UPDATE #1: Scroll down to see MORE PHOTOS that we added today. UPDATE #2, from Paraquat: Paraquat tells the Van Halen News Desk, "Thanks to my brothers Eddie and Alex for stopping bye for a hang with Paraquat Kelley today to support Melody Rogers and me for the upcoming Mighty Met Acoustic Flashback on Dec 14 @ the Canyon Club in Augora Whoo Ya!" Here's photos and video … [Read more...]
Alex Van Halen
Alex Van Halen Drum Intro is Voted Best Ever
The drum intro to Van Halen classic "Hot For Teacher" has been voted the best of all time – ahead of work by Led Zeppelin, Rush, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, and Queens Of The Stone Age. The team at Rhythm magazine have pulled together a massive list charting the 101 greatest ever drum intros. From Dave Grohl's iconic 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' pick up fill with Nirvana to the … [Read more...]
Friends of the Boys: Visiting Jan Van Halen (35 Years Ago Today)
The home where Eddie and Alex Van Halen grew up in Pasadena, as it looked in 2013. (Photo: Karen Nuremberg Sonner) A very unique story from 35 years ago today, by VHND contributing writer, Doug Fox. Written for VHND and The Editing Room Floor: Click, snap, clack, pop, clink ... There's a lot of things that go through a teenager's mind while standing on a doorstep at … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Returning to Holland, 1978
The Van Halen brothers in Holland on May 5th, 1978. This stop, two months into their first world tour, was their first visit back to their home country. Photo by Kees Baars. “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...]
Jan Van Halen’s Story
By VHND contributing writer Kevin Dodds, author of Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography Jan Van Halen—the patriarch of the entire, extended Van Halen family—was a perpetually working-class musician until the release of Diver Down in 1982. He was over sixty years old when he finally landed his biggest gig: tracking a song in a recording studio with his two sons for a band … [Read more...]
7-Year-Old drummer Avery Rocks Van Halen’s “Everybody Wants Some!!”
Our favorite little drummer is back! And this time Avery is kicking some butt on the Van Halen drums-filled classic, “Everybody Wants Some!!” Avery says, "Playing the same fill pattern over and over again was really hard to do. Hope you like it." How do you think he did? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Avery's t-shirt: Avery is rockin' a really cool … [Read more...]
Let’s Make a Deal!—Alex Van Halen’s Crazy Cash for Locks Program
Happy Birthday, Alex Van Halen! For his birthday today, we've got a never-seen photo and never-heard crazy story from the band's 5150 tour! Many people don't realize that Alex Van Halen has always been the biggest prankster in the band. He was arguably the most wild and out of control during the band's 1986 5150 tour—he even shaved his head, as seen in the photo … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Alex Chained
Alex Van Halen chained up! What do you think he did to deserve this? Another never-seen shot from Neil Zlozower. “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...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Van Halens Backstage at Black Sabbath Concert Last Night
Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang Van Halen with Tony Iommi backstage at the Black Sabbath concert last night at the Hollywood Bowl! "Had an amazing time last night at the Sabbath show." —Wolfgang “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 … [Read more...]
60 Years Ago: The Van Halen Family Travels by Boat to America
Today marks a historic anniversary for the Van Halen family... It was 60 years ago today that the Van Halen family traveled from Holland to America! (the newly discovered passenger list below proves the date was March 9th, and not February 22nd, as we previously thought). While living in Holland, Jan and Eugenia Van Halen received letters from relatives describing the wonders … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Spaghetti Time
The Van Halen brothers eating spaghetti. ("Hey, they're just like us! They eat spaghetti!") Seriously, THIS is an "All Access" photo. What's more behind-the-scenes than Van Halen eatin' spaghetti? This is a another never-seen shot from an former VH roadie. By the way, the guy in the orange shirt is Dennis from the lighting crew. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Young Van Halen Brothers At Home
Priceless photo of young Alex and Eddie Van Halen in their childhood home in Pasadena. Photo Credit: The Roth Show. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a weekly feature at VHND.com. Every weekend we will be posting a photo from a roadie, friend, or band insider. Many will be exclusives that have never been seen anywhere before, and some will be supplied with new captions … [Read more...]