Greg Renoff, historian and author of the best seller "Van Halen Rising - How A Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal" was the special guest on EVH Gear TV last Friday. Here's the episode, in case you missed it. Greg and host Eric Broadbent share a fun talk about the early and formative years of their favorite band. Get your copy of Van Halen Rising … [Read more...]
Watch ‘Van Halen’s Beginnings in Our Backyard’ (Updated with Video)
Van Halen Rising author Greg Renoff gave an excellent presentation today (Sat. April 29th) about Van Halen's early days on the campus of Pasadena City College. He shared unpublished photos that he couldn't include in the book and told a few tales about Edward, Alex, Michael, and David's stint as students at PCC. Watch the video above. Photos: Most photos here were … [Read more...]
40 Years Ago: Van Halen Offered Record Deal!
Today's is one of the least appreciated and yet most important anniversaries in Van Halen history. Forty years ago tonight, producer Ted Templeman, acting on a tip from Marshall Berle, stood in the back of Hollywood's Starwood Club and watched a little band from Pasadena tear it up. Impressed, he'd return the next night with Warner Bros. Records president Mo Ostin in tow. … [Read more...]
Watch ‘The Van Halen Story – The Early Years’ Documentary
Today is the 15th anniversary of the release of "The Van Halen Story," the must-see documentary about the formative years of the best rock and roll band ever. Narrated by the late J.J. Jackson from MTV fame, the documentary covers Alex and Edward's early years playing with small garage bands, all the early years with David Lee Roth, and concentrates mostly on the club days … [Read more...]
Van Halen Biographer Greg Renoff Author of ‘Van Halen Rising’ on ‘Cover Your Ears’ Podcast
Van Halen biographer, Greg Renoff, author of Van Halen Rising is featured on this week's episode of the Cover Your Ears podcast. About this episode: It’s all things Van Halen as Brian and Greg tap into the early days prior to the release of the now classic first Van Halen album. Greg also discusses how a guy with a PHD in History ends up writing rock biographies and the … [Read more...]
Down the Rabbit Hole with ‘Van Halen Rising’ Author Greg Renoff
The all-Van Halen podcast "Dave & Dave Unchained" has released episode #3. Dave & Dave Unchained heads into its third episode with their first guest, “Van Halen Rising” author Greg Renoff. Sure, sure…all you jaded VH fans are saying, “Heard him already on another podcast!” or “Read the book, what does he have to say that’s new?” Well, this conversation is unique. … [Read more...]
Gene Simmons Talks Lost Seventies Van Halen Demos
While speaking with Rolling Stone about the 40th anniversary of Kiss' Destroyer earlier this month, Gene Simmons digressed to reflect on the anniversary of some other recordings he made in 1976: his demos with Van Halen. It was 40 years ago this summer that Simmons discovered Van Halen and recorded several demos with the band, including one electrifying session (which … [Read more...]
Tribute To David Bowie: Van Halen Covers “The Jean Genie” & “Where Have All The Good Times Gone”
Music legend David Bowie died Sunday after a battle with cancer. Ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony expressed his condolences today on his Facebook page, and in doing so, revealed that David Bowie's treatment of a Kinks song was the reason Van Halen covered the song. So surprised and saddened to hear about David Bowie's passing. He was a big fashion and musical … [Read more...]
Van Halen “Forced Entry” — Never-Before-Heard Original Song!
When you woke up this morning, did you think you would hear a long lost original Van Halen song from the club days?? Well, get ready! The author of Van Halen Rising has unearthed yet another never heard recording! Listen to a very young Van Halen perform their "rock opera" - live at Pasadena High School on April 25, 1975! Greg Renoff writes, "Here's a never-before-circulated … [Read more...]
FULL VIDEO of ‘Van Halen Rising’ Launch Party with Ted Templeman Q&A
Recently we featured exclusive video highlights from the Van Halen Rising launch party, which took place Oct. 9th at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. Today we're debuting the complete 45-minutes video of the Q&A with Ted Templeman. Ted answers lots of great questions from fans! Watch the complete video coverage from the event below. All photos by Kevin … [Read more...]
‘Van Halen Rising’ Launch Party with Ted Templeman Q&A (Video)
Exclusive video from the Q&A with Van Halen producer, Ted Templeman, at the Van Halen Rising launch party can be viewed below. The event took place Oct. 9th at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. Watch three highlight clips from the Q&A below. "Talk about a surprise guest! Ted Templeman's sitting at the table with me in Pasadena, and guess who walks up? … [Read more...]
‘Van Halen Rising’ Author Discusses Band’s Early Years (Podcast)
There's a very interesting new interview with Van Halen Rising author Greg Renoff on the Art Howard At Night podcast. It's a quality, one hour episode on the band's formative years that's well worth a listen, whether you've read the book or not. About the podcast series: Art Howard at Night is the world's third most popular podcast, if you close your eyes and wish really … [Read more...]