Embed from Getty Images Twenty years ago Van Halen reunited with David Lee Roth at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards after being apart for 12 years. But the reunion was short-lived as the band’s temporary bonding moment imploded after 5 minutes on stage and some uncomfortable exchanges in the Press Room. In episode 6, “Dave & Dave Unchained – A Van Halen Podcast” … [Read more...]
Van Halen & Sammy Hagar Part Ways 20 Years Ago Today
20 years ago today, Van Halen and Sammy Hagar parted ways. (It was Father's Day, June 16th, 1996) "I remember nine-and-a-half great years, and one horrible year. But it’s so much easier remembering rolling out of the limo, the four of us, laughing so hard that we couldn’t even walk into the show half the time because we were having such a good time. And I can remember songs … [Read more...]
Unearthed: Van Halen Demo with Mitch Malloy – “It’s The Right Time”
Today we can hear a Van Halen song we've never heard before! Above, listen to a newly unearthed Van Halen demo from 1996 with Mitch Malloy singing. But is this a true "unreleased song" from Van Halen? Not really. Eddie gave Mitch an instrumental demo, and then later, after they parted ways, Mitch ended up putting his own lyrics and background vocals on it, turing it into a … [Read more...]
Unearthed: Van Halen ‘Can’t Get This Stuff No More’ Instrumental
Today enjoy Van Halen's 'Can't Get This Stuff No More' - without vocals for the first time! We’ll release a new instrumental every Monday and Thursday for the next several weeks. Some fans are wondering why we're featuring these now. These are not official releases of any sort. Now, no doubt that most people prefer their rock and roll with someone singing. Vocals and … [Read more...]
This Day in 1996: Eddie Van Halen, Billy Sheehan & Steve Lukather Perform at the ALS Benefit Concert
Something very special happened on this day in 1996. 18 years before the "Ice Bucket Challenge" went viral and drew attention to ALS, Eddie Van Halen assembled a band for an eight-hour benefit concert for his good friend Jason Becker—the guitar wunderkind diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease one week after joining David Lee Roth's band in 1989. We've got video and photos from … [Read more...]
When Van Halen’s Original Lineup Reunited on MTV
In the summer of 1996, Van Halen parted ways with Sammy Hagar, leaving Eddie, Alex, and Michael without a frontman as the band reached out to original singer David Lee Roth to record two new tracks (“Me Wise Magic” and “Can’t Get This Stuff No More") for the band's first greatest hits compilation. Even though Roth wasn't officially back in the band, it seemed everyone assumed … [Read more...]
How Mitch Malloy Almost Became Van Halen’s Third Singer (Video)
For the first time on camera, Mitch Malloy shares his story of how he was offered the singer position in Van Halen in 1996. And for the first time, listen to a sample of Mitch Malloy singing over an unreleased Van Halen instrumental. The legacy of Van Halen has never had a shortage of drama or die-hard fans...and rocker Mitch Malloy (official website) has a unique place … [Read more...]
Mitch Malloy: “Eddie told me I was in Van Halen!”
Van Halen fans all know the two major eras of the band — the original era featuring lead singer David Lee Roth, the “Van Hagar” era with Sammy Hagar. There was also the album and tour with Gary Cherone. But most fans are unaware that during the Summer of 1996, before they auditioned Cherone, the band auditioned singer Mitch Malloy. During his audition, Eddie, Alex, and Michael … [Read more...]
Audio: Mitch Malloy’s Audition for Van Halen (1996)
Hear Mitch Malloy Perform "Panama" With Van Halen! Van Halen fans all know the the two major eras of the band — the original era featuring lead singer David Lee Roth, the “Van Hagar” era with Sammy Hagar. And there was also the album and tour with Gary Cherone. But most fans are unaware that during the Summer of 1996, the band auditioned singer Mitch Malloy. Surprisingly, … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen and Sheryl Crow Perform “Bitch” (Video)
Here's an Eddie Van Halen guest appearance that few VH fans have seen — Sheryl Crow and Eddie Van Halen performing together during City of Hope at Universal Studios, Hollywood. This was from the Oct 17th, 1996 VH1 All Star Garage Band performance of the Rolling Stone's sleazy classic, "Bitch." … [Read more...]