Wolfgang Van Halen recently showcased his father's famous Frankenstein guitar. He joined Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett on his podcast “Shred with Shifty”. During the interview, Wolfgang brought out Edward's famous red, black, and white guitar when discussing its history. From Shred with Shifty: The well-known heir of rock royalty breaks down his own takes on his … [Read more...]
When Gene Simmons Asked Ace Frehley To Play Eddie Van Halen’s Solo: ‘He Was Furious’
Gene Simmons recently once asked Ace Frehley to play a guitar solo exactly like Eddie Van Halen on a KISS track and it's safe to say that didn't go over well with Ace. Below is an excerpt from a recent article written for Ultimate-Guitar by Greg Prato: Producer Ted Templeman is often credited with discovering Van Halen and helping them sign a deal with Warner Bros. … [Read more...]
Five Kids, One Dream: Seeing Van Halen Live
Forty years ago this month, five Cincinnati, Ohio kids barely in their teens got the chance to witness their very first Van Halen concert. The biggest band in rock and roll came to the Cincinnati Gardens and gave them an experience that would last a lifetime and it's all told in the brand-new book Jump: 40th Anniversary of Attending the "1984" Van Halen Concert by author Jim … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen Already Planning Third Mammoth WVH Album
Expect to hear a third Mammoth WVH album in the future, it's just a matter of when Wolfgang Van Halen can find the time during a hectic touring schedule. Wolfgang recently told Ultimate Classic Rock's Matt Wardlaw he's in the early process of coming up with the music for a follow up to 2023's Mammoth II and it won't hit shelves until the second half of 2025 at the … [Read more...]
Alex Van Halen’s ‘Brothers’: A Discussion With Authors Greg Renoff & Chris Gill
With the recent announcement of Alex Van Halen's upcoming autobiography Brothers, fans are wondering what we'll read inside the 384-page book due out in October. The Van Halen News Desk reached out to authors Greg Renoff & Chris Gill to get their thoughts on this highly anticipated book. Renoff is the author of Van Halen Rising: How A Southern California Backyard Party … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Wanted To Manage Tesla, Says Bassist Brian Wheat
Tesla bassist Brian Wheat says David Lee Roth not only wanted Tesla to open for him back in 1987, he also wanted to manage the band. After a series of dates supported by Cinderella during the second half of 1986, Roth tapped Tesla to open for the Eat 'Em And Smile band in January and February of '87. Roth had picked the band after seeing the video for "Modern Day Cowboy", … [Read more...]
Exclusive: Childhood Friend Recalls Eddie Van Halen’s Early Years
In an exclusive interview with the Van Halen News Desk's Jeff Goebel, Eddie Van Halen’s childhood friend Tom Broderick revealed private moments with Eddie and Van Halen from 1968 to 2019. Tom’s older brothers Rob and Rick were the first to meet Eddie doing paper routes in the Pasadena area they lived at. Rob, a drummer, even jammed with Eddie in the summer of 1968. The rare … [Read more...]
Rick Beato Celebrates Eddie Van Halen with Guest Guitarists
Rick Beato recently interviewed two of the most celebrated up-and-coming guitarists in the world, Mateus Asato and Matteo Mancuso, on his YouTube Channel. It was only a matter of time before the name Eddie Van Halen came up. In the clip below, the three reflect on Eddie's impact and unique style. During the discussion they listen to the “Ice Cream Man” solo and a raw … [Read more...]
Making Sense Of Van Halen’s Years-Long Internal Conflict
The story of David Lee Roth and the Van Halens is one for the ages, really. The most explosive rock and roll music you'll ever hear. Impossible to ignore. Unfortunately, neither is the often explosive drama. In case you hadn't heard, Roth has been making headlines lately by firing shots at the Van Halens, particularly Wolfgang, via his podcast The Roth Show. It's led to some … [Read more...]
Part Two: Greg Renoff Interviews Donn Landee
Part two of Van Halen author Greg Renoff's interview with legendary Van Halen engineer Donn Landee has arrived! Renoff shared part one of his interview for Tape Op magazine with VHND readers back in September. Now he's back to make good on his promise to deliver part two. Below is an excerpt from part two of Renoff's two-part interview posted to the Tape Op magazine … [Read more...]
Watch Van Halen ‘1984’ 40th Anniversary Special Pt. 2
The 5150 Show's celebration of Van Halen's 1984 is back with more! They've just released another episode devoted entirely to the album released 40 years ago this month. Joining the show once again are authors Greg Renoff (Van Halen Rising, Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer’s Life in Music) and Chris Gill (Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen), who will discuss the … [Read more...]
Satriani On Aborted Eddie Van Halen Tribute: ‘Alex’s Intentions Were Pure, But I Don’t Know About Dave’
As Joe Satriani prepares to perform a Van Halen-heavy setlist for the upcoming Best Of All Worlds tour with Sammy Hagar, he's still left wondering why his role in a planned Eddie Van Halen tribute with Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth never came to fruition. In April of 2022, Satriani confirmed that he had been in regular contact with Alex and David Lee Roth about a … [Read more...]