On May 21, 1996 — before Google existed, before social media, before YouTube, before streaming music, before message boards and Facebook groups, and before most people even understood what a "website" was — the Van Halen News Desk officially launched online. Today marks 30 years. Thirty years of reporting on the world's greatest rock band. Thirty years of celebrating … [Read more...]
Van Halen In The 90s: What Could Have Been
The decade couldn't have gotten to a better start for Van Halen when they returned in 1991. Another number-one album (For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge), more hit singles ("Poundcake", "Top Of The World", "Right Now"), and a lineup with a seemingly unbreakable bond. At least it seemed that way until internal tensions led to Sammy Hagar's departure in 1996. Looking back on the … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen, Jason Becker Unseen Footage Released
Bonus footage of Eddie Van Halen's August 1996 visit with Jason Becker has been released! An amazing meeting took place on August 31st of '96. Eddie spent the day with Jason, who had by then been diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Eddie came to Jason’s house to give love and support—as well as a guitar—to his friend and to film an ALS awareness promotional video. … [Read more...]
A Closer Look At The EVH Guitar Gifted To Jason Becker
On December 14th, the guitar Eddie Van Halen gifted to his friend Jason Becker in 1996 will go up for auction. It was a special gesture from one friend to another. The Van Halen News Desk caught up with Becker's close friend and assistant Stephen Correa to get the story behind this one-of-a-kind guitar and share Becker's inspirational story. As you'll see Correa talk about … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen’s Guitar Gifted To Jason Becker For Auction
Photo courtesy of Jason Becker The upcoming auction of the Edward Van Halen owned Wolfgang model serial numbered 91000069 given to Jason Becker in August of 1996 presented by Guernsey's Auction House 11/12/23 -- An amazing meeting took place on August 31, 1996. That’s when Eddie Van Halen spent the day with a guy who had followed in his footsteps playing alongside … [Read more...]
Desmond Child Reveals How David Lee Roth Blocked Him From Writing Songs For Van Halen
Photo by Neil Zlozower For nearly three decades, songwriter/producer Desmond Child has reigned as one of music's most successful hitmakers for the biggest bands like Bon Jovi, KISS, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Ratt, and Joan Jett. According to Child, Van Halen could have been another band on his resume, but David Lee Roth prevented that from happening. Child, a recent guest … [Read more...]
What If Van Halen Didn’t Implode At The ’96 VMAs?
In late February of 1996, the original four members of KISS officially reunited at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. It was to be the biggest story in music that year. But there could have been one just as big. Maybe bigger: The reunion of Van Halen's original four. As Van Halen fans know, the reunion of David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and … [Read more...]
Van Halen Celebrates Sammy Hagar Era With Remastered Box Set! [Updated]
Boxed Set Introduces Four Newly Remastered VH Studio Albums With Sammy Hagar, Plus Rarities Recorded Between 1989 And 2004 5-LP And 5-CD Versions Arriving On October 6 PRE-ORDER NOW direct from VanHalenStore.com Los Angeles - Van Halen will release a new boxed set this fall spotlighting the band’s second incarnation, with singer Sammy Hagar, guitarist Eddie Van … [Read more...]
Jason Becker Selling Guitar Given To Him By Eddie Van Halen To Raise Money For ALS Care
Credit: Benny Goodman Jason Becker is selling the guitar gifted to him by Eddie Van Halen in 1996 to pay for his ongoing care for ALS. Eddie gave the #69 Peavey EVH EVH Wolfgang guitar to Becker, diagnosed with ALS in 1989, during his emotional visit to Becker's home on August 31st, 1996. He signed it, with the inscription : "Jason. We will play guitar together in the … [Read more...]
Jason Becker’s Mother Shares ‘Beautiful Moments’ Spent With Eddie Van Halen
A message from Jason Becker who shared a letter written by his mother Pat about the day in 1996 Eddie Van Halen visited Jason: From Jason Becker's Facebook Page: On January 26, 1955, Edward Van Halen came into the world. Then, on February 10, 1978, the guitar world was changed forever with the release of Van Halen's first album. It is impossible to overstate his … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar On The ‘Twister’ Era Van Halen Song We’ve Yet To Hear: ‘It’s In The Archives, They’ll Find It’
Sammy Hagar says the unreleased 1996 Van Halen track "Between Us Two" isn't hard to find and when it does finally see the light of day, it'll be worth the wait. During a recent appearance on the Kyle Meredith with...podcast, Hagar was asked about the ballad recorded for the soundtrack to Twister and whether he thinks the song will eventually be released. "Everyone keeps … [Read more...]
POLL: ‘Me Wise Magic’ vs ‘Can’t Get This Stuff No More’
On this week in 1996, Van Halen released Best Of - Volume 1. Sure, the album promised to please the casual fans with the familiar hits from the Dave and Sammy eras but what would be a reason for the Van Halen die-hards to spend their hard-earned cash on an album with songs they already owned? The band answered that question with not just one but two reasons - "Me Wise Magic" … [Read more...]