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...]
Unearthed: Van Halen Covers “Some Kind of Wonderful” & “Can’t Get Enough”
The author of Van Halen Rising has unearthed yet another never heard recording! Listen to a very young Van Halen perform a medley of covers — Grand Funk's "Some Kind of Wonderful" & Bad Company's "Can't Get Enough," live at Pasadena High School on April 25, 1975! Greg Renoff writes, "After hitting the pages of Rolling Stone, it's been Some Kind of Wonderful week for VHR. … [Read more...]
Did Sammy Hagar Almost Replace Van Halen’s David Lee Roth in 1977?
We'll never forget the first time we heard the rumor. It was 1986, just when Van Halen started doing press around the release of “5150,” the band’s first album with Sammy Hagar. Band members were saying that even before they recorded their first album, someone within the Van Halen camp actually thought it would be a good idea to get rid of David Lee Roth and replace him … [Read more...]
Back to the STONE AGE: Mark Stone Performs With Fan Halen
Van Halen's original bassist, Mark Stone, finally get's his moment in the spotlight! Mark Stone performed bass with the Van Halen brothers from 1972-1974, when the trio was known first as Genesis, then as Mammoth, and then Van Halen. Here's a very cool piece written for the Van Halen News Desk by Greg Renoff, author of Van Halen Rising. Photos by Arpi A Szasz of … [Read more...]
Van Halen Covers Queen: Unearthed from 1975!
The author of Van Halen Rising has unearthed yet another never heard recording! Listen to a very young Van Halen covering "Now I'm Here" by Queen, live at Pasadena High School on April 25, 1975! Listen to the recording, embedded above. Eddie Van Halen — the youngest member of the band — was only 20 years old! For the full, untold story of VH’s rise to fame, check out … [Read more...]