Eddie Van Halen's iconic ‘Kramer Ad’ electric guitar has sold at auction for $2,734,000, making it one of the most sought-after guitars in history. This remarkable price makes it the sixth most expensive guitar ever sold at a public auction. Sold on October 24. In August, Sotheby's announced it would auction one of the most high-profile Van Halen guitars ever. Built in … [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...]
Part Two: Greg Renoff Interviews Donn Landee
Part two of Van Halen author Greg Renoff's interview with legendary Van Halen engineer Donn Landee has arrived! Renoff shared part one of his interview for Tape Op magazine with VHND readers back in September. Now he's back to make good on his promise to deliver part two. Below is an excerpt from part two of Renoff's two-part interview posted to the Tape Op magazine … [Read more...]
Photographer Neil Zlozower Shares Van Halen Stories & Photos
When it comes to Van Halen, he's seen it all and he has the photos to back up every story. Legendary Van Halen photographer Neil Zlozower was the recent subject of Gibson TV's "Through The Lens" series for a look back at his unparalleled body of work with the band! From Gibson TV: From the moment he first heard “Running with the Devil” in an office building in Los … [Read more...]
Reliving Van Halen’s Iconic 1983 US Festival Performance
Credit: Neil Zlozower Imagine what it was like being a teenager witnessing Van Halen for the first time. You're among an estimated 670,000 people packed into Glen Helen Regional Park on a hot summer day under the sun for the massive event known as the 1983 US Festival. The Van Halen News Desk spoke with two people who didn't have to imagine it. They lived through the … [Read more...]
Triumph’s Rik Emmett: US Festival Wasn’t Van Halen’s Best Moment
Credit: Neil Zlozower Triumph singer/guitarist Rik Emmett says Van Halen may have started the party too early on the day of the 1983 US Festival. During a recent interview with Ultimate-Guitar's Greg Prato, Emmett commented on Triumph's appearance at the US Festival's "Heavy Metal Day" on May 29, 1983, which saw performances from Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Almost Teamed Up With Ronnie James Dio On Animated Musical Project
Credit: Neil Zlozower Wendy Dio, the widow and longtime manager of rock legend Ronnie James Dio, recently said her late husband had considered creating an animated movie in the 80s, using the voice of David Lee Roth for the main character. The main character was a demonic beast named Murray. Here's the excerpt from Wendy's recent appearance on The Metal … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony On The “Deepest” Van Halen Deep Track: ‘Crossing Over’ [VIDEO]
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...]