WoodyTone.com has what seems to be the first review of the new EVH Frankenstein Humbucker: Ed’s Sound: Priceless If you’re a fan of Edward Van Halen, ask yourself this question: How much money would you pay for a pickup that EVH personally designed with Seymour Duncan? Bear in mind that good humbuckers can cost anywhere from $40-$50 made by single-person boutique shops … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen News
Eddie Van Halen Dismisses Jimi Hendrix Comparisons
From www.spinner.com: When Eddie Van Halen talks about guitars, people listen. It's like LeBron James waxing poetic on the art of the assist, or Kate Winslet on getting acting awards. Van Halen is that highly regarded in the guitar world. In fact, in a recent article in USA Today, he was referred to as "the Jimi Hendrix of his generation." High praise indeed. What does … [Read more...]
Eddie at NAMM, 1987 (Rare Video)
Here's some little-seen footage of Eddie Van Halen playing at the Anaheim Convention Center during the NAMM show, January 30th, 1987. He's jamming with Steve Stevens, Michael Winslow, and others at the Kramer booth. This was just two months after the 5150 tour wrapped up, and just before he went into the studio to play bass on Sammy's I Never Said Goodbye album. Songs: … [Read more...]
Dweezil Zappa on Meeting Eddie Van Halen
Dweezil Zappa is currently touring with an ensemble performing a show dedicated to his late father's work, called "Zappa Plays Zappa". On February 26th of this year, during a stop at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona, Dweezil took the opportunity to tell a short, funny tale of meeting Edward Van Halen for the very first time, when Zappa was but a mere teenager. He then … [Read more...]
Eddie Talks About the Future
The current issue of Hustler magazine has an exclusive interview with Eddie Van Halen. Here are the highlights where he talks about his upcoming wedding plans and making new music with David Lee Roth: When can we hope for the new CD? First, Wolfgang graduates, and then Janie and I are getting married. Then we'll sit down, give Dave a call and ask him if he feels like … [Read more...]
Van Halen Donates to Cancer-Stricken Deputy
We at the Van Halen News Desk just learned that Eddie, Alex, and Wolfgang Van Halen have donated some signed items for an auction to help to help a Southland sheriff's deputy who is fighting acute myeloid leukemia. (The full story is below). This news doesn't surprise us, as we know that Eddie Van Halen actually does this sort of thing all the time. But because he prefers … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Playing “Crossroads”
This little clip should make your day. If you've never heard this (and even if you have), then you are in for a treat. Sometime in 1984, Eddie Van Halen sat for an interview with veteran rock journalist Lisa Robinson. As the conversation progressed, talk centered on guitar styles and influences. Ed responds by ripping out an impromptu, note-for-note, perfect rendition of Eric … [Read more...]
Sterling Ball on his Association with Eddie Van Halen
From Ernie Ball's site, Music-Man.com site: Sterling Ball wrote this about his association with Eddie Van Halen: I guess I have to talk about EVH... This is a edited message that I responded to on our forum about the old 5150 guitar strings. It is an example of you never know when you take a little creative initiative where it can take you. 5150 strings are what … [Read more...]
Eddie Supports Live Nation/Ticketmaster Merger
From the full article at Reuters: Live Nation and Ticketmaster might have plenty of people out there who are not pleased with the idea of the two companies coming together but they have received support from several superstars in the run-up to a U.S. anti-trust hearing in Washington DC on Tuesday. Names like Seal, Shakira, Journey, Van Halen and Billy Corgan (The Smashing … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Designs a Guitar to Get Closer to the Fans
Variety has a new story on Eddie Van Halen: It's an intense, visceral thrill to stand next to Eddie Van Halen while he plays a series of riffs that pass at whip-cracking speed, each note articulated with clarity and purpose. The sound and the force of the music are unmistakable; he looks up while strumming an open chord at length, shouting that he’s playing the runs … [Read more...]
Eddie reflects on the 2007-2008 tour in new interview
There is a new interview with Eddie Van Halen in the April 2009 issue of Hustler magazine. Here are some of the highlights where Eddie talks about Van Halen's 2007-2008 tour: (Photo by Matthew Bruck) What was it like the first time you guys played after all those years ? It was amazing. At first, obviously, Dave doubted that a 15-16 year old could do it. He said, … [Read more...]
Van Halen Jamming “Girl Gone Bad” Instrumental at 5150, recorded in 1983
Here's a blast from the past for you! It's a 1984 recording of Eddie Van Halen noodling around in the 5150 studio. Precious few tapes have ever emerged from the studio such as this one. Although this has been circulating amongst VH collectors for 10 years or so, we're sure there's plenty of regular VHND readers who've never heard it. Enjoy! … [Read more...]