Was Michael Anthony to be part of the failed Van Halen tribute project in 2021 or was it Jason Newsted? Three years ago, Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth were planning a Van Halen/Edward Van Halen tribute tour with Joe Satriani on guitar and either Newsted or Anthony on bass. This story first broke in April of 2021 when Newsted told The Palm Beach Post that he had been … [Read more...]
Michael Anthony On Van Halen Celebrations That Came & Went: ‘It Wasn’t To Be’
As Michael Anthony looks forward to celebrating the legacy of Van Halen this summer on the Best Of All Worlds tour with Sammy Hagar, he can't help but feel like this could have already happened not once, but twice. During a recent appearance on the Hook Rocks! podcast, Anthony commented on the failed Edward Van Halen tribute project in 2021 while also lamenting Van Halen's … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth’s First Two Vegas Shows Canceled
David Lee Roth's first two scheduled shows in Las Vegas have been canceled due to COVID-related concerns. From Las Vegas television network KTNV: David Lee Roth's shows at House of Blues this weekend have been canceled according to a press release sent to 13 Action News.The shows were sold out.The statement sent on behalf of the venue stated:“Due to unforeseen … [Read more...]
Carmine Appice On Eddie & Alex Van Halen’s Love For The Band Cactus
Credit: Neil Zlozower Legendary drummer Carmine Appice is probably best known for his work with Vanilla Fudge and Rod Stewart but there were no bigger fans of his band Cactus than Eddie & Alex Van Halen. Cactus formed out of Long Island, New York in 1969 and featured Appice on drums, former Vanilla Fudge bandmate Tim Bogert on bass, Jim McCarty (Mitch Ryder's … [Read more...]
Deconstructing Classic Van Halen: Isolated Tracks
Wanna hear "Hear About It Later" in a way you've never heard it before? Want just that tribal beat of "Everybody Wants Some!!"? Are ya hot for Eddie's guitar licks only on "Hot For Teacher"? Then you gotta check out these videos! The YouTube channel Isolated Tracks is created by musician, sound technician and DJ Fatih Günes. He's just released eight classic Van Halen tracks … [Read more...]
A Video Tour Of Alex Van Halen’s Drum Sets Through The Years
Credit: Neil Zlozower The YouTube channel 65 Drums has gone back through the legendary career of Alex Van Halen to highlight each and every drum set he used from his early pre-fame days right through to 2012's A Different Kind of Truth! Here's the complete video with a chapter breakdown below: CHAPTERS Early Years :44Bands Leading To Van Halen 1:41Early 70s … [Read more...]
Sunset Sound Roundtable: Alex Van Halen Can Bring The Swing!
Credit: Neil Zlozower Alice Cooper drummer Glen Sobel gave it up to the "King of Swing" Alex Van Halen during a recent visit to Sunset Sound Studios. During his roundtable interview with Sunset Sound Recorders host Drew Dempsey, Sobel was asked why Van Halen's "I'm The One" is such an important song. "[Because] it swings," said Sobel of the song recorded at Sunset … [Read more...]
Van Halen Holiday Light Tributes [VIDEO]
Credit: Jeffrey Sprigg (YouTube) ‘Tis the season for fans to celebrate the holidays with the music of Van Halen! Check out these videos posted over the years by some very creative fans who synched up the music of Van Halen with homes that “light up the sky!”. LIGHT ‘EM UP!!! by W0000DSTOCK (2010): A short but sweet video featuring the opening to Van Halen's "Right … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Dedicates New Song To Residents Affected By Kentucky Tornadoes [VIDEO]
David Lee Roth has released a new song titled "One Piece Thermo-Molded Country Plastic Chair" in dedication to those affected by the recent Kentucky tornadoes. The track is accompanied by a video (above) of Dave and his beloved late dog Russ just walkin' and hangin' (actually sittin' on his favorite plastic chair) in various parks, streets and rooftops throughout New York … [Read more...]
Musicradar Readers Vote Wolfgang Van Halen Among The World’s Best Rock Guitarists
Wolfgang Van Halen was voted among the world's best rock guitarists by readers of Musicradar. The website devoted to musicians recently rounded up its year-end polls - from pop/funk to metal and progressive - to rank the ten best guitarists in rock today. Wolfgang came in at #7. Here's what Musicradar had to say about Wolfgang: Following the illness and eventual … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen’s ‘Mr. Ed’ Guitar Solo Voted Third Best Of The Year
Readers of Guitar World have voted Wolfgang Van Halen's guitar solo on the Mammoth WVH track "Mr. Ed" the third best of 2021. Wolfgang's "Mr. Ed" solo was among the ten best of the year as voted by Guitar World readers. Here's what Guitar World's Jonathan Horsley had to say about the solo: We've learned many things about Wolfgang Van Halen in the past year, but perhaps … [Read more...]
The ‘Unchained’ Sessions, Donn Landee & More Covered In Latest Sunset Sound Van Halen Roundtable [VIDEO]
Credit: Neil Zlozower Guitarist/producer Doug Messenger returned to Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles to reveal more behind-the-scenes stories on Van Halen! Messenger first caught Van Halen perform in February of 1977 and quickly made a call to Warner Bros., urging them to check out this guitar hero named Eddie Van Halen. Soon after, the former Van Morrison … [Read more...]