation" tour in support of Van Halen II, the band paid a visit to "Seattle's Best Rock" KISW-FM. Here's Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth with rock and roll disc jockey, Steve Slaton. Slaton hosted a nightly show on KISW called "Disco Destruction" during which he would "blow up" disco records. Van Halen were no disco fans either - Roth would start a … [Read more...]
Backstage with Van Halen at the CaliFFornia World Music Festival
Here's our FUN look back at the 40th anniversary of a giant rock concert in the late seventies, involving Van Halen, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Cheech and Chong, midget security guards, and a chimpanzee. Van Halen co-headlined the 1979 CaliFFornia World Music Festival, and it was amazing! All photos on this page are from the festival (excluding the Aerosmith photo). Van … [Read more...]
Here’s When Eddie Van Halen Painted His Red/Black/White Guitar!
Legend has it that Eddie Van Halen painted his Frankenstrat guitar (also known as The Frankenstein) with the iconic red/black/white color scheme sometime in early 1979. We've just figured out that it was almost certainly the last week of March when he painted it. That makes it 35 years ago this week that the famous guitarist transformed his white guitar (with black stripes) … [Read more...]
This Day in ’79: Van Halen Kicks Off First Headlining Tour! (Video)
Embed from Getty Images On March 25th 1979, two days after the release of their second album, Van Halen kicked off their very first headlining tour! On the first world tour a year earlier, Van Halen were like caged animals on stage, touring as the opening act for Black Sabbath and Journey. Limited to a brief 30 to 40 minute slot each night (often sabotaged by the … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Tour Bus 1979
Somewhere on the road in 1979, Edward Van Halen poses with his new polaroid camera. This never-seen shot was taken during Van Halen's first headlining tour, in support of Van Halen II. “All Access” Van Halen 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 every … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Backstage in Midland
Then the guy goes, "Now boys before I hand over the keys you've got to promise me that you'll handle this car resonsibly and follow these 3 simple rules. Rule number 1- No sex in the car; Rule number 2- No drugs in the car; And rule number 3- No rock and roll in the car. Can you boys promise me that?" Backstage in Midland, Texas, 1979. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Ed’s Jeep
This week’s photo is from 1979 and has never been published anywhere until now. The photo and story are by rock photographer Neil Zlozower. "When I first started hanging with the guys, they would just randomly pop over to my apartment on Fuller Street in Los Angeles to hang out with me if they were in my neighborhood. Ed had just gotten rid of his old Peugeot and got a … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Roth Basement
"Roth Basement c.1979 — Fast and thin was the pick to win ..." -David Lee Roth This week’s All Access Photo comes from a former Van Halen roadie and is something no one has seen. Eddie and Alex Van Halen in an impromptu moment in David Lee Roth's father's basement shortly before the release of Van Halen II. Roth's basement was pretty much Van Halen Headquarters during the … [Read more...]
VHND’s “All Access Photo” # 3
“All Access” Van Halen photos is a new weekly feature at VHND.com . Every Saturday we will be posting a photo from a roadie, friend, or band insider. Many will be exclusives that have never been seen anywhere before. Tune in every weekend for more! … [Read more...]
When The Van Halen Brothers Met The Wilson Sisters
You might have heard that in Heart's newly released memoir, the Wilson sisters share their strange tale of meeting the Van Halen brothers on the road in 1979. Here's the full story from Nancy Wilson herself: At one hotel, we met Eddie and Alex Van Halen. Over the course of a few hours, they had a Kamikaze-drinking contest, followed by a cocaine-snorting fest. Once they were … [Read more...]