On this day in 1981, The Mighty Van Halen rolled through Portland, Maine, while on the Fair Warning tour. Here's a little story from VHND reader Joe Royland who got to witness that tour from the front row at age 16! I was 16 years old, and this was maybe the third concert I'd ever been to, and first by myself. It was at the former Cumberland County Civic Center here in … [Read more...]
Van Halen ‘Mayhem in Amsterdam’ (Video Upgrade)
Update 1/18/17: An even clearer version of this 1981 Amsterdam footage has surfaced, embedded above. Enjoy! This is fantastic! Here's some high quality footage of Van Halen clowning around in the streets and famous canals of Amsterdam Holland, back in 1981. This is the highest quality and most complete version of this rare footage that we never seen. Van Halen's North … [Read more...]
Unearthed: Video Interview with Alex Van Halen & Michael Anthony, 1981
Watch this newly unearthed video interview with Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony filmed at a hotel in Madrid, Spain, during a promotional tour in 1981. The usual shenanigans ensue! … [Read more...]
Photos: Van Halen Kicks Off ‘Fair Warning’ Tour
Van Halen kicked off their Fair Warning tour on this day in 1981. Here's 5 photos from that very night—at the Halifax Metro Center in Nova Scotia, Canada—along with the local newspaper ad, concert ticket, and backstage pass. Thanks to Eddie Dugan for sharing his photos. This 10-month opus (also dubbed the “W.D.F.A. Tour”, for “We Don’t Fuck Around”) was then considered … [Read more...]
Van Halen All Access Photo: “Are We There Yet?”
A moment in time: Eddie Van Halen on tourbus, 1981. “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 every weekend for more! … [Read more...]
40 Years Ago: Van Halen & Rolling Stones at the Tangerine Bowl
On this day in 1981, Van Halen capped off their Fair Warning tour with the second of two sold out stadium shows opening for The Rolling Stones at the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando. We have exclusive photos from photographer, Timmy Mccrum, as well as his very unique account attending the first show. Enjoy! In the fall of 1981, The Rolling Stones were touring behind their new single … [Read more...]
VHND All Access Photo: Never Seen Photoshoot
From our archives, another never seen shot. Who knows what year this photoshoot is from? (UPDATE: The answer is 1981!) “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 every weekend for more! … [Read more...]
When Van Halen’s Bass Tech’s Mother Gave David Lee Roth Advice
DLR in 1981 and Kevin Dugan's Mother Grace in 1989 This is a special story brought to us by Kevin Dugan. Some fans will know his name—he’s perhaps the most publicly well-known Van Halen crew member—he’s been Michael Anthony’s bass tech from 1981 through the present day. He was on Van Halen’s crew from ’81 to ’06 (25 years). Kevin’s mother passed away recently. In memory of … [Read more...]
Killer Photos of Van Halen in Texas—Sept 12, 1981
Here's a ton of INCREDIBLY COOL Van Halen photos this day in 1981! Van Halen’s mind-blowing performance at the Sam Houston Coliseum in Texas is captured in these many photos by Rockin’ Houston. This Texas show was the last show of the third North American leg of the Fair Warning tour, after which, the band was able to enjoy a two week break before the fourth leg began in … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Mike & Playboy Bunny Backstage
We'd like to think that if you were to walk into the hallowed backstage area of an early Van Halen gig at any given time, you'd be greeted by something like this. “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 every weekend for more! … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Eddie’s Porsche 911
Eddie Van Halen poses with his new Porsche 911. He treated himself after the Fair Warning album and tour. “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 every weekend for more! … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s Stripper Invasion
From KSHE95.com, by Beau Phillips From the first time I set the needle down on Van Halen’s debut album, I knew we’d struck gold. The band’s raw power jumped out of the speakers. Their songs grabbed you by the ears and refused to let go. Van Halen commanded your attention—no, they demanded it. The rock radio jocks at KISW in Seattle wore out the grooves on “You Really … [Read more...]