The Tapes Archive podcast is taking Van Halen fans back to the summer of 1991 when the band was on top of the world. Above is a never before published interview with Sammy Hagar which took place just prior to Van Halen's concert at Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana on August 24th, 1991. Marc Allan of the Indianapolis Star conducted the interview over the … [Read more...]
Toto’s Steve Lukather On How He Ended Up Singing Backing Vocals On ‘Top Of The World’
Credit: Ryanhuntmuzik Toto's Steve Lukather said he contributed backing vocals to Van Halen's 1991 song "Top Of The World" simply because he happened to be hanging out at 5150 Studios. "I was on the 'F.U.C.K.' record [on 'Top of the World']," Lukather told Ultimate Guitar. "I was just hanging around. I'd go pick up my kids when they were in school still. I'd pick them … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar On Singing Van Halen Songs Then & Now
No matter how hard they may be to sing all these years later, Sammy Hagar said there are certain Van Halen songs he has to keep singing. They're just too important not to. Hagar was a guest on the syndicated interview series Kyle Meredith With... to talk about his latest Sammy Hagar & The Circle release 'Lockdown 2020', which includes current recordings of the Van Halen … [Read more...]
When David Lee Roth Predicted 2021 In 1991’s ‘A Lil’ Ain’t Enough’ Video
David Lee Roth fans may recall it was right around this time in 1991 that the video for his single “A Lil’ Ain’t Enough” was in steady rotation on MTV. It was the lead single from the album released the previous month - 'A Little Ain't Enough'. The video was classic Dave. Plenty of outrageous characters (remember the little people chanting “OOH! AH! OOH! AH!"?), beautiful … [Read more...]
New Alex Van Halen Book
Nice to see the GREAT Alex Van Halen get recognized! Modern Drummer has put together a special book that is entirely devoted to Alex Van Halen! Modern Drummer Legends: Alex Van Halen is the second installment in the 'Modern Drummer Legends' series, and is the one and only Alex Van Halen drum book! Includes Alex’s 1983, 1993, and 2008 Modern Drummer cover stories. … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar On The Healing Power Of Van Halen’s ‘Right Now’
In 1991 Sammy Hagar's lyrics to Van Halen's "Right Now" were inspired by a moment of solace amid a time of marital difficulties. Over 30 years later it offers the same solace, only this time amid a time of grieving. Hagar recently spoke with The Oakland Press about the day he performed "Right Now" with his band The Circle, which includes former Van Halen bassist Michael … [Read more...]
Nuno Bettencourt On First-Ever Meeting With Eddie Van Halen, Favorite Van Halen Album
Credit: Rudy Childs Nuno Bettencourt is among the many guitarists included in the massive Eddie Van Halen memorial issue available now. In it he talked of his first-ever meeting with Eddie and his favorite VH album. Bennencourt recalled to Guitar World: “The first time I met Eddie I was working on Dweezil Zappa’s album [1991’s Confessions], and he handed me … [Read more...]
Guitarist Blues Saraceno On Why He Almost But Never Golfed With Eddie Van Halen
Guitarist Blues Saraceno appeared on the latest episode of Dweezil Zappa's podcast Runnin' With The Dweezil and shared a story of the time in the early 90s Eddie invited him to play a round of golf. "I don't remember exactly what year it was but at some point I got invited to one of these T.J. Martell celebrity golf charity things," said Saraceno. "And you don't really … [Read more...]
Loudersound Picks Out The Best Of Van Halen Album Catalogue
The staff at Loudersound has gone through their Van Halen album collection to highlight the ones they say are most worthy of a needle drop. "Van Halen albums have it all: One of the most innovative guitarists of all time, your choice of rock star frontmen, and some great tunes," writes Paul Elliott. "If ever a back catalogue epitomized the American Dream, it's the albums of … [Read more...]
When The Van Halen Family Appeared On Arsenio Hall
The Van Halen News Desk would like to make a correction. Recently we reported that Wolfgang Van Halen will be performing his first-ever solo concert next October. Scratch that. Make it his second solo show. On this month in 1993 Valerie Bertinelli appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show to promote her TV show Café Americain (which Eddie made a guest appearance on). During the … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Talks Eddie Van Halen, The Would-Be VH Reunion, 5150 Vaults
Sammy Hagar appeared on Sirius/XM's Trunk Nation to talk about his friend and former bandmate Eddie Van Halen but said he's still coming to terms with his death. "To talk about someone like Eddie Van Halen, the greatness of him and to try to explain it to people or try to tell old stories, it's still not time. I don't feel comfortable with it yet," Hagar told host Eddie … [Read more...]
Geezer Butler Talks Lost Black Sabbath Recording Featuring Eddie Van Halen
Credit: Dena Flows & Joe Bielawa/Flickr Geezer Butler recently talked about the Black Sabbath song Eddie Van Halen co-wrote and played on in the early 90s. The Sabbath bassist made the comment during a recent interview with Eamon O'Neill of EonMusic. Here are Butler's comments: You didn’t have much involvement with Sabbath outside of your initial stint up … [Read more...]