Credit: Neil Zlozower Steve Vai didn't feel the pressure of competing with Edward Van Halen when he became David Lee Roth's guitarist in 1986. That was simply because he never bothered to compete. "Having, I'll say 'the shadow' of Edward hanging over me, I didn't feel pressure," said Vai during a recent appearance on the Vintage Rock Pod. "If I would have felt … [Read more...]
Was Vito Bratta Imitating Eddie Van Halen’s Style? Bratta Got The Answer From Eddie Himself
White Lion guitarist Vito Bratta was among the leading guitarists of the 1980s. He had the speed, style, and look of the prototypical 80s guitar god. But the critics said he was merely an Eddie Van Halen imitation. In a brand-new interview with Guitar World, Bratta says he was eventually able to find out firsthand what Eddie himself thought. His response brought Bratta to … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen Looking Forward To Remastered Releases Of Sammy Hagar Era Van Halen
Wolfgang Van Halen says he's looking forward to the upcoming remastered reissues of the often-overlooked Sammy Hagar years of Van Halen. "That era doesn't get enough respect I don't I don't think," said Wolfgang during a recent interview with Oklahoma's KATT FM. "There's a lot of amazing songs and just, obviously, brilliant guitar playing on all of that stuff." Van … [Read more...]
Steve Vai On The ‘Forensic’ Approach To Co-Producing ‘Skyscraper’ Album With David Lee Roth
Steve Vai recently talked about the "forensic" approach to co-producing David Lee Roth's 1988 album Skyscraper, adding that his solos came straight from the demos. Vai was interviewed by eonmusic to promote the release of his new album Vai/Gash, which was written and recorded back in 1991. Writer Eamon O'Neill noted that the guitar work sounds very much like Vai's raw, … [Read more...]
Jesse Harms Shares The Inside Stories On Working With Sammy Hagar & David Lee Roth In The 80s
Imagine working with both Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth during the most turbulent time in Van Halen history. Jesse Harms doesn't have to imagine it. He lived it and oh, the stories he has to tell. Harms was a guest on the RetroZest podcast to talk about his stellar five-decade career, which included a stint as keyboardist and background vocalist for Sammy Hagar from … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar & The Circle – ‘Father Time’ (Official Video)
At 75 years old, Sammy Hagar has certainly lived out his dream....but it ain't over yet. The official video for Sammy Hagar & The Circle's "Father Time" has been released via Sammy's YouTube channel. The song features some stunning backing vocals from Michael Anthony, just as Sammy promised we'd hear on his latest album with The Circle - Crazy Times. Along with hearing … [Read more...]
Podcast Releases Never-Before-Heard Steve Vai ‘Eat ‘Em And Smile’ Interview With Greg Renoff From 2016 [AUDIO]
The podcast "The Tapes Archive" has just released author Greg Renoff's complete 2016 audio interview with Steve Vai all about David Lee Roth's classic 1986 album Eat 'Em and Smile'! From "The Tapes Archive"/YouTube: In this never before-heard 2016 interview, Vai talks with author Greg Renoff about the landmark David Lee Roth album Eat ‘Em and Smile. At the time, it … [Read more...]
WATCH: Van Halen Fan Performs Classical Fingerstyle Guitar Cover Of ‘Love Walks In’
Eddie Van Halen's music has touched the lives of many people in many ways, some in ways we may not have ever expected. This fan's classical fingerstyle guitar interpretation of "Love Walks In" is one that is sure to tug on the heart strings. Musician William Wilson has created the video tribute above for his oldest son Tad as he is ready to move on to adulthood. William is … [Read more...]
Dutch Abstract Art, Pasadena Hot Rods & Punk Rock Guitars: The Origins Of Eddie’s Striped ‘Frankenstrat’ Design
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 Prato Much has been said about one … [Read more...]
What Are The Ten Best Van Halen Deep Cuts?
Just how deep will you go when it comes to your Van Halen fix? Of the 131 songs in Van Halen's catalogue, 56 of them were released as singles. That leaves another 75 songs that can be referred to as "album tracks" or "deep cuts". Just recently, Metal Injection's Andrew Kapper posted his own ten best Van Halen deep cut list, which included the tracks "Baluchitherium", … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar’s ‘I Never Said Goodbye’ Featuring Eddie Van Halen Turns 35 [AUDIO]
Sammy Hagar's solo album I Never Said Goodbye featuring Eddie Van Halen on bass turned 35 today. The syndicated radio show "In The Studio with Red Beard" recently re-released the album's 25th anniversary interview with Hagar. About The Never Said Goodbye Album I Never Said Goodbye, released on June 23rd, 1987 through Geffen Records, was Hagar's ninth studio album overall … [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...]