On The Jeremy White Show, John Douglas - former Alex Van Halen drum tech and current drummer of Aerosmith - revealed that Van Halen did, in fact, record video of several shows with multiple cameras during his time with the band from 1997 to 2015. Douglas referred to the multi-cam pro-shot videos, along with accompanying multitrack audio, as a "treasure trove" of material. When … [Read more...]
LISTEN: ‘Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story’ Author Paul Brannigan Exclusive Interview
The VHND's Eric Senich talked with author Paul Brannigan to talk about his book Unchained: The Eddie Van Halen Story! Here's a rundown of the topics covered in the interview: Eddie's guitar and recorder always by his sideThe influence parents Jan and Eugenia had on EddieForget the Fab Four, Eddie's fire was lit by The Dave Clark Five!Eric Clapton was the Cream of the … [Read more...]
LISTEN: ‘Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen’ Authors Exclusive Interview
The VHND's Eric Senich talked with Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen authors Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill for an exclusive, in-depth discussion of Eddie Van Halen's legendary career! Throughout the interview Tolinski and Gill give their insight and opinions on a wide range of EVH topics including: Eddie's childhood days overcoming his shynessHis relationship … [Read more...]
Exclusive Interview: ‘Van Halen: The Eruption and the Aftershock’ Author Michael Christopher
The Van Halen News Desk's Eric Senich talked with music journalist Michael Christopher about his new book Van Halen: The Eruption and the Aftershock! Below is the complete interview conducted by Senich for his podcast Booked On Rock. Christopher discusses a wide range of topics related to Van Halen including: The band's early days in Pasadena and original bassist Mark … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar On Wolfgang Van Halen: ‘The Motherf**ker Can Play!’
Sammy Hagar let the expletives fly when expressing his opinion of Wolfgang Van Halen's musical skills. During a recent appearance on the Lipps Service with Scott Lipps podcast, Hagar recalled the first time he heard Wolfgang's music. Songs from Wolfgang's eventual debut Mammoth WVH album were sent to him by his father Eddie, who couldn't wait for the rest of the world to … [Read more...]
Miles Copeland On Eddie Van Halen, Sammy Hagar & Hagar’s One-Time Opening Act Steven Seagal
Legendary music manager and label owner Miles Copeland has worked with many of the biggest artists in music history including The Police, The Go-Go's, The Bangles and R.E.M. One musician he wishes he could have worked with but never had the chance to was Eddie Van Halen. "He's an artist I would have liked to have worked with because he really was a great guitar player and he … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar On 2004 Van Halen Reunion: ‘I Really Wish We Would’ve Made A Whole New Record’
Seventeen years ago this week Van Halen released its two-disc best of collection titled The Best Of Both Worlds. While Sammy Hagar did get to record three new tracks with the band, he said he wishes there could have been more. "Looking back now, I really wish we would've made a whole new record," Hagar said in a recent post to his and Michael Anthony's Van Hagar/Other Half … [Read more...]
When Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul Met Eddie Van Halen
Sept 29th, 2004: Dimebag and Vinnie hanging with Eddie It was fifteen years ago when the late, great, Abbott brothers - Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul - meet Eddie Van Halen. “We actually got to meet Van Halen right before the horrible events that lead to my brother’s death.” Darrell was shot and killed while on stage during a Damageplan performance on Dec. 8, 2004, at the … [Read more...]
Van Halen “IT’S ABOUT TIME” Instrumental!
It's about time we heard this one as an instrumental! Holy hell, it smokes! And so many nuances that are lost under the vocals. It's so fantastic to be able to hear it in this form. "It's About Time" is one of three songs from the Best of Both Worlds two-disc compilation, released in 2004. It was the first time the world heard a new Van Halen song with Sammy Hagar since … [Read more...]
“Dime was an original, he deserves the original” —Eddie Van Halen on Dimebag Darrell
The great “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was tragically shot dead onstage while performing on Dec. 8th, 2004 with Damageplan at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio. This is the story of why Dimebag's last words were "Van Halen!", and how he was buried with the guitar that inspired him most — Eddie Van Halen’s yellow and black striped Charvel hybrid guitar featured on the back cover … [Read more...]
VHND’S All Access Photo: Ed & Wolfie, 2004
A never seen shot of a 13-year-old Wolfie and his dad backstage during Van Halen's 2004 tour. “All Access” Photos is a weekly feature at VHND.com. Every weekend we feature a photo from a roadie, friend, or band insider. Many are never-seen-before exclusives. Tune in every weekend for more! … [Read more...]
Sammy on ’04 tour: “There were some real problems in the band”
Sammy Hagar recently spoke with Billboard.com about Van Halen's 2004 reunion tour. "There were some real problems in the band," Hagar is quoted as saying. "I have to tell you, there were nights I didn't know what song Eddie [Van Halen] was playing. There were times I wanted to kill that guy for what he was playing. I would have left that tour in the middle of it if it wasn't … [Read more...]