Among the rarities included on the upcoming box set covering the Sammy Hagar era of Van Halen is an emotionally powerful song Hagar calls a "deep track on every level" - "Crossing Over". In the video above, Michael Anthony and Hagar talk about the song, initially written and demoed by Eddie Van Halen in 1983 under the title "David's Tune". He was honoring a friend who had … [Read more...]
‘Star Fleet Project’ Reissue Released With Alex Van Halen’s Blessing
Credit: Neil Zlozower Brian May says he wouldn't have released the upcoming Star Fleet Project reissue featuring Eddie Van Halen without Alex Van Halen's support. In a new interview with Cleveland.com, May said he thought about releasing the newly expanded and remastered box set shortly after Eddie's passing in October 2020 but decided the time … [Read more...]
‘What Is He Doing?!’: When Brian May First Witnessed Eddie Van Halen Perform (VIDEO)
Recalling the time he first encountered Eddie Van Halen's "phenomenal" performance in 1978 as the opening act for Black Sabbath, Brian May shared his experience in a new video. In the clip above, May details how he had the opportunity to meet Eddie through Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. As a lead-up to the July 14th reissue of the three-song EP collection "Brian May … [Read more...]
Star Fleet Sessions: How It Began (VIDEO)
It all began with a phone call to Eddie Van Halen. Not long afterward, Brian May's Starfleet project was ready for liftoff. In a newly released video (above), May recalls the day he decided to get some of his LA-area musician friends to jam. The result was the forthcoming three-song EP collection released in 1983 titled "Brian May & Friends: Star Fleet Project". The … [Read more...]
Brian May and Eddie Van Halen’s STAR FLEET PROJECT to be reissued on CD, LP, & Massively Expanded Box Set
“It’s all here. ALL of it. Every note we played on those two days is right here, on show for the first time. I will take you behind the scenes into that studio with us for two unforgettably exhilarating days.” The long-awaited reissue of Brian May + Friends’ Star Fleet Project will arrive next month – here's all the info, including the complete tracklist for the various … [Read more...]
The US Fest @ 40: Re-Watch Van Halen’s Complete Performance! (VIDEO)
Credit: Neil Zlozower Are you ready to get down one more time? We give you THE MIGHTY VAN HALEN! Forty years ago today, May 29th, 1983, Van Halen headlined the US Festival in San Bernardino, CA. Billed as "The Musical Event of the 80s," the '83 US Festival was like a gift from the heavens. Throughout four days, music lovers would flock to Southern California's Glen … [Read more...]
Watch Party: Episodes 1 & 2 of ‘Van Halen 1984 Documentary’!
The first two episodes of 'The Van Halen 1984 Documentary' have been released! And we're having a Watch Party right here on VHND! They are embedded below and went LIVE today! Watch them here and discuss them in the comments below. EP1 Building 5150 Studio EP2 The Road to the US Festival It's an unofficial, 5-Part Fan-Made Miniseries. The … [Read more...]
Watch ‘Van Halen 1984 Documentary’ Trailer!
Attention Van Halen fans! There's a NEW Van Halen documentary about to be released! It's an unofficial, 5-Part Fan-Made Miniseries. The year 1984 was, arguably, Van Halen at its peak. The band's creativity and tensions reached an optimum balance — enough to keep the passion in the music but not enough yet to destroy the band. This 5-part fan-made miniseries is the result … [Read more...]
Steve Lukather Sets The Record Straight On Tracking Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ With Eddie Van Halen
Steve Lukather says Eddie Van Halen recorded his iconic guitar solo on Michael Jackson's "Beat It" at 5150 studios, not Sunset Sound as some stories have claimed. Lukather recently stopped by the Sunset Sound studios in Los Angeles for a Sunset Sound Rountable interview. Host Drew Dempsey asked Lukather if he could set the record straight on where Eddie's solo was recorded. … [Read more...]
Brian May Working On Extended Version Of 1983 ‘Star Fleet Project’ With Eddie Van Halen
The 5150 vaults aren't the only place rare Eddie Van Halen recordings can be found. Brian May has reached into his own treasure trove of recordings and is currently working on an extended version of 1983's The Star Fleet Project featuring Eddie. Here's what May had to say about the project during a recent interview with Variety's A.D. Amorosi: OK, so the three of you are … [Read more...]
Dutch Abstract Art, Pasadena Hot Rods & Punk Rock Guitars: The Origins Of Eddie’s Striped ‘Frankenstrat’ Design
Credit: Bill O'Leary Eddie Van Halen's classic red, black and white striped guitar affectionally named "Frankenstrat" may be the most recognizable instrument in music history. Rock journalist and author Greg Prato has shared an article he wrote for AllMusic with the Van Halen News Desk that digs deep into the origins of the guitar design. By Greg … [Read more...]
The Eddie Van Halen-Inspired Hairdos On ‘Stranger Things 4’
Ah yes, the good ole 1980s. Remember those hairdos? The people behind the making of Stranger Things certainly do, specifically Eddie Van Halen's rockin' "do"s from that decade. So much so they decided to pay homage to a few of them in the latest season of the hit Netflix series. Stranger Things' lead hairstylist Sarah Hindsgaul shared the inspiration behind the wigs used to … [Read more...]