Wolfgang Van Halen revealed details behind the making of 2009's Guitar Hero: Van Halen video game during a recent podcast appearance. While a guest on the video game podcast Good Game Nice Try, Wolfgang (an avid video gamer himself) along with the hosts Sonja Reid and Aaron Bleyaert were discussing some of their favorite games of the past. That's when Reid reminded Wolfgang … [Read more...]
Guitar.com Rembers Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Endless Pursuit Of Perfection’
Guitar.com has posted a tribute to Eddie Van Halen and his endless pursuit of guitar perfection. Writer Tony Bacon began by honoring Eddie's dedication to the instrument he loved. That dedication would go on to influence an entire generation of musicians, industry insiders and manufacturers: "Eddie Van Halen didn't just amaze his fellow guitarists with the remarkable … [Read more...]
Van Halen Producer John Shanks on Making ‘A Different Kind of Truth’
For the 5th anniversary of A Different Kind of Truth, we're featuring this new, EXCELLENT (and unexpected!) interview with Van Halen producer John Shanks. This is possibly our favorite interview conducted by the "Dave & Dave Unchained" Van Halen podcast. John Shanks rarely talks, and now sheds some light on the making of the record. This interview is precisely the kind of … [Read more...]
Tony Iommi and Eddie Van Halen Discuss Their Careers, Friendship
Tony and Eddie tour the world in Black Sabbath & Van Halen, 1978! Photo by Ross Halfin. Any short-list of the greatest riff-makers of all-time would be incomplete without Tony Iommi's name inscribed in bold letters. Beginning with Black Sabbath's 1970 debut album, Iommi ushered in a dark, sludgy sound that through the years has impacted bands as varied as Nirvana and … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Hangin’ at 5150
Eddie Van Halen having a good time at 5150 Studios with Riley Cote & Daniel Carcillo of the Philadelphia Flyers. 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! Dan Carcillo is a huge Van Halen fan and has auctioned … [Read more...]
Studio Encounter with Eddie Van Halen
Guitar legend Nuno Bettencourt was recently at Henson Studios to do some writing and mixing. Unbeknownst to him, his favorite rock band from his youth were secretly using the very same studios to record their upcoming album. Inspired by his chance encounter with Eddie Van Halen that day, Nuno wrote a story about it, which he contributed to the upcoming hardcover photo book, … [Read more...]
Smithsonian’s Q & A with Eddie Van Halen
From Smithsonian Magazine: Recently, guitarist Eddie Van Halen donated his guitar, the Frank 2, to the National Museum of American History. Smithsonian corresponded with him via email about his decision to give up his cherished guitar. “Eruption” is widely regarded as one of the greatest-if not the greatest-guitar solos ever. What’s the best guitar solo you ever heard … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen stops by Pearl rehearsals
From Scott Ian's Twitter account: From: @Scott_Ian Sent: 11 Ago, 2010 16:51 "Guess who stopped in to rehearsal yesterday! Perfect way to start a tour. Eddie Van Halen just gave Pearl his blessing to go out and kick some fucking ass. And he signed my 5150III." Scott Ian of the band Anthrax is also in Pearl, a band with his wife, Pearl Aday, daughter of famed singer … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen to appear on Dweezil Zappa CD
Eddie Van Halen recorded a solo for "What The Hell Was I Thinking?", the long-awaited new project from guitarist Dweezil Zappa. From The Huffington Post: Mike Ragogna: You had another great project that you've been working on, and forgive me if I don't know anymore about it than this, but it's your "What The Hell Was I Thinking?" project, right? Dweezil Zappa: Yeah, … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen at NAMM; New EVH products coming in 2010
Eddie at NAMM, Jan. 14th 2010, with Scott Ian from Anthrax: From PremierGuitar.com: EVH Now Offering Wolfgang Pickups & Low-Friction Pots, Plus New Finishes Anaheim, CA (January 14, 2010) -- EVH is proud to introduce a pair of new products for 2010 and new finish options for the Wolfgang guitar model. New this year are EVH Wolfgang pickups, which capitalize on … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen, Tony Iommi Interviewed For Guitar World’s 30th-Anniversary Issue
Eddie Van Halen appears with Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell) on the cover of Guitar World's 30th-anniversary issue, available at newsstands November 17. Van Halen & Iommi get together for a Guitar World exclusive to talk about the last 30 years of music and guitar innovations. Catch up with two of rock's living legends and most admired musical pioneers … [Read more...]
Guitar Hero: Van Halen Video Sample and Review
Here's a sample video of someone playing "Unchained": Here's a review from Blast Magazine: By Stephen Greenwell Guitar Hero: Van Halen Review 8.7 out of 10 - Superb Hey, don’t walk, “jump” and buy Guitar Hero: Van Halen! Ha ha ha! Man, I’m so witty – Around the Blast offices, if we had such a thing that I hung around, they would say I’m the funniest guy in there. … [Read more...]